Southern Class 201 'Thumper' DEMU charter
Posted: 15:00 Saturday 18th July 2026
Today, Saturday 18 July 2026, the Branch Line Society ran The Cotswold and Exmoor Explorer from Hastings via Guildford, Reading, Oxford, Worcester, Cheltenham and Bristol to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway with the fully restored Southern region Class 201 DEMU which carries number 1013. These units were built in 1957 at Eastleigh and Ashford to a narrower than usual loading gauge to meet the restriction of eight tunnels on the London to Hastings line. There are two power cars in this six car set and they are powered by an English Electric 4 SRKT engine of 600 Horse power driving through a main generator to axle mounted traction motors. The distinctive engine sound gave rise to the 'Thumper' nickname. Please note this train returns via a more direct route through Newbury and Reading and not as originally planned via Worcester. Attached photographs taken at Shrub Hill around 11-30 AM this morning;