by Mark Collins

I felt I’d chosen a lot of preserved diesels and preserved lines to feature in the series and wanted to feature a new train on Trainspotting. I’d seen a feature on the new Electrostars in one of the rail magazines and decided that as a former regular passenger (sorry PC Brigade – I hate the term customer) of Connex South Central I’d see what they were up to in improving their service.

The series is a positive look at the state of Britain’s Railways so this gave the new South Central franchise an opportunity to blow their own trumpet.

Nick Hortin is a railway man through and through, having worked on C2C and help introduce the Electrostars on their routes. I must say that I was impressed with the technology on these new units and South Central’s commitment to combating vandals with CCTV cameras on board and the introduction of more security staff.

The first part of the day was filmed in miserable weather conditions in July. It was also a long night filming between Brighton and Eastbourne and when we got back to the hotel, the bar was shut! Thanks must go to Nick Hortin and Marsid Greenidge for their hospitality and also enlightening me on a few of the other Train Operating Companies.

Trainspotting.links (will open in a new window)

www.southcentraltrains.co.uk
www.locowatch.com
www.class375.co.uk
comprehensive site dedicated to the class