The Swanage Railway Trust 4TC Group was formed in 2014 as a sub-group of the Swanage Railway Trust. The sub-group was formed to carry on the work started by a small group of individuals who purchased our 4TC unit (413) from London Underground for use on the Swanage Railway. At the same time as formation of the sub-group, ownership of unit 413 transferred from the old group to the Swanage Railway Trust.
Preserving a 4TC unit is important to the Swanage Railway as they were used with Class 33 locomotives to operate direct London to Swanage trains from the end of steam in 1967 up until the Swanage Branch closure in 1972. It therefore helps to tell an important part of the story in the evolution of traction and rolling stock on the Swanage Branch.
The 4TC unit also fits in perfectly with the stated objectives of the Swanage Railway Trust, one of which includes acquisition, restoration and preservation of rolling stock associated with the Southern Region of British Rail.
Once restoration of the unit is completed (initially as a three-car unit, with the fourth coach to follow later) it will provide a useful and economical train for use on heritage services in “Push-Pull” mode with fellow Swanage Railway-resident Class 33/1 locomotive no. 33111. The train being equipped with electric lighting and heating throughout makes it perfect for supplementing the DMU fleet on off-peak and evening services. It can also be operated with the same minimal sized crew of just a Driver and Guard.
Of the 34 4TC units constructed, there are only two complete units surviving—our unit 413 (which takes its unit number from the train that the brake vehicle 70824 was part of), and unit 428. Unit 428 is part of the London Underground Heritage Trains fleet which is used for special trains on the London Underground network, and is also hired out for use by charter operators on mainline railtours.
Unit 428 has had several external modifications to make it suitable for its current use and is also painted in a non-authentic (although aesthetically pleasing) maroon livery. Our unit, however, is being restored in authentic internal and external condition, and finished in British Rail Blue & Grey livery making it unique.
There are also very few Southern Region Multiple Units in general remaining in preservation—several that were saved have since been scrapped. This makes our unit even more important.
As mentioned earlier, 413 was originally preserved in Autumn 2005 by a small group of individuals for use on the Swanage Railway. However, the Swanage Railway management at the time decided they didn’t want a 4TC and 413 ended up in storage at Dinton airfield near Salisbury. 413 subsequently moved in 2008 to the Midland Railway Butterley for further storage and potential restoration. Not much really then happened until 2013 when a new committee was formed to take the project forwards.
The coaches were soon all covered with tarpaulins to prevent further deterioration. Things had changed at the Swanage Railway too, which resulted in initially a 99-year lease for the unit being signed. This then evolved into the formation of the Swanage Railway Trust subgroup and ownership of 413 transferring to the Trust. Swanage Railway further cemented this relationship with the purchase of 4TC Driving Trailer 76275 from St. Leonards Railway Engineering Ltd.
For a more detailed history of preservation of 413 please visit the “History” page.
Since then, we have raised over £160,000 and carried out major restoration work on one Driving Trailer (76322) and the Trailer Brake coach (70824) which is nearing the completion of its restoration. The next step is the restoration of the second Driving Trailer (76275) which will give us a working 3TC unit. This project is being generously supported by both Swanage Railway Trust and an anonymous donor, but we still need to raise another £20,000 to complete 76275. Please see the “Support the project” page to find out how you can help with this.
With your help, we will have our 3TC unit working on the Swanage Branch in 2025!
As mentioned above, we need to raise a further £20,000 towards the restoration of Driving Trailer 76275 and we hope that you are able to generously support this exciting project. All donations, no matter how small, show that our support base is building. Every pound counts, so even if you can only give a little, it will all be gratefully received. Remember to gift aid if you can!
All supporters will be added to our mailing list and will receive regular updates about how the project is progressing.
Thank you.
4TC unit 413 is wholly owned by the Swanage Railway Trust, registered charity No. 1087318. All funds generated in this fundraising effort are ring-fenced for overhaul and conservation costs of 4TC unit 413.