The Reading-Tonbridge line trains concerned inter-worked with the Brighton-Tonbridge service which passed through tunnels in the Tunbridge Wells area that required Restriction 1 stock. Withdrawals following a BRB edict about vehicles older than 40(?) years left a shortage of suitable Restriction 1 stock and the SR's answer was to split all the sets that were formed BSK-CK-CK-BSK and were thus suitable for splitting. So far as was possible the trains concerned were still formed of four carriages using two of the "new" sets and sometimes these formations had one or even both brake vans toward the centre of the train, for other trains though only one 2-car set was available and some overcrowding became inevitable.
Hi,
There is a picture in 'Branch lines to Tunbridge Wells' Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith, showing a six coach train from Eridge to Tonbridge which looks like 3 "half" sets 190 leading.Brakes at each end and in the middle so spoilt for choice.
Southern Maunsell Coaching Stock discussion
in Southern Railway Group
Posted
Hi,
There is a picture in 'Branch lines to Tunbridge Wells' Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith, showing a six coach train from Eridge to Tonbridge which looks like 3 "half" sets 190 leading.Brakes at each end and in the middle so spoilt for choice.