DMU Operations: Western Region
Reading - Gatwick Airport
DMUs were introduced to this in the May 1980 timetable, almost doubling the existing semi-fast service via Redhill. It partly used the Tonbridge - Redhill - Guildford - Reading "North Downs Line".
Initially Class 119s were mainly used, with extra luggage space created by the removal of the buffet counters and in the large brake vans. 101s and 117s joined the fleet in the late 1990s, by 1993 it was mainly 117s on the service.
Sample Timetables
14 May to 30 September 1984
This London Paddington - Reading - Oxford - Worcester - Hereford pocket timetable included a page on the service.
Commencing 4th October 1993
The diagrams for the Reading allocated Class 117s (and one 165) on North Downs workings, which included the Gatwick service.
The booklet is courtesy of Rob Paterson.
PDF Download (15mb).
Images
8th March 1980
Class 119 DMMU passes through Betchworth non-stop on a Gatwick-Reading service on 8 March 1980. Tony Watson.
22nd November 1980
A spot I know well as spent 5 years going across the level crossing here on my way to and from work until 2019. Betchworth on the 22nd of November 1980 and Class 119 dmu set L573 (probably 51055/59417/51083) is I would guess about to run through as it is working the 1O70 13.10 Reading to Gatwick service. At the moment the Reading to Redhill's stop at Betchworth but not the Gatwicks so maybe it was the same 40 years ago. Set L573 seems to have worked out of Reading from at least 1980 to 1987. The KDH Archive.
1981
Class 119 DMU set L583 contains a suburban centre car when seen arriving at Guildford with a Reading to Gatwick Airport service in the first half of 1981. The power cars are presumably 51097 and 51069. Rob Paterson.
19th May 1981
Alongside a full-looking car park and in a location that has changed dramatically over the passing years, a Gloucester Class 119 Cross Country three-car DMU formed of cars W51079, W59437 & W51107 was stood at Reading with a service from Gatwick Airport on May 19th 1981. A Southern Region Class 421 4-CIG EMU, 7352 is visible in the background. The 119's were based closely on the Swindon Class 120's, but built at the Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Company in 1958 utilising a Derby style cab. There were 84 individual cars built, with the centre trailer coaches originally having a small buffet area. The last of the 119's were withdrawn in 1994. Martyn Hilbert.
Unknown date
Near Gatwick Airport is class 119 set L582 (51068 presumably with 59427 + 51096). Ian Buck.
Unknown date
Class 119 set L586 (51077 closest, presumably with 59420 + 51105) arriving at Gatwick Airport. Ian Buck.
Unknown date
Class 119 set L592 with 51071 and presumably 59432 + 51101 at Gatwick Airport. Ian Buck.
Unknown date
Class 119 DMU set L572 (51082 and presumably 59413 visible) in Guildford station with a Gatwick Airport service. Date unknown - it was London set from May 1980. Paul Redmond.
4th June 1982
The driver’s door is open on a Gloucester RC&W Class 119 Driving Motor 2nd at Redhill on Friday 4th June 1982. This particular set carries number L573 (presumably 51083 + 59417 + 51055) which indicates that it was allocated to Reading. At the time the 119s were in use on the Reading to Gatwick Airport service, services to/from Tonbridge and the slower services to/from Reading. The real target of my camera was the incoming service on the left, the 16:38 from Brighton to Victoria. This comprised of sets 7902 and 7373. 7373 was one of many 4CIGs but 7902 is of interest in that it was one of the 12 4VEPs converted to 4VEG units with additional luggage racks and reduced seating for use on services to Gatwick Airport. Brian McDevitt.
Unknown date
On an unknown date class 119 set L571 halts at Reigate on a Reading to Gatwick service. 51052 closest, with Railair markings. Ian Buck.
9th October 1982
Cross-Country set L576, W51090 nearest, departs from Redhill on the final leg of its journey to Gatwick Airport from Reading, Saturday 9th October 1982 Iain Reid.
29th January 1983
Class 119 cross-country set L595, W51074 (nearest) + W59430 + W51086, pass Salfords on the Brighton line up fast towards Redhill on a Gatwick Airport to Reading service, Saturday 29th January 1983 Iain Reid.
29th January 1983
Class 117 set L409, W51386 (nearest) + W59496 + W51344, passes Salfords on the Brighton line up fast towards Redhill on a Gatwick Airport to Reading service, Saturday 29th January 1983 Iain Reid.
4th August 1983
Class 119 DMBC W51071 tails W59432 & W51101 (set L592) passes Dorking through Deepdene station along the Redhill to Guildford line with a Gatwick Airport to Reading service, Thursday 4th August 1983 Iain Reid.
22nd March 1984
Class 119 set L571 (51052 and presumably 59282 + 51080) at Redhill on 22nd March 1984. These sets were especially modified for working the Reading to Gatwick Airport semi fast services by converting the old buffet area in the trailer and the guards van into luggage areas. Ian Buck.
1st April 1984
Occasionally the Reading Gatwick service was diverted via the West London and Brighton Main Line owing to trackworks. On 1st April 1984 Class 119 set L577 with car 51063 leading (presumably with 59422 + 51091) passes Coulsdon North. Ian Buck.
24th April 1984
On 24 April 1984, set L584 is seen arriving at Gatwick Airport with a service from Reading via Guildford. This Gloucester RC&W Co cross-country set was presumably formed 51098 + 59429 + 51070. Jeremy Chapter.
17th July 1984
This photo was taken by my father on the 17th July 1984 at Gomshall. A set is on a Reading Gatwick Airport run. Gomshall had a very ugly World War Two era signalbox which can be picked out above the set. L575 was 51088, 59419 and 51060. Robert Forsythe.
9th February 1985
Passing a snowy Salfords and heading for Gatwick Airport is class 119 set L573 (51083 presumably with 59417 + 51055) on 9th February 1985. Ian Buck.
9th February 1985
Passing Salfords on the way to Gatwick Airport class 119 set L580 with 51094 leading presumably with + 59425 + 51066 on 9th February 1985. Ian Buck.