Thumping back to Charring Cross

1001 passes through Waterloo East working the Dave Markwick Memorial Tour. Little has changed in this view since the units were in regular service on this line- a stark contrast to London Bridge which would be barely recognisable to the 'Thumper'. 06/04/2019.

One of the more interesting heritage trains running on the national network is the 'Hastings Diesel' 1001, formed up from various DEMU vehicles which worked the Hastings to London Charring Cross service from 1957 to 1986. Since preserved by Hastings Diesels Limited the unit makes several trips each year from its base at St Leonards Depot, usually around London and the South East. The DEMU's, affectionately known as 'Thumpers' due to the sound of their 4-SRKT engines are also distinctive in having flat sides brought about by the narrow 'Hastings' gauge because of the narrow tunnels on the route (these having been single tracked during electrification). 1001 has seen a lot of work since the end of its BR career- the unit is now fitted with all modern safety systems and has more recently had a sympathetic central door locking system fitted to its slam doors.

1001 stands at Charring Cross waiting its departure back to Hastings, a journey which would have been very familiar to the unit during its BR career. 06/05/2019.

The train was captured on Saturday 6th April while working the Dave Markwick Memorial Tour, named in honour of a long standing volunteer of Hastings Diesels Limited who had served the group for 32 years. The train ran from Hastings to London before taking in freight branches to Grain and Angerstein Wharf before returning once again along its old stamping ground from Charring Cross to Hastings.
Further details of Hastings Diesels Limited and upcoming tours can be found on their website.