4-BEP - 2304 “Linda The Lymington Flyer” is looking for a new home, and in order for the owners to raise the public profile of their southern region survivor, they held an open day with the unit at its current home of the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway on February 24th. Owned by the Electrical Multiple Unit Preservation Society, the unit is coming to the end of its storage contract on the C&PRR, with the society in hope of finding a new base for the 4-BEP in order to continue their long-term restoration of the unit.
Originally built in 1960 as 4-CEP - 7175 and comprised of S61736 + S70573 + S70524 + S61737, the unit became the subject of a heavy refurbishment programme in 1983, emerging from Swindon Works as 4-BEP - 2304; gaining buffet coach S69344 (formerly S69012) from unit 7013, in place of S70524. Subsequent reformations and number changes would see 2304 end its mainline career under South West Trains as 3-CEP - 1198, working alongside other aging southern electric units on the Lymington branch. 2304 would officially be withdrawn on the 24th of December 2004.
The unit was sold into preservation as a complete 3-CEP, being taken on by the EMUPS. The long-term aim of the society remains the restoration of 2304 back to its full 4-BEP configuration, and its continued preservation. In 2022 the society acquired the sole remaining buffet coach of the class for this aim, in the shape of S69013 (S69345) formally of unit 2305. As can be seen, restoration work is progressing well, with hope that the society can find a new home and carry on working towards their goal. More information about, and any donations to, EMUPS can be found/done here:
emups.co.uk/
Locomotives:
BR Class 412/3 4-BEP - 2304 “Linda The Lymington Flyer” (S69013 + S61736 + S70573 + 61737)
All footage filmed on Saturday the 24th of February 2024.