This page contains brief notes on each unit's history supplied by John Atkinson with significant events from their latter days of operation added later by the webmaster.

2421 in two interim liveries!

The unit in Network SouthEast livery with Stagecoach SWT branding through Clapham Junction during June 1997.
photograph by John Lewis

C6 overhauls at Ilford continued after SWT announced that they were not renewing the lease on the fleet. Accordingly this unit was turned out in white with a touch of red and grey livery and was never used by SWT again. It is pictured here stored at Bournemouth depot.
photograph by Michael Pugh

2421 was delivered to Bournemouth on 25th October 1988. Its MBLS 62957 was exchanged with 62949 (ex 2413) during August 1990. This unit reverted to its intended formation during late October 1990. 2421 went to Crewe on 27th June 1998 for MBLS modifications, being released on 31st July 1998. The unit refurbished at Eastleigh and returned to traffic on 14th March 2000.

Its last working was the 19.12 Winchester to Poole service on 2nd December 2006 prior going to Ilford two days later for its C6 overhaul. It emerged on 21st December with an interim white livery and was put into store initially at Bournemouth where on 28th December it swapped its motor bogies with 2416. It was put into store at the former Alstom Works at Eastleigh on 26th January 2007.

If units are stored with the prospect of being reactivated it is necessary to move them periodically to keep them in running order. Accordingly on 21st August 2421 did a round trip between Eastleigh Works and Basingstoke with 2406 and again 31st October with the same unit. So far this unit has run thrice to Basingstoke during 2008 , on both outings with 2408, on 30th January, 7th and 12th February. On 17th April this unit, with 2424, was moved by 66585 from Eastleigh to Wolverton for refurbishment.

2422 was delivered to Bournemouth on 19th November 1988. Its MBLS was 62958 named ‘Operation Overlord' at Fareham on 27th May 1994. The unit was sent to Crewe on 18th July 1998 for MBLS modifications and was released on 4th September 1998. 2422 was refurbished at Eastleigh and returned to traffic on 1st June 2000.

This unit was failed at Waterloo on 11th January 2007 with a fault on its cab door. Its last working was the next day with the 17.05 Waterloo to Weymouth service. It was put into store at Eastleigh on 19th January. As far as can be established this unit has not moved since, except perhaps within the confines of Eastleigh Works. Because 2422 did not receive a C6 overhaul before going off lease and as it has not been moved this unit is not a candidate for going on lease to Southern.

(left) A classic South Western Division suburban photographic location - from the long footbridge at Wimbledon West Junction, where on 6th September 2006 2423 is pictured passing on a down working.
photograph by Colin Duff

2423 was delivered to Bournemouth on 22nd December 1988. This unit was fitted with an experimental converter fault light in its cab during 1994. Its MBLS 62959 was named ‘County of Surrey' at Guildford on 15th July 1992. 2423 was sent to Crewe on 12th September 1998 for MBLS modifications, being released on 25th September 1998. The unit was refurbished at Eastleigh and returned to traffic on 5th April 2000.

It was noted split at Bournemouth on 1st January 2007 but it was joined back and remained in service for another week, its last working being the 23.31 Weymouth to Poole service on 7th January. 2423 was moved into store at Eastleigh on 18th April 2007. As far as can be established this unit has not moved since, except perhaps within the confines of Eastleigh Works. Because 2423 did not receive a C6 overhaul before going off lease and as it has not been moved this unit is not a candidate for going on lease to Southern.

(left) Top of the class 2424 has just passed Weymouth Junction and approaching the platforms at Weymouth on a scorchingly hot 5th August 2005. photograph by Colin Duff

2424 was delivered to Bournemouth on 11th February 1989, the only Wessex unit to be delivered in 1989. It went to Crewe for MBLS modifications on 8th January 1999 and was released on 23rd January 1999. MBLS 62960 was named ‘Gerry Newson' at Bournemouth Depot on 14th November 2000. This unit was refurbished at Eastleigh during January 2001.

Its last working was the 17.35 Waterloo to Bournemouth service on 18th January 2007. It was then hauled to Ilford for its C6 overhaul - the last whilst under SWT lease - on 22nd January. This unit was selected to go to Southern for appraisal in connection with use of the class for Southern's forthcoming Victoria - Brighton Gatwick Express services. This it was delivered in interim white livery (see 2421) from Ilford direct to Stewarts Lane on 8th February, five days after the SWT lease had ended. On 31st August 2424 emerged from Stewarts Lane for a round trip to Three Bridges with 73136 on its rear for insurance. On 20th September an intended move to Lovers Walk was cancelled, however on 15th November it finally moved to Lovers Walk with 73136 and 73204 on the rear. Then on 12th February, top and tailed by GBRf 73209 and 73205, it was moved to Eastleigh, running over an hour late. On 17th April this unit, with 2421, was moved by 66585 from Eastleigh to Wolverton for refurbishment.