| Southern Railway 2-HAL British Rail Class 402 | |
|---|---|
 Southern Railway publicity photograph 1938 | |
| In service | 1939–1971 |
| Manufacturer | Eastleigh Works, frames fromLancing |
| Replaced | Steam locomotives and carriages |
| Constructed | 1938–1939, 1948, 1955 |
| Number built | 100 |
| Number scrapped | All |
| Formation | DMBT-DTC |
| Capacity | 32 first class (later 24), 102 third class |
| Operators | Southern Railway and British Railways |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 129 ft 6 in (39.47 m) |
| Car length | 62 ft 6 in (19.05 m) |
| Width | 9 ft 2 in (2.79 m) |
| Maximum speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
| Weight | 76 long tons (77 t; 85 short tons) |
| Traction motors | Two |
| Power output | 2 x 275 hp (205 kW) total = 550 hp (410 kW) |
| Electric system(s) | 750VDCThird rail |
| Current collection | Contact shoe |
| UIC classification | Bo′2′+2′2′ |
| Braking system(s) | Electro-pneumatic Air |
| Coupling system | Screw-link |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)standard gauge |
TheSouthern Railway (SR) gave the designation2-HAL to theelectric multiple-unit passenger trains built during the late 1930s to work long-distance semi-fast services on the newly electrified lines from London Victoria to Maidstone and Gillingham (Kent). This type of unit survived long enough inBritish Rail ownership to be allocatedTOPSClass 402.
A development of the earlier2-BIL units, the2-HAL units (2-carHalfLavatory stock) were so-called because only one car in each unit had a lavatory. They were built in three batches:
| Units | Built | Intended Use |
|---|---|---|
| 2601–2677 | 1938 | London Victoria to Maidstone and Gillingham |
| 2677–2692 | 1939 | London Waterloo to Aldershot and Reading |
| 2693–2699 | 1948 | Post-World War II additional units |
| 2700 | 1955 | Accident replacement unit |
The handful of post-war units were of completely different appearance, of all-steel construction, and looked very like the standard 4-SUB units being built at the same time, with flat ends, whereas the main 2-HAL units had the domed end appearance of the first 10 prototype "Queen Mary" 4-SUB units.
In the early 1960s the Eastern Division was fully changed over to EP-braked electric stock, and the 2-HAL units operating from Victoria to Maidstone/Gillingham etc. were removed to the Central and Western Divisions, being replaced by the large new build of 2-HAP units. The units then remained in service on these divisions until replaced at the end of their life by new 4-VEP units.
The original formations of these units are set out in the table below:
| Unit Numbers | DMBT | DTC |
|---|---|---|
| 2601–2646 | 10719 to 10764 | 12186 to 12231 |
| 2647–2699 | 10765 to 10817 | 12801 to 12853 |
| 2700 | 12664 (ex4-SUB 4590) | 12855 (new build) |
In 1967, three units were converted for de-icing the 3rd rail and were renumbered 001 - 003. These units operated from depots atEastleigh andBournemouth.[1][2]
In 1970, two units were converted for use transporting stores between depots. Renumbered 022 and 023 these units linked Eastleigh Works and other depots on the Southern Region and followed a set route on a weekly schedule. Unit 022 was allocated to Slade Green and servedStewarts Lane,Hither Green,Ashford,Ramsgate andSlade Green while Unit 023 was allocated to Brighton and servedWimbledon,Selhurst,New Cross Gate,Brighton andFratton.[3][4][1]
In 1971, six units were converted for use conveying parcels and newspaper traffic. They were renumbered 061-066 and designated2-PAN (2-carParcelsandNewspapers stock), reusing the PAN code originally allocated to6-PAN (Pantry) stock. Their life was not extended by long; within two years, all had been withdrawn.
After withdrawal in 1971, various2-HAL units in company with2-BIL units were noted at Stratford in east London destined for scrapping by Kings of Norwich, or being hauled west for scrapping in the Newport area.[5]