Thanks all for the healthy discussion without it devolving too much into cynical pessimism, as can often be the way with EMU preservation. It's no secret that the market is small and the scope is perhaps limited but there definitely
is scope. One of the biggest challenges is finding a supportive home which can work with the group to achieve the aims, which as have been published, are small but feasible with the right attitudes. I shall attempt to go through and answer any Questions/ Concerns while always remaining open and receptive to options. We currently have 4 independent plans in place for new homes with various chances of sucess.
With the news that the Clacton Express unit is facing an uncertain future (see
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/clacton-express-group-put-their-class-309-up-for-sale.243817/)
I was wondering if there were any other ways the unit could be preserved?
For instance, why not combine these 3 coaches with the others currently based at the Owestry railway in Wales (?) and then restore it to mainline condition to operate railtours. While very unlikely, the Hastings Diesels Trust has proven it can work under the right conditions.
309616 is safe at Owesrty with another group, whom we are in very good contact with. The unfortunate story as to why they were split up is due to the closure of the ERM, both units were preserved together and were meant to stay together, with one providing operational spares for the other. As for getting them back together, its something that is wanted by both groups but would only happen if the right space could be found, as we both wan to work in the best interests of the vehicles.
Mainline condition is not impossible and a strong business case could be put together if you combined 309616, 624 and a surviving 309 TSO at Carnforth. However, as mentioned elsewhere, money is the deciding factor there, not to mention facilities to carry out the work. To be realistic, you would need the financial backing of someone like Jeremy Hoskins or JJP before even looking at it seriously.
When did they last exist? 1978 as 2-car units? 1993 as 4-car units.
The fact that the two units which haven't yet been scrapped still exist is only because they were used by Railtrack as test units.
Is it that people don't want to put their hands in their pockets, or that they don't see how preservation is going to be feasible so don't want to risk their money?
1995 as 2 car units and 2001 as 4 car. However, the 2 car units were reformed in the 80s with the addition of two centre TSOs but could have been reformed back to two if one had been saved. indeed...
OK, so once theyve finished clearing out the old 2nd gen EMUs, would there be some space at the back at either Ilford or Clacton?
As you say though, finding money for anything non essential at the moment is going to be a pain
Believe it or not, Clacton was quite close to keeping a 309 as a pet when they retired in 2000 but politics sadly got in the way. Nowadays, in the privatised system, there is no room for depot pets at all so any chance of 624 going back to Clacton is none. The Ilford 306 was a unique example of a depot pet, it just barely survived. (There is a remarkable story about upper management catching wind of the pet, ordering its scrapping and Ilford sending another 306 masquerading in its place). FGE kept it going in early privatisation but the second NXEA came in it was out.
This unit would be compatible with air braked locos, but would need a generator or batteries onboard for lights and heating.
Indeed, and this is really the angle that we are going for in this instance. Hauled stock is not an awful fate for the unit, considering the alternatives. With a control box and jumper adaptors, the vehicles can be made LH-Blue star compatible. Indeed, many Mk1s already carry generators for the various "lights express" to power the vast amount of external Christmas trim. Everything we are proposing for this set has already been done multiple times in preservation and can be done again. I think for our purposes, it needs not to be viewed as an EMU, but as "3 Mk1s with cabs on either end". There is operational scope much more than some other EMUs attempting to be restored.
To be blunt, no it is not an easy road ahead, and the group have faced and will continue to face difficulties. But preservation was built on perseverance in the face of adversity. I always take the attitude now that I'm not going to become an armchair enthusiast. If I want to see something saved for future generations, I'm going to get off my backside and do my damn best to see it through. This project is the antithesis of that.
Our benefactor is still with us and also wants to see this project succeed, he would not have joined if he did not. But, like us, we can't see a viable future for the unit at its current home and pressure has been placed on us to move. But he will continue to support us wherever the set moves, even being prepared to take a financial hit to ensure the survival of the vehicles.
Hope this answers a lot of Questions. I'm open to further healthy discussions and suggestions about the future of the unit.