Used to use the Waterloo - Windsor/Reading line at the end of the 1960's, 2-BIL/2HAL sets for days. The traction motors had a wonderful growl; the interiors smelled as if they'd been pickled in coal smoke, steam and ionised current; the seats, even in the 2nd class compartments, were plush, deep and absorbed the bouncy suspension... mostly! They were epic, much missed.
I like the 4SUB, they were the stock in trade of the line I grew up using, Dorking into Waterloo. I always wanted to get a ride on a 2BIL but I’m too young! This is interesting- thanks!
I Iived in Stoneleigh in the late 70s/early 80s; the 4SUBS and 4EPBS were the soundtrack of my childhood. The naked bulbs, slam doors, springy Trojan moquette seats and the indescribable aroma and mellifluous moan of the motors will always stay with me.
Thank you for sharing, brought back lots of happy Memories, loved those old Units especially the 2BILS and 4LAVS. We lived in Lewes sometimes shopped in Seaford, (always pronounced Sea Ford with Stress on the final Syllable) and I used to go fishing at the Tide Mills.
Oh I was talking about the celebration 4Sub the other day, I often rode it when trundling up and down between Gravesend and London, a shame none of the corridoor 4SUB trailers seemed to survive as they were surprisingly well finished for a commuter hack and I remember going to school on the London Bridge to Sydenham from platform 8 as this was the "slow" boat to E Croydon meaning more train enjoyment time :) I did the stores and lamp servicing on the 4SUB's still running out of Waterloo approx 84ish, it was all a bit hushed up as "Catweazle" my super we all were sure was drinking the paraffin as he was perpetually drunk so I ended up with my little pullalong trolley with the oil lamps burning brightly, the bars of soap and stacks of bog roll (John Wayne issue) and any sundries due the drivers/guards. One fine wheeze that made the grumpy AM actually smirk was we got a packet of dried peas and were sending the YTS trainees up to give platform staff and guards a new pea for their whistle, "You have to guard this whistle pea with your life, passengers lives will be in danger if the guard can't blow his whistle..." Platform staff and guards were NOT impressed and I do believe rude words were used on them poor trainees and nearly as funny as the "measure the legal distance between buffer stop and train buffer" debacle.
Great video. I rode these two at Woking 150 and the 4-SUB in 1993 to Alton. What a shame the SUB has been allowed to be wrecked. Where is the BIL kept these days? I remember the BILs well and rode them on the Coastway in the 1960s
Very good footage. I vaguely remember them as a kid. Are there any that are mainline certified as would love to see 1. Running under own power. Grand video buddy
The 2-BIL was taken out of use very soon after this was shot, as it has wooden body framing which was banned from the main line for safety reasons. The 4-SUB last ran in 1994. Both units survive but can't operate on Network Rail infrastructure.
@@4vepvik781 Take a look at how many people used to die in train crashes between the 1930s and 1970s, and how many people die in train crashes now. There was a period of 13 years from 2007 to 2020 when no-one died in a train crash at all. Think about that before making dumb comments.
I remember these two units very well. I was at Bexhill one hot Sunday in 1994(?) and the 4SUB, 2BIL combo came trundling in to Platform 1 and I thought it an opportunity too good to miss!!! You should see the state of them now!
It's a real shame that the sole remaining 4-SUB is sitting at Coventry slowly rusting. It would be fantastic if they returned her to the southern where she belongs.
All these people praising these units, where were you all when they were in service? All I used to hear was people complaining about them, disparaging them as…’rattle traps’..etc, they were completely disregarded by most of you
I worked on the railway at Bromley Sth station and other outlying stations under the SM at Bromley sth, most of the staff were morons, didn’t know one end of a train from the other with ABSOLUTELY no interest in them whatsoever, they were local to the area, absolutely clueless, ignorant and they were on the old fiddle on the barriers, I used to like the units though, one chap working the platform used to like the MLV,s , but most of the staff were clueless
Used to use the Waterloo - Windsor/Reading line at the end of the 1960's, 2-BIL/2HAL sets for days. The traction motors had a wonderful growl; the interiors smelled as if they'd been pickled in coal smoke, steam and ionised current; the seats, even in the 2nd class compartments, were plush, deep and absorbed the bouncy suspension... mostly! They were epic, much missed.
I like the 4SUB, they were the stock in trade of the line I grew up using, Dorking into Waterloo. I always wanted to get a ride on a 2BIL but I’m too young! This is interesting- thanks!
I Iived in Stoneleigh in the late 70s/early 80s; the 4SUBS and 4EPBS were the soundtrack of my childhood. The naked bulbs, slam doors, springy Trojan moquette seats and the indescribable aroma and mellifluous moan of the motors will always stay with me.
@@1paultay so well put! Me too!
Thank you for sharing, brought back lots of happy Memories, loved those old Units especially the 2BILS and 4LAVS. We lived in Lewes sometimes shopped in Seaford, (always pronounced Sea Ford with Stress on the final Syllable) and I used to go fishing at the Tide Mills.
I remember seeing them at open days but never either of them working. Thanks for giving us this brief experience of vintage travel.
Wow, many, many thanks for this. Only ever seen the BILs and SUBs in books, so it's a real treat to see and hear them being worked.
Oh I was talking about the celebration 4Sub the other day, I often rode it when trundling up and down between Gravesend and London, a shame none of the corridoor 4SUB trailers seemed to survive as they were surprisingly well finished for a commuter hack and I remember going to school on the London Bridge to Sydenham from platform 8 as this was the "slow" boat to E Croydon meaning more train enjoyment time :) I did the stores and lamp servicing on the 4SUB's still running out of Waterloo approx 84ish, it was all a bit hushed up as "Catweazle" my super we all were sure was drinking the paraffin as he was perpetually drunk so I ended up with my little pullalong trolley with the oil lamps burning brightly, the bars of soap and stacks of bog roll (John Wayne issue) and any sundries due the drivers/guards. One fine wheeze that made the grumpy AM actually smirk was we got a packet of dried peas and were sending the YTS trainees up to give platform staff and guards a new pea for their whistle, "You have to guard this whistle pea with your life, passengers lives will be in danger if the guard can't blow his whistle..." Platform staff and guards were NOT impressed and I do believe rude words were used on them poor trainees and nearly as funny as the "measure the legal distance between buffer stop and train buffer" debacle.
Great Video, thanks for sharing. I just love the old 2BIL, 2HAL, 4SUB. All just a bygone memory now.
Maunsells EMUS were a development of old London suburban stock from the 20s, lasting until 1971. A lot were scrapped at Horwich Works.
Thanks for the kind comments, and yes Seaford use to have a signalbox, 2 platforms and a siding until about 2003.
Makes you appreciate the remaining 455's even more, you can really tell they reused the motors.
Never saw the 2-bil as it was privately owned, travelled on 4-sub when BR still owned it. The 4-sub is now at the conventry railway centre
Now in Margate (4 SUB)
Great video. I rode these two at Woking 150 and the 4-SUB in 1993 to Alton. What a shame the SUB has been allowed to be wrecked. Where is the BIL kept these days?
I remember the BILs well and rode them on the Coastway in the 1960s
The BIL is at the NRM in Shildon.
That`s a lovely video and great to see the trains "alive", but where did the 2Bil come from as late as 1991?
NRM has a 2-BIL.
I Eemember the 4Sub running Between Alton and Guildford on connection with Mid hants Gala in 1993
was only aged 1 at the time but sure i would have still loved to see a BIL unit!
Amazing to think that the Seaford line was electrified as long ago as 1935
Very good footage. I vaguely remember them as a kid. Are there any that are mainline certified as would love to see 1. Running under own power. Grand video buddy
The 2-BIL was taken out of use very soon after this was shot, as it has wooden body framing which was banned from the main line for safety reasons. The 4-SUB last ran in 1994. Both units survive but can't operate on Network Rail infrastructure.
@@leeosborne3793 thank you very for your. Info . Much appreciated
@@neilbolger2679 No problem. I've travelled on the SUB. Seen the BIL up close but never got to ride it.
@@leeosborne3793But was good enough to serve commuters for years until the elf n safety Eejits stepped in.😠
@@4vepvik781 Take a look at how many people used to die in train crashes between the 1930s and 1970s, and how many people die in train crashes now. There was a period of 13 years from 2007 to 2020 when no-one died in a train crash at all. Think about that before making dumb comments.
Far better trains then the crap they run now on that line.
I remember these two units very well. I was at Bexhill one hot Sunday in 1994(?) and the 4SUB, 2BIL combo came trundling in to Platform 1 and I thought it an opportunity too good to miss!!! You should see the state of them now!
Could you elaborate on that now please?
It's a real shame that the sole remaining 4-SUB is sitting at Coventry slowly rusting. It would be fantastic if they returned her to the southern where she belongs.
Agreed, hopefully at least one 455 can be used for spare motor parts.
Nice to see that footage, pity the first 1.5 mins is boring and just of some 'ding' leaning out the window in front.
All these people praising these units, where were you all when they were in service? All I used to hear was people complaining about them, disparaging them as…’rattle traps’..etc, they were completely disregarded by most of you
Great..
*****
Tragic that Not even the poor enthusiasts could keep these icons maintained n running..
Is gthe 4-SUB in a restorable state?
It's at the Hornby 1:1 collection at Margate, under cover.
I worked on the railway at Bromley Sth station and other outlying stations under the SM at Bromley sth, most of the staff were morons, didn’t know one end of a train from the other with ABSOLUTELY no interest in them whatsoever, they were local to the area, absolutely clueless, ignorant and they were on the old fiddle on the barriers, I used to like the units though, one chap working the platform used to like the MLV,s , but most of the staff were clueless
slam doors, don't you miss it!
More rolling stock & maintenance stock Seaford - ruclips.net/video/DYzJTutvx40/видео.html
was only aged 1 at the time but sure i would have still loved to see a BIL unit!