This is for Gordon! SETG returns its slam-door 4VEP to London Waterloo

LONDON WATERLOO

echoed to the sound of slamming Mk.1 doors as the Bluebell Railway’s Class 423 4VEP third-rail electric multiple unit 3417 Gordon Pettitt – which has been undergoing a comprehensive restoration by the Southern Electric Traction Group – returned to the terminus station once again thanks to cross-industry support.

Andy Coward

The four-coach EMU is named after highly-respected former Southern Region general manager Gordon Pettitt OBE, and the special event on the morning of January 27 was organised to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the set being handed over to the Bluebell Railway from former operator South Western Trains.

Out of a total of 194 4VEPS built for British Rail, 3417 is the only surviving complete set, which at one time formed the backbone of commuter services on the South Western third-rail electrified network. Agreement between the Bluebell Railway and the SETG was reached in 2012 for the EMU to be placed in its long-term care, with the aim of eventually returning it to main line passenger use under its own power.

The EMU has been undergoing an extensive overhaul by the SETG at its base at Strawberry Hill depot since 2015. The 4VEP is formed of driving trailer composite standard open lavatory (DTCSOL) vehicles 76262 and 76263, motor brake standard open (MBSO) 62236, and trailer standard open 70797.

In recent months, SETG volunteers have worked hard to ensure that the unit was in a suitable condition for being hauled over Network Rail, while the interior of the EMU – which suffered extensively from water damage while in store at Ilford between 2012 and 2015 – has been completely restored and reinstated. Although the 4VEP is not yet able to carry passengers on the main line, South Western Railway provided a private charter service to carry invited guests to the event, with SWR 450046 stating ‘Gordon Pettitt Special’ on the destination indicators.

The unit was moved to Waterloo from Strawberry Hill by GB Railfreight, sandwiched between 73109 Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary and 73119 Paul Taylor. Hundreds of enthusiasts turned out to see the immaculate BR blue slam-door commuter EMU back in the station it would have visited thousands of times during its working life for both British Rail and SWT, contrasting sharply with the present-day third rail traction now gracing the London terminus.

Upon its arrival at the station, it was greeted by invited guests, which included guest of honour Mr Pettitt, Network Rail chairman Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, SWR managing director Claire Mann, GBRF chief executive officer John Smith, officials from the Bluebell Railway and former Network Southeast, Intercity and Virgin Trains managing director Chris Green, along with broadcaster Nicholas Owen. The work done on 3417 by the SETG now allows the unit to be hauled over Network Rail metals for visits to heritage railway events, where it can be used as hauled stock when operated with a compatible locomotive such as

a Class 33 or Class 73, and this is seen as the completion of the first phase of the extensive restoration of the preserved EMU.

However, the SETG is currently running a fundraising campaign that will allow mandatory safety equipment to be fitted to the 4VEP unit, as well as beginning preparatory work to be carried out on the planned introduction of central door locking. Until these items have been fitted, it will not be possible for it to work over the electrified third-rail network under its own power, or to carry passengers on the main line. An initial target of £50,000 has been set for the next phase of the project, and almost £10,000 has been raised over the past three months.

SETG spokesman Steve Upton said: “We always promised that we would get 3417 back to London Waterloo and reunite the unit with Gordon Pettitt, as without his intervention it would have never been donated to the Bluebell Railway, and it would in all likelihood have been scrapped.

“The SETG volunteers have worked so hard to get the unit to this stage and we are grateful to everyone who has backed us financially, as well as all the people from Network Rail, GB Railfreight, South Western Railway and the Bluebell Railway who were so supportive in arranging for the unit to be brought back to London Waterloo for this special event.

“It is our aim that one day we will be able to run passenger tours over the third rail network with 3417 operating under its own power, but we still have quite a lot of work to do and money to raise before that ambition can become a reality, although we are doing all that we can to make it happen and have much support behind us in our aims.”

Any Railways Illustrated readers wishing to support the SETG’S ongoing fundraising appeal can visit www.gofundme.com/f/returning-3417-to-the-mainline, or further information on the group can be found at www.setg.org.uk

Andy Coward Andy Coward Special guests at the public display of the Bluebell Railway/setg preserved 4VEP 3417 Gordon Pettitt at Waterloo on January 27, with Network Rail chairman Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Gordon Pettitt OBE, former Virgin Trains managing director Chris Green, South Western Railway managing director Claire Mann and GB Railfreight chief executive officer John Smith. One of the restored interior passenger saloons of preserved Class 423 4VEP electric multiple unit 3417 Gordon Pettitt during the EMU’S first public display event at London Waterloo on January 27.

Shades of yesteryear: Preserved 4VEP 3417 Gordon Pettitt stands in Platform 19 at London Waterloo for the first time in almost 19 years on January 27, with South Western Railway’s 450046 alongside. The Class 450 unit was used on a private charter from Woking for invited guests travelling to the event.

Steve Donald Following major overhauls, the second of Network Rail’s three high-speed train Class 43 power cars used on the New Measurement Train has returned to service. On February 4, 43062 John Armitt approaches Spondon, working 1Q28, the 10.22 Derby Railway Technical Centre to Ferrybridge North Junction, with 43013 Mark Carne OBE on the rear. The third power car, 43014, is expected to re-enter traffic over the coming weeks.