Bearing in mind this was a 1950's design,they did well to survive into the 2000's.largely through brilliant work by engineers to keep them going.. I have some happy memories of the engine noise as they gurgled their way through the Sussex countryside. But by 2000 they were getting very 'distressed' inside with grubby fabrics,damaged and worn fittings with a general feel of delapidation. People who got off the Eurostar at Ashford for the Hastings line got a shock getting into these units.
Absolutely lovely. I used to live in Basingstoke and watched trains at Worting Junction. I waited for 'Thumpers' and for Class 50s. If the wind was right, you could here a 50 leaving Basingstoke station. But 'Thumpers' gave you plenty of notice they were approaching too. Thanks for this vdeo.
The final units, nos. 205001/009/033 were withdrawn in mid-December 2004. Cracking little units the Thumpers, I never rode on one myself but my dad always talked about how he saw them at Salisbury and all these other places
People don't mind a bit of noise if there's a bit of character about it...Just like these English Electrics. Darn I remember being woken first thing in the morning by these as they went past Pevensey...and the line was about a mile away. You don't mind being woken up by this sound. Same as the early train out of Paignton pulled by a Class 50. Look at those squeaky 450/444s now...Just annoying sounds with modern trains.
Bearing in mind this was a 1950's design,they did well to survive into the 2000's.largely through brilliant work by engineers to keep them going.. I have some happy memories of the engine noise as they gurgled their way through the Sussex countryside. But by 2000 they were getting very 'distressed' inside with grubby fabrics,damaged and worn fittings with a general feel of delapidation. People who got off the Eurostar at Ashford for the Hastings line got a shock getting into these units.
frglee 1 month ago
Went past Bexhill at 5 to the hour, set your watch by them !!!
quattroheadusa 2 months ago
@quattroheadusa Nice...
MrStapletonRoad 2 months ago
Shame what became of 029.
dc25ify 3 months ago
Absolutely lovely. I used to live in Basingstoke and watched trains at Worting Junction. I waited for 'Thumpers' and for Class 50s. If the wind was right, you could here a 50 leaving Basingstoke station. But 'Thumpers' gave you plenty of notice they were approaching too. Thanks for this vdeo.
43177VP185 4 months ago
@43177VP185 You are very welcome, I am glad you liked the clips and that they refreshed some memories for you.
MrStapletonRoad 4 months ago
The final units, nos. 205001/009/033 were withdrawn in mid-December 2004. Cracking little units the Thumpers, I never rode on one myself but my dad always talked about how he saw them at Salisbury and all these other places
rorymacve 4 months ago
Great stuff, brings back many happy memories!
edsutton115 6 months ago
Great sound. Just made an O' gauge scale of one of these.
LongWordPhill 6 months ago
Nice vid!! Have added it to our thumper playlist on our channel.
EORtv1 10 months ago
@EORtv1 Many thanks
MrStapletonRoad 10 months ago
People don't mind a bit of noise if there's a bit of character about it...Just like these English Electrics. Darn I remember being woken first thing in the morning by these as they went past Pevensey...and the line was about a mile away. You don't mind being woken up by this sound. Same as the early train out of Paignton pulled by a Class 50. Look at those squeaky 450/444s now...Just annoying sounds with modern trains.
TheDepotCat 11 months ago
Most of these units along with 201's went of service between 2002 and 2005, brilliant video, liked :)
crazymanlargemarge 1 year ago
They lasted about 10 years after you filmed this.
Penfold37250 1 year ago
@Penfold37250 Cheers Penfold
MrStapletonRoad 1 year ago