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Southern Region Doubledeck EMU # 4002 of class 4DD enters Charing Cross Station in June 1972 working the 3:32 pm Slade Green-Charing Cross ECS. There were only 2 4 car units built to the design of O. V. S. Bulleid in 1949 and usually worked together during rush hours and stored at Slade Green during the day. They were built to carry the equivalent load of a 10 coach train without the necessity of extending the platforms of suburban stations. They were restricted in the routes that they could work because they were built to the outside limit of the loading gauge. These units were withdrawn in 1971 after 22 years service so were infact a success even though no more units were built. The upper and lower compartments were staggered and there was a short flight of leading from the lower to upper. This arrangement led to delays in passenger entering and leaving the train at it was allowed extra time at stations. No more units were built and British Railways embarked on a platform lengthening programme. One of the Driving Motor Brake seconds has been preserved and the website is at http://members.tripod.com/~dart75/bdds.htm This is one of my favourite photos. I was lucky to see and ride these unique units and British Railways had withdrawn them before my next UK vacation. Photo by Michael Taylor, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. (mtaylor6@home.com) Website www.members.home.net/mtaylor6

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Southern Region Doubledeck EMU # 4001 of class 4DD enters Charing Cross Station in June 1972. These 2 units were withdrawn in 1971 prior to the TOPS unit numbering and were classed under the Southern Railway code 4DD. The train of 4001 & 4002 formed the 4:27 p.m. Charing Cross to Dartford which I rode as far as London Bridge Station where I caught the 5:05 p.m. Eastbourne Fast. The upper compartment was slightly cramped and the windows had no opening portion. That day was sunny and hot and so was the compartment. One of the Driving Motor Brake seconds has been preserved and the website is at http://members.tripod.com/~dart75/bdds.htm This is another of my favourite photos. I was lucky to see and ride these unique units and they had been withdrawn by my next UK vacation. Photo by Michael Taylor, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. (mtaylor6@home.com) Website www.members.home.net/mtaylor6