LONDON WATERLOO echoed to the sound of slamming Mk.1 doors as the Bluebell Railway’s Class 423 4VEP third-rail electric multiple unit 3417 Gordon Pettitt – which has been undergoing a comprehensive restoration by the Southern Electric Traction Group – returned to the terminus station once again thanks to cross-industry support.
The four-coach EMU is named after highly-respected former Southern Region general manager Gordon Pettitt OBE, and the special event on the morning of January 27 was organised to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the set being handed over to the Bluebell Railway from former operator South Western Trains.
Out of a total of 194 4VEPs built for British Rail, 3417 is the only surviving complete set, which at one time formed the backbone of commuter services on the South Western third-rail electrified network. Agreement between the Bluebell Railway and the SETG was reached in 2012 for the EMU to be placed in its long-term care, with the aim of eventually returning it to main line passenger use under its own power.
The EMU has been undergoing an extensive overhaul by the SETG at its base at Strawberry Hill depot since 2015. The 4VEP is formed of driving trailer composite standard open lavatory (DTCsoL) vehicles 76262 and 76263, motor brake standard open (MBSO) 62236, and trailer standard open 70797.
In recent months, SETG volunteers have worked hard to ensure that the unit was in a suitable condition for being hauled over Network Rail, while the interior of the EMU – which suffered extensively from water damage while in store at Ilford between 2012 and 2015 – has been completely restored and reinstated.
Although the 4VEP is not yet able to carry passengers on the main line, South Western Railway provided a private charter service to carry invited guests to the event, with SWR 450046 stating ‘Gordon Pettitt Special’ on the destination indicators.
The unit was moved to Waterloo from Strawberry Hill by GB Railfreight, sandwiched between 73109 Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary and 73119 Paul Taylor. Hundreds of enthusiasts turned out to see the immaculate BR blue slam-door commuter EMU back in
