A bar? Classroom? Garden shed? Former Southeastern Networker train now for sale
Wondering what to get that special person in your life and left Christmas shopping a bit late?
Well, your prayers may be answered as carriages formerly in use on Southeastern Metro are now for sale.
Romic Group took on stock earlier this year from leasing company Angel Trains, after the trains were previously stored at sidings in Ely after withdrawal from Southeastern service when Class 707s moved over from South Weastern Railway. Now it’s up for sale with the company stating today:
“ROMIC Group have a number of Class 465 vehicles (driving and trailer) available at a reduced price.
“Ideal for cafes/catering facilities, glamping conversions, educational facilities, and a host of other uses. Delivery can be arranged or buyer can arrange collection.
“Please contact us by email to sales@romic.co.uk for pricing and information.”
Back in August the company had stated they “will be used for an internal assessment project on behalf of one of our international clients“.
The same company has exported High Speed Trains trains to Mexico and Nigeria.
New life
Glamping in a Networker seems an interesting one. Recreating the experience of the 5:17pm to Dartford on holiday is a niche pursuit. I’d do it.
Or stick it in your garden (if you’ve a big enough place) and maybe set up a Train Sim 3 workstation at the front?
In the recent past rolling stock such as Pacers have been taken on by schools.
While other trains – real or otherwise – can be seen in interesting places such as the above at Vinegar Yard.
And remember when four former tube carriages were installed atop Village Underground in Shoreditch?
There’s plenty of potential options for the 30-year old trains. Where would you like to see them? Leave a comment below.
And before anyone says it, yes I know the main image isn’t the exact train for sale.
The venerable 465? Good Lord, I remember that was just part of the sweeping updates Southeastern had planned for the old British Rail setup at the time. The idea was to make a fresh go of everything at once: APTIS electronic ticket machines to replace the old, spring-loaded ones used by the station staff; permit to travel machines to go alongside the new automated ticket machines; even staff catalogues showing (I kid you not) Jaeger-designed greatcoats and blazers. Surprisingly, all but the uniforms and handheld ticket checkers materialised.
The jackets sadly, were absolutely horrific – shiny nylon and polyester mix affairs that left my poor dad freezing in winter and sweating in summer. British Rail ones were wool, and like almost every other railman he reported his lost when it came time to swap out for the nylons. Seeing the original 465 now going the way of the slam door is long overdue, and I hope they find some use for them abroad (powered doors will be fun to see in a coffee shop though).