60s and 70s Southern Miscellany

Using images from the John Hayward collection, we showcase some of the units and electric locos of the Southern Region in the 1960s and 70s.

British Railway’s Southern Region was a fascinating place during the 1960s and 1970s, with a mixture of elderly EMUs gradually being displaced by BR designs based on the Mk 1 coach. The Southern Railway produced a wide range of EMUs, including the 1935-built 2-BIL two car sets, the 4-LAV four car units and the 6-CORs, which included Pullman vehicles. And, of course, there were the 5-BEL Brighton Belle Pullman sets, which plied their trade between London Victoria and Brighton until 1972. During the 1960s BR/ SR dark green livery was dominant but this was gradually replaced by standard BR blue or the blue/grey livery.

As well as the wide variety of EMUs, the SR also dabbled in electric locos, such as Classes 70 and 71. The Class 71 is probably the best known, alongside the Class 74s that were converted from Class 71s into electro-diesel form. The Class 70 dates from 1941 (20001) and was rated at 1,470hp; the small fleet was retired in 1968. The final loco (20003) was built by BR at Brighton in 1948. It was slightly longer and had a 4-SUB-based cab design instead of the 2-HAL type used on the earlier pair.

The selection here is provided by Michael Welch and features photos from the collection of images taken by John Hayward. It must be remembered that film quality was not always the best at the time, but despite that many of these images are of historical interest and worthy of publication.

The Surrey Wanderer Railtour, with Battle of Britain Class 34089 602 Squadron heading the Norwood Jn – Epsom Downs leg at West Croydon on June 5, 1966 as a-SUB 4107 stands in the down platform. The special is in the up platform and the two men on the track are most likely clipping the points in readiness for the wrong line working when it departs; note the complete lack of hi-vis clothing at the time.

The two original Bulleid electric Class 70 locos at Brighton on and unknown date between 1966-68.

A particularly rare unit, No 053 was an instructional three-car set formed of vehicles converted from former London & South Western Railway steam-era coaches. The set entered traffic in 1931 as 3-SUB 1782 and was later made a 4-SUB (4579). It achieved this form in 1956 and was mostly hidden away in various depots for training. It is departing Brighton station after appearing at the open day there on June 30, 1973.

A pair of 5-BEL Brighton Belle sets cross the Ouse River Viaduct heading for the South Coast on March 16, 1968. 4-LAV units 2929 and 2943 run into Haywards Heath in early June 1968 with the 0947 Victoria to Brighton service.