Thumpers

Quick query, my memory tells me that in about 1970 4 or 5 units were allocated to EH in two car form specifically to operate the Mid Hants but Wiki seems to disagree with my memory, i think they say there were for the North Downs line. I even recall some of their numbers (112 to 1124 I think)

any experts here? Looking at you @hampshireunit

 

AFAIK they were originally built as two car units but the improved services they offered increased patronage to the extent that it was found necessary to add a centre trailer

 

I know that, that was the first batch, but the second batch built also had some 2 car units and these weren't made into 3 cars until the "1400" thumpers were created using EPB cars (it's more complicated than that...)

 

Like this maybe. 3H "Hampshire" unit 1117 on the 13.46 Alton to Southampton service.

 

Any idea where that is?

 

Not off hand, I got it off Google I typed in, 1124 diesel multiple unit and a variety of sites came up about the Hampshire "thumpers"

 

Mount Pleasant road bridge in background.

 

Try www.bloodandcustard.com

 

From memory 1121 to 1124 remained as 2 car for the Southampton -Alton service. Some time in the late 1970's they were strengthened to 3 cars with spare driver trailers from the disbanded 1200 series Tadpole units.
More details in back issues of Mid Hants News in the articles by Chris Small on traffic observations on tle line between the mid 1950's and 1973.
For many years Chris lived in one of the houses pictured next to Mount Pleasant Road, Alton in post#4.

Cheers, Neil

PS Before you even consider that shot nowadays, it has been obliterated by the Hampshire equivalent of rain forest.

 

Thanks. Looks a bit different now.

 

seems I was right then and wiki wrong..... will I bother correcting it? probably not

 

thx for nothing...that'll right off the rest of today reading all that



( Thanks really)

 

Thus creating the 3T units. Back then we used the proper BR(S) terms - 2H, 3H, 3R, 3D, 3T, 6S, 6L, 6B.... The term 'thumpers' came along rather later, wiv da kidzzz who hadn't grown up with them, then being universally adopted by people who were old enough to know better. It still makes me cringe, in the same way that someone in middle age saying "I'm loving this", "I'm super-excited" or "Nom noms" makes me cringe...

 

We always called them DEMUs when I was a fitter at Selhurst. This nomenclature incorrectly passed on to the 171s which replaced them, and is still used by some. Once the Electrostars came in, the remaining ex-BR slam-door EMUs were known as "main-liners" or "slammers" regardless of type, consist or origin.

 

Been at dentist/on railway this morning so only just seen this thread! Not an expert on history of the line, but do have old Mid Hants News' and copy of " The Mid-Hants Railway" by Roger Hardingham- He says two cars from introduction Sept/Nov 57, three cars and engine uprated 1959 then back to two as slipping occured, then back to 3 after changes to gearing, but reduced to two during the winter! There are pictures of three-car units in June 72, but two cars in September 71, so one assumes they still lost the middle car during autumn/winter.

 

I use "thumpers" because that's what the Drivers at Reading called them back in the day. Personally me and my generation called them Hampshire units and Tadpoles. To be 100% accurate I think it should only be the Tadpoles called Thumpers by me, as I don't think Reading drivers drove the Hampshires but they did the Tadpoles.

 

As the Mid-Hants unit lives at the bottom of my garden (about 100' from where I am typing this, veiled only by thin line of trees) I can confirm that "Thumper" is a valid description when one starts up!!!

 

chainsaw mate

 

The Volvo F88 lorry from the 70s had a thumping sound when first started on a cold frosty morning similar to the 2H/3H.