Class 309 up for disposal

[Alanko]

Not every heritage railway needs to be the North Yorkshire Moors or the Severn Valley. Just because a line is on a smaller scale doesn’t mean it’s somehow not viable or not worth bothering with.

Some lines clearly exist more for the benefit of members and volunteers 'playing trains' than presenting any credible commercial/heritage/industry credibility.

Presumably most heritage railways, beyond those presenting a niche subject matter as in the case of Rocks by Rail, are in gentle competition with each other. Their main customer base is not rail enthusiasts, so they have to present something that is worthwhile for a family on a day trip (who came to your railway rather than the local petting zoo, pumpkin patch, Digger World et al).

 

[Andy317345]

Anyone know what has happened to the unit?

 

[Class15]

Anyone know what has happened to the unit?

I believe it’s been scrapped.

 

[AdamWW]

If the only need a line has for air-braked stock is 4 days of a diesel gala, then for a rail connected line like the Severn Valley, Bluebell, Nene Valley and many others, then in probability it's both cheaper and more operationally convenient to just hire in a set for the weekend which then leaves at the end of the gala.

Perhaps the difference is that London Transport has a rather different set of resources to a heritage railway, but didn't it work out cheaper to buy coaches to use for a few days a year on Steam on the Met rather than hiring in each year?

 

[1Q18]

Perhaps the difference is that London Transport has a rather different set of resources to a heritage railway, but didn't it work out cheaper to buy coaches to use for a few days a year on Steam on the Met rather than hiring in each year?

I think there's one big difference in that it was about thirty years ago when they acquired the two 4TC sets. It's comparing apples to oranges.

 

[StephenHunter]

I believe it’s been scrapped.

A bit odd that no-one's seen it at Newport or the other scrapyards then. It's a tad hard to miss.

 

[1Q18]

A bit odd that no-one's seen it at Newport or the other scrapyards then. It's a tad hard to miss.

It may have been cut on site, or it may have gone out by road unnoticed to a local yard.

 

[bingleybong]

It may have been cut on site, or it may have gone out by road unnoticed to a local yard.

It is still at Isfield

 

[StephenHunter]

The group have posted an update saying they are still in the six-month runoff period and trying to find a new home for all three vehicles.

Then come October, our time was up. The 18 month storage agreement we had made with the Lavender line had finished and no new agreement could be reached. We are still in the 6 month run off period, but the future is still very uncertain.

Clacton Express Preservation Group

Clacton Express Preservation Group. 1,445 likes · 129 talking about this. We are the CEPG, (Clacton Express Preservation Group). We are the custodians of A BR Class 309 EMU.

www.facebook.com

 

[LUYMun]

I’d imagine that by now, April 2024, is the end of the run off period for the Clacton unit to leave?

 

[tnxrail]

I Was at the Lavender Line on Sunday was still there in a siding only visible from train. A comment on Facebook says it's sold but no further details yet but dont take that as confirmation.

 

[timj]

I Was at the Lavender Line on Sunday was still there in a siding only visible from train. A comment on Facebook says it's sold but no further details yet but dont take that as confirmation.

which facebook page please?