Class 423/0 '4-VEP' no.3169 at Headcorn. 1991.
In 1987 the Southern Region joined the modern age and set about renumbering the vast majority of it's third rail EMU stock that hadn't already gained TOPS compliant set numbers. Prior to this date renumbering had largely been focused on refurbished sets like the class 411 4-CEPs. The class 423 4-VEP fleet saw set numbers 7701 to 7894 dropped in favour of 3001 to 3194. Thus the full TOPS identity being 423 001 to 423 194. Lack of front end space largely dictated the age old practice of using just 4 digit set numbers was perpetuated, which in truth looked much more tidy. They had tried six digit numbers on early refurbished 4-CEP units and the digits nearest the vestibule connection often became tarnished with dirt not reached by the carriage washers and aesthetically just looked crowded with 6 + 6 digits across the units front like eyebrows.
From 1988 onwards BR set out on a major mid life refurbishment programme for the whole 4-VEP fleet. To distinguish refurbished from un-refurbished sets the class gained a sub fleet designation so un-refurbished became class 423/0 while refurbished became class 423/1 (although some insist it was 423/4) This being driven by the new number range starting with 34xx. It couldn't start with 31xx because of the fleet size already having 31xx numbers and 32xx and 33xx had already been taken by class 413 4-CAP units. As units were released for works pretty much on a one in one out basis It took seven years to complete the task and the new number range was thus 3401 to 3591, by this date several sets had been disbanded.
Set no.3167 allocated to Ramsgate depot is seen leading class 411/5 4-CEP no.1540 into the down passenger loop at Headcorn while working train 2R20 the 10.00 London Charing Cross to Ashford.
Class 423/0 '4-VEP' no.3169 at Headcorn. 1991.
In 1987 the Southern Region joined the modern age and set about renumbering the vast majority of it's third rail EMU stock that hadn't already gained TOPS compliant set numbers. Prior to this date renumbering had largely been focused on refurbished sets like the class 411 4-CEPs. The class 423 4-VEP fleet saw set numbers 7701 to 7894 dropped in favour of 3001 to 3194. Thus the full TOPS identity being 423 001 to 423 194. Lack of front end space largely dictated the age old practice of using just 4 digit set numbers was perpetuated, which in truth looked much more tidy. They had tried six digit numbers on early refurbished 4-CEP units and the digits nearest the vestibule connection often became tarnished with dirt not reached by the carriage washers and aesthetically just looked crowded with 6 + 6 digits across the units front like eyebrows.
From 1988 onwards BR set out on a major mid life refurbishment programme for the whole 4-VEP fleet. To distinguish refurbished from un-refurbished sets the class gained a sub fleet designation so un-refurbished became class 423/0 while refurbished became class 423/1 (although some insist it was 423/4) This being driven by the new number range starting with 34xx. It couldn't start with 31xx because of the fleet size already having 31xx numbers and 32xx and 33xx had already been taken by class 413 4-CAP units. As units were released for works pretty much on a one in one out basis It took seven years to complete the task and the new number range was thus 3401 to 3591, by this date several sets had been disbanded.
Set no.3167 allocated to Ramsgate depot is seen leading class 411/5 4-CEP no.1540 into the down passenger loop at Headcorn while working train 2R20 the 10.00 London Charing Cross to Ashford.