London Tilbury and Southend Railway 1993 part 1

The LT&SR during a time of change in 1993, with the ageing 302, 305 and 308 electric multiple units giving way to only slightly newer class 310 and 312. This was the final year of Network Southeast, and the LTS branding is in preparation for forthcoming privatisation.
This first part follows the line from Shoeburyness, with a variety of stock present in the carriage sidings, through Thorpe Bay and Southend East, showing the disused parcels depot, finishing with a detailed look at Southend Central.
With thanks to BR staff for assistance given.
Music: 'Incidental' by Chasm
Video recording : VHS-C with linear mono sound

[@marcconyard5024]

Stayed at South Benfleet in 1998 and used this line into London on quite a few occasions. The Class 302s were my favourite.

[@garykillington4172]

Core i miss them slam door trains i always remember you had to open door with arm out the window as the latch inside the carriage never worked to open the door lol

[@waleedarif6740]

I personally do wish those days would come back or be relived in the next life, not for the sake of being a child or being younger again, but for the sake of correcting wrongs. I'm happy about the fact that I knew in the later years that things could easily go wrong in the future. I'm just grateful that I'm young enough to realise that I can still put some things right before it's too late. At least I know that if everything goes even worse in the future, I tried to do whatever I can to prevent it.

[@glenjarnold]

People opening the doors whilst the train was still in motion - heaven forbid nowadays!

[@drunkenmonkey1203]

This brings back memories! I passed out as a driver at Sness in '92....... some really good times at Shoebury. Always a pot of tea on the go in the messroom and a card school going playing kalukee.

[@cornwallkev201]

Each and every one of the EMUs in this video i serviced and repaired. I was a fitter at east ham depot from the early 80s through to 96. I enjoyed every minute working on these beauties. Each one had its own unique charm and character to drive, work on and, i know it sounds strange, smell. I would love to see if any have been preserved and are still working.

[@teletubbyboi4207]

I dont know why at the time that the stations colours had more of a theme but today its bland and boring

[@petercollingwood4108]

Don’t worry, silly music stops after about a minute

[@soundseeker63]

Fantastic late BR era footage! For the people and the fashions as much as the trains. I didn't ride on this line, but recall seeing many of these classes of unit on the GEML and elsewhere. What's interesting is that, although they were already considered old at this point, the 305 and 308 units would both go on to survive for another 8 years working around Manchester and Leeds respectively! The 308s looked rather nice in the WYPTE red and cream livery....despite the fact they were over 20 years older than the trains they replaced! haha

[@supersprinter1564]

Can't belive they never saved a class 310

[@7anthillmob]

Good grief, this is a blast from the past. 57 now and live in British Columbia, Canada but I used to use this line all the time. Was a "spotter" in the day and my local station was Laindon. My most memorable trip on this line was the 125th Anniversary where a few of us were fortunate enough to get tickets for the HST run from Liverpool Street, via Barking to Southend Central. Broke the line speed record between Barking and Upminster on the day. Thanks for the upload, and let me say that the recording quality is exceptional.

[@glenjarnold]

That compressor noise takes me straight back to my days of going to the footie!

[@KaiDuncan]

Thank you for uploading this it brings back happy memories from my time as a guard on the LTS between 1991 - 1996.

[@paulconner115]

Loved these old trains, they had character and only became unreliable because BR had little money however they (302, 305,308) lasted 40 odd years. 310s312s especially 312s from mid 70s didn’t last as long as to be replaced by the 357s.

[@SPRailways]

Brilliant footage, great memories.

[@carlpollington5059]

Thank you so much for the upload! Growing up this was my local station and I would often wait with my dad at the platform, looking back at the overgrown weeds behind the fence and wonder why there was an old platform there and why it wasn't being used anymore. Finally I know when it was closed (a year before I was born!) and why!

[@NoddyMaccy]

Thank you for uploading this. I have such fond memories of going on these trains with my dad as a kid. I lived in Grays for 9 years and I used to see the station from my bedroom window so I’d see all these rattle past every day/night. I used to love it on foggy days when I’d see the sparks glow from the pantograph’s, plus they used to run at the end of my school field at Thameside.

[@1973ts]

What a great video. The old 302s were very characterful, and by all accounts very reliable.

[@MetroTitanD78]

Thank you for making this excellent video definitely brings back so many memories,sounds and smells.

[@w00df0rd]

Such a brilliant upload. Thank you Robin👌