4Vep/3Vep/4Vop (Class 423)
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To mark the withdrawal of all Veps within the next year, during 2004 SWT
Wimbledon Traincare depot repainted unit 3417, named "Gordon Pettit",
into a pseudo-original BR blue livery. The "aluminium" window frames
are, in fact, aluminium paint as opposed to the bare metal of the original, and
of course the unit has the cut-down Guard's compartment and the additional
passenger seating. The double arrow motif is, as in the originals, of raised
aluminium but the yellow warning panel, the orange cantrail stripe and the
'4 VEP' stickers, and inside the seat moquette and carpets, are not as
on the originals.
photograph by Stewart Watt |
| 3417 is not fitted with the orange curtains of the original
Veps, nor does it carry its original unit number. However this is not to
detract from a magnificent effort and SWT is to be congratulated, unlike other
former Southern Region TOCs, for celebrating their heritage. (It is also worth
remarking that, as 3017 at the time, this unit was one of the first 22 Veps to
receive Network Southeast livery.) 3417 is seen here basking in the sunshine in
Platform 1 at Portsmouth Harbour on 6 July 2004.
photograph by Colin Duff |
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The unit was named at a ceremony at Waterloo. The small plaque reads (in
capitals), "In 1967 this train 3417 was one of the first Veps to arrive on
the Southern Region and it will be one of the last to be withdrawn by South
West Trains. To commemorate this it has been named Gordon Pettit in honour of
one of the most respected General Managers of the former BR Southern
Region."
photograph by Colin Duff |
| Blue Vep 3417 (previous identities 7717 and 3017) approaches
Fratton on 6 July 2004. The overall blue livery worked well, as it does here,
when newly applied and on a bright day. It was not so attractive on a miserable
grey day, especially when weathered and dirty. 3417 will be the 12:01pm
departure from Fratton to Waterloo via Eastleigh, the diagram it was working
throughout the day.
photograph by Colin Duff |
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This page was last updated 28 July 2004
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