'4-DD' cars to be reunited

THE two surviving Bulleid ‘4-DD' power cars, Nos. 13003/4, are set to be reunited after some 37 years apart. DMBT (Driving Motor Brake Third)

No. 13004, which has been located at the Northampton Ironstone Railway Trust since 1999, has been gifted to the Bulleid ‘4-DD' Group following the passing of its former owner, Nick Robinson. It is due to be moved to

Hope Farm in Sellinge, Kent, where it will join the other surviving car, DMBT No. 13003. The two vehicles were the driving cars from set No. 4002 (which later became No.4902).

The ‘4-DD' EMUs were a pair of prototype high density four-car units designed by OVS Bullied which entered service in 1949. Although referred to as ‘double deck' stock, in reality, to enable them to fit in the UK loading gauge, they contained alternate high and low level compartments, rather than the traditional double deck seen elsewhere in Europe. Even this caused gauging issues, and they were restricted to use on the Charing Cross to Dartford and Gravesend routes.

The two sets remained in service until October 1971, after which three cars from No. 4902 moved to Ashford Steam Centre for preservation. Sadly, the centre ran into financial problems, and the trailer car (No. 15303) was scrapped in 1984, but the two driving cars were saved and went their separate ways.

Stephen Chambers The extent of the work still to be done to DMBT No. 13003 can be seen in this exterior view at the vehicle’s current home in Kent, where it will shortly be joined by fellow DBMT No. 13004.