Southern Electric - Brighton Electrification 1933

First, let me say that I am sorry that I haven't posted for 8 days. Being self employed means that sometimes you have busy or quiet periods. The last few days have been a busy period, so I just haven't had the time.

So today I offer something in the meantime, until I find the time to really put some blog entries together. A piece from 1933 British Movietone film, shortly after the Brighton Line had been electrified. It is a silent movie I am afraid - but if you like, I will pull out the old Joanna, and see what I can come up with.

Be back in a couple of days.

Southern Electric - British Rail Class 445 (4PEP)

Not long until Christmas now :-)

Does anyone remember the PEP? No, not me personally. Though I did remember seeing one at Clapham Junction in the early 90's, feeling very sorry for itself. But then it was a prototype, from which was developed the Class 508 and the Class 313 (amongst others).

Southern Electric - New rolling stock for the Waterloo & City

No reason behind today's selection, other than it really interested me. The Waterloo and City Line is always an interesting little line, as it is not connected to the main Tube network. So the only way to get something in and out was via the Armstrong lift (see the video above).

Sadly the Armstrong lift no longer exists, it was demolished (along with the entire Western sidings) in 1992 due to the construction of Waterloo International – the former Eurostar terminal.

These days the procedure is carried out using a road-mounted crane in a shaft adjacent to the depot, south of Waterloo mainline station on Spur Road. This is only necessary for major maintenance work that requires lifting of the car body as the Waterloo depot is fully equipped for general maintenance work.