Trains In The 1990's Gatwick Airport, Summer 1990

A short Summer 1990 visit to Gatwick Airport, but plenty of Class 73's on Gatwick Express shuttles(plus a NSE EMU drag), 33051 'Shakespeare Cliff' passing twice, Class 47's on freight and passenger, plus the odd Network South East EMU and DMU.

[@steveallen808909]

very true what you said about the 73s but lets hope gbrf keep them and even bring out more liveries i always assumed the company are class 73 fanatics probably not thou .great footage and thank god guys like you recorded these moments in time good job and thumbs up from me.

[@Cliffjumper24]

Mk2 and 3 coaches were operated for 20+ years before they got central locking in the mid 90's after there were a handful of incidents of passengers falling out of doors that opened because they were leaning on them. One of the other ways to tell 119's if that they don't have the rows of doors on the sides that the suburban Class 115-118 (+121 & 122) had. Effectively, 119's are stretched 108's with a buffet counter.

[@grahampearson5670]

From 14th May 1984, Mark 2F air-conditioned InterCity coaching stock released from Midland Main Line duties and coupled to a Class 489 Gatwick Luggage Van and a Class 73 Electro-Diesel locomotive took over the London Victoria to Gatwick Airport workings from the Class 427 4-VEG electric multiple unit trains.

[@MrDeltic15]

Yep, the same Mk2s I'd seen for years through my local then clocked up the miles on the GatEx's.

[@MrDeltic15]

Thanks Keith. Very different there now, just wall to wall Electrostars in the main, and very few freight or locos passing - not a hotspot to visit today sadly.

[@Cliffjumper24]

Another nice bit of film! Nice to see a couple of freight trains for the train ferry, plus 33051 on a depertmental service. It was still FASB at the time and would have been more at home on Angerstein Wharf stone trains, or shifting concrete segment trains for lining the Channel Tunnel.

[@NapierNimbus]

more classic shots and sound - lovely

[@MrGriser]

Good video I didn't realise the Mk2 coaching stock didn't have central door locking I'm assuming that 47 was heading via Clapham Junction and Kensington Olympia to the north they did use to stop at Calpham J and also the DMU seen is a class 119 I can tell because the 117s had a retangular shape round the top of the cab. They use to run from Reading to Tonbridge when were they re-routed to serve Gatwick Airport may I ask:)

[@Cliffjumper24]

There weren't many Dutch 33's in 1990... they didn't start painting them until late in the year, starting with the six drab 'Departmental Grey' ones. Unlike most other classes, which gained a number of liveries, two-thirds of the 33's were still in BR Blue in 1990. Dutch really brightened them up!

[@djtrainspotter]

Indeed! 33057 being the first 33 into 'dutch' in july 1990. I always found it weird how 33109 was put into dept. grey in march '91, as opposed to 'dutch'. Maybe a M&EE loco, instead of civil engineer. Any one know? :D

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Pure vintage Darren. I've never been there although often thought about it.. Now I've seen this video I think I would be a little dissapointed with todays traction.

[@stevenmoran4060]

Those life expired 319 units are now our “new” trains around Manchester area!

[@MrDeltic15]

Thanks very much. This was a fairly short visit, so the 47 on freight and 33051 were a real bonus indeed. As you say, 33051 was more at home around Kent in this period with the 'Dutch' livery versions being slightly more at home around here.

[@Gwril76]

Some great Diesel loco's on this to make up for the ugly EMU's also on this video. Also nice see the plenty of 73's. Another interesting video Darren. Cheers

[@MrDeltic15]

Thanks very much Ian.

[@MrDeltic15]

Thanks very much Kev.

[@MrDeltic15]

This was quite a while before central door locking on Mk2's as Cliffjumper has said. The 47 would indeed head that way, either to Manchester or Edinburgh/Glasgow with 'The Sussex Scot'. I'm not sure on the period for the Reading to Gatwick DMU's, but they continued with Turbos when the first generation DMU's came out of service.

[@MrDeltic15]

Others have said the same, and I probably could, but the trouble is then it would become more of a 'job' or 'work' rather than a hobby and something I enjoy doing. Maybe i'm just too generous :-) I think people appreciate my time and effort in making these, and i'm happy to share my past travels just as much as my current ones - which could look equally as rare in another 10-20 years.........?

[@MrDeltic15]

Good to see some diesels in this short visit indeed. We took 73's for granted back then of course. Those EMU's may have been ugly, but give me one of those carriages with drop down windows and long bench style seats over today's modern equivalents any time!

[@djtrainspotter]

Plenty of them 73's still hanging around in Tonbridge these days :D . nice upload btw!

[@MrDeltic15]

I was very lucky then! Imagine it now then, it would be like counting sheep with all those Electrostars :-(

[@James47298]

Surely u can sell this vintage gold?!!!