The British Rail Class 489 (GLV) electric multiple units were specially converted for use on Gatwick Express trains, from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport.
The units were converted from Class 414 driving motors cars, by Eastleigh Works in 1983-84, for use on the new Gatwick Express service. They were used to allow push-pull operations, on the London-end of the rakes of Class 488 stock, with a Class 73 locomotive at the other end and both used for propulsion. The units were used as baggage cars.
Units were given unit numbers in the range 489101-489110, with individual carriages numbered 68500-68509. However, purely for aesthetic purposes, only the last four digits of the set numbers were shown, to fit with the traditional Southern style (maintained until privatisation by British Rail's Southern region) - older (pre-TOPS) units were originally assigned four-digit numbers. The units were originally painted in BR Blue/Grey livery, which was quickly replaced by InterCity livery. The final livery carried by these units is a variation of the InterCity livery, with a claret stripe and Gatwick Express lettering.
Fleet status The current status of the fleet is shown below.
Key:In serviceWithdrawnPreservedScrapped
Unit no.Vehicle nos.OperatorWithdrawnStatusDMLVex-DMBSO4891086850761267Gatwick Express2003Scrapped (2009)
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