3-CEP no.1404 at Queenborough, Kent. 20/04/94.
One of the short lived class 411/4 3-CEP units from the first batch converted is seen running into Queenborough with train 2D43 the 14.07 Sittingbourne to Sheerness-on-Sea. The class 411/4 designation had originally applied to 4-CEP sets 1501-1505 but with the last one of them withdrawn in May 1993 it allowed conveniently for the "new" 3-CEP sets to be allocated the same class designation and thus receive numbers in the 411 4xx number series. As typical of BR-Southern Region practice only the last four digits being carried as the set number (thus 1401 to 1406). Six sets were created between April and July 1993 by removal of the TSO vehicle from six standard 4-CEP units. Their use was to be on two routes the Medway Valley Line (Strood-Paddock Wood) and Isle of Sheppy branch (Sittingbourne-Sheerness). Although still allocated to Ramsgate Depot they were in effect outbased at Gilingham Depot for this work.
The basic premise behind the 3-CEP concept was both lines didn't need 4-car units but at certain times of the day a 2-car EPB for example was not enough. An added advantage was with a 2+1 power car to trailer coach ratio the rapid acceleration from frequent stops was seen as ideal on both routes. This feature later proved to be a problem as they were not initially restricted so retained their 90mph top speed which resulted in several SPAD's when used on other services away from the two lines mentioned as the brake to weight ratio wasn't as good. Although successful on both lines the first batch of 3-CEP's had a very short life with the whole class of six being withdrawn in June 1994 so barely a year in service.
3-CEP no.1404 at Queenborough, Kent. 20/04/94.
One of the short lived class 411/4 3-CEP units from the first batch converted is seen running into Queenborough with train 2D43 the 14.07 Sittingbourne to Sheerness-on-Sea. The class 411/4 designation had originally applied to 4-CEP sets 1501-1505 but with the last one of them withdrawn in May 1993 it allowed conveniently for the "new" 3-CEP sets to be allocated the same class designation and thus receive numbers in the 411 4xx number series. As typical of BR-Southern Region practice only the last four digits being carried as the set number (thus 1401 to 1406). Six sets were created between April and July 1993 by removal of the TSO vehicle from six standard 4-CEP units. Their use was to be on two routes the Medway Valley Line (Strood-Paddock Wood) and Isle of Sheppy branch (Sittingbourne-Sheerness). Although still allocated to Ramsgate Depot they were in effect outbased at Gilingham Depot for this work.
The basic premise behind the 3-CEP concept was both lines didn't need 4-car units but at certain times of the day a 2-car EPB for example was not enough. An added advantage was with a 2+1 power car to trailer coach ratio the rapid acceleration from frequent stops was seen as ideal on both routes. This feature later proved to be a problem as they were not initially restricted so retained their 90mph top speed which resulted in several SPAD's when used on other services away from the two lines mentioned as the brake to weight ratio wasn't as good. Although successful on both lines the first batch of 3-CEP's had a very short life with the whole class of six being withdrawn in June 1994 so barely a year in service.