Class 207 'Thumper' Profile and Models

Class 207 'Thumper'

207202 at Hurst Green in April 2002. ©Alzarian16

The British Rail Class 207  diesel-electric multiple units were built by BR at Eastleigh in 1962. The fleet had a lifespan of 42 years. The Southern Region class 201 to 207 DEMUs are nicknamed 'Thumpers' due to the noise their engine units make. When new the class were used on the Oxted Line, and were mostly concentrated on services between London Victoria and Uckfield and Eridge to Tonbridge via Tunbridge Wells. Other routes that the units operated included occasional workings on the Marshlink Line, the Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells Central Line and the Cuckoo Line. Most units were withdrawn in 1987 following the electrification of the Oxted Line's East Grinstead branch. The final three units were withdrawn in August 2004.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Unit

Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit

Builder

BR Eastleigh Works

Build Dates

1962

Total Built

19 sets

Coaches Per Unit

3-car

Power Output

600 shp

Top Speed

75 mph

Passenger Capacity

127 seats

Operated By

British Rail
Connex
Southern

Main Duties

Local Passenger

In Service Until

2004

Surviving Examples

3 sets & 2 individual cars