423417 on the move.....

Moving from EG on Tues pm to Bournemouth Depot....

 

Any idea why?

 

Covered storage perchance?

 

To be stored, in a serviceable condition, on the juice and under cover.....

If left outside the condition of unit would deteriorate...

 

..and to make room for further digging in the near future.

 

On her way to Eastleigh...then on to Bournemouth tomorrow ....

 

Hopefully arrived safely and now kept warm on the juice?

 

By courtesy of the Bluebell Railway it would appear that this unit will be in use again during the Swanage Railway's 6th Annual Diesel Gala (6th to 8th May 2011).
I believe 3417 will be used on a mixture of push-pull working [33103 & 33111] and 'normal' haulage. This is in addition to the regular two 5coach Mk1 rakes.
Further Gala details on http://railways.national-preservati...anage-Diesel-Gala-Fri-6-Sun-8-May.....Line-up and http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/bfw11.htm

 

Just been announced that operational responsibility for the VEP will now be assumed by the Southern Electric Traction Group, based at Wimbledon Park depot. Ownership, I believe, remains with the Bluebell Railway. To be brutally honest, long-term storage at the Bluebell - without access to a third rail to keep the systems warm; without adequate undercover storage and with a gazillion doors and windows to maintain - was always going to be problematic, so this transfer of operational responsibility is a good heritage result for the unit, which can now be stored in the dry and on the juice.

More info here: setg.org.uk

Tom

 

Nice to see that the BB have been proactive. What would be good to see is one of the first train through from EG to be a diesel hauling her though to SP...

 

Hauling?! Propelling, sir!

This is the Southern Electric - we do push-pull. None of this hauling nonsense, thank you!