DEMU Diary

Last updated on Tuesday 2 February 2010

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[PHOTO: old and modern trains side-by-side in station: 61kB]

Above: The old and the new. The preserved Hastings diesel unit 1001 is seen at Hastings on Sunday 3 July 2005, alongside a modern electric unit operated by [Southern]. On this occasion our DEMU was enagaged in some timing-runs, empty but with simulated station-stops, to prove that it could keep to revised timings being planned for the winter timetable. See also the relevant diary entry.

Introduction

This section was originally devised during the days when our train was used intensively on the Ashford & Hastings line, and was intended to provide an easily-accessed historical record of our train’s workings on the main line. As our train continues to go out on various test runs, railtours and workings for other operators, we hope that this diary remains a useful resource.

Scope

This diary attempts to record every occasion when one or more of our railway vehicles has moved on Network Rail metals (other than shunting operations within the St. Leonards depot area). Therefore, it includes workings on the Ashford & Hastings line, railtours and excursions (whether HDL’s or for another operator), rescue missions to Eastbourne, and so on. At present, use of motor coaches in a Network Rail Sandite or De-icing train are NOT included.

The set of entries on this page is believed to be complete.

Earlier entries

Entries prior to April 2004 (dating back one year) are on a separate page, and include only the Ashford–Hastings workings at present.

Entries from April to December 2004 can be viewed here.

Entries from 2005 can be viewed here.

Notation

There is a “status column” between each date and its diary entry, whose meanings are as follows:

A	Ashford & Hastings Line passenger-service working
R	Railtour or other special-scheduled passenger working
S	Special non-passenger working (e.g. test run, rescue mission), or operation of unusual passenger service

1001’s workings over Network Rail metals since 1 January 2006 (See previous entries)
Wednesday 19 April 2006	S	Our train operated “The Soap Run” today. This is a local job, delivering the cleaning supplies to [South Eastern]’s carriage-washer, between the depot and Bopeep Junction; there is no access by road to the washer. N.B. There were some previous such trips, dates for which will be added to this diary in due course.
Wednesday 23 August 2006	S	Once more our train operated “The Soap Run”. It was formed of 60000-60116 (the latter used as a Driving Trailer, i.e. without power).
Thursday 1 March 2007	S	1001 was sent on a further excursion towards Bopeep Junction on “The Soap Run”, formed 60000-60116; the latter was again operating as a Driving Trailer, but on this occasion was on test following modifications in preparation for CDL/OTMR. (See photo at foot of News page.)
Wednesday 6 June 2007	S	Motor coaches 60116 and 60118 made a trip to the carriage-washer to replenish its supplies today.
Friday 29 June 2007	S	1001 returned to the main line today, following Central Door Locking and On-Train Monitoring Recorders works. Motor coaches 60118-60116 operated `5Z22` via Ashford, Dover and Canterbury on a driver-training run. Illustrations and further details can be found in the relevant news article. These two vehicles of our train got ‘turned’ in the course of the outing.
Sunday 8 July 2007	S	Our two available Motor Coaches 60116-60118 operated `3Z99`, a special trip to Grove Park, Maidstone, Tonbridge, Hastings, Canterbury and Ashford whilst providing Operational Response cover for the Tour de France. An illustrated write-up contains full details.
Thursday 20 September 2007	S	Our two available motor-coaches were coupled to 73 107 which was on test. The test train, `5Z73`, was formed 60118+60116+73107. As well as providing this dual-mode test for the Electro-Diesel loco, it “turned” our motor-coaches: 60116 Mountfield now faces Bexhill. A news article contains photos of this (and the subsequent) test runs.
Wednesday 26 September 2007	S	A further test run took place, causing our unit to be turned a second time. Photos and details are in this news article.
Thursday 18 October 2007	S	A final test run of 73 107 took place with our motor coaches 60116 and 60118. This turned them a third time, finally restoring them to their “usual” orientation. Photos and details are in this news article. At the depot, Mountfield now faces towards Bexhill, and Tunbridge Wells faces towards Rye.
Tuesday 4 December 2007	S	Motor coaches 60116-60118 undertook a driver-training run for FirstGBRf. Leaving St. Leonards at 1055, they ran via Rye, Ashford, Folkestone, Dover, Deal, Minster, Canterbury, Ashford, Tonbridge and Battle, returning to St. Leonards by 1527. Steve Hatcher took a [photo at Paddock Wood]. This run would again have taken “Hastings” stock through the twin single-bore tunnels at Shakespeare Cliff; an even number (2) of reversals means that the train was not turned round.
Friday 6 June 2008	S	1001 (formed with vehicles 60118, 60501, 69337, 60116) operated the “Soap Run”, travelling down to the nearby carriage-washing plant to deliver supplies. It is likely that our train has operated further such runs in recent months which have not appeared in this diary.
Thursday 26 June 2008	S	1001 operated a test run as a five car formation (60118-60501-69337-60529-60116). It ran via Hastings (reverse), Tonbridge, Redhill, Clapham Jc, Catford Loop, Swanley, Maidstone East, Ashford, Rye, St. Leonards Depot. A news article has a photo of the run taking place.
Saturday 28 June 2008	R	1001 was hired by a TOC for an outing to Bournemouth; it was in the same 5-car formation as two days ago. A news article contains photos, and timings are available.
Thursday 18 December 2008	S	The five main-line-certified cars of our train (see previous entries) ran on a turning/test trip which departed at 1000 and ran via Hastings, Rye, Ashford International, Tonbridge, Battle and Hastings, arriving back at St. Leonards Depot at 1230. This turned the train round with motor coach Tunbridge Wells now facing Bexhill.
Sunday 21 December 2008	R	HDL ran its Christmas Onward Railtour to Folkestone, where it traversed the nearly-closed Folkestone Harbour branch. A news article contains photos, and timings for the trip are available. The train was not turned round in the course of the day’s activities.
Wednesday 28 January 2009	S	1001 set out at 0920 today on the ‘Soap Run’, delivering supplies to West Marina carriage-washer; it returned to depot at 1045.
Thursday 19 March 2009	S	Our DEMU worked a pre-railtour test run to Tonbridge; see the illustrated news article.
Saturday 21 March 2009	R	1001 operated the HDL Wiltshire Warrior railtour today.
Friday 26 June 2009	S	Our 5-coach train undertook a test run today, in preparation for the upcoming HDL Midland Forester Railtour. Running as `1H01`, it left St. Leonards depot at 0955 and ran thus: Hastings (reverse) - Battle - Tonbridge (reverse) - Ashford - Dover - Minster - Canterbury West - Ashford (reverse) - Rye - St. Leonards. It arrived at 1445, facing the same direction as on departure, and with no problems encountered.
Saturday 4 July 2009	R	1001 operated the HDL Midland Forester railtour today.
Wednesday 22 July 2009	S	1001 ran to the West Marina carriage-washer today (the ‘Soap Run’) to deliver its supplies.
Friday 25 September 2009	S	1001 went out on a pre-railtour test-run today; it departed at 09:50 and its route was Hastings – Tonbridge – Ashford – Dover Priory – Minster curve – Canterbury West – Ashford – Rye – Hastings and return to depot. Andy Armitage shot some [video of it passing Doleham] which may be of interest.
Saturday 3 October 2009	R	1001 operated the HDL Worcester Leveller railtour today. The 5-car train arrived back at St. Leonards Depot facing the opposite way from when it departed.
Saturday 10 October 2009	R	1001 was used by [First GBRf] for The Caterham Corps, a charity outing from Hastings to London and the Kent & Surrey areas, in aid of [Help for Heroes], with bookings being handled by [UK Railtours]. The train was “topped and tailed” by Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives. The train travelled up to London Victoria via Tonbridge, Lewisham and Denmark Hill; then back to Bromley North; then via Sidcup and Woolwich Arsenal to London Bridge; to Hayes and back; to Caterham and Tattenham Corner; via Selhurst, Clapaham Junction, Kensington Olympia and Mitre Bridge Junction to Richmond; via Mitre Bridge and Stewarts Lane Junction to Victoria; and to Hastings via Tonbridge.
Sunday 11 October 2009	R	Our train was used by [First GBRf] for The Eton Rifles, a charity outing from Hastings to London and the Kent & Surrey areas, in aid of [Help for Heroes], with bookings being handled by [UK Railtours]. The train was “topped and tailed” by Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives. The train travelled up to London Waterloo via Tonbridge and Catford (see [photo at Battle]); to Epsom Downs via Tulse Hill and back via a reversal at Kensington Olympia; and to Windsor & Eton Riverside. Whilst at Windsor & Eton Riverside, the DEMU and locos were involved in a [minor derailment] at very low speed. Our train was returned to us under its own power the following day, having stabled at Tonbridge in the early hours of Monday morning; it has suffered negligible damage. HDL, First GBRf, and [Network Rail] are all co-operating with a [RAIB] investigation into the derailment. Failing specific advice to the contrary, we expect to be able to continue with our programme of outings and railtours as normal.
Saturday 7 November 2009	S	1001 was taken today on one of its semi-regular ‘Soap Run’ to deliver supplies to the carriage-washer near Bo-Peep Junction.
Tuesday 10 November 2009	S	Our train was used for a driver-training run to Folkestone and Minster; a news article contains full details, photos and a video.
Saturday 14 November 2009	R	[UK Railtours] used our train for their Sheringham Crabber railtour today. It started from St. Leonards Depot but entered service at Sevenoaks at 0625; picking up at Bromley South, Kensington Olympia, Willesden Junction (High Level) and Finsbury Park, it ran via the Norwich triangle to Cromer and Sheringham; return was via the same route, arriving at Sevenoaks at 2108.
Saturday 5 December 2009	R	1001 operated the HDL Christmas Scholar railtour to Cambridge today.
Saturday 19 December 2009	R	1001 operated the Olympia Express special excursion to Kensington (Olympia) and Shepherd’s Bush today.
Please consult the “1001 is currently…” news section for latest operations information, including items which may not yet have made it to this page!

[PHOTO: train stopped in bay platform, night: 73kB]

Motor coach Mountfield was bringing up the rear of our unit 1001 when it formed the 19:24 departure to Ashford International, on 4 February 2005. The location is Hastings platform 1, and part of the newly-opened station building can be seen to the right. Photo by Tim Moss.