Class 401 2-BIL Profile and Models

Class 401 2-BIL

2090 at London Waterloo in November 1986. ©Michael Day

The Southern Railway (SR) gave the designation 2-BIL to the DC third rail electric multiple units built during the 1930s to work long-distance semi-fast services on the newly electrified lines from London to Eastbourne, Portsmouth and Reading. This type of unit survived long enough in British Rail ownership to be allocated TOPS Class 401. The 2-BIL units (2-car Bi-Lavatory stock) were so-called because each set had two lavatories, one in each car. The different batches were broadly similar, though in the first one, the driving motor brake car had a smaller brake compartment and seven full compartments, rather than six-and-a-half in the later batches.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Unit

DC Third-Rail Eelectric Multiple Unit

Builder

Southern Railway

Build Dates

1935 to 1938

Total Built

152 Sets

Power Output

500hp to 575hp per set

Top Speed

75 mph

Passenger Capacity

76 to 84 seated per set

Operated By

Southern Railway
British Railways

Main Duties

Semi-Fast Passenger Services

In Service Until

1971

Surviving Examples

1 set

 

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale Brand Image Construction Type DCC Capability Product Code Product Title Livery
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Kitbuilt (unknown brand) No image available RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set KB556
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Class 401 2-BIL 2-car EMU 2045 in BR green livery - Dummy cat set BR green with late crest
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Phoenix Railway PR001 1937 SR 2-Bil kit - Motor Brake 3rd & driving trailer Compo Requires assembly Not set PR001
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1937 SR 2-Bil kit - Motor Brake 3rd & driving trailer Compo Awaiting Categorisation