APRIL 29 saw train operators mark the impending withdrawal of two popular designs of electric multiple units by operating special Farewell tours of their networks, with the two tours raising a combined total of more than £47,000 for nominated charity partners.
The charters were operated as Southern and Greater Anglia marked the end of Class 313 and Class 321 operations respectively – both of which have been replaced by more modern fleets.
The Class 313s operated by Southern were the oldest remaining EMU fleet in regular use, with the first of the British Rail York-built units dating back to 1976. Although it was rumoured the Class 313s would be withdrawn from traffic this year, this was only recently confirmed by Govia Thameslink Railway subsidiary operator Southern, with the remaining operational EMUs removed from service during May.
The Southern and Branch Line Society-organised ‘Peps on Tour: Sussex Rambler’ charter was a sell-out and took retro-blue and grey liveried 313201 and classmate 313213 on a trip that started at Brighton at 09.01, before heading to Portsmouth Harbour, Littlehampton, Three Bridges, Hastings and Newhaven Marine, and then returning to Brighton at 18.39.
A spokesman for Southern said the charter had been very successful and raised about £25,000 for Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice and the Railway Children charity. He also expressed his appreciation to the team from the BLS that assisted the organisation and operation of the tour. It marked the final workings of ‘celebrity’ 313201, which was stood down from service immediately afterwards, as it was due for a mileage-based maintenance exam.
The withdrawal of the final Class 321s from Greater Anglia marked the end of the operator’s fleet modernisation, which has seen new trains replace the legacy fleet that operated services across its network when Greater Anglia first took over the operation. The EMUs were also built by BR at York, with the first units entering service with Network South-East in 1988.
Greater Anglia’s head of corporate affairs, Jonathan Denby, told Railways Illustrated that the team was very pleased with the response to the event, which saw 317 passengers travel
