4-VEP heading to Ilford

[Chris125]

The Bluebell-owned 4-VEP 3417, looked after by the SETG, is heading from it's recent storage at Clapham Junction to Ilford Depot for restoration.

The Bluebell's Facebook page has the following announcement:

Our 4 Vep unit No.3417 left Clapham Yard at 8.11am this morning and was hauled over to Bombardier's Ilford Depot where she will undergo the start of her restoration as she will be used by Bombardier to train apprentices. The training of engineering apprentices is something very important to the Bluebell, so this a very positive opportunity.

Bombardier have been exceptionally generous with their offer for which "we" - Bluebell and SETG - are very grateful, and will ensure this unique survivor from the 1960s will return to full operational condition.

The SETG - formed of SWT personnel have been very proactive in seeking assistance and an article will appear in the forthcoming Bluebell News, and updates will continue on a regular basis as this programme evolves.

Chris

 

[Ash Bridge]

The Bluebell-owned 4-VEP 3417, looked after by the SETG, is heading from it's recent storage at Clapham Junction to Ilford Depot for restoration.

The Bluebell's Facebook page has the following announcement:



Chris

That's great news, is that full restoration for use on heritage lines, or will it include Mainline use too?

 

[bumblebonce]

Thats very good news indeed! I do hope it returns to the mainline, I'm sure they could make lots of money out of that on railtours!

 

[mrknowwun]

Thats very good news indeed! I do hope it returns to the mainline, I'm sure they could make lots of money out of that on railtours!

To restore it it to its main line running state, they are going to need to disable the heating so its off in winter and on in summer, grow some kind of mould round the windows, warp the doors, stick the pulldown window half up and down, rub the seats threadbare and stick chewing gum to the floor.

Oh and put square wheels on it.

 

[Bishopstone]

I thought such stock was now banned from the network due to lack of crash-worthiness?

 

[Harbon 1]

I thought such stock was now banned from the network due to lack of crash-worthiness?

Mk1s are still used on railtours though. There was a rule where the front carriage had to be a Mk2 but I think this has been abolished now?

This is good news though because I never had the chance to see one, let alone travel on one!

 

[theblackwatch]

Mk1s are still used on railtours though. There was a rule where the front carriage had to be a Mk2 but I think this has been abolished now?

This is good news though because I never had the chance to see one, let alone travel on one!

Yes this ban was lifted a year or two ago. However, the unit would still have to meet a load of other requirements, such as door locks, OTMR, GSM-R etc.

 

[Harbon 1]

Yes this ban was lifted a year or two ago. However, the unit would still have to meet a load of other requirements, such as door locks, OTMR, GSM-R etc.

Door locks? The only door locks I've seen on Mk1s (and early Mk2s) are a sliding bolt at the top of the door

 

[yorksrob]

The door locks thing is rediculous for a railtour unit. Out of interest, do the wooden bodied coaches used by London Underground require door locks ?

 

[theblackwatch]

The door locks thing is rediculous for a railtour unit. Out of interest, do the wooden bodied coaches used by London Underground require door locks ?

They require a steward in each passenger compartment.

 

[yorksrob]

They require a steward in each passenger compartment.

So for the VEP, just train a few volunteers to sit one to a passenger bay.

I hereby offer my services for such a role


(Even though it would mean having to spend the tour sober !)

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

This is very good news, I hope the VEP now has a secure future. It could be used on heritage lines, much in the way that the GCR has a similar unit, that was diesel hauled on that line, although sadly I think it was damaged some months later by vandals.

Running on the main could be done, there is talk after all of another old electric unit being brought back to service, that is the Brighton Belle.

 

[antharro]

I wondered where it had gone when I went through Clapham Junction on Sunday evening. And now I know. Good to hear it's gone off to a good home; it was starting to look a little sorry for itself sitting out there in all weathers! Will miss seeing it there though.

 

[Chris125]

Bombardier's Press Release

Bombardier Sponsors Refurbishment of Unique Southern EMU

- Bombardier apprentice program helps renovate historic electric multiple unit (EMU) rail vehicle

BERLIN, GERMANY--(Marketwired - Oct. 8, 2014) - Bombardier Transportation, in partnership with the Southern Electric Traction Group (SETG) and the Bluebell Railway, are delighted to announce their sponsorship of the refurbishment of the Bluebell Railway's unique 4VEP unit, No. 3417 Gordon Pettitt. Undertaken as part of Bombardier's extensive apprenticeship programme, the four-month refurbishment will include corrosion repair and a high-quality repaint.

A living piece of British Rail heritage, the No. 3417 Gordon Pettitt, was part of the British Rail Class 423 series of trains that served Southern London, Kent and Sussex starting in 1967. After being taken out of service in 2005, No. 3417 was handed over to Bluebell Railway Society in 2009 for preservation and then stored at Clapham Yard, London under the care of the Southern Electric Traction Group. On Saturday October 4, No. 3417 was transferred to a Bombardier rail depot in Ilford for renovation.

Roy Watts, Chairman of the Bluebell Railway, said, "Moving No. 3417 from Clapham Yard to Bombardier's Ilford depot marks the beginning of a new life for this unique unit and we are thrilled that Bombardier's apprenticeship programme ensures that traditional railway skills will be passed on to the next generation of railway technical staff. Now, after a year of storage, it is time to restore No. 3417 to its former glory so that, in time, her English Electric motors will be heard roaring once again!"

Steve Upton, SETG Spokesman, said, "This is fantastic news for No. 3417. The SETG, who are now legal guardians of the unit on behalf of the Bluebell Railway, have put in months of hard work to bring this sponsorship deal to fruition. No. 3417 is unique, being the last operational unit of its class and the only mainline registered 400-series slamdoor unit in the country. We look forward to working closely with the Bluebell Railway and Bombardier to ensure a long and productive preservation career for the unit."

Chris

 

[GatwickDepress]

Excellent news! I bagsy first place in the ale queue on the inevitable railtour.

 

[yorksrob]

Good on Bombardier !

In the above press release, I note the line "No. 3417 is unique, being the last operational unit of its class and the only mainline registered 400-series slamdoor unit in the country."

Dare we interpret this as an intention to run railtours on the main line ?

Perhaps one day I will be able to resume my natural habitat in the standard compartment travelling the main lines of Kent !

 

[Ash Bridge]

I would certainly go out of my way for a trip on the 4Vep. Just got me wondering when the 5Bel unit is launched back on the mainline would that be compatable for multiple working with the Vep?

 

[455driver]

I would certainly go out of my way for a trip on the 4Vep. Just got me wondering when the 5Bel unit is launched back on the mainline would that be compatable for multiple working with the Vep?

As built no I dont think so, but as the 5BEL motor coaches are having the mechanical bits fitted from the 4CIGs then it isnt beyond possibility that they could be.

 

[infobleep]

If they could ever get the Bluebell line extended to Haywards Heath, with third rail, that would make an excellent service, unless they have coaches types used on that line surviving to run, platform space at Haywards Heath permitting!

 

[Monty]

While an extension to Haywards Heath is in the Bluebell's medium-long term plans it's highly unlikely it'll ever have a functioning 3rd rail system in place.

 

[Chris125]

I would certainly go out of my way for a trip on the 4Vep. Just got me wondering when the 5Bel unit is launched back on the mainline would that be compatable for multiple working with the Vep?

She'll be driven and powered using equipment from VEPs and CIGs and I believe the intention is to allow push-pull working with a 73/33, so there's no obvious reason why not.

Chris

 

[73129]

As built no I dont think so, but as the 5BEL motor coaches are having the mechanical bits fitted from the 4CIGs then it isnt beyond possibility that they could be.

VEP motors/bogies are being fitted from the Ashford VOP units.

 

[Juniper Driver]

I wondered where it had gone when I went through Clapham Junction on Sunday evening. And now I know. Good to hear it's gone off to a good home; it was starting to look a little sorry for itself sitting out there in all weathers! Will miss seeing it there though.

Yes,I noticed this...then suddenly it disappeared.

 

[455driver]

VEP motors/bogies are being fitted from the Ashford VOP units.

Whats the differences between VEP and CIG bogies/motors?
I thought they stripped (42)1881 for its bogies/motors etc?

 

[zn1]

no difference between the bogies /motors/wheels or MG between 421 & 423..generic equipment..congrats setg for getting 3417 in to IL1...

.Id Love to get the dd 13004 (4002) and 3epb 5176 under cover to get worked on..i suggested approaching ZN1 and was over ruled by my "colleagues"...maybe one day..

 

[455driver]

no difference between the bogies /motors/wheels or MG between 421 & 423..generic equipment..

Oh I know that, they both use mark 4 bogies and EE507 motors, I was just seeing if 73129 did as he seemed so keen to correct me!

congrats setg for getting 3417 in to IL1...

Indeed.

.Id Love to get the dd 13004 (4002) and 3epb 5176 under cover to get worked on..i suggested approaching ZN1 and was over ruled by my "colleagues"...maybe one day..

Give it time!

 

[infobleep]

While an extension to Haywards Heath is in the Bluebell's medium-long term plans it's highly unlikely it'll ever have a functioning 3rd rail system in place.

That's understandable but a shame in some respects as I'd love to see a working electric railway.

Are there any other heritage electric lines or are such things simply too much work for a heritage line and/or not popular enough with visitors?

 

[yorksrob]

It was recently suggested to me that when the VEP's were refurbed, they were wired for central door locking (although obviously this was never installed). Perhaps this might make preparation for main line running a bit easier.

 

[infobleep]

Do they need central door locking? I mean the slam doors being phased out didn't. Not even sure the final one to run on the south west trains network had central door locking.

I can see why from a safety point of view. Just thought they would leave it as it was, given they never bothered to update the other slam doors prior to retirement.

 

[Ash Bridge]

It was recently suggested to me that when the VEP's were refurbed, they were wired for central door locking (although obviously this was never installed). Perhaps this might make preparation for main line running a bit easier.

Being that current Mk1 hauled stock used on charter work is not so fitted, surely the same would apply to Mk1 EMUs employed on charter work?