The Southern Electric Group has announced advance details of an important preservation opportunity. The Trustees of the Bluebell Railway have agreed that one of our preserved "4Cor" unit motor coaches can be put on display at Horsted Keynes. After careful consideration, we have selected vehicle 11201 from unit 3142.

This is an extremely important development in the history of Southern Electric preservation, as no "4Cor" vehicle has been on public view in the "Southern" area for almost 20 years! "4Cor" motor coach 11201 will be on display to the large number of people who visit the Bluebell Railway. The coach will be open to the public on most Bluebell operating days, to allow visitors to see inside, including the driver"s cab. Displays explaining the history and technical significance of the Southern Electric system will be included.

Some work needs to be done to prepare 11201 for display, including minor roof repairs and a repaint into Southern Railway livery. Once this has been completed, we hope to move 11201 to Horsted Keynes in mid-2004.

At present, we have five "4Cor" vehicles, which are at St Leonard's depot. One of these, motor coach 11187, will remain there as it is the course of renovation; the other three (motor coach 11161, trailer third 10096, and trailer composite 11825) will be moved to a secure storage site at Sheffield Park. This move is expected to take place in mid-January 2004.

We are looking for volunteers at St Leonard's to help us prepare for this movement, and to help make motor coach 11201 ready for display. All assistance, including donations, will be very welcome. Please help in any way you can.

In the meantime, work on our future plans to establish a Southern Electric Railway Museum at West Worthing continues. We know we will not be able to proceed formally with this project until after South Central Trains no longer need to use the depot at West Worthing, which will not be until the end of 2004 at least.

Information is available from our website: www.southernelectric.org.uk

Or write enclosing a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

Southern Electric Group
41 The Drive,
Shoreham-by-Sea,
BN43 5GD.

The Southern Electric Group was founded in 1970. It preserved "4 Cor" 3142 in 1973; has run many railtours, organised Bazaars at railway stations and assisted with depot open days. It has published booklets and photographs relating to the Southern Electric.

Membership benefits of the Group include:

• Bi-monthly magazine "Live Rail", which records the Southern Electric railway scene.
• Monthly meetings at Southwick and Eastleigh.
• Assistance to members interested in making railway models of the Southern.
• Visits to relevant railway installations.

"4 Cor" unit No 3142 was built in 1937 and ran in main line railway service until 1972. It saw regular use between London and Brighton/Worthing, Eastbourne/Hastings, Littlehampton/Bognor Regis, Portsmouth via both Guildford and Horsham, Alton and Reading.

It has been preserved by the Southern Electric Group since 1973 and is under restoration to main line running condition. It is the oldest complete preserved electric multiple unit train in this country and represents the majority of pre-war Southern Electric stock in existence.

Enquiries about this press notice should be directed to: press@southernelectric.org.uk

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