Southend-on-Sea Pier 1949 AC Electric Trains

The green and cream coaching stock was withdrawn in the late 1970's and removed from the railway in the early 1980's.
My question is how many units/carriages survived?, I know that an example is in the Southend Pier Museum (Do they still not allow photography?). A friend believes one is installed in a shop, possibly in Leigh-on Sea, but is it?
There is a photo on Flikr of car 21 at Tal-y-Cafn, North Wales, taken in the 1980's (with further images on trainsandstuff Flikr page), so at least one example outside of the museum.
Flikr photo is here http://www.flickr.com/photos/trainsandstuff/2951769216/
Some photos of the stock on the promenade, awaiting disposal, here http://citytransport.info/S-Piera.htm

 

There is indeed an example (maybe two) in the pier museum. Im sure when I ws last there you could take pictures. There is also a carraige/driving car in a art/gift shop at leigh on Sea (if you park at the "new" leigh station and walk towards Southend on the front you will see the shop easily. (I can e-mail you th eaddress if you wish).

I also understand there are a couple of carriages provatley preserved in essex and can find out more info if you wish.

Stan

 

Thanks for the info re Leigh-on-Sea, I will check it out as I live in Essex. I would certainly appreciate any info regarding further survivors. The were it seems, very popular with their distinctive green and cream colour scheme, carbon neutral as well!.

 

Hi Pannier tank,

I will try and get some details for you. Where are you in essex?? If you fancy calling by at our workshops and seeing some road steam let me know.

There was talk a couple of years ago in running the old AC trains along the sea front but no doubt someone put the damper on that job as its gone quiet.

Stan

 

Not sure if this is the type you mean but there was part of a southend tram at Mangapps:

http://kevin-cooper.fotopic.net/p43998627.html

No idea if it is still there though.

 

The Mangapps tram would appear to be the works flatbed tram, which was created from one of the power cars - there is a pic here showing this particular tram.

There is some useful information here including this: "Four cars went to Tal-y-Cafn where motor car 7 still survives. Cars 21 and 22 are in the museum at the shore end of the pier along with one of the original signal boxes."
Although looking at the pier museum website gallery, the unrestored tram appears to be numbered no. 11 - maybe there are 3 trams at the museum, or maybe its just my eyes!

Not strictly relevant to this enquiry, but this site has a little info on the 1890 trams: "Just before the Millennium it was decided to return Car 8 to Southend where it now forms part of the collection of the Pier Museum. Unfortunately it has not found room in the main exhibition and has been relegated to an open position on the pier itself - how long it will last is anyone's guess. In 2008 a home was found for Car 9 at the new South Downs Heritage Centre in Hassocks, where it forms part of a display about Magnus Volk organised by the Association." The pier museum website appears to show no. 8 indoors, so presumaby this info is slightly outdated. There doesn't appear to be any pics onine of no. 9 at South Downs.

Hope this helps,


Keith

 

Many thanks for all the info, Kieran, Keith and, Stan (you will know me as minicooper on another forum, I saw your waggon at the recent Barleylands Rally). The photo at Mangapps is indeed one of the old pier cars, converted as Keith says, to works unit.
Car No.8 was moved from it's open position on the pierhead in about 2008, it certainly it wasn't there today when I walked down the pier for Waverley's sailing!.
Neil

 

Followed up Stan the Man's info this morning, driving car 21 is inside of the Lynn Taite Gallery, High Street, Leigh on Sea. A glimpse inside the cab revealed quite a few fittings still remain, not possible to get inside of the car though. Externally it looks fine, original livery colours, with a notice attached that says it was rtescued from a field.