This has got to be the best channel on KZfaq for reminiscing about spotting & bashing in the late 70’s into the 80’s ...

Nice to see the 210 DEMU - there seems to be very, very few videos of this 'prototype' machine. Real pity they were never permitted to develop these units. I believe there were plans for both suburban and mainline geared units (ie: 75mph and 90mph versions). From what I've heard and read, they were almost very very good units, and would have needed just a few tweeks to get them over the line to actually be very very good. My Father was at the RTC at the time, and said that if they had paired the MTU Engine with the Brush electrical equipment they would have been perfect. Both prototypes had good acceleration I'm told. Another successful project that the government of the day managed to turn into a failure by having no commitment to the railway. Sorry lads, Rant over now. But then, I am a Communist. Apparently (!). Thank you for sharing, really interesting and engaging programme, and a brilliant social record of a long lost time. A time when the railway was still (just about) a 'SERVICE' not a bloody 'revenue stream'. Sorry, I know, I said the rant was over. Taking the Red Flag down now, and removing my Rose Tinted Spectacles. Portable ivory tower put away... Seriously though, thank you for sharing. It is very much appreciated. Kind Regards and Best Wishes Zac.

Excellent again. Looks like you got about a fair bit in late August 87!

Before my spotting days thanks 4 shareing

Thanks for the Valenta action!

4:24Guard comes strolling up with his sandwiches

Was there an Oxford to Newbury service, if so, did it go via Reading General?

Always made me laugh that those 3-car DMU's had little First Class areas. On the Reading-Tonbridge the guard would stoically enforce its status, even if the train was packed A wee sprinkle of non-slam-door modernity at 8:05! I remember when the PEPs first arrived on the Southern Region in late 70s early 80s it was incredibly exciting. Little did we know how we'd miss those slam doors. Although the woman at Dorking that used to be late for her train EVERY day and jumped on whilst it was moving many times being bellowed at by staff maybe had her life saved! Saw her fall in with her legs hanging out once. 😵

Buen video

Not many videos featuring the class 210 so this is like gold dust to demu fans, think 001 had been withdrawn and this one was taken out of service by August of that year the centre carriage is from 001 as the three car unit originally never had first class or a lavatory, was a nice surprise to see a 50 come roaring past and rather intrigued as what service that was operating.

Wonderful, especially the claggy 210. Do you have any other footage of 210s where you can here what they sound like? Anyway great vid despite the best efforts of the old A34 ❤

The DMU that leaves eastbound at 5:01, on the guards "van" area, there's a red sign. Any idea what that said?

Class 119's doing anything other than the Reading to Gatwick service was very uncommon, and especially on the Thames Valley corridor into Paddington where the lack of doors was a principle reason why.

looks awfully similar to Wurzelland...wishing I still remembered Newbury's whereabouts..!