Class 403 5-BEL 'Brighton Belle' Profile and Models

Class 403 5-BEL 'Brighton Belle'

Brighton Belle No. 3052 at Purley Oaks in June 1964. © Tony Hagon

The Southern Railway produced three “5-BEL” electric multiple units to work their prestigious Brighton Belle service (initially referred to as the Southern Belle Pullman) between London Victoria and Brighton. The cars were owned by the independent Pullman Car Company, who gave the first class coaches women’s names. The units managed to survive well into British Rail use, with the final service running in April 1972. The units were withdrawn, but every car was individually sold into private ownership. Some are now in use, hauled as part of Belmond British Pullman trains, with other cars under restoration. 

(Information provided by Wikipedia)

Type of Vehicle

Electric Multiple Unit

(660 - 750V DC Third Rail)

Builder

Metropolitan Cammell

Build Dates

1932

Total Built

3 sets (15 cars)

Top Speed

75mph
Capacity

40 (1st Class),

132 (3rd Class)

Operators

Southern & British Railways

Main Duties

Prestige Passenger

In Service Until

1972

Surviving Units

14 individual cars