EPB farewell - 30 year anniversary

[Bikeman78]

Today is 30 years since the last day of the EPBs. 5001+5176 did a number of runs with the last one being the 2002 Charing Cross to Dartford via Sidcup. This was long before I had a mobile or internet so my only source of information was Rail magazine. I think it only mentioned the last scheduled run. I was unaware of the earlier workings. If anyone knows all the workings for the day, I would be interested to know what they are. I did the 2002 throughout, sitting in the leading car of 5001, which was the trailing unit. There were crew in all four cabs with enthusiastic tooting of the horns all the way to Dartford. I remember feeling rather sad at their demise. I was 16 at the time so, as far as I was concerned, they had existed forever. I have linked two videos from YouTube below.

This video shows the last departure from Victoria for Dartford.

This video shows the last run out of Charing Cross as far as London Bridge. Does anybody recognise themselves? I have always been bemused by the crazy person at the end of the video. He calmly stands on the platform and then leaps on to the train after it starts moving.

 

[Deepgreen]

Today is 30 years since the last day of the EPBs. 5001+5176 did a number of runs with the last one being the 2002 Charing Cross to Dartford via Sidcup. This was long before I had a mobile or internet so my only source of information was Rail magazine. I think it only mentioned the last scheduled run. I was unaware of the earlier workings. If anyone knows all the workings for the day, I would be interested to know what they are. I did the 2002 throughout, sitting in the leading car of 5001, which was the trailing unit. There were crew in all four cabs with enthusiastic tooting of the horns all the way to Dartford. I remember feeling rather sad at their demise. I was 16 at the time so, as far as I was concerned, they had existed forever. I have linked two videos from YouTube below.

This video shows the last departure from Victoria for Dartford.

This video shows the last run out of Charing Cross as far as London Bridge. Does anybody recognise themselves? I have always been bemused by the crazy person at the end of the video. He calmly stands on the platform and then leaps on to the train after it starts moving.

Nostalgia. The serenade of horns at the end of the London Bridge shot is rather good - I wonder what ordinary passengers thought was going on.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Sad that 5001 didn't get saved, even as loco hauled stock. In 1991, I rode it on The Emerald Water Witch.

Six Bells Junction

 

[Bikeman78]

According to the group magazine, the EPB preservation group is hoping to get 5759 out on the Bromley North branch on a Sunday next year. So we might get to sample one under its own power again.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Very much missed - London Southern Region is not the same anymore !

When the last NYC Subway trains were withdrawn - certain people said that Brooklyn etc was not the same once the last of the "Standards" met their maker.

 

[satisnek]

When electric trains had real character!

One of my favourite historic cab rides is a run from Herne Hill to Holborn Viaduct which is on No. 4 of those mysterious 'Cab Views' VHS tapes released around 35 years ago. All I can find online is this poor quality transfer, but it's enough to convey the wonderful, long gone atmosphere:

 

[yorksrob]

According to the group magazine, the EPB preservation group is hoping to get 5759 out on the Bromley North branch on a Sunday next year. So we might get to sample one under its own power again.

I would be definitely up for that.

Sounds like the ideal plandampf.

I remember going on the farewell tour which had 5001 and the four carriage one that still exists (I think) in blue livery.

It took in the Addiscombe branch, which is also now part of history.

Very much missed - London Southern Region is not the same anymore !

So true !

 

[norbitonflyer]

As people-movers they were never bettered - ten doors a side makes for short dwells. A layou that went back to the dawn of railways 150 years before. But their slam doors meant, in these days of elfin safety, they had to go

I was 16 at the time so, as far as I was concerned, they had existed forever.

I was more than twice that age, and they had existed forever as far as I was concerned too! Yet to my kids they will be so much ancient history. (The eldest can remember CEPs and CIGs from when he was pre-school age)

And niow the Networkers and Thameslink 319s seen in that video are themselves on the way out.

 

[contrex]

But their slam doors meant, in these days of elfin safety, they had to go

Much as I miss them, Cannon Street in 1991 made sure of that. Another Youtube video is Cannon Street to Ladywell - not a cab ride, but a camcorder-out-the window job, but I quite like it.

and this one, Catford Bridge to Hayes...

 

[Acey]

I loved driving them ,job was great,then came the dreaded Notworkers/Clockworkers or whatever you liked to call them,didn't enjoy driving trains after that !

 

[WesternLancer]

Today is 30 years since the last day of the EPBs. 5001+5176 did a number of runs with the last one being the 2002 Charing Cross to Dartford via Sidcup. This was long before I had a mobile or internet so my only source of information was Rail magazine. I think it only mentioned the last scheduled run. I was unaware of the earlier workings. If anyone knows all the workings for the day, I would be interested to know what they are. I did the 2002 throughout, sitting in the leading car of 5001, which was the trailing unit. There were crew in all four cabs with enthusiastic tooting of the horns all the way to Dartford. I remember feeling rather sad at their demise. I was 16 at the time so, as far as I was concerned, they had existed forever. I have linked two videos from YouTube below.

This video shows the last departure from Victoria for Dartford.

This video shows the last run out of Charing Cross as far as London Bridge. Does anybody recognise themselves? I have always been bemused by the crazy person at the end of the video. He calmly stands on the platform and then leaps on to the train after it starts moving.

The sounds of the doors slamming in the 1st video is very evocative!

They do look good in green.

 

[yorksrob]

The interiors were extremely plush and cushioned. And who can forget that special musty aroma !

 

[Sun Chariot]

The interiors were extremely plush and cushioned. And who can forget that special musty aroma !

I can also confirm that the compartment luggage nets were strong enough to hold a 6 foot 6 inch tall bloke plus camera gear.

 

[eastwestdivide]

As a regular passenger on them from the Medway Towns up to about 1986, I can confirm the deep cushions. The longer they had been in service, the greater the wear pattern on the vertical parts of the seats where people had rubbed the moquette away, as the bottom cushion took on the work of dealing with the appalling ride. You were in danger of friction burns on your back on some sections (well, maybe I’m exaggerating a little). Not a big fan. Utilitarian would be my word of the day.

 

[Bikeman78]

Much as I miss them, Cannon Street in 1991 made sure of that. Another Youtube video is Cannon Street to Ladywell - not a cab ride, but a camcorder-out-the window job, but I quite like it.

and this one, Catford Bridge to Hayes...

I think they only had two fatal collisions, which isn't bad going for such a large class on an intensive network. The far more serious one was Lewisham in 1957, when they were still being built.

As a regular passenger on them from the Medway Towns up to about 1986, I can confirm the deep cushions. The longer they had been in service, the greater the wear pattern on the vertical parts of the seats where people had rubbed the moquette away, as the bottom cushion took on the work of dealing with the appalling ride. You were in danger of friction burns on your back on some sections (well, maybe I’m exaggerating a little). Not a big fan. Utilitarian would be my word of the day.

Some time in 1991, there was a line block south of Horsham so the Victoria to Bognor trains terminated there. One of the diagrams was covered by unit 5428 which stayed out all day, repeating every three hours. I can only imagine the looks of disbelief from luggage laden passengers boarding at Gatwick. Good luck if they needed the toilet.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Much as I miss them, Cannon Street in 1991 made sure of that.

I'm pretty sure the Networker orders had already been placed prior to that, so they were on the way out before the accident happened?

 

[Sun Chariot]

Much as I miss them, Cannon Street in 1991 made sure of that

Whoever edited Wikipedia's page, needs to learn how EPBs were constructed...
"8 January 1991, a packed commuter train failed to stop and collided with the buffers at Cannon Street station in London, United Kingdom, killing two and injuring 542. The cause was driver error, compounded by ageing wooden carriages"

Cannon Street rail crash - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[yorksrob]

I can also confirm that the compartment luggage nets were strong enough to hold a 6 foot 6 inch tall bloke plus camera gear.

That must have been a cosy journey

 

[Sun Chariot]

That must have been a cosy journey

Think of it as three lads in their 20s, having a lark around in 5001's compartment, on The Emerald Water Witch. The nets were surprisingly comfy - but an effort to get back out of...

 

[yorksrob]

I can only imagine the looks of disbelief from luggage laden passengers boarding at Gatwick. Good luck if they needed the toilet.

Maybe not so much if they'd been around to use the Gatwick HAL's on that line back in the day !

Think of it as three lads in their 20s, having a lark around in 5001's compartment. The nets were surprisingly comfy but an effort to get back out of...

Ah yes, went on that one a few times - including the Emerald Water Witch (the morning one).

Whoever edited Wikipedia's page, needs to learn how EPBs were constructed...
"8 January 1991, a packed commuter train failed to stop and collided with the buffers at Cannon Street station in London, United Kingdom, killing two and injuring 542. The cause was driver error, compounded by ageing wooden carriages"

Cannon Street rail crash - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Yes, the article is only about forty years out of date !

 

[Sun Chariot]

Ah yes, went on that one a few times - including the Emerald Water Witch (the morning one).

Cracking use of a day in the "naff week" between Christmas and New Year. My highlight, was MLVs 9001 + 9002 taking 5001 and us to the end of Folkestone Harbour's rail-served jetty. I was looking at my photos recently. Happy EPB days.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

One of their moments of glory was 12 car EPB's , Brighton to Victoria more or less non stop on the occassion of the London to Brighton bike run - half the stock for bike stowage with reversed seat bases and willing volunteers to assist the loadings ......

 

[Sun Chariot]

One of their moments of glory was 12 car EPB's , Brighton to Victoria more or less non stop on the occassion of the London to Brighton bike run - half the stock for bike stowage with reversed seat bases and willing volunteers to assist the loadings ......

That was a working I always vowed to photograph but failed to. Quire a few photos of 10-car EPB rakes at London Bridge, the peak hour turns when the compartment stock was in use (with a red cantrail stripe, denoting no internal access to other areas in the carriage)

 

[yorksrob]

Cracking use of a day in the "naff week" between Christmas and New Year. My highlight, was MLVs 9001 + 9002 taking 5001 and us to the end of Folkestone Harbour's rail-served jetty. I was looking at my photos recently. Happy EPB days.

Yes, me and my family often walk up the regenerated pier in Folkestone and they never tire of me reminiscing about the time I was hauled up there by two MLV's in an EPB

I think that was one of the few times I used the fast tracks in the quadruple section through Folkestone as well.

One of their moments of glory was 12 car EPB's , Brighton to Victoria more or less non stop on the occassion of the London to Brighton bike run - half the stock for bike stowage with reversed seat bases and willing volunteers to assist the loadings ......

I read that they were quite versatile in terms of carrying bikes, parcels etc by standing the cushions up.

Proper design ingenuity.

 

[Bikeman78]

Much as I miss them, Cannon Street in 1991 made sure of that. Another Youtube video is Cannon Street to Ladywell - not a cab ride, but a camcorder-out-the window job, but I quite like it.

and this one, Catford Bridge to Hayes...

I have seen these videos before. Watched them again now. Impressive dwell times, between 16 and 22 seconds. The second one has the classic EPB thud on departure as the motor bogie seems like it sets off down the track before the rest of the train. The CEPs were the same.

One of their moments of glory was 12 car EPB's , Brighton to Victoria more or less non stop on the occassion of the London to Brighton bike run - half the stock for bike stowage with reversed seat bases and willing volunteers to assist the loadings ......

I think the last year was 1993. Selhurst didn't have any EPBs by then (finished in May 1993) so they borrowed them from Slade Green. The formations included a few blue & grey two cars with compartments that year. By the following year I guess all the Central Division crews had lost traction knowledge.

 

[The exile]

Bringing back memories of the final tour with 5001 & 5176 - don’t think we’ve quite reached the anniversary yet.

 

[Bikeman78]

Bringing back memories of the final tour with 5001 & 5176 - don’t think we’ve quite reached the anniversary yet.

That was April 15th. It was the only EPB to run from Tonbridge to Redhill. It stopped at platform 2 for about 15 minutes. Numerous normals asked if it was the Victoria train. Another highlight was departing from Waterloo in parallel with a Eurostar and then storming off ahead of it.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

And who remembers the compartments? And light bulbs missing/thrown out of the windows....

 

[The exile]

That was April 15th. It was the only EPB to run from Tonbridge to Redhill. It stopped at platform 2 for about 15 minutes. Numerous normals asked if it was the Victoria train. Another highlight was departing from Waterloo in parallel with a Eurostar and then storming off ahead of it.

The only tour where I won something on the raffle!

 

[yorksrob]

That was April 15th. It was the only EPB to run from Tonbridge to Redhill. It stopped at platform 2 for about 15 minutes. Numerous normals asked if it was the Victoria train. Another highlight was departing from Waterloo in parallel with a Eurostar and then storming off ahead of it.

Wasn't it also the first electric passenger train on the route ?

A very memorable day.

And light bulbs missing/thrown out of the windows....

An act immortalised by Hanif Kureshi in "The Buddha of Suburbia". The TV adaptation from the 90's contains lots of lovely EPB footage.