313 201 Preservation - What Happened?

[Millsy_2102]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to get a clear picture of what happened with the preservation of the Southern Class 313 unit, 313 201. I know it's a bit of a legendary unit, being the very first of its class and famous for its BR blue and grey livery in its final years.

I remember reading that the 400 Series Preservation Group were involved in a project to save it. I was under the impression they were going to keep it in operational condition.

For those of you who are closer to the preservation scene, what did the 400 Series Preservation Group actually do with 313 201? Is it still at Eastleigh Works? I'd love to know what the current status is and what their long-term plans are for this historic unit.

It would be great to hear what happened and what the future holds for this pioneering piece of railway history.

Thanks in advance for any information!

 

[camerar1]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to get a clear picture of what happened with the preservation of the Southern Class 313 unit, 313 201. I know it's a bit of a legendary unit, being the very first of its class and famous for its BR blue and grey livery in its final years.

I remember reading that the 400 Series Preservation Group were involved in a project to save it. I was under the impression they were going to keep it in operational condition.

For those of you who are closer to the preservation scene, what did the 400 Series Preservation Group actually do with 313 201? Is it still at Eastleigh Works? I'd love to know what the current status is and what their long-term plans are for this historic unit.

It would be great to hear what happened and what the future holds for this pioneering piece of railway history.

Thanks in advance for any information!

It's on show at the Greatest Gathering in Derby this weekend, having been moved north on 24th July.

 

[D365]

This previous Class 313 preservation discussion will provide you with some background reading on units 201 and 121.

 

[trainmania100]

It is envisaged that 313201 will be available for loan to preserved railways and to attend special events and depot open days. It will also be available for training purposes to rail and non-rail organisations. The key, unique aspect of this is that it will have an operational home to return to afterwards where it can be kept maintained and in working condition.

Quote from http://www.400series.co.uk/313201-2/

Doesn't sound like railtours are immediately on the cards, more of a show and tell thing

 

[Invincible]

Quote from http://www.400series.co.uk/313201-2/

Doesn't sound like railtours are immediately on the cards, more of a show and tell thing

Could it be coupled up to the Mk3 Class 150, to be donated to the Watercress line (not 3rd rail), to run at say a branch line diesel gala, rather than mainline? Although the 2 units together might be too long for some platforms? Also getting power to the 313 to operate doors etc may be a problem?

 

[Millsy_2102]

This previous Class 313 preservation discussion will provide you with some background reading on units 201 and 121.

Thanks! The class 313 has been my favourite train for years and I sadly couldn't make it to the farewell tour as I didn't know it was happening at the time.

 

[43096]

Could it be coupled up to the Mk3 Class 150, to be donated to the Watercress line (not 3rd rail), to run at say a branch line diesel gala, rather than mainline? Although the 2 units together might be too long for some platforms? Also getting power to the 313 to operate doors etc may be a problem?

Have a look at the couplers!

 

[fgwrich]

Could it be coupled up to the Mk3 Class 150, to be donated to the Watercress line (not 3rd rail), to run at say a branch line diesel gala, rather than mainline? Although the 2 units together might be too long for some platforms? Also getting power to the 313 to operate doors etc may be a problem?

Why would it need to be donated when it is already in Preservation? It’s got even less of a connection (both in terms of history and an understanding owner who knows the ins and outs of them) than the Mid Hants.

And before you reach the issue of coupling them as pointed out by @43096 The Mid Hants is a rather steeply graded line, the 150s are not exactly known for their excess of power, let alone being able to tow or work with a completely incompatible unit.

 

[driver9000]

Could it be coupled up to the Mk3 Class 150, to be donated to the Watercress line (not 3rd rail), to run at say a branch line diesel gala, rather than mainline? Although the 2 units together might be too long for some platforms? Also getting power to the 313 to operate doors etc may be a problem?

No. They have completely different couplers.

 

[D365]

The different couplers is the least of the problems. Ex British Rail EMUs and DMUs operate on completely different voltages and use different brake control systems.

Suffice to say it’s a no-go.

 

[Invincible]

Thanks for replies
So could get to say most of the way to say a Bluebell, Mid Hants or Swanage gala on 3rd rail, but will need to be coupled to a diesel loco (like it was to get to Derby) to get the last bit.

 

[D Mylchreest]

Is this the only preserved 313 unit?

 

[sad1e]

Is this the only preserved 313 unit?

Nope, 313121 is preserved too

 

[M28361M]

Is this the only preserved 313 unit?

313121, the former Network Rail ERTMS test train, is at Fife Heritage Railway in Scotland. https://www.fifeheritagerailway.co.uk/fleet

 

[D Mylchreest]

Thanks

 

[M28361M]

313201 has moved from Derby Litchurch Lane to the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway. Update from the 400 Series Preservation Group (might need a Facebook login to view the original post and pictures).

Many of you will have seen the recent announcement by the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway - Cynheidre Heritage Project who have very kindly offered to provide a short term home for 313201.

We are hoping to move the unit at a later date to our main base at the East Kent Railway Trust once space is available.

All 3 vehicles are now at the railway and work is ongoing to shunt them into position and recouple them.
Once this is complete there will be a further post showcasing the complete unit at the railway.

It is worth noting that 12 heritage lines in England were approached requesting short term storage, the LMMR were the first and only organisation able to offer assistance for which we are very appreciative.

 

[sad1e]

313201 has moved from Derby Litchurch Lane to the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway. Update from the 400 Series Preservation Group (might need a Facebook login to view the original post and pictures).

Well that's going to be another Preserved EMU rotting away from power.

Why don't any depots keep depot pet units preserved anymore such as the 302 they used to have at Ilford. It makes it so much easier to potentially get it running and up to mainline standard after withdrawal.

 

[fgwrich]

Well that's going to be another Preserved EMU rotting away from power.

Why don't any depots keep depot pet units preserved anymore such as the 302 they used to have at Ilford. It makes it so much easier to potentially get it running and up to mainline standard after withdrawal.

Space. Electricity costs. Insurance. Ownership etc.

The 313 was facing the scrap line at Eastleigh, the current owners bought it from Beacon Rail. If Southern wanted to keep it as a pet, they had plenty of chances to do so. Equally for them to invite it back to one of their depots.

The VEP living at Strawberry Hill has been somewhat lucky as the depot can’t really accommodate anything else due to the 10 Car Railway around that area, and the SETG have been rather fortunate, along with some very willing railway managers, to allow it to stay where it has lived for the last few years.

I can from personal experience that finding somewhere to keep an item of rolling stock and to be able to actively work on it isn’t easy, nor a cheap thing to do. Some rolling stock owners & preservationists are more fortunate than others, and more often than not we do end up questioning what we’re doing!

 

[LUYMun]

Well that's going to be another Preserved EMU rotting away from power.

Except that the owner of 201 also owns a number of Southern Region EMUs who has been making significant work in the past several years with regular posts to his Twitter account. So it’s clear that with his passion to maintain his collection 201 won’t see rot.

 

[D Mylchreest]

Space. Electricity costs. Insurance. Ownership etc.

The 313 was facing the scrap line at Eastleigh, the current owners bought it from Beacon Rail. If Southern wanted to keep it as a pet, they had plenty of chances to do so. Equally for them to invite it back to one of their depots.

The VEP living at Strawberry Hill has been somewhat lucky as the depot can’t really accommodate anything else due to the 10 Car Railway around that area, and the SETG have been rather fortunate, along with some very willing railway managers, to allow it to stay where it has lived for the last few years.

I can from personal experience that finding somewhere to keep an item of rolling stock and to be able to actively work on it isn’t easy, nor a cheap thing to do. Some rolling stock owners & preservationists are more fortunate than others, and more often than not we do end up questioning what we’re doing!

Perhaps it would be better for the different groups attempting to preserve a Cl313 set come together and concentrate on one unit

 

[D365]

Perhaps it would be better for the different groups attempting to preserve a Cl313 set come together and concentrate on one unit

I’m not sure what you mean. The two Class 313 units in preservation are each destined for very different purposes.