@@Jeagles Ah right.. well, I am always happy to get new trains (I currently go into the city around midday from Richmond so it's almost always a 455), even if it is better late than never. Although I'm not a fan of the ironing board seats that seem to be popular these days.. Air conditioning will definitely be very appreciated come the summer though. On one hand, the old trains are very nostalgic - it's such a historic electric railway just in general, and then to use trains still trooping away 40 years on, before getting on the bakerloo line which feels like even more of a heritage railway these days.. but on the other hand, such a well used system does deserve something a bit more cutting edge.
That was a diffrent Unit, a 4TC. This is a 4VEP. They are both MK1 design, but the 4VEP is a EMU and the 4TC is just fixed coaches with a cab at each end. They were used for trains running onto Weymouth from Bournemouth, having been pushed there by 4REP EMU's.
1992 we went to the UK from Austria on a school trip. I remember going from London Victoria to Brighton on this type of train. The concept of your "own" door was new to us. If I remember correctly you could open the door only from the outside by open the window right?
I remember these from 1967 when they were introduced on semi-fast services on the LSWR mainline. I took them to and from Woking to Waterloo to got to school. They never were as clean as this then! Lovely to see one again, even though I'm a steam fan.
Interesting but it would have been interesting to see something of the routes that enabled the Hastings unit get between in each of termini. It must have been a complex journey.
that brings back many wonderful memories of draughty commutes into London from Kent. I used to work with Paul Taylor in the 90s, RIP mate, you were and still are Mr Electro Diesel. Very poignant.
Looks absolutely beautiful look at the first class, and when that was at its peak toilets were much better than today strains . Where was it going to some railway museum?
Fantastic! 👍 Isn’t that the ex “Borough of Eastleigh” 73? And of course the 4VEP set was stored on power at Eastleigh for a few years to prevent it being vandalised at EG. Fantastic job but some credit is definitely due to Knights Rail Services
To shunt the train in the yard, the 73s used diesel to avoid potentially stalling in the gaps in the third rail associated with complex pointwork found in depots
Agreed re body work. I recall the original finish was not so glossy due to painting process. Why a class 73 at both ends? Are the driving trailers cosmetic?
The cabs will need the fitting of modern safety equipment before they are allowed to lead the train. All trains on the mainline these days need a GSMR radio and an OTMR data recorder which the group are still raising funds to buy and install.
I think they’re still working on it. The 4VEP is a total restoration but the 5BEL is being completely rebuilt with new cabs, traction equipment, interiors etc. So progress is slow for them.
At 0:42 probably would have made me jump too lol. I saw your reply to someone in comments about investing in a tripod, probably a good idea!! 👍 Enjoyed the video 💯
Brilliant, so nice to see, hope it will be out using the juice rail, and when the restored Brighton Bell unit is back lots to look forward to. Great job to all those who have made this possible.
I used to drive these units, along & in multiple with CIGs, BIGs, CEPs, BEPs, HAPs, SAPs, EPBs & MLVs +455 & anything else I've forgotten in the 1980's when based at London Bridge & Bognor Regis.... It is indeed quite possible that I drove this unit myself (or it formed part of my train) many times... They were just considered utilitarian. Nice paint job though. I also drove Class 33+TC, Class 37, 47 & 50 locomotives, plus Class 101, 102, 121, 142, 143, 150, 153 & 158s when I later moved to the Western Region. Now long retired after more than 40 years service....
A fantastic paint job - the original livery was much better than the later blue and white. Must admit I wasn’t a great lover of the 4-VEPs. As a commuter from Kent into London I found them terribly cramped and spent many hours standing or, worse still, sitting in the middle of the 3-place seat with two hefty blokes either side of me. But it’s great to see they’ve restored one.
Great video. Nice to hear the VEP compressors/generators running, even if it's not entirely under it's own power yet. Do we know why the 73s were running in Diesel mode? Seems a bit odd.
I'm curious why it can't run on the DC. I just looked at the group page it does not have OTMR or central door locking so I'll send a donation to the group. Perhaps Hastings Diesels can help after they got their DEMU certified.
