Southend Pier Railway

News from there. It's not a part of the country I know well but this seems like good news:

https://twitter.com/SevernLamb/status/1214835903677505537

 

What's going to happen to the older ones?

 

Doesn't say. Also the press release doesn't specify if the line will be (re)electrified or if they'll operate on batteries.

 

Wasn't someone asking about available 3ft gauge stock on NP last week?

 

The 1986 stock had, I believe, a 20-year design life, so is well past its best, and spare parts are now difficult to source, so although they may find an alternative home, I suspect they will mostly be scrapped, as the 1948 stock was.

 

Yes think the Crowle Peatland railway were looking for suitable 3ft gauge stock or wheelset. I've messaged the contact there to this effect.

 

Martyn

I imagine that you, like me, think of the 1948 stock as being THE trains on Southend Pier. The recent stock are but imposters!

It is pleasing to discover that at least one of the 1948 units is on show in Southend Pier Museum - see https://www.southendpiermuseum.co.uk/index.html

Mike

 

No 22 and, I think, one other is in the museum. There may also be a third in museum ownership, but there is also one at the former Lynne Tait Gallery in Southend, and no. 8, the one that was cut down for use as a flatbed is now at Mangapps Farm, Essex, awaiting restoration.

 

Some design concepts have been released by Southend Borough Council on Facebook, with an opportunity to comment on the favoured design https://www.facebook.com/pg/SouthendBCOfficial/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2580375688678962

If you don't use Facebook, there is https://www.southend.gov.uk/news/article/1834/proposed_designs_revealed_for_new_pier_trains

 

The most retrotastic one (green and yellow livery on the retro shape) seems to be the most popular on Facebook

 

We asked Southend Council about what will become of the current locos when the news was announced about the current trains being replaced and the answer was basically "We don't know". It would be good for them to be preserved/sold etc there is a major need for more 3' gauge rolling stock in my opinion. We also thought given there size they wouldn't fit in with our larger locos and have coupling difficulties. We have since looked at other rolling stock suitable for a coach, but we are still looking for more 3' gauge wheelsets etc we'd really like a ballast wagon but that seems to be a bit of a pipe dream..

 

Which railway are you referring to when you say "we"?

 

Crowle Peatland at a guess, based on his profile picture and interest in 3' stock

 

Yes sorry when I said we I did mean the Crowle Peatland Railway

 

Given the ride on the current stock is worse than a Pacer, it is almost impossible to stand up whilst in motion, suggest the best thing to do would be scrapping. Good job the line is only about a mile long, any further and seasickness would be an issue.

 

It's always been something of a problem even with the previous stock. It may be as much to do with the characteristics of the track and/or the pier itself as with the actual stock.

 

Very possibly the track or the actual pier, I appreciate it's been more than a few years since the old (1948) stock was retired and time does play tricks with the memory but I don't recall the ride being as bad back then.

 

Do you remember the 'crash crash crash' of the old stock's progression along the pier? I always thought it must be due to some coincidence between rail length and wheelbase so at least half of the wheelsets hit a track join at the same time. My Grandad used to take me on it quite often - on a stormy day it was like being at sea far more than on land!

 

I certainly do, was always unique I thought to the railway, can still hear it in my head now after all this time.

 

To be honest, these days I feel the best way to enjoy Southend Pier is to walk both ways, it's far enough to stretch the legs and level too, even my teenagers enjoy the walk, a highlight being if the tide is in and they see fish.
If you can also get the timing right for a large container ship going to London Gateway, it's probably one of the best places there is for ship spotting, either there or Canvey seafront which is another good walk.
Not recommended in bad weather though.