Southern's class 205 "Thumper" units in their final months during 2004. Filmed at Oxted, Hurst Green, Cowden, Selhurst, Edenbridge Town, East Croydon, Clapham Junction, Norbury, and London Bridge.
I remember back in 1985 when I was 12 my Mum picked me up at East Grinstead to London bridge and was on one of these ,Wow the sound from inside was something I will never forget 32 coming up to 33 years.
Excellent vid with the all important great sounds; thanks for posting. Somebody `high up' in Hastings Diesels sent me this explanation taken from his Traction Training booklet (1968) which I don't suppose he'd mind me sharing with others interested in the detail of how a DEMU works:- Regarding the notching sequence listed below is what happens when each of the seven power notches are applied:- Notch 1:- The supply to the operating coils of the reversers throw them for the required direction of travel. The Generator Field Contactor Coil (GFC) no.1 is energised, its contacts close and a supply from the auxiliary generator is made available for excitation of the main generator field, a measure of resistance in its circuit ensures only a moderate field strength. (Low Volts). The Main Contactor Coils (MC) are energised (MC1 and MC2) and the main generator output is applied to the traction motors. The engine speed remains at idle (450 rpm). Notch 2:- GFC 2 coil is energised, its contacts close, and a proportion of the resistances in circuit with the main generator field is cut out. This increases the excitation and the output of the main generator (increased volts), allowing it to produce more current for the traction motors and higher speed. Engine still at idle 450rpm. Notch 3:- GFC 3 closes and a further proportion of resistance in the main generator field is cut out, causing greater excitation, higher output voltage, and further increase in tractive speed. Engine still at 450rpm. Notch 4:- Engine Governor (EG) 2 solenoid in the Engine Speed Control unit is energised, causing a change in the mechanical setting of the Engine Speed Governor, raising engine speed to 620rpm. Higher output from Generator, increase in tractive speed. Notch 5 :- The auxiliary generator supply to the Load Regulator is made available, so that the regulator when operated by the engine speed governor, automatically adjusts the field strength of the main generator to keep the engine fully loaded. Engine at 620rpm. Notch 6 :- EG 2 solenoid is de-energised and EG 3 is energised causing a further change in the mechanical setting of the Engine Speed Governor, increasing engine speed to 750 rpm. Notch 7 :- EG 2 solenoid is re-energised to supplement EG 3 which increases engine speed to maximum 850 rpm. The Load Regulator cuts the field divert resistances in and out as required.
They sounded so wonderful and always seemed on time, so much so you did not need a watch around town !!!! In my case 5 to the hour every hour in Bexhill.
Love the way these things seem to waft along with little apparent effort, all very languid. What a contrast with the godawful diesel mechanical units inflicted on the rest of us at the time. The power cars were dire - screaming engines and a diabolical ride. The DEMU approach seemed vastly superior. Was the eccentric drive due to the "four position" controller in common with the Southern EMUs? And then we got the "Pacers"!!!
The Hastings sets were made famous by the Hither Green Disaster of 1967. 1007 was the leading set that had sides torn off and severe damage in general. After the disaster 1007 ran as a 5 car formation. The trailing set was 1017 that survived the smash.
they were great when i left work i used to go to london bridge and watch them at 17.10 and 18.12 weekdays they first started in the late 1950s on hampshire routes
THUMPERS STILL LIVE. In Northern Ireland, Translink still run the mechanically identical 80 class and 450 class (Sprinter-esque rebuilt of the old 70 class). Extremely successful, the 450's are projected to last well into the future....dailymotion dot com/Martin_Baumann/video/xgbsb_457
These were originally designated as 3H units and there were a few 2H units. The Uckfield line was originally the preserve of 3D units; 3 of these would be coupled up into 9 car sets for rush hour services, Victoria being the London terminus.
They sounded so wonderful and always seemed on time, so much so you did not need a watch around town !!!! In my case 5 to the hour every hour in Bexhill.
