South West Trains News: Class 421
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Fresh Water and Farringford have left us
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Fresh Water and Farringford to leave us
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Lymington Flyer 3 CIG units 1497 ‘Fresh Water’ and 1498 ‘Farringford’ will run their last public service on 22nd May 2010. This will mark the final end of an era where all slam-door trains are removed from public service.
Despite South West Trains being given exemption from the regulation that "prohibits the operation on or after 1 January 2003 of Mark 1 rolling stock." until 2013, when South West Trains expected the units to become life expired, the units are being withdrawn early due to the lack of parts readily available and the additional cost involved in maintaining these units due to the fact there is only two of them.
On the final day, both units are expected to run with a change over in the afternoon; giving everyone a chance to ride on both units on the final day. This means that the units are not expected to run in 6-car formation as they did on their first day, back in May 2005.
A feature of the last day can be found here.
photograph by Stuart Hicks
(above right) 1498 awiating to leave Lymington pier on 4th May 2007
photograph by Brian King
1498 carries passengers on the mainline
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...though unfortunately for we enthusiasts not the paying public. On Thursday 10th July 2008 "thunderbird" 73235 piloted 1498 first to Wimbledon Park to pick up 73109 on its rear and then to Waterloo. From Waterloo to Brockenhurst via Staines the formation, led by 73109, formed a staff special in honour of a Controller retiring after 44 years. The Webmaster's employers please take note - this is my sort of retirement party!!! After dropping off passengers at Brockenhurst the train continued to Bournemouth depot. (Note South West Trains has a derogation only to carry fare paying passengers specifically in 1497 and 1498 between Brockenhurst and Lymington Pier.)
(above right) 73109 leading 1498 with 73235 on the rear through Pirbright.
Both photographs by Ian Parish
Two slammers currently at Wimbledon
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Whilst the Lymington Branch is closed 30th September - 18th November 2007 due to flood defence work between the town and pier and the two 3 Cig units are temporarily unemployed, South West Trains has used the opportunity to send 1497 to Wimbledon to have its tyres turned. As celebrity 4 Vep unit 3417 is currently stored at Wimbledon it means there are now two slam door units stored there! |
In this picture taken by Steve Upton ( http://wimbledonparkdepot.spaces.live.com/) 1497 is on number 13 maintenance road, whilst on road 12 5869 is having its Royal British Legion Poppy vinyls removed in preparation for being sent to Chart Leacon for refurbishment. 5869 was the last South West Trains Class 455 in a promotional livery.
Lymington 3CIGs together in turning move
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The 3Cig units dedicated to the Lymington Branch are periodically turned on the triangle bounded by St Denys, Eastleigh and Fareham as the branch is largely a long left hand curve. As these two units are only cleared to work the branch and between Bournemouth Depot and Brockenhurst these turning moves are usually topped and tailed by Electro-Diesels. However something exceptional happened on Saturday 21st July 2007 when both units were turned at the same time (whilst Desiro 450073 worked the branch) and with a single EDL, 73109 "Battle of Britain". On this occasion the turning move was performed Bournemouth - St Denys - Fareham - Eastleigh - St Denys - Bournemouth .
Note also that the Lymington Branch will be completely closed for track improvements and maintenance between 00:01 on 30th September until 23:59 on 18th November 2007.
(above left and right) The formation approaching and departing Swanwick.
photographs by Stephen Hodgson
