Wessex Electrics: The Last Day

Saturday 3rd February was the last day of operation for "Wessex Electric" units for South West Trains. On this day units 2405, 2410 and 2412 were in service, with the honour of the last being to run a passenger working falling to 2412 "Special Olympics" which worked the 21.05 Waterloo to Poole service. At one time it was thought that Electro-diesel 73109 would pilot the train but this did not materialise. Earlier in the day 2412 worked a "Control Special" - a staff only tour taking a Wessex Express unit to unfamiliar - though not uncharted - territory by taking in the Windsor and Shepperton branches. This tour was organised and run entirely by volunteers.  70 lucky souls travelled on it, in doing so raised £265 for Woking Homes - a charity dear to Southern Region railwaymen. Diagrams on Saturday 3rd February were:

More details of the railtour timings appear on the relevant page

Thought i'd kick off the last day feature with u2413 & 2415 leaving Bournemouth Traincare Depot destined for some cold nights at Eastleigh Works.

1B30, consisting of u2410 leading with u2412 trailing, arriving at Southampton with the 09.01 departure from Poole to London Waterloo.

The 10 car formation is just about to leave Hampshire as it passes through Farnborough.

...and just a little bit further up the line as it is about to pass under Curzon Bridge near Pirbright Junction.

We are now about to commence our photographic coverage of the staff railtour, though we will come back to other workings later.

Waterloo - and enthusiasts gather around the front of 2412 before the tour departs for Windsor and Eton Riverside, which it did, somewhat behind schedule.

Detailed timings for the railtour appear on the next page.