4 Cig history and pictures from the Southern E-Group.
4 Vep history and pictures from the Southern E-Group.
Eastleigh Works Centenary Open Days
Saturday 23rd - Monday 25th May 2009
© copyright photographs by Colin Duff
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| In June 2008 Bruce Knights bought 4 Cigs 1881 and 1304, the DTCs from 1884 and the
MBSO and TSO from 4 Vep 3536, and had them moved from store at Shoeburyness to Eastleigh works.
This is to provide units for training engineers and technicians on electric traction systems and with the aspiration of restoring 1881 to occasional mainline use. Prior to the Open Days the DTCs from 1304 were sent for scrap and the MBSOs of 1304 and 3536 were stripped for spares. Only 1881 was on display, the remaining vehicles stored out of sight in the shed behind. 4 Cig history and pictures from the Southern E-Group. |
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| In the final years of slam door EMUs I was not only busy photographing units in operation but also photographing specific details for modellers. To do the latter from platforms and public land was not ideal and whilst over time I achieved a comprehensive set of detail pictures I yearned to be able to walk round units in a depot and walk round sequentially recording details. The display of 1881 at Eastleigh finally allowed me to do this , though perfection would have been more space round the unit to get clear broadside photos - oh, and a cherry picker or helicopter to get plan-like shots of the roofs!!! Just two samples are shown here...above shows the grid side of the underframe of the MBSO and one side of the underfloor connections (undone!) between the TSO and DTC. |
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| Former South West Trains's celebrity 4 Vep 3417, now owned by the Bluebell Railway and currently in safe storage at Eastleigh was on display sandwiched between 1497 (still a SWT unit) and 2415, though the other end was open to the public to walk through. 3417 was not best placed for photography, fortunately I already have a good set of pictures though to have been able to walk round it like 1881 taking ground level detail shots would have been Nirvana! 4 Vep history and pictures from the Southern E-Group. |