The 2EPB was one of those unglamorous workhorses that pounded the rails, day-in day-out, a 3rd rail electric multiple unit that was common around much of London.
To see them in their native environment I recommend the 1971 Richard Burton film Villain, where he plays the eponymous (gay) anti-hero.
The film features lots of nice shots of EPBs rattling over the viaducts and wastelands of the still bomb-scarred and post-industrial city.
PS: I wasn't entirely happy with the selection of EPB shots in that post, so here are a couple more:
They spent more of their lives in that blue and grey livery than in all-over blue, but the latter livery seems to me to suit them best:
Or, if not "suit them best", is certainly how I remember them best. Though there's no denying the power of the double arrow symbol on that all-blue backdrop.
5 comments:
I like the look of that model.
I wonder if they will ever spawn class 302 and 307 overhead units too, which are basically 4 car panto equipped versions of the same design.
It would require minimal retooling I'm sure.
Would be nice for all of us neglected customers who like to model north of London.
I'd love to see more of these multiple unit workhorses, though personally I can't wait for a 2Bil or, maybe, one of the Clacton express units. I'm also hoping that the PEP-derived units will come along at some stage (313, 508, etc). And then there's the rather lovely original Trans-Pennine units and their near-relatives, the Swindon Inter-Cities.
But I'm not so sure you north of London modellers are neglected. I remember buying a Bachmann catalogue a couple of years back and there wasn't a single Southern locomotive subject in it, among the dozens of ex-GWR, LNER and LMS models.
Hornby was nearly as bad, and it was only Hornby's sudden realisation that the King Arthur sold like hot cakes (after the decidedly lukewarm reception given to the wonderful Q1) that led to the M7, the T9 and then the glorious Schools...
Still, full marks to Bachmann for starting us off on the current round of EMU enthusiasm with their 4CIG.
These things go in cycles, anyway: it feels to me like the current LNER fashion still has some way to play out (thank goodness -- where is that Claud Hamilton?), then, surely, the LMS ought to be in with a shout?
Er... anyway, the EPBs were archtypal north of London machines: the last photo shows the destination blind as Watford!
Damnit: I've just received an email to tell me that the expected delivery date of these has slipped from "May/June" to "June/July".
But I want it now!
Sorry to be picky but the pic of the Watford unit isn't a 2-EPB. That code was only used on the Southern Region of British Rail. The picture is of a BR class 501 unit, while a 2-EPB would be class 416 in BR coding. You can see the difference if you look at the roof line over the driving cab.
Allocated to Croxley Green depot, the class 501s were used only on the North Woolwich to Richmond service and on the Watford DC line (originally into Broad Street station, latterly Euston)of the London Midland Region and were withdrawn from operation in May 1985.
BR decided that these trains should resemble the EPB stock of the Southern Region, which featured individual passenger-operated doors located at each seating bay. However, on these trains, to prevent passengers leaning out of the opening windows when travelling through areas with limited clearance, especially Hampstead Tunnel, they were partially blocked with three bars, which earned them the nickname "jail units".
Thanks, Trevor -- much appreciated.
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