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EMU post train in the late eighties?

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EMU post train in the late eighties? 14/05/2013 at 15:36 #44722
Underwood
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Hello all,

I assumed all Brighton Main Line trains would be hauled by a Class 73 with a BSO coach and about 5 vans in tow (Don't know how many vans were used on the night parcels in 1987).

However, upon looking in the Southern 1987 WTT section WE, I note a 4H99 23.32 Redhill P.O Dock to Chichester that runs as route headcode 34 to Brighton, then 60 to Chichester.

But there is no timing load, unlike the other parcels which are given 'ED210'. I also note there is no 'RR' at Brighton so it doesn't run around (then again it doesn't say 'RM' either, maybe because it forms a new route headcode or perhaps it splits?)

Would this have been some unit or the other carrying parcels? If so, what is likely to be used in 1987?


Cheers,

James.

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EMU post train in the late eighties? 14/05/2013 at 17:31 #44724
Copping
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Possibly MLV's, the only platform that serves all routes out of Brighton is platform 3 and can only accommodate 4 coaches if serving the West Coastway route (12 if serving the Mainline or East Coastway)

Although at the time the VEP'S had alot of space in the MBS coach before there were converted to have more seating.

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EMU post train in the late eighties? 14/05/2013 at 21:01 #44738
Underwood
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Ah, talking of the MLV (Thanks, I forgot about those!) I note there is another train later in the morning as 4B05 which actually has 'MLV' in the timing load. 4H99 is blank. Looking in the West Coast Lines section of the WTT, I see it does a 5H99 Chichester to Portsmouth D.C.S again with a blank time load.

As you say it could just well be a slammer, it could just double up as a stock move to Portsmouth where it'll work a service train later in the day or the day after?

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EMU post train in the late eighties? 14/05/2013 at 21:43 #44739
DriverCurran
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James

Quite often 4 EPB units (or even 2 cars) used to do fill in runs on the paper and mail trains back in the 1980's. I can quite often remember a 4 EPB unit arriving at Hastings ex Brighton with a Saturday paper train in the afternoon. In the stock working book I have for 1982 all types of units would be used on these to reduce the amount of empty running during the contra peak and obtain the hightest amount of revenue earning trips while getting units in place for the start of the evening rush hour.

Paul C

You have to get a red before you can get any other colour
Last edited: 14/05/2013 at 21:44 by DriverCurran
Reason: Reworded original post

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EMU post train in the late eighties? 16/05/2013 at 14:32 #44749
jc92
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I had a similar situation with my Euston 1980 timetable, several parcels trains run via the new lines, all worked by standard EMUs with parcels bundled in all available space!

something we're unlikely to ever see again....Pacer Postal anyone?

"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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The following user said thank you: UKTrainMan
EMU post train in the late eighties? 16/05/2013 at 15:54 #44750
headshot119
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" said:
I had a similar situation with my Euston 1980 timetable, several parcels trains run via the new lines, all worked by standard EMUs with parcels bundled in all available space!

something we're unlikely to ever see again....Pacer Postal anyone? :P
141s where fitted with a lockable postal area, as where the 150s. In fact I've been on a parcel 141 in the last twelve months.

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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EMU post train in the late eighties? 16/05/2013 at 16:33 #44753
GeoffM
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I remember the 321s at Southend Victoria had a lockable parcels area. I'm not sure I ever saw it being used for such! Though mail trains to/from Southend did cease not so many years later.
SimSig Boss
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EMU post train in the late eighties? 16/05/2013 at 16:44 #44754
Peter Bennet
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The GN 317s similarly had locked parcels area, which was used regularly when I lived in Letchworth (1987).

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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EMU post train in the late eighties? 16/05/2013 at 17:08 #44755
58050
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All EMUs from Cl.317 onwards had locakable compartments for parcels traffic. The Cl.317s were regularly diagrammed, virtually on a 2 hour diagram from ST. Pancras - Luton - St. Pancras for JSATC traffic during the off peak & were regularly found in P1 at St. Pancras during the late 1980s as this was a short platform. Also there were a couple of sets that ran between Bedford - St. Pancras - Bedford during the daytime for parcels traffic. Cl.321s as Geoff says were also ised on the GE & West Anglia lines & Cl.302s were diagrammed for RES traffic between Chelmsford - Liverpool Street & there was even a diagram for a set from Norwich - Liverpool Street - Norwich also for RES traffic during 1990 - 1993. This really isn't anything new as Paul states earlier the Southern Region used EPB sets. This certainly made it easier to operate than having loco+vans doing it & then having to shunt or run round traffic.
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EMU post train in the late eighties? 16/05/2013 at 18:30 #44762
Copping
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Least with the EPB's and the 321's you could tell which end had the parcels area, EPB's with the Triangle and the 321's had a P after the unit number. Not sure if the 317's had a P.

Also i'm sure the 319's had a Royal Mail logo somewhere, I could be wrong though.

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EMU post train in the late eighties? 17/05/2013 at 17:22 #44778
clive
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I'm sure the 317s had a P, but memory says under the number rather than after it.
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EMU post train in the late eighties? 18/05/2013 at 14:41 #44826
TimTamToe
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" said:
Least with the EPB's and the 321's you could tell which end had the parcels area, EPB's with the Triangle and the 321's had a P after the unit number. Not sure if the 317's had a P.

Also i'm sure the 319's had a Royal Mail logo somewhere, I could be wrong though.
I seem to remember this on the 319's too

Gareth

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