DMU Operations: Eastern Region
Wickford-Southminster
The 16½ mile branch (now known as the Crouch Valley line) goes from Wickford on the Shenfield-Southend line eastwards to Southminster with five intermediate stops.
ACV railcars were trialled on the line in September 1953.[1]
The line was operated by Stratford allocated sets. Circa April 1956 two Met-Camm Lightweight sets were noted being trialed on the line. That September some Derby Lightweights arrived from Norwich to replace the Met-Camms, although other Met-Camms would arrive displaced from Lincoln.
The DMUs were formally introduced in the 1956 winter timetable on September 17 with services running to existing timings, with some Sunday alterations, until the Liverpool St to Southend Victoria electrification came into effect on the 31st December 1956 when services were re-timed and connections improved[2]. The unit noted in service on the first day was E79035 + E79251 and it had no destination blind for the line. It was also commented on as having dents, scratches and a thick coat of grime! [3]
Wickham set 50415/56170 appeared on the Wickford - Southminster branch during the first week of September 1957, working alongside the Derby Lightweights. The services were altered to run hourly on weekdays and two-hourly on Sundays, all connecting with the fast trains from Liverpool Street and Southend instead of the slow trains as previously.
The Wickham sets all moved to Cambridge by January 1959 leaving the Yellow Diamond Derby Lightweights and Met-Camm Lightweights at Stratford, although at the same time the Derby Suburban triples (later known as Class 125s) began to arrive at the same time.
By the end of June 1959 the Derby Lightweights had moved on, the Met-Camm Lightweights stuck around for almost another decade.
It wasn't until 1968 that other types appeared when the Met-Camm Lightweights were being phased out, with Rolls-Royce powered Met-Camms (later known as Class 111s) arriving from Neville Hill and Derby suburban triples (later known as Class 116s) arriving from Cardiff Canton. Also at this time the Class 125s were moving from Stratford to Finsbury Park.
By the end of 1969 there was another new type to be found on the line as BRC&W sets (Class 104s) began arriving from Hull Botanic Gardens and Neville Hill.
At the start of 1971 three types could be found on the line: Class 104s, Class 111s and Class 116s — the Met-Camms moved back to Neville Hill that January. The next type found operating the line were the Cravens Class 105s when they began to share the duties from November 1972. The 104/105/116s remained the staple until the 104s departed Stratford in 1977, some made a return from 1979-1982.
The line was electrified in May 1986, Stratford losing its DMU allocation that month.
Sample Timetables
17th June to 15th September 1957
16th September 1957 to 8th June 1958
13th June to 11th September 1960
Noted as second class only.
5 May 1975 to 2 May 1976
4 1/8" x 2 7/8" when folded.
12 May 1980 until further notice
4 1/8" x 2 7/8" when folded.
Images
1957
A Derby Lightweight sits in the bay platform at Wickford Junction, circa early 1957 with a Southminster service. DTC E79252 is closest, presumably with DMBS E79036. They had been delivered to Norwich and transferred to Stratford in September 1956. On the left an EMU enters with a Down train, the Shenfield to Southend had just recently been electrified. British Railways.
Unknown date
A Derby Lightweight DMU in Southminster station with a Wickford service. Thought to be the same unit as image 31356, and dated between September 1956 and June 1959. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Unknown date
On a rainy day at Wickford a Derby Lightweight waits to depart with a train for Southminster. Date unknown, these DMUs began to be used on these services in September 1956 and Stratford lost its allocation in June 1959. Stuart Mackay Collection.
February 1970
Southminster station in February 1970. A Roll-Royce powered Derby triple prepares for departure, ECS it seems to the depot. The Class 125s were unlined in green livery. Steve Davies Collection.
February 1970
A mixed livery Class 125 in Southminster station in February 1970. The closest car is still in green, the far car is blue. The centre car is unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
February 1970
I'm guessing this is the signalman exchanging the token and pleasantries with the driver of a Class 125 DMU at Fambridge station on the Southminster branch. February 1970. Steve Davies Collection.
February 1970
A Class 125 DMU sits in Southminster station in February 1970. The closest vehicle is in rail blue livery with just a small yellow panel. Steve Davies Collection.
February 1970
A Class 125 DMU sits in Southminster station in February 1970. Steve Davies Collection.
1971
E50555 at Wickford forming a Southminster service in 1971. John Law.
1971
A Class 104 set at Southminster station in the 1971. John Law.
Unknown date
A Class 125 DMU 'Special' at Southminster. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
A Class 125 DMU at Burnham On Crouch, on the Southminster branch. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
8th June 1974
The 3-car BRCW diesel unit forming the 12.31 to Wickford at Southminster on 8 June 1974 comprises E50556 (nearest), 59215 and 50568. Tom Burnham.
8th June 1974
In a once familiar scene, the Southminster signalman is handing the single line token (in the pouch attached to the loop) to the driver of E50556 on the 12.31 departure for Wickford on 8 June 1974. Tom Burnham.
29th December 1976
E50577 sits in the bay at Wickford with an afternoon Southminster service on 29 December 1976. The other power car is E50574, the TBSL centre car is unknown. Robert Thomas.
29th December 1976
A Class 104 formed of E50574, an unknown TBS, and E50577 sits in Southminster station awaiting departure with the 15:55 to Wickford on 29 December 1976. Robert Thomas.
25th October 1977
A Southminster to Wickford DMU passes the G.E.R. goods shed at Battlesbridge 25/10/77. The goods shed lasted into the 80s and was demolished in connection with the electrification of the line. Sparegang.
6th November 1977
A DMU from Southminster to Wickford passes through Shotgate 6/11/77. Sparegang.
29th March 1978
A Class 105 Cravens unit at Southminster, 29/3/78. Sparegang.
30th March 1978
A Cravens set at Fambridge station on the Southminster branch, 30/3/78. Sparegang.
References
- ⋏ Image in book "Aspects of East Anglian Diesels The Early Years - Part One" compiled by JD Mann, ISBN 1 871277 12 4
- ⋏ "New Diesel and Electric Services" p709 October 1956 Railway Magazine
- ⋏ p299 October 1956 Railway Observer (Railway Correspondence and Travel Society)