After the Hastings units, the next requirement for new diesel electric stock arose from a need to replace 'push-pull' steam sets on a number of branch lines. The units that were produced became known as 'Hampshires' because the initial requirement was primarily for lines in that county.
DMBS of Berkshire unit 205 029 at Ropley on the Mid-Hants railway. After
refurbishment, this unit was painted green at the request of HSUPS. These two picture
clearly show the smaller route indicator blind arrangement of the Berkshire units
Photo: Copyright HSUPS
The original specification required two car units as a direct replacement for two car push-pull units. As a result, the design was virtually identical to that of 2-HAP electric units being produced at the same time. The main difference was the use of one half of the Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS) for the engine compartment. The first batch of what were officially '2H' units was built at Eastleigh works during 1957. Numbered 1101-1118, they were introduced into service on the Portsmouth - Salisbury route, followed by the Portsmouth to Andover and Southampton to Alton routes.
Internal layout of the 2H
taken from the 1966 Appendix to
the Carriage Working Notice.
Additional units (1119-1122) were built in 1958 as two-car sets for the Ashford - Hastings line as well as the Bexhill West and New Romney branch lines. These continued to be two car units until the 1970s.
However, such was the success of these units in increasing passenger numbers that a centre trailer had to be added to the original 18 units in 1959 and they became known as '3H'. The original 500hp English Electric 4SRKT Mark II engines, similar to those used on the 'Hastings' units, also had to be uprated to 600hp.
Internal layout of the first batch of type 3H
taken from the 1966 Appendix to
the Carriage Working Notice.
This success also saw another four units (1123 - 1126) being built in 1959. This third batch was built as three car units from new leaving 1119 to 1122 as the only two car units by the end of 1959.
The increase to three cars and the upgrading of the engine generally provided adequate performance. The exception to this was the route from Winchester to Alton where the steep gradients found on the line caused problems. A number of solutions were tried but the decision was ultimately taken to use two car units on this route. As a result two of the two car units (1121 and 1122) were transferred from the Hastings local services to operate this route.
A final batch of three car units, numbered 1127 -1133, was built in 1962 for use on the Salisbury to Reading and the Berkshire lines. These six units have a slightly different internal organisation and route blind arrangement. These are often referred to as 'Berkshires' but were included in class 205 under the TOPS reorganisation.
Internal layout of the last batch of type 3H
taken from the 1966 Appendix to
the Carriage Working Notice.
Units moved around the Southern area in the years from the early 60's through to the 70's as first steam was withdrawn and lines closed. DEMU operated lines that were closed included Crowhurst to Bexhill West (June 1964), Romsey to Andover Junction (September 1964), Eridge to Hailsham (June 1965), Southampton to Fawley (February 1966), the Steyning line (March 1966), Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells via East Grinstead (January 1967), the New Romney branch (March 1967), Polegate to Hailsham (September 1968) and Uckfield to Lewes (February 1969).
There was some movement of the centre trailers between units in the 1970's with 1108 donating it's trailer to 1121 (one of the four 2H units) in 1974 and 1103 and 1104 donating theirs to 1119 and 1120 (also 2H units) in 1979. The last remaining original 2-H (1122) plus the now 2 car 1103 and 1104 and 1121 were then used to create to a new 3T (later 204) class in 1979
DTC of unidentified Hamphire unit at Rye. This view shows
the original route indicator blind arrangement allowing the unit to be distinguished from
the later Berkshire units.
Photo: Copyright HSUPS
Also in 1979, unit 1111 was selected for an experimental upgrade program. This refurbishment involved the fitting of headlights, internal fluorescent lighting and new wood panelling.
A number of Hampshire units have been withdrawn either through their condition or as a result of accidents. As a result, significant reformations have taken place to keep the best vehicles available. Apart from occasional forays, the units have been restricted to their remaining haunts of the Marshlink line (Ashford to Hastings and occasionally Eastbourne) and the Uckfield to East Croydon line (with occasional services to London).