The (almost) Last Thumpings
During the last days of September, specifically Friday the 25th, the very last official 'Thumper' allocated turns from London Bridge were due. After this date, new humming Turbostars (cl.171) were supposed to be in charge. However we are pleased to report that the schedule slipped, and 'Thumpers' carried on into overtime! Here is a record of both evening peak hour departures filmed on Wednesday October 6th, absolutely the most rateable departures to be had from London terminals on this date!
Most of these photos are captured from my digi-cam using a TV card on my home computer, hence the low quality but hopefully quick to load.
| 205001 and 205009 emerge from the station canopy on the 17:10. |  |
 | A fine sight, to be remembered! |
| The motor-generator coach of 205001 passes by. 205009's is at the far end (see next photo). |  |
 | The famous black triangle, indicating Major Thrash Potential :-) Pleasant evening too. |
| Oops, how did that get on this page? CIG no. 1863 arrives. |  |
 | As the sun drops, 205028 and 205032 arrive for their duty, the 18:12 service to Uckfield. |
| No gangway connectors between coaches. Last of an old generation. |  |
 | The train rolls into Platform 9, engines idling. |
| Commuters begin to scramble forward, while the exhaust billows upward from the two engine compartments (they are back-to-back in this formation). |  |
 | Close up view as 'suits' board, clutching newspapers and laptops. Strangely, the generator coaches seem to be left 'til last! |
| In a deafening roar the thing storms forth at the appointed moment; woe betide anyone attempting to board at the last minute! The platforms echo to the sound of Hellfire Thrash! |  |
 | The train dwindles from view - probably to the relief of passengers waiting on the adjacent platforms. Another splendid experience over! |
| ....................... but it was not the last. The "Thumpers" lived on. In spite of increasing unrest amongst the 17:10 Uckfield regulars, rateable Thrash still occurred on this famous London departure: |
 | 205001 & 205009 chug into Platform 11 at London Bridge on 8th December 2004. |
| A few doors still open as the driver changes ends. |  |
 | Away again. This really is my last ever photo of Thumpers on peak hour services. It is rumoured that two "2H" units are to work down on the Marsh link line from the New Year, but the new tighter timetable with all-day shuttles from Uckfield to London looks like being 100% Turbostars at last. December 8, 2004 |