Class 483 EMUs
The 1938 tube stock was introduced under Sir Nigel Gresley’s tenure as CME and 289 cars were allocated to the LNER.
While Sir Nigel Gresley’s direct involvement with London Underground tube stock was limited, out of the order for 1,121 1938 tube stock vehicles, 289 cars were designated as LNER owned following the proposed electrification of the branches from Finsbury Park to High Barnet and Alexandra Palace and between Finchley and Edgware as part of the Northern Line.
London Underground 1938 tube stock units manufactured by Metro-Cammell. They featured a two-car formation (DMSO A + DMSO B), with a 52ft 3¾in car length, seating capacity of 84, maximum speed of 45 mph, and 500 kW total power output per set. They operated on a 660 V DC third rail system, and were designed for “tube” lines with electrical equipment located under the floor.
Following withdrawal from London Underground service in the mid-1980s, 20 vehicles were refurbished at Eastleigh Works between 1989 and 1992 for use on the Isle of Wight’s Island Line, with a ninth added in 1992.
Class 483 trains were in service on the Isle of Wight until January 2021, making them the oldest passenger trains in regular British service at 83 years old. Their withdrawal coincided with Island Line upgrades and the introduction of class 484 units, rebuilt from former D78 Stock.
Preservation efforts have secured units No. 483006 and No. 483008 with the London Transport Traction Group at Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway, and unit No. 483007 at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
To find out more about the class 483s, visit wikipedia. Volume 10B of the RCTS ‘Locomotives of the LNER’ covers the class in detail.