80 Class restoration update

[Niles]

Quite a bit has taken place in the past few weeks, with 80 class 69 now in the final stages of its restoration:  https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/10/80-class-restoration-update-reupholstered-seats-installed/

 

 

Edited October 2, 2025 by Niles

[Galteemore]

Fabulous stuff. The times I spent staring at that panelling on the carriage bulkhead in between frantically scrabbling down homework due that day….,

[Niles]

A further update on progress with the restoration of 80 class power car 69.

 

https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/10/80-class-railcar-horn-repairs/

[Niles]

The latest update on this project: https://www.downrail.co.uk/2026/01/80-class-restoration-update-january-2026/

[Mol_PMB]

A bit of an aside, I bumped into one of my friends on the way to work this morning and it turned out he was driving this at the weekend:

It went all the way from the deep south to the Scottish highlands, and back. My friend drove Carlisle - Manchester - Crewe, and was surprised how well it performed over Shap summit. 4 power cars and 4 trailers though, so a better power to weight ratio than a 3-car 80. It made a change from his normal freight trains!

 

[Mike 84C]

Would that be a friend that I know? I always rather liked the Thumpers, not that I rode them often, they had a bit of character.

[airfixfan]

Was a great weekend and it will never be repeated

[Mol_PMB]

9 hours ago, Mike 84C said:

Would that be a friend that I know? I always rather liked the Thumpers, not that I rode them often, they had a bit of character.

Yes, I'm sure you remember Roger! Remarkably his relief at Crewe was another FR driver, but after your time I think.

I'm not sure I ever rode on a Southern Region thumper, all my fond thumper memories are of the 80 class and I'm hoping to be surprised by one in August!

[airfixfan]

The Hastings Units were a bit livelynon the East Coast Main Line