24 September 2025 1125 & DEMU’s over the alps
Presenter: Richard Bentley
Chichester Branch welcomed our guest speaker Richard Bentley the Mid Hants Railway (MHR) operations manager for his talk ‘1125 and DEMUs over the Alps’ on September 24.
In the first half Richard explained the history of the Hampshire units, which all were built at Eastleigh works between 1957 and 1962. Initially they were built as 2 car units to start the services on the 4/11/57, but their popularity soon saw the introduction of a centre coach making them 3H units. For the MHR route the extra coach proved to be too heavy, the units uprated from 500HP to 600HP with a replacement Napier turbo. While this was going on, the return of Drummond M7 0-4-4Ts covered services.
The DEMUs reduced the length of time for Alton to Southampton Terminus services from 77 to 55 minutes. 1125 actually operated the 20.04 train from Alton to Southampton on the 4/2/73, the last day of BR services. Part 2 continued with the history of unit 1125, which entered service on the 15/12/59 and was withdrawn on the 17/02/04, with a BR life expectancy of 15 years! She was chosen because she had engine repairs 6 months before withdrawal and the role she played already mentioned. She was quickly returned from Network South East livery to BR green paint outside at Alresford. All glass was replaced and window leaks sealed and she continued in service until 2018 when the air intake panel needed urgent repairs, which were carried out just prior to Covid.
The bodywork had deteriorated to such an extent, mainly because of the poor window design without window frames, as windows were pressed into the metal panels with sealant which rusted from water penetration and pushed out the bodywork. The doors were aluminium, but the door posts were wooden so suffered from rot. Whilst the engine works well it cannot be used for passenger work until the body is repaired. The motor end will be dealt with first, then the much worse trailer car. The MHR are looking at lottery funding as this will be a long expensive job.
