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Sussex IAS – Southern Region Diesel-Electric Multiple Units
16 March@14:00-15:00
A history of the Southern Region Diesel-Electric Multiple Units – their introduction, use in service and preservation.
A presentation by Jim Gibbons a member of the voluntary group who are renovating the units.
The line between Tunbridge Wells and St. Leonards was constructed during one of the ‘Railway Manias’ in the mid- 19th Century. The newly constructed tunnels were in danger of collapsing due to insufficient courses of lining brickwork. The issue was resolved by providing the additional required brick courses inside the existing structures resulting in a reduced clearance and trains having to be of lesser width than the rest of the then system.
The 1955 ’ ‘Modernisation Plan’ sought to eliminate steam traction from the UK’s railway system by electrification, and where not justified, by dieselisation. The then Southern Region opted for a Diesel-electric multiple unit option for the route and introduced them in 1957. The trains soldiered on until the line was electrified and resignalled in 1987 when the lines through the restricted tunnels were singled permitting standard width vehicles to be used.
The Hastings Diesels Group was formed in 1986 aimed at preserving one or more of the unique vehicles. It is now Hastings Diesels Ltd. and owns 16 vehicles including 5 motor coaches of which 9 are currently operational.
Jim Gibbons was for 32 years in British Railways operations management ultimately becoming Network South East’s Professional Head of Operations.
He is currently an independent consultant working across the railway industry and is the voluntary operations consultant for Hastings Diesels.
Members free. Non-members welcome £1.00