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The Southern Electric Traction Group has spent the last 10 years restoring the Bluebell Railway's unique 4VEP No.3417 'Gordon Pettitt' to operational condition. Now, after a lot of background negotiations and a massive amount of industry support, the SETG are proud to announce that they have secured the first Class 455 unit for preservation - No.5871.
The SETG Minions decided last year that the Class 455, the backbone of the commuter railway fleet for over 40 years, were too important to be allowed to simply disappear at the end of their service life, and the reaction to the farewell events organised by GTR & SWR over the past few years cemented our resolve; just like 3417, these units are too important to simply be cast aside. With support from SWR & Porterbrook Leasing, we have identified No.5871 as being the best 58xx-series unit and on Wedneday 14th January we moved it from Wimbledon Park to Strawberry Hill for storage.
We know that many of you are keen to see one or more of these trains saved - this is your chance to support the preservation of a Class 455, and to see one run on the mainline beyond the withdrawal of the final examples by South Western Railway. 5871 is in full working order and the money we raise through this appeal will go to maintaining the unit in that state.
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