Electric and Diesels On The Southern at Havant

Electric and Diesels at Havant
Compiled by Ralph Cousins
16 July 2016. A Southern Class 377 leaves for Southampton as a Great

Western Class 158 arrives from Newport
ralph.cousins@btinternet.com
023 9248 4024
Extract from Havant History Booklet No. 3;

A Brief History of the Railway in Havant
View full booklet, comment, and order on line at:
www.hhbkt.com
See also Havant History Booklet No. 26
The Hayling Island Branch Line
Compiled by Ralph Cousins
Laying the new track with the assistance of a Plasser & Theurer Switch &
Crossing ballast-tamping machine. December 2006. The now redundant signal
box has been replaced by the characterless blue box Area Signalling Centre in
the background. Author
South West Trains Desiro 444 passing the now redundant Havant signal box. The
original footbridge was erected in 1889 but was removed due to damage caused
by the collision of 1939. It was not replaced until after the war. The author and
friends would amuse themselves by standing in the smoke and steam from the
shunting engines and trying to drop stones down their chimneys. Author
2
The collision which occurred at about 1 p.m. on 17 June 1939. Alan Bell
Class 67 locomotive No. 67006, Royal Sovereign, This was one of three
locomotives nominated to haul the Royal Train and received a special high
maintenace regime. It was painted in the claret livery of the Royal Household. It
is seen here approaching the New Lane crossing with a Pullman excursion train.
David Davies
3
The Havant Art Deco style control room. When the direct line was electrified
power was supplied to the third rail via a number of sub-stations. These were
connected to the national grid at 33,000 volts AC. This voltage was reduced to
630 volts DC by transformers and mercury arc rectifiers. Later on this was
increased to 750 volts and thyristors installed instead. The sub-stations below
Liss were remotely controlled from Havant which also controlled sub-stations on
the Brighton line when that was electrified. Its use as a control room ceased
some years ago. During the war an airraid siren was situated on its roof.
Originally there were five control rooms; the one at Woking has been preserved
and is Grade II listed.
A pair of Class 33s double head an excursion train. Bill Marshall
5 December 2013. Stanier Black Five No. 44871 with sister engine No. 45407,
The Lancashire Fusilier, heads The Cathedrals Express excursion to Bath over the
former Stockheath Level Crossing at Staunton Road. They are assisted by rebuilt
Brush Class 47 No. 57313 at the rear, Author
4-COR (4-car corridor) stock, nicknamed Nelsons (one eye), passing through
the new station under construction in 1937. Head code 8 was for a Portsmouth
to Waterloo fast not-stopping-at-Havant service. Alf Harris
A Class 33 heads an engineering train. The line of flat wagons were used for
carrying long welded rails of pre-assembled track panels. Bill Marshall
A Class 33 diesel-electric locomotive takes empty Sunday newspaper vans to

Fratton, June 1988. The label is from one of the bundles of Sunday Times supplied
to the author who was the local wholesale Sunday newsagent. Author
The 3.15 a.m. Waterloo newspaper train which was booked to arrive at 4.35 a.m.
This train also consisted of three passenger coaches, which made it the only
steam/diesel hauled passenger train to operate on the line after it was electrified
and continued to be so until newspaper traffic was transferred to the road in
1988. On arrival at Havant the front of the train was detached and went forward
with newspapers for Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. The rear two vans were
detached and went on to Emsworth, Chichester, Barnham and Bognor. This left
two vans in the station with Havant and Hayling newspapers. When unloaded
the vans were taken across to the goods yard.
The Ticket to Ryde excursion on 26 April 2014 with a pair of South West Trains
159s from Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour. Then a cruise on the motor vessel
Wight Scene around Portsmouth Harbour and on to Ryde Pier Head to catch
Island Line 1938 tube stock for the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Author
9 April 2014. A Class 67 heads away from Bedhampton with an Eastleigh to

Canterbury Golden Arrow excursion. Author
8
The first trial electric train led by a 4COR (4-car Corridor) unit passing through
Denvilles on 8 March 1937. Full services started on 4 July 1937. Reg Vince
On 26 July 1958, 4COR (4-car Corridor) unit 3116 leads a 12-car

formation through Havant on a Portsmouth Harbour to Waterloo express
service. The second unit is a 4RES unit with full restaurant facilities, and
another 4COR brings up the rear. Courtesy Colin Boocock
Waterloo to Portsmouth Electrification

The electrification of the London-Portsmouth line opened up the longest electric
track in the country and cost about 3,000,000. The new service of 36 trains
daily (instead of 18 steam trains), with 32 down and 30 up trains on Sundays,
increased the annual train mileage from 2,235,464 (steam) to 4,188,168
(electric), an increase of 88 per cent. The average time of the best steam train
between Portsmouth and London was 102 minutes, and the electric trains
reduced this time to 90 minutes.
The scheme included the electrification of the Aldershot, Farnham and Alton
route, making a total of 95 route miles and 242 track miles and the cost of
3,000,000 included the provision of 312 new or re-built motor coaches and
trailers. It was the last big scheme under the managership of Sir Herbert Walker
and of the Chief Mechanical Engineer, Mr. R. E. L. Maunsell.
The work began in June 1935 and the first electric trial train ran to Portsmouth
on 8 March 1937. Between December 1935 and November 1936 188 cable trains
were employed in laying 309 miles of single core 33,000 volt cable and 218 miles
of pilot cable. Twenty-six sub-stations were built and equipped. Platform and
station alterations were carried out at 11 stations including Havant. Platforms
800 feet long were required to accommodate 12 car trains.
Coinciding with the operation of the new electric train service was the addition
of the paddle-steamer Ryde to the Company's fleet. The Ryde, giving
accommodation for 1,050 passengers, was the seventh new vessel to be built for
the service during the last thirteen years.
10
On 21 May 1987 British Rail Class 5 3,250 H.P. diesel-electric locomotive No.
56056 hauls a rake of aggregate hopper wagons through the station. These
locomotives were nickname Gridirons because over the appearance of the horn
cover on the front of the cab. Bill Marshall
Headcode 62, slow Brighton to Portsmouth service. The engine of departing

goods trains was on the buffers at the far left of the goods yard out of sight of the
shunter. When given the verbal OK from the signalman to depart he had to climb
the ladder on the lamp column, turn, hang on with one hand and wave the other
at the driver to reverse out on to the main line. The line to Hayling is in the
foreground. Enamel Havant station Totem sign. Author
11
In 2004, due to a stock shortage, Wessex Trains hired two Class 31 locomotives,
Charybdis and Minotaur, to operate top-and-tail on a Friday only Bristol to
Brighton and return service. Author
An unusual sight at Havant was this ex-London Transport Central Line set. It is
seen here on a driver training trip prior to being shipped to the Isle of Wight in
1967. In the background can be seen the ex-Blackpool tramcar and also the
loading gauge. SC Nash/Middleton Press
12
On 22 October 2013, the day after the big storm, DR98977 pauses at the station
while on leaf clearing duties. Author
Before the closure of the Hayling branch a group was formed who hoped to run it
as an electric preserved line. An ex-Blackpool Corporation tramcar was
purchased which was berthed for some time in the goods yard. It is seen here
being manhandled into position. In the background can be seen a Wadhams
built ambulance destined for Scotland or Ireland. Alan Bell
13
On 29 December 2013 trains terminated at Havant because of engineering works

at Portsmouth. A Class 377 Electrostar leaves for Brighton from the down
platform. The new track layout is signalled for bi-directional running thus
enabling trains to arrive at or depart from either platform. A Waterloo train
waits in the up platform but it is only going as far as Petersfield due to an
embankment collapse between Liss and Liphook, see below, which closed the
line for several days. Note the ivy progressing over the redundant signal box.
Photographs by the author and The News
14
December 2006. Platelayers relay the infamous junction. The kink in the
Brighton line is so that the radius of the Portsmouth direct line could be
increased to enable faster running thus saving valuable seconds. Author
December 2006. General Motors Class 66 No. 66078 passes over the new
crossover to the west of the station with ballast wagons. Author
15
A Southern Bombardier Electrostar Class 377 Brighton to Portsmouth Harbour

service at the junction with the Portsmouth Direct Line. Author
.
154 years after the Battle of Havant a South West Trains Siemens Desiro Class
444 comes off the Portsmouth Direct Line from Waterloo to cross over the
junction and on to the former LB&SCR track. Author
16
3,300 h.p. Class 55 Deltic locomotive No. 55019, Royal Highland Fusilier, with an
excursion. Author
13 September 2012. A 35-year-old ex London Overground, British Rail Class 313,

on a stopping Southern West Coastway Line service from Brighton to
Portsmouth Harbour. Author
17
English, Welsh & Scottish Railway General Motors Class 66 No. 66241 heads a
Pullman Car Orient Express excursion. Author
23 September 2012. First Great Western 150927 British Rail Class 150/9
Sprinter with the 18.48 service to Cardiff. This was originally a two car Class
150/1 but a Class 150/2 was added in the centre to make it into a three car
Class 150/9. Author
18
A South West Trains Siemens Desiro Class 450 waits to depart for Waterloo on
10 September 2012. Author
16 September 2012. Due to engineering works an Alexander bodied Dennis

Trident Stagecoach bus provided a Rail Replacement Service to Petersfield.
Author
19
1938. 2-Bil stock on a stopping Waterloo to Portsmouth service at Rowlands

Castle. 2 Bil (Bi-lavatory) meant 2 carriages each with a corridor and lavatory. Alf
Harris
Electric Multiple Unit headcode 62, Brighton to Portsmouth stopping service, at

Bedhampton Halt in 1960. The halt was opened in 1906 and re-named
Bedhampton on 5 May 1969..
20
Semi-fast Brighton to Portsmouth Harbour service, headcode 60, passes

Bedhampton signal box in May 1947. New Road is seen before widening.
Same view 67 years later. On 21 December 2014 a Virgin 125 Bournemouth

to Manchester service is diverted via Bedhampton, Havant, due to
engineering works at Reading
21

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Electric and Diesels at Havant

Compiled by Ralph Cousins

16 July 2016. A Southern Class 377 leaves for Southampton as a Great

Extract from Havant History Booklet No. 3;

A pair of Class 33s double head an excursion train. Bill Marshall

A Class 33 diesel-electric locomotive takes empty Sunday newspaper vans to

9 April 2014. A Class 67 heads away from Bedhampton with an Eastleigh to

On 26 July 1958, 4COR (4-car Corridor) unit 3116 leads a 12-car

Waterloo to Portsmouth Electrification

Headcode 62, slow Brighton to Portsmouth service. The engine of departing

On 29 December 2013 trains terminated at Havant because of engineering works

A Southern Bombardier Electrostar Class 377 Brighton to Portsmouth Harbour

13 September 2012. A 35-year-old ex London Overground, British Rail Class 313,

16 September 2012. Due to engineering works an Alexander bodied Dennis

1938. 2-Bil stock on a stopping Waterloo to Portsmouth service at Rowlands

Electric Multiple Unit headcode 62, Brighton to Portsmouth stopping service, at

Semi-fast Brighton to Portsmouth Harbour service, headcode 60, passes

Same view 67 years later. On 21 December 2014 a Virgin 125 Bournemouth

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