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Last Thump Railtour |
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On Saturday 27th November Southern and the Hampshire and Sussex Unit Preservation Society ran the "Last Thump" railtour to celebrate the sterling service over 47 years of "Thumper" DEMUs and to mark their impending withdrawal from service on Network Rail. The tour consisted of 8 cars made up from units 205009, 205001 and 205033. "Berkshire" unit 205033 was at the London end of the formation before it left Victoria. It is seen here at the buffer stops whilst passengers are boarding.
photograph by Anthony Poulton |
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The special ran from Victoria via East Croydon, Plumpton and Lewes to Eastbourne, where 205009 is pictured initially at the country end of the formation.
photograph by Colin Duff |
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After Eastbourne the "Last Thump" ran to Hastings where 205033 is pictured now, due to the reversal at Eastbourne, on the country end. Although the tour took in many of the units' old thumping grounds in Sussex and Kent it was unfortunately not possible to run the tour across Romney Marsh to Ashford.
photograph by Colin Duff |
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After Hastings the "Last Thump" reversed again at Eastbourne and thence ran via Falmer to Brighton. So thanks to the reversal 205033 remained on the country end and is pictured here at the buffer stops next to dual voltage Electrostar unit 377207. The contrast between unit end styles over 40+ years is marked.
photograph by Colin Duff |
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Still at Brighton, this time contrasting unit end design between the 1950s and 1980s as 205009 and 319372 sit in adjacent platforms.
photograph by Colin Duff |
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After Brighton the "Last Thump" ran to East Croydon where it reversed in platform 2 and ran back down the Uckfield branch. Here 205033 is seen peering through the bushes at the buffer stops at Uckfield. The tour then ran to its conclusion London Bridge. The unit arrived back in London turned from the formation it left from Victoria.
photograph by Anthony Poulton |
This feature is brought to you by the Southern Electric Group as a service to its members and enthusiasts. The Southern Electric Group is the only group covering all aspects of the Southern Electric System past , present and future. If you are not a member you are very welcome to join the group. For more details please follow the links bottom left.
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This page updated
13th April 2006 by Colin Duff. |
