Recognition and Equipment information
	Class 419/499 (MLV/TLV)

Painted in standard blue and grey livery, MLV No. 68009 stands with its non-battery end leading at Stewarts Lane. The MLVs were unusual in that they were the only Southern Region multiple units to have vacuum brake equipment, identified by the vacuum pipe on the buffer beam. (The MLVs actual brakes were air, with a vacuum control for other vehicles) CJM

When in use on Victoria-Folkestone Harbour services the MLVs were usually coupled at the London end to easy loading/unloading at Victoria. No. 68006 is seen passing Paddock Wood on the front of a 12-CEP formation on June 23, 1983. The battery end is leading. CJM

The grey, white, red and blue Network SouthEast colours were applied to the MLVs from the late 1980s as were TOPS classification numbers. As the MLVs were of Class 419 and allocated numbers in the 4190xx series the sets were numbered in Southern style with the last four digits only. No. 9002 (68002) is seen. CJM

The SouthEast business sector's Jaffa Cake colours were applied to a handful of vehicles as shown here on 9009. Each side of an MLV had three pairs of double leaf hinged doors for van loading, plus a drivers cab door at each end. The internal layout of the vehicles was divided into a large and small van, each of which could be locked for security. CJM

Returned to its all-over rail blue colours as carried in the early 1960s, MLV No. 68003, renumbered to 9003 is seen at Strawberry Hill. In having traction batteries for 'off juice' shunting at Folkestone, the MLVs were often used for depot pilotage after withdrawal. CJM

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