4-SUB Sparkles in BR Blue
Sunday, 27 November 2011 13:02

Electric Railway Museum's 4-SUB Unit (Class 405) has been given a new lease of life, with one of its driving coaches being painted in classic Rail Blue.
4-SUB (BR Blue) 

One of many projects current underway at Electric Railway Museum, it was decided to repaint a section of 4732 in BR Blue, as most preserved passenger vehicles are restored with BR Green. At the Coventry site, three of 4-SUB's compartments currently remain in BR Green, so visitors will be able to experience different liveries given during its working life. The end which has been repainted carries the number DMBSO 12795.  

4-SUB has also seen a leak repaired above the driver's desk and the roof has been given a full repaint using Peganox paint, generously donated by Promain UK Limited. Work is set to contine on the rest of the vehicle over the next few months, both inside and outside.  

The 4-SUB 4732 is the largest unit on site at Electric Railway Museum. It was built by British Railways in 1948-1951, but to a design it inherited from the Southern Railway. They were built to carry the huge number of commuters heading to and from work in London and their homes in the suburbs of South London, Surrey, Kent and Middlesex. The top speed of these units was 70 mph, with the emphasis on acceleration to get them to keep time between the frequent station stops.  

It was kept for specials in the 1980s, when the rest of the class was withdrawn, but was unwanted by the privatised railway. After a period of storage, it was preserved in 1999 at Coventry. It is a truly unique item, being the only survivor of the 4-SUBs to survive.