Hastings DEMU's - 40 Years On
Ian Thomas
Time flies, so to speak, and it hardly seems 40 years since the HASTINGS DEMUs were withdrawn from service. The Class 201 units had a uniqueness of their own in an unusual way. They were built as a stop-gap for operation between London Charing Cross and Hastings. The route from London ran via London Bridge, Hither Green, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Battle, and on to the seaside, affectionately known as the HASTINGS LINE.
The line was built on the cheap and included many severe curves and a number of tunnels. Three of these tunnels — namely at Tunbridge Wells, Wadhurst, and Mountfield — were badly constructed and not properly lined, to the point that they could collapse at any time. The only solution was to add several layers of brick lining to strengthen the tunnels and therefore reduce their size to a point where standard stock was not acceptable for operation.
The Southern Railway, under Maunsell, built special-width coaching stock which, by the 1950s, was nearing the end of its working life and a solution was needed. So the Southern Region of British Railways authorised construction of 23 six-car narrow-bodied DEMUs (Diesel Electric Multiple Units) for the route. These units also included buffet cars, although these were phased out during the 1970s.
They operated over the Hastings line throughout their entire lifetime, with a few exceptions. In 1972, a diagram was introduced between Brighton and Exeter, utilising a 12-car Hastings set. My May 1975–May 1976 timetable shows it leaving Brighton at 09.00 and arriving in the Devon capital at 13.22. After a short layover, it returned to Brighton at 13.54, arriving back at 18.18. It even supported a buffet car service, but ran on Saturdays only throughout the year. This train last ran as a DEMU, I believe, in 1977, continuing as a locomotive-hauled service thereafter. I believe the final through services were withdrawn in 2008.
All good things come to an end, as they say, and the writing was on the wall for the DEMUs. The last day of service was Sunday, May 11th, when all but a few were withdrawn. These remained in use until 1989 on other routes, including Ashford to Hastings. The offending narrow tunnels were then converted to single line in order to accept standard-gauge coaching stock.
They were, by and large, successful, but sadly not without incident. During the evening of Sunday, November 5th, 1967, a 12-car set, Nos. 1007 (leading) and 1017 (trailing), forming the 19.43 Hastings–Charing Cross, was approaching Hither Green in south London when it was derailed at 70mph after passing over a broken rail. Eleven coaches were derailed and four turned onto their sides, ripping the sides off. Sadly, 49 people died and 78 were injured.
Travelling that evening were Robin Gibb (of 'The Bee Gee's') and his girlfriend Molly Sullis. Thankfully, they escaped with cuts and bruises.
The DEMUs were popular on railtours and visited places outside the Southern Region, and have thankfully entered the preservation world. I have seen them here in Gloucestershire whilst still in service and also preserved (pics attached). Ironically, 1017 was the set that worked THE SOMERSET & AVON RAILTOUR 1Z39 of October 12th, 1985, visiting lines in the Bristol area and both Tytherington and Sharpness.
There have been tours to Weymouth Quay and perhaps the most dynamic tour to date was THE LONG THIN DRAG, 1Z25, on Saturday, April 12th, 1986. This train ran from Hastings to Carlisle via London Victoria (reversal), Kensington Olympia, Mitre Bridge, the WCML to Nuneaton, then Leicester and up the MML past Toton, Clay Cross, Sheffield, Leeds, and of course the Settle & Carlisle. The return was via the WCML to London and then threading across to the Southern.
My cousin Rich Kelsey, Jill (wife), and I joined the tour at Nuneaton — a cracking day out with photo stops on the S&C. These were during service days, and thereafter it would be down to the lovingly preserved DEMUs we now see around the land.
April 24th, 2010 saw this very train running as THE SEVERN EXPLORER 1Z86/87, another tour starting at Hastings and running via Clapham Junction, Staines, Reading, Stroud, Cheltenham, Worcester, and Kidderminster for the Severn Valley Railway to Bridgnorth. The return was via Birmingham Snow Hill, Banbury, Didcot, and then as outward.
Thankfully, Jill and I did a trip from Waterloo East to Hastings in January 1986, with just under three months of service left. We had 1018 and 1002 out, and 1004 return.
So sit back and enjoy the pictures, sadly including the Hither Green derailment.
The line was built on the cheap and included many severe curves and a number of tunnels. Three of these tunnels — namely at Tunbridge Wells, Wadhurst, and Mountfield — were badly constructed and not properly lined, to the point that they could collapse at any time. The only solution was to add several layers of brick lining to strengthen the tunnels and therefore reduce their size to a point where standard stock was not acceptable for operation.
The Southern Railway, under Maunsell, built special-width coaching stock which, by the 1950s, was nearing the end of its working life and a solution was needed. So the Southern Region of British Railways authorised construction of 23 six-car narrow-bodied DEMUs (Diesel Electric Multiple Units) for the route. These units also included buffet cars, although these were phased out during the 1970s.
They operated over the Hastings line throughout their entire lifetime, with a few exceptions. In 1972, a diagram was introduced between Brighton and Exeter, utilising a 12-car Hastings set. My May 1975–May 1976 timetable shows it leaving Brighton at 09.00 and arriving in the Devon capital at 13.22. After a short layover, it returned to Brighton at 13.54, arriving back at 18.18. It even supported a buffet car service, but ran on Saturdays only throughout the year. This train last ran as a DEMU, I believe, in 1977, continuing as a locomotive-hauled service thereafter. I believe the final through services were withdrawn in 2008.
All good things come to an end, as they say, and the writing was on the wall for the DEMUs. The last day of service was Sunday, May 11th, when all but a few were withdrawn. These remained in use until 1989 on other routes, including Ashford to Hastings. The offending narrow tunnels were then converted to single line in order to accept standard-gauge coaching stock.
They were, by and large, successful, but sadly not without incident. During the evening of Sunday, November 5th, 1967, a 12-car set, Nos. 1007 (leading) and 1017 (trailing), forming the 19.43 Hastings–Charing Cross, was approaching Hither Green in south London when it was derailed at 70mph after passing over a broken rail. Eleven coaches were derailed and four turned onto their sides, ripping the sides off. Sadly, 49 people died and 78 were injured.
Travelling that evening were Robin Gibb (of 'The Bee Gee's') and his girlfriend Molly Sullis. Thankfully, they escaped with cuts and bruises.
The DEMUs were popular on railtours and visited places outside the Southern Region, and have thankfully entered the preservation world. I have seen them here in Gloucestershire whilst still in service and also preserved (pics attached). Ironically, 1017 was the set that worked THE SOMERSET & AVON RAILTOUR 1Z39 of October 12th, 1985, visiting lines in the Bristol area and both Tytherington and Sharpness.
There have been tours to Weymouth Quay and perhaps the most dynamic tour to date was THE LONG THIN DRAG, 1Z25, on Saturday, April 12th, 1986. This train ran from Hastings to Carlisle via London Victoria (reversal), Kensington Olympia, Mitre Bridge, the WCML to Nuneaton, then Leicester and up the MML past Toton, Clay Cross, Sheffield, Leeds, and of course the Settle & Carlisle. The return was via the WCML to London and then threading across to the Southern.
My cousin Rich Kelsey, Jill (wife), and I joined the tour at Nuneaton — a cracking day out with photo stops on the S&C. These were during service days, and thereafter it would be down to the lovingly preserved DEMUs we now see around the land.
April 24th, 2010 saw this very train running as THE SEVERN EXPLORER 1Z86/87, another tour starting at Hastings and running via Clapham Junction, Staines, Reading, Stroud, Cheltenham, Worcester, and Kidderminster for the Severn Valley Railway to Bridgnorth. The return was via Birmingham Snow Hill, Banbury, Didcot, and then as outward.
Thankfully, Jill and I did a trip from Waterloo East to Hastings in January 1986, with just under three months of service left. We had 1018 and 1002 out, and 1004 return.
So sit back and enjoy the pictures, sadly including the Hither Green derailment.
All images below are from the Ian Thomas' collection - click for enlargements & captions
Many thanks Ian - a great article and memories of a much loved class of unit.
Mick House writes to say:
The Ian Thomas shot of Hastings DEMU at the unknown location is Ashford in Kent with Ashford works in the background, the unit is coming off of the line to Hastings, the line to the left is to Canterbury and the lines through the middle to Dover.
The Ian Thomas shot of Hastings DEMU at the unknown location is Ashford in Kent with Ashford works in the background, the unit is coming off of the line to Hastings, the line to the left is to Canterbury and the lines through the middle to Dover.
1013 at Ashford in Kent, with Ashford works in the background. Photo from Ian Thomas' collection.
Many thanks, Mick
Truro Yard
Mick House
DR98906 & DR98956 Weedkiller train at Truro Yard. 19.05.2026, copyright Mick House.
DR98906 & DR98956 Weedkiller train at Truro Yard. 19.05.2026, copyright Mick House.
DR80211 Pandrol Jackson Stoneblower also stabled in Truro Yard. 19.05.2026, copyright Mick House.
Many thanks, Mick.
Largin Clay
Jon Hird
GBRf 66762 crossing East Largin viaduct with the Par Harbour - Cliffe Vale (via Exter Riverside) JIA's. 20.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
New arrivals for GBRf
Steve Widdowson
99004 hauls newly-arrived to the UK 99009 & 99008 over Pirton crossing, Worcs (0M57 0939 Portbury - Leicester). 20.05.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
99004 hauls newly-arrived to the UK 99009 & 99008 over Pirton crossing, Worcs (0M57 0939 Portbury - Leicester). 20.05.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Many thanks Steve - impressive-looking machines.