Southern Electric - Classic Traction in the Rail Blue Days

[deliow]

Where and when was this filmed ?

[englischlokfuehrer]

Very good nice to some of the traditional southern stuff on film.

[TheBottledair]

Bring back the Slam-doors, they could have made them wheelchair friendly, guess that was why they had to go but I found them way more cosy and warmer than our modern trains of today.

[clusterfak]

I love it but every time I watch this kind of film I think I've gone deaf lol. You are superb sir.

[ms29b]

@clusterfak on all of these units i remember - the motors were the best parts/attraction, of all the slams doors EPB's (402/413/411/412/415-6) have the motors which sound like their working the hardest, here you show some my favorites AND THERES NO SOUND! nice vid

[MrSignalbelle]

Many thanks for some very vivid memories, particularly the 2 bil farewell trip. I am the guy in the mustard coloured T shirt hanging out of the 2bil coupled up to the electro diesel. The train started off with 3 x2bil but one of the bils failed and was replaced at Wimbledon by a 4sub. The 4sub was then taken off and replaced by a 2Hal which was particularly appropiate as the final part of the tour finished off in Kent. Oh to hear those 275hp traction motors grinding again.

[penninefilms]

Is this class of train coming out in models form some time this year?

[SouthernRailwayFilms]

@penninefilms Not these, alas. You're probably thinking of the British Railways Class 416 (2-EPB) unit that Bachmann are bringing out. They also have an MLV in the pipeline to go with the 4-CEP they already make, and I think a buffet car to allow the formation of a 4-BEP is on the cards. Hornby have announced a model of the all-Pullman 5-BEL "Brighton Belle" unit of 1936 as well, whilst Dapol/Kernow have a limited edition Class 205 DEMU (similar to the EPB but diesel powered) in the works.

[penninefilms]

@SouthernRailwayFilms For a long time if you wonted this class of engines on our model railway you had to scratch build them but over the last two year the big manufacturers of models railway seem to be bringing them out in there thousands now and I really hope they bring one this type out soon. And thank you for you reply to my comment sorry its a bit late.

[SouthernRailwayFilms]

@penninefilms I completely missed this one. Hornby have announced a 4-VEP (Class 421). 'Orrible things they were...

[619badazz13]

@SouthernRailwayFilms BORRRRRRRING

[penninefilms]

@SouthernRailwayFilms Can I ask why they where horrible things?

[SouthernRailwayFilms]

@penninefilms Well... unlike the other BR MK1 coach based units, the VEPs had 3+2 seating the similar CIG and earlier CEP units had 2+2 seating so basically the VEPs squeezed 5 people into a space really meant for four. Add to that rock hard seating and you had a recipe for a paralysed arse. The unrefurbished CIGs were by contrast extremely comfortable, if a tad bouncy.

[penninefilms]

@SouthernRailwayFilms I see what you mean now I don't think I would like to have a long journey in on of them do you know if any are preserved?

[SouthernRailwayFilms]

@penninefilms Firstly, to correct a mistake, the VEPs were Class 423. As for preservation, two complete units and four driving trailers were preserved and an additional two complete units are still used by the railway as tractor units at Ashford's Chart Leacon depot. One of the preserved units was scrapped last year, but the other is owned by the Bluebell Railway, currently in store at Bournemouth Depot.

[penninefilms]

@SouthernRailwayFilms It would be real very good if the bluebell railway on one of the other one can make a short electric line so that these locomotive's can move under there own power age.

[PILLOCKHEAD]

The first train with the headcoe of No 1 used to run from Brighton to West Worthing on a very tight schedule I renember this from my boyhood days when I lived in Brighton and was a frequent train spotter on Brighton Station

[PILLOCKHEAD]

The first train with the headcoe of No 1 used to run from Brighton to West Worthing on a very tight schedule I renember this from my boyhood days wen I lived in Brighton and was a frequent train spotter on Brighton Station

[mekydro]

Ah, what memories here. As a kid I used to buy Area 8+9 rovers, took you along the Coastway in a BIL as far as West Worthing. I remember the Arundel-Bognor shuttle, a single BIL or HAL.

Sighs....

[DKS225]

@mekydro What about the "Cromptons" and how they were useful espcially on the Bournemouth-Weymouth Push-Pull services

[JohnnyORooke]

Yes, that's Worthing Central, up to about 1:30. Fantastic clips!

[spiccybaby]

Loved the 2-BILs and 2-HALs, used to travel on the Waterloo-Reading line frequently. They pulled away with a characteristic growl and rattle and wound up quite rapidly. Very comfy seats, even in 2nd class. These units had a unique and complex aroma, a sort of mix of electric motors and grease pickled in steam and smoke, which you could smell from 30 feet away. Much missed.

[BROADTRAIN1979]

fantastic footage especially the 501s and broad st

[jamespetts2]

At the beginning, with all the 2-BILs - is that Staines?

[castra58]

@jamespetts2 If you're refering to the clip around the 30 second mark, I think (?) that is Worthing.

[modemeyes]

Great stuff! 5*