- Welcome!

Welcome to the Thumpergroup web pages, this site is a direct spin off from the successful thumpergroup yahoo group that can be found at the following URL: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/thumpergroup/ There has been a new page inserted, Thumper Running Dates. I will endeavour to keep this page up to date with thumper operations on preserved lines. Thumpergroup was set up in April 2004 with the purpose of following the last months workings of  Class 205 and 207 DEMU's on Britains Railways. These venerable units were built in the 1960's to serve communities not linked by the then Southern Regions expanding network of 3rd Rail Electrification. Over the years, routes worked by these units were either electrified or the units were replaced by more modern DMU's, until in the last few years, they were only left working on the Oxted to Uckfield branch and the 'Marshlink' line from Ashford to Hastings. Pic. 207203 at Rye, 6th April 2004. Martin Barnsdall Southern, successor to Connex South Central, announced that the units were to be replaced by new class 170 (later 171) DMU's by the autumn of 2004. The last workings, however, on the Marshlink line took place on 13th July 2004, when unit 207203 worked diagram 973, and units 205001 and 205009 worked the 1710 London Bridge to Uckfield and 1832 return to east Croydon on 9th December 2004. Thus brought to a close Thumper workings on Britains Railways. Pic: 205001,009,033 at Salfords, 27th November 2004 - 'Last Thump Railtour'. Derek Tiller. There are still DEMU workings to be found. If you want real trains, then the Grandaddy of them all, 201001, can still be found occasionally plying the Marshlink line on contract to Southern, and lets not forget 2nd generation thumpers in Northern Ireland - 80 Class and Castle Class DEMU's still ply routes in the province. Details of workings, diagrams, pictures and general information can be found on this site. Pic: 205032 at Eastbourne 12th June 2004. Chris Hobden. Pic:8068 at Closed Downhill station, Londonderry Coast. Unknown date and Photographer. General discussions are not catered for on this site, use http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/thumpergroup/ Enjoy! Martin Barnsdall, June 2005

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