The Clacton units

[Deepol]

A couple of BR pics I have of them. Remember seeing them for the first time did not know they were painted in maroon coaching stock livery so went looking for the loco........

[60800]

Wow, that has to be the most impressive EMU I've ever seen

[brsince78]

I seem to recall they had marquetry panels inside the passenger saloons and one found its way into the works manager's office at BRML Ilford when I was there in the mid 90's.

[strang steel]

Yes, they now look rather odd in original maroon livery rather than the blue/grey that they became more familiar in. They looked even stranger with an all yellow front and maroon.

They had a brief spell in jaffa cake before going NSE ice cream van livery.

They were a decent attempt to style a unit front end with a corridor connection, but for my money the class 442 Bournemouth units were the best.

[Saint Johnstoun]

These were the ultimate EMUs based on BR Mk1 corridor stock. They were the first EMUs designed for 100mph running. There were attempts to use them elsewhere after withdrawal but in the end they went for scrap apart from two units which finished up in departmental use.

[v3man]

Two 309 units are still in existence at the Electric Railway Museum - website at

http://www.electricrailwaymuseum.co.uk/ ... collection

They were superb EMU's, I used to travel on them from Witham to Liverpool Street and the acceleration was fantastic for it's time. When you had to stand in the rush hour the best place was by the intermediate cab door which had a window and you could watch the speedo - 100mph for miles. Orignally they had some compartments as well and a buffet so us commuters could enjoy a coffe on the way to and from work.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

I remember those units screaming past us as I was going to and from work, Brentwood back did not exist after they were introduced, and to hear one rattling across the points at Stratford..........

manna

[2512silverfox]

I also commuted in them between 1967 and 1972. As a ten coach set they had the same power as a deltic, and could, on accasions, do Liverpool St to Colchester in under 40 minutes, only to be held up by North Stn Box on approach to North Station. The only really dodgy bit at 100 + was the level crossing at Ingatestone; a disaster waiting to happen.

One set was sent to Wolverton for refurb and the buffet car was dropped from a crane traverser. The car was replaced by an ex Cross Pennine buffet, but it was the maquetry from that damaged buffet car which found its way into the Ilford office! Each buffet had an individual panel next to the buffet. Toasted teacake and coffee 1/3d in 1967!

[Saint Johnstoun]

The units finished up in the North West running from Manchester - I remember seeing one going through Stafford ECS when changing trains there on returning to Nuneaton from Liverpool on my then monthly visit to a friend in the late 1980s I think.

The only EMUs of that period with anything like the 'go' were of course the 4REPs on the Southern.

On liveries, it was the original intention to paint DMUs blood and custard, and the 4CEP/REP units also narrowly escaped that fate due to policy changes.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Not unlike the diesel version, the class 124 Trans-Pennine version:

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=class+ ... wCQ&zoom=1

Seen here from my childhood spotting haunt!

[strang steel]

The units finished up in the North West running from Manchester - I remember seeing one going through Stafford ECS when changing trains there on returning to Nuneaton from Liverpool on my then monthly visit to a friend in the late 1980s I think.

The only EMUs of that period with anything like the 'go' were of course the 4REPs on the Southern.

On liveries, it was the original intention to paint DMUs blood and custard, and the 4CEP/REP units also narrowly escaped that fate due to policy changes.

Is that right?

What a wonderful sight that would have been.

My earliest memories were of crimson/cream stock and I loved that colour.

[billdonald]

This topic reminds me that I have a large collection of photos of these units during construction at York Carriage Works. I must dig them out and do something with them. It seems a shame to have them just sitting in a box file.

Bill Donald
Dublin, Ireland

[cambois]

When the Clacton units were being transferred to the North West they were really able to show their paces. I ubnderstand one reached well over 100 mph on the Trent Valley and was still accelerating before the TI suggested to the driver that perhaps he should slow down.

Would have been ideal on Birminbgham - Liverpool, but that is another story

TransPennine units and their Western InterCity sister were all at Botanic Gardens in the early 80s and were excellent units. It is amazing that they were in the early withdrawals rather than hanging on until the 158s came along.

Just really good designs

[Saint Johnstoun]

I think the reason for the Trans-Pennine units early demise was the presence of the dreaded blue asbestos.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Partially blue asbestos was to blame but the main reason was that they were simply worn out. The TPs especially had been very intensively used especially in the 1960s and had simply knocked themselves to pieces.

Sad but true. I'd love to hear one rasping its way out of Leeds again!