If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Southend Pier Railway

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by DismalChips, Jan 8, 2020.

  1. DismalChips

    DismalChips Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2016
    Messages:
    636
    Likes Received:
    657
    Location:
    9A
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    News from there. It's not a part of the country I know well but this seems like good news:

    https://twitter.com/SevernLamb/status/1214835903677505537
     
    Goldie, Bluenosejohn, kscanes and 2 others like this.
  2. SpudUk

    SpudUk Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2009
    Messages:
    1,732
    Likes Received:
    593
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Project Manager
    Location:
    Wales
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    What's going to happen to the older ones?
     
  3. DismalChips

    DismalChips Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2016
    Messages:
    636
    Likes Received:
    657
    Location:
    9A
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Doesn't say. Also the press release doesn't specify if the line will be (re)electrified or if they'll operate on batteries.
     
  4. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2017
    Messages:
    12,172
    Likes Received:
    11,493
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Brighton&Hove
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Wasn't someone asking about available 3ft gauge stock on NP last week?
     
    kscanes likes this.
  5. Old Kent Biker

    Old Kent Biker Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Messages:
    858
    Likes Received:
    1,308
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    ex IT Consultant
    Location:
    Kent UK
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The 1986 stock had, I believe, a 20-year design life, so is well past its best, and spare parts are now difficult to source, so although they may find an alternative home, I suspect they will mostly be scrapped, as the 1948 stock was.
     
  6. Robkitchuk

    Robkitchuk Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2013
    Messages:
    324
    Likes Received:
    358
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Durham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Yes think the Crowle Peatland railway were looking for suitable 3ft gauge stock or wheelset. I've messaged the contact there to this effect.
     
    30854 likes this.
  7. mgp

    mgp New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2010
    Messages:
    98
    Likes Received:
    171
    Martyn

    I imagine that you, like me, think of the 1948 stock as being THE trains on Southend Pier. The recent stock are but imposters!

    It is pleasing to discover that at least one of the 1948 units is on show in Southend Pier Museum - see https://www.southendpiermuseum.co.uk/index.html

    Mike
     
    nigelss, Old Kent Biker and 30854 like this.
  8. Old Kent Biker

    Old Kent Biker Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Messages:
    858
    Likes Received:
    1,308
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    ex IT Consultant
    Location:
    Kent UK
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    No 22 and, I think, one other is in the museum. There may also be a third in museum ownership, but there is also one at the former Lynne Tait Gallery in Southend, and no. 8, the one that was cut down for use as a flatbed is now at Mangapps Farm, Essex, awaiting restoration.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2020
  9. Old Kent Biker

    Old Kent Biker Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Messages:
    858
    Likes Received:
    1,308
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    ex IT Consultant
    Location:
    Kent UK
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Goldie and 30854 like this.
  10. MattA

    MattA Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2014
    Messages:
    309
    Likes Received:
    342
    Location:
    82F
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    The most retrotastic one (green and yellow livery on the retro shape) seems to be the most popular on Facebook
     
    Goldie and Wenlock like this.
  11. William Coleman

    William Coleman New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2015
    Messages:
    51
    Likes Received:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    We asked Southend Council about what will become of the current locos when the news was announced about the current trains being replaced and the answer was basically "We don't know". It would be good for them to be preserved/sold etc there is a major need for more 3' gauge rolling stock in my opinion. We also thought given there size they wouldn't fit in with our larger locos and have coupling difficulties. We have since looked at other rolling stock suitable for a coach, but we are still looking for more 3' gauge wheelsets etc we'd really like a ballast wagon but that seems to be a bit of a pipe dream..
     
  12. Old Kent Biker

    Old Kent Biker Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Messages:
    858
    Likes Received:
    1,308
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    ex IT Consultant
    Location:
    Kent UK
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Which railway are you referring to when you say "we"?
     
    Wenlock likes this.
  13. SpudUk

    SpudUk Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2009
    Messages:
    1,732
    Likes Received:
    593
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Project Manager
    Location:
    Wales
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Crowle Peatland at a guess, based on his profile picture and interest in 3' stock
     
    Old Kent Biker likes this.
  14. William Coleman

    William Coleman New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2015
    Messages:
    51
    Likes Received:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Yes sorry when I said we I did mean the Crowle Peatland Railway
     
    Old Kent Biker likes this.
  15. 61648

    61648 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    640
    Likes Received:
    261
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Former sub-shed of 30D
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Given the ride on the current stock is worse than a Pacer, it is almost impossible to stand up whilst in motion, suggest the best thing to do would be scrapping. Good job the line is only about a mile long, any further and seasickness would be an issue.
     
  16. pete2hogs

    pete2hogs Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2007
    Messages:
    721
    Likes Received:
    418
    It's always been something of a problem even with the previous stock. It may be as much to do with the characteristics of the track and/or the pier itself as with the actual stock.
     
  17. 61648

    61648 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    640
    Likes Received:
    261
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Former sub-shed of 30D
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Very possibly the track or the actual pier, I appreciate it's been more than a few years since the old (1948) stock was retired and time does play tricks with the memory but I don't recall the ride being as bad back then.
     
  18. pete2hogs

    pete2hogs Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2007
    Messages:
    721
    Likes Received:
    418
    Do you remember the 'crash crash crash' of the old stock's progression along the pier? I always thought it must be due to some coincidence between rail length and wheelbase so at least half of the wheelsets hit a track join at the same time. My Grandad used to take me on it quite often - on a stormy day it was like being at sea far more than on land!
     
  19. 61648

    61648 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    640
    Likes Received:
    261
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Former sub-shed of 30D
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I certainly do, was always unique I thought to the railway, can still hear it in my head now after all this time.
     
    pete2hogs likes this.
  20. 61648

    61648 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    640
    Likes Received:
    261
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Former sub-shed of 30D
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    To be honest, these days I feel the best way to enjoy Southend Pier is to walk both ways, it's far enough to stretch the legs and level too, even my teenagers enjoy the walk, a highlight being if the tide is in and they see fish.
    If you can also get the timing right for a large container ship going to London Gateway, it's probably one of the best places there is for ship spotting, either there or Canvey seafront which is another good walk.
    Not recommended in bad weather though.
     

Share This Page