British Rail Class 424

The British Rail Class 424, called the Networker Classic, was a prototype electric multiple unit built in 1997 by Adtranz at Derby Litchurch Lane Works from a Class 421 driving trailer vehicle. The Networker Classic idea was to rebuild Mark 1 Southern Region electric multiple units of Classes 411, 421 and 423 to current crashworthiness standards, fitting a new bodyshell with electric sliding doors on the existing chassis while keeping the original electrical and motor equipment, so that a rebuilt unit would cost about a quarter of a new train and last at least fifteen years. Only one vehicle, number 76112 from a four-car unit, was rebuilt, and it was shown to the public at London Victoria. Its body resembles the Class 170 and Class 357 trains. It never carried passengers because the train companies chose new-build Electrostar, Desiro and Juniper trains, and it was stored at Derby until it was removed for disposal in 2012.