BR BEMU 79998/79999

Liverpool Overhead

LMS London and Liverpool

LNER Tyneside

LNWR London

LYR Units

Mersey Railway

NER Tyneside

2 SL

2 WIM

3 SUB and 4 SUB

2 NOL

4 DD

4 LAV

6 PUL, 6 COR, 6 CIT, 6 PAN, 6 TC

7 TC

Class 401 2 BIL

Class 402 2 HAL

Class 403 5 BEL

Class 404 4 COR, 4 RES, 4 BUF, 4 GRI, 4 PUL

Class 405 4 SUB

Class 410 4 BEP

Class 411 3 CEP, 4 CEP, 4 TEP

Class 412 4 BEP

Class 413 4 CAP

Class 414 2 HAP

Class 415 4 EPB, 4 COM

Class 416 2 EPB

Class 418 2 SAP

Class 419 MLV

Class 420 4 BIG

Class 421 4 CIG, 8 MIG, 8 DIG

Class 422 4 BIG

Class 423 4 VEP, 4 VOP, 4 VIP

Class 424 Networker Classic

Class 427 4 VEG

Class 430 4 REP

Class 431 6 REP

Class 432 4 REP

Class 438 4 TC, 4 TCB

Class 441

Class 442 Wessex Express

Class 444 5 DES Desiro

Class 445 4 PEP

Class 446 2 PEP

Class 450 4 DES Desiro

Class 451

Class 453

Class 455

Class 456

Class 457 Networker P/type

Class 458 4 JOP Juniper

Class 460 Juniper

Class 461

Class 462

Class 465 Networker

Class 466 Networker

Class 480 8 VAB

Class 482 8 MIG

Class 482 Waterloo & City

Class 483 Isle of Wight 1938

Class 485 4 VEC

Class 486 3 TIS

Class 487 Waterloo & City

Class 488 Gatwick Trailers

Class 489 GLV

Class 491 4 TC

Class 492 4 TCB, 5 TCB

Class 499 TLV

Class 499 LUL

Class 501 Euston-Watford

Class 502 Liverpool-Southport

Class 503 Wirral

Class 504 Bury

Class 505 Altrincham

Class 506 Hadfield

Class 507 Merseyrail

Class 508 Merseyrail

Class 510 (Ex-455)

Class 994 Tyne & Wear

Class 423 4 VEP, 4 VOP and 4 VIP

The Class 423 or 4 VEP (4 car Vestibuled Electro Pneumatic brake) units were built by BR York between 1967 and 1974 for working outer suburban services around South London and some rural services in Kent and Sussex. They were withdrawn in 2005, being replaced by Electrostar and Desiro units.

In 1998, Connex modified eighteen units to work inner suburban services which included removing the compartments. As a result, a new sub-class was created being Class 423/9 or 4 VOP (4 Car Vestibuled Open Plan).

Another variation was created in 2003 by reforming eight 4 VOP units by replacing one Driving Trailer with one from a standard unit. These were Class 423/8 or 4 VIP. I'm not sure what 'VIP' stands for in this case!

I decided to buy the DCC Fitted Hornby version of this class in the BR Blue and full yellow ends. It is a very nicely detailed model and not only features working head and tail lights, but also interior lights accessed by f1. Maybe one small feature I would have liked to have seen is an etched BR arrow instead of the printed version. Performance is good with the motor being fitted in the NDMSO.

Hornby make a model of this class in various liveries. Marc Models have also produced a RTR and kit of the 4 VEP. MTK, MJT and Southern Pride have produced kits of this class.