Andy R. A.
Member
They did - although a bit later after the original middle carriages had gone.
They had redundant CEP trailers inserted for the new Ashford - Brighton direct service in connection with the opening of the channel tunnel.
I don't remember them ever removing the CEP trailers on an annual basis though.
The three gangwayed Oxteds 207101-103 arrived in 1991, two coaches being considered sufficient for the Marshlink duties. In 1995 when the through service for Brighton began the former CEP trailers were added, and they were renumbered 207201-203. I can remember several times during the Summer of them suffering overheating problems with the engines. Then in Autumn they were prone to more than their fair share of problems during 'Leaf fall season' with adverse effects on timekeeping. This led to the decision to remove the CEP trailers from the start of leaf fall in 1998, which lasted several years, although I think it was 2001 when the trailers were left in the sets all year long on account of 'improved' Sandite application. It is perhaps ironic that the original centre gangwayed coach from 205101 was converted to a Sandite vehicle.
207017 arrived for Mashlink use as a two car, but never received gangways, and ran for a while with its 'Solent & Wessex' branding before getting its 'Marshlink' sticker.
There was also some thought of creating an 'Electro-DEMU' using the Oxted Motor Coach and half a CEP unit for running on the third rail sections, but nothing came of that. There was even talk of some surplus Pacers being brought in to replace the DEMUs, which didn't happen either.
Soon after arriving in their two car form