A brief Introduction and Details Of Membership for all who are Interested in the Third Rail DC Southern Electric system.
The Southern Electric Group is recognised as the leading organisation for devotees of the UK "Southern Electric" system. Since the Group was founded in 1970 it has been an authoritative source of information on the "Southern Electric" DC network which expanded so rapidly in the south-east of England between 1925 and 1939. The electrified system continued to expand, albeit at a rather slower pace, after 1947 when it became part of British Railways Southern Region.
Today, in respect of its size and track mileage, the Southern Electric remains a disproportionately large player in the field of railway business, particularly on the passenger side, within the United Kingdom's railway network. Six of the recently privatised train operating companies are continuing to operate electric trains over the south-east third rail DC network: Connex South Eastern, Connex South Central, South West Trains, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Silverlink. Eurostar and English Welsh & Scottish respectively run Channel Tunnel passenger and freight services over the same system.
The Group publishes a bimonthly journal for members, Live Rail which updates rolling stock changes, reports details of the ongoing scene and looks seriously at various aspects of the Southern's operations, past, present and future. It contains many articles and features and aims to be an interesting and comprehensive publication.
The Group is well known for preservation of the only complete, privately owned, express electric multiple unit train in the UK. This is 4Cor unit, number 3142 . Built for the 1938 Mid-Sussex line electrification to Portsmouth and Bognor Regis, 3142 is under restoration to operational condition and is currently housed at St. Leonards, in East Sussex. Volunteers are always welcomed by the preservation team - as also are donations towards the high cost of the work involved!
The Group has two branches which meet monthly offering illustrated talks, slide shows as well as other attractions. The Sussex branch meets at Southwick, between Brighton and Worthing and the South Hampshire branch meets in Eastleigh. Other activities include the operation of charter trains and railtours over Railtrack and London Underground routes often featuring unusual rolling stock and sections of line rarely traversed by passenger trains. To assist modellers, a good number of whom figure amongst the membership, there is a Modelling Secretary available to provide assistance.
Over the last ten years or so, developments on the Southern Electric scene have seen dual voltage trains, first Class 319 Thameslink units, the Channel Tunnel Eurostars, and more recently still Class 313 and 325, operating over the former Southern third rail system. Future plans, in particular Thameslink 2000, will see extensions of such workings. Todays third rail area is no longer merely a reliable, if plodding, commuter railway, but for some years has seen 100 mph services on the Bournemouth main line and more recently, extension of 100 mph working to parts of the South Eastern main lines for Eurostar services as well as over sections of the Brighton line.
It has been announced that new stock and faster schedules will be a feature of the dedicated Gatwick Express services in 1999, and with further new stock on order for the Reading line and for Kent Coast services there is sure to be much ongoing interest for all observers of the third rail system in the south east. Recent announcements suggest that existing Mk.1 bodied slam door older trains must be replaced by the end of 2002. The developing scene will be far from stagnant, as increased services, new routes and new stock are all in the pipeline.
If you are interested in joining the Southern Electric Group, please print the membership application form and send by letter mail with your remittance to the Membership Secretary at the address shown. SEG are presently unable to accept either membership applications by email or subscription payments by credit or debit card of any kind. If you would like further information, or a free sample of Live Rail magazine beforehand, again please forward your name and address to the Membership Secretary with details of your request. Instant Membership is also available at events, railtours etc. where the Group is represented.
