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British Rail Southern Region design
MLV

(Motor Luggage Vans Nos. E68000 & S68001-68010)

 

MLV nos.9001 & 9004 at London Bridge (mail traffic) 28th August 1989
© BloodandCustard

 

Motor Luggage Vans

To make full use of the facilities provided in the Kent Coast Electrification scheme, it was decided to provide a number of Motor Luggage Vans (MLV) mainly to enable the large amounts of luggage to be conveyed on electrically operated Boat Trains between London and the channel ports at Dover Western Docks and Folkestone Harbour. These units were to be capable of hauling short van trains as well as being provided with traction batteries to enable them to work for short periods in non-electrified sidings.

The Southern Region’s MLV vehicles were based on an earlier design of the parcels MLV built at Eastleigh during the autumn of 1955 for use on the South Tyneside line.

 

 

Passing the carriage washer at Lovers Walk (Brighton) is the unique Motor (Parcels) Luggage Van no.E68000 built for the Tyneside Electrification. Photographed on possibly on 24th or 25th November 1955, no.E68000 is on a test train hauling Crimson & Cream (CLC) liveried Maunsell coaches. Note the Tyneside headcode, tail & route indicator lamps, plus the absence of a wiper for the secondman’s observation light.

© Joe Kent (c/o Andy Gibb)

 

Eastern Region (Tyneside)
Motor Luggage Van (E68000)

E68000 was built at Eastleigh to Diagram No.499 and differed from the later BR(S) MLV vehicles in having two motor bogies giving four EE507 motors totalling 1000hp. This unique vehicle was laid out with a driver’s cab at both ends (entered from behind from the luggage areas) with two large luggage areas, one each side of a central guard’s compartment. The two luggage areas were 27’ 2” and 21’ 6” long with in intervening guard’s compartment being 6’ 9” wide. Both luggage areas had a long-hinged seat along the right-hand side when looking forwards.

 

MLV E68000

 

There were four pairs of double doors along each bodyside; those pairs towards the outer ends (close to the cab) were equipped with one inward and one outward opening door; both with sidelights and the inwards opening door being that closest to the cab. The remaining pairs of doors both opened outwards and only one had a sidelight; this being the left-hand door when viewing the bodyside.

 

MLV E68000 interior

Interior of E68000 (Guard’s compt.)
© British Rail

 

The guard’s compartment had an inwards opening door equipped with a droplight. There were also four large sidelights in the bodyside, the outermost two being centrally placed between the two pairs of double doors of each luggage area. The remaining two sidelightss were located towards the centre of the coach being asymmetrically placed each side of the guard’s door, that to the left of the door being of frosted glass to give the guard privacy. All these sidelights were divided roughly Ľ & ľ by a horizontal bar across them towards the top.

 

MLV E68000 interior

Interior of E68000 (Guard’s compt.)
© British Rail

 

Driving cab ends had a central panel with four white lights (placed in a square) with a red tail light in the centre of then (arranged like a ‘five’ on a dice). Above this was a large, combined destination and route display, with a large aperture at the top for destination and a smaller one below for the route. These displays were displayed on roller blinds and illuminated from behind.

The usual whistle was mounted above the driver’s observation light which had a windscreen wiper; the offside observation light was not so fitted. The vehicle was finished in plain green (with no lining) and the first style BR crest was placed below the sidelight to the right of the guard’s door. The two 8’ 9” wheelbase motor bogies were centred at 46’ 6” centre; both carried shoegear. E68000 was not equipped with traction batteries.

 

MLV E68000

Official photograph of E68000
© British Rail

 

Delivery and Testing on the Southern

E68000 was delivered to Peckham Rye shops week ended 29th October 1955 for extensive trials and suffered some faults and a fire. However, it was tested on the BR(S) hauling trains of 6, then 8 coaches from Brighton to London Bridge and back on 24th and 25th November 1955. It was then used hauling goods trains from Norwood to Three Bridges and Horsham, working the 12.45pm Norwood Junction to Horsham on Monday 5th December 1955, before being sent to South Gosforth, arriving there on 3rd January 1956.

 

Official photograph of MLV E68000

Official photograph of E68000
© British Rail

 

Tyneside, Liverpool and back for Scrapping

On 2nd & 3rd March 1956 E68000 worked demonstration trips from Newcastle to South Shields and went into traffic from 19th March 1956.

Following the conversion of the Tyneside electrified lines to diesel multiple unit operation, E68000 was transferred to Southport for use on the Liverpool to Southport line, going there from 10th August 1963 and being renumbered M68000. In service it erroneously appeared with an ‘M’ suffix (M68000M); this number being carried on the cab front between the former jumper cable sockets.

M68000M also carried a full-width yellow warning panel, was equipped with two marker lights (probably tail lamps) one each side above but slightly offset (outside) from each buffer. Although it retained a drop buckeye it had lost its compression bar and also gained two diagonal air-pipes up to the forward observation lights from where the compression bar was once mounted. The waist level dual cocks (fitted as SR standard and used on the Tyneside units) were blanked off with these pipes fitted to take them down to the headstock. Oddly it is the Train Pipe on the right- hand side and the Main Reservoir on the left-hand side.

The Tyneside marker lights had been plated-in and the vehicle endorse ‘FISH TRAFFIC THIS END’ on one of the cab fronts just below and outside of the second man’s cab light as well as on the vehicle sides between two pairs of the double doors. Livery was a darker green to the BR(S) emu green; this matching the Southport electric units.

It was taken out of use in 1965; there being a rare, published photograph (Merseyside Electrics pub. Ian Allan) shewing it in use at for parcels and fish traffic at Formby station on 8th May 1965; one luggage section being marked for fish – the other for parcels.

Once out of use it was stored at Meols Cop (Southport) until officially withdrawal on 25th March 1967 and scrapping by W. Willoughby of Ashington, Northumberland during August 1967 in a yard at Choppington (then adjacent to Portland Park football ground) more renown for breaking omnibuses.

 

 

MLV no.S68009 at Grosvenor Shed (Victoria SE).

© late Alan Hawes collection


Southern Region
Motor Luggage Vans (68001 – 68010)

Two vehicles, numbered 68001 & 68002 were ordered for ‘Phase 1’ of the Kent Coast scheme, and a further eight, 68003 to 68010 followed with ‘Phase 2’. Lot numbers were 30458 (68001 & 68002) and 30623 (68003 ‑ 10), these being ordered 22nd February 1957 (30458) and 29th July 1959 (30623). The first two (68001/2) were delivered in May 1959 and were ready for the commencement of electric services on 15th June 1959; the remainder being in traffic by March 1961.

 

AOn Thursday 2nd March 1961 an unidentified Phase ‘2’ MLV leads a Dover Marine to Victoria headcode ‘74’ Boat Train on the Up Chatham Slow through Bickley Station. Note the Phase ‘2’ MLV’s dropped buckeye coupler.
© Ben Brooksbank (Geograph/CC-by-SA)

On Thursday 2nd March 1961 an unidentified Phase ‘2’ MLV leads a Dover Marine to Victoria headcode ‘74’ Boat Train on the Up Chatham Slow through Bickley Station. Note the Phase ‘2’ MLV’s dropped buckeye coupler.

© Ben Brooksbank (Geograph/CC-by-SA)

 

BR(S) MLV Vehicles

All the BR(S) MLV vehicles were built at Eastleigh on standard 63' 6" length underframes fabricated at Ashford. These vehicles were 64' 6" long over bodywork, the length over buffers (extended) being 67' 1". Gangway connections were not provided for security reasons; the luggage on boat trains being conveyed under customs seal and the vehicles therefore had the standard non‑gangwayed cab end design as used for the BR type 2 HAP and 2 EPB units.

Each vehicle consisted of a driver’s cab 4' 2˝" deep, at the No.1 end (motor bogie) this entered via a small 6' 7˝" wide guard's compartment with a single inward-opening door on each side. Adjacent to the guard’s compartment was the large luggage area, 27' 7ľ" long and provided with two pairs of outward opening doors on each side. Towards the No.2 end (trailer bogie) was the smaller luggage area, 18' 6" long with a single pair of outward opening doors each side. Devoid of droplights, all these outward-opening double-doors were significantly wider than those used elsewhere on Mk1 stock. Finally, there was an entrance vestibule with inwards opening doors giving access to the remaining driving cab.

 

Detail view of the opposite ends of departmental MLV vehicles nos.931092 (NSE) 931090 (Jaffa Cake) at Ramsgate depot yard on Saturday, 24th April 1993.

On no.931092 (No.1 end) some of the battery box covers can be seen alongside the Guard’s compartment (with its external door set further back from the driving cab bulkhead) This compares to the non-Guard’s compartment (No.2) end of no.931090.

Both cabs are 4’ 2˝” deep. However, there is an equipment cabinet behind the secondman’s position which impinges into the Guard’s compartment resulting in the Guard’s door being set further back from the partition. In addition, the secondman’s side light (whose seat is mounted beneath) is smaller than the driver’s side light.

Also visible are the T-section vertical lifeguards of the 8’9” wheelbase Mk3b motor bogies (here on no.931092) in comparison to the flat-section (bar) vertical lifeguards mounted on the 8’6” wheelbase Mk3b non-motored bogies (here on no.931090).

Finally, the larger-than-standard double-doors can be seen (possibly unique to the MLV vehicles?); the left and door of each pair was fixed (i.e. not fitted with a droplight). The side lights (including doors) of each luggage area were equipped with protective wire-mesh grills. The Guard’s periscopes have long been removed.

© Colin Price

 

The MLV vehicles had a capacity of 132 cu. yds, being divided as 80 cu. yds in the large luggage area, 52 cu. yds in the smaller. Through access from one end of the vehicle to the other was possible as each dividing partition had a sliding door. Overall vehicle weight was 45 tons unladen and 7 tons of luggage was permitted.

There were three large sidelights along the bodysides of the vehicles. From the No. 1 (guard’s compartment) end there weren’t any sidelights between the guard’s door and first pair of double doors as the bodysides here each had six hinged covers to allow access to the traction batteries. The first sidelight was centrally between the next two sets of outward-opening double doors, the second sidelight was centrally between the next two sets of outward-opening double doors; the third was between the last set of double doors and the No. 2 end cab vestibule door, this sidelight being much closer to both sets of doors than the first two. All of these sidelights had a horizontal dividing bar across them towards the top dividing them roughly Ľ & ľ.

A blueprint of a passenger luggage van

Description automatically generated

A white paper with black text

Description automatically generated

 

All vehicles were identical in overall appearance, although the first two (type AF) had 1957 ‘phase 1’ equipment. The remainder (type AF-1A) had 1957 ‘phase 2’ equipment but in a ‘phase 1’ style body, these being built with conduits and wiring for Westinghouse AWS equipment (although this was sealed out of use).

Like the Tyneside MLV, the first two BR(S) versions (type AF) were not fitted with a wiper on the Secondman’s observation light (the type AF-1A were fitted).

 

A train on the tracks

Description automatically generated

Possibly in early-May 1959, MLV no.S68001 off the ‘juice’ propelling out of Norwood’s Down Goods Line alongside the south end of the station. The houses to the right are in Carmichael Road with the three-story terrace being Clifford Road.

The furthest (bogie) brake van is a Queen Mary with three steel 16T mineral wagons sandwiched between an ex.SECR (RH ducket) brake van; the sum load of this train being around 100 tons which was the maximum rating for a solo MLV.

With all train’s staff looking north (driver at controls, guard at open droplight and somebody looking out of the secondman’s opening side light) this train could be setting back ready to go out on a test run. Subsequent to this, MLV no.S68002 undertook its own test trips on 25th /26th June 1959.

The forward and rearward periscopes of the MLV are clearly visible (later removed). Like the Tyneside MLV, the first two BR(S) versions (type AF) were not fitted with a wiper on the Secondman’s observation light (the type AF-1A were fitted).

In the foreground note the two side ramps on the conductor rail for the turnouts.

Courtesy of Colin Price

 

Battery Power

To enable the MLV vehicles to run ‘off the juice’ (mainly in sidings at Dover and Folkestone) they had banks of batteries to supply power at 200V for the traction motors, compressors and vacuum exhausters; these being charged by an auxiliary generator coupled to the motor generator when the unit was on the third rail.

To protect the battery supply from the 750v live-rail supply, the shoegear was lifted by air-pressure when battery-operation was selected by the driver (using the battery-on button); essentially a pneumatic equivalent to ‘paddling-up’ to disconnect the MLV from line-voltage. The battery-off button ended battery operation, lowered the shoegear with the line-light re-illuminating upon contact with the (energised) live-rail.

The batteries were located along the bodysides in the larger luggage bay at the No. 1 end of the vehicle and were accessed by six exterior access flaps. When built the first two MLV vehicles (nos.68001 & 68002) had different fuse boxes and battery access hatches from the later eight. In later years further changes to the access hatches appear to have been made to most (if not all) of the MLV vehicles.

Motors & Bogies

The first two ‘Phase 1’ MLV vehicles (nos.68001 & 68002) had the electrical code AF, the remainder ‘Phase 2’ being AF‑1A. All were to Diagram No. 498. Each was mounted on BR Mk 3b motor bogies; the No. 1 end being the 8' 9" wheelbase motorbogie being and fitted with two EE507 250hp motors whilst the No. 2 end was an 8' 6" wheelbase Mk3b driving trailer bogie identical to those used under the driving trailer cabs of the BR type 2 HAP units nos.6106 – 6146.

Both MLV bogies were equipped with shoegear which was lifted off the conductor rail by air-pressure when battery-operation was selected by the driver. Besides the switching from line-voltage to battery voltage, raising the shoegear also placed it out of ‘harm’s-way’ in those sidings where conductor rail run-on ramps may not be robustly maintained else debris /unused con-rail pots etc. could otherwise catch the shoes. However, if a MLV needed to traverse a route not cleared for shoegear then (like other third-rail EMU stock) the shoegear had to be temporarily removed.

This arrangement on the MLV vehicles predated the Electro-Diesel Locomotives (EDL) whose air-pressure lowered the shoegear; this being in-part a fail-safe for when Electro-Diesel Locomotives entered possessions (or routes not cleared for shoegear) where the shoegear needed to be fully-retracted inside of the loading gauge and not just lifted a few inches clear of the conductor rail. [Should there be insufficient air pressure to lower the shoes when an EDL was required for service, drivers could either charge the compressed-air system by starting the diesel engine else use an emergency foot-pump].

Braking

In order to further increase the usefulness of the MLV vehicles they were equipped with vacuum exhausters which enabled them to be used as locomotives hauling vacuum braked parcels vans (for which a vacuum brake connection was provided at each end at solebar level). 100-ton loads were allowed to be hauled by an MLV, though this was reduced to 50 tons up the steeply graded Folkestone Harbour branch.

It was possible to use the first two MLV vehicles (nos.68001 & 68002) to convert the air braking of a train into vacuum by marshalling them between such vehicles and few runs were made in the early 1960s with one of these coupled between an EMU and a locomotive-hauled Bulleid 3-set. The final batch of eight MLV vehicles did not have this facility.

The MLV vehicles had the usual Westinghouse automatic air brake supplemented by the usual EP brake and were fitted with buckeye couplers and standard brake hose and jumper cables. This enabled them to run in multiple with all 1951-on types of BR(S) electric units.

 

 

In its typical position, an unidentified MLV with (yellow warning panel) awaits its next duty at Grosvenor Shed (Victoria) as 4 SUB no.4688 rattles past. Of additional interest, an SNCF Fourgon from the Night Ferry is poking out of the shed

© BloodandCustard

 

Delivery

All the MLV vehicles were delivered in all‑over green livery and initially did not carry unit numbers, just the vehicle number (with an S prefix) in the usual coaching stock position on the bodysides. The first two were equipped with whistles but the final batch of eight was delivered with air horns.

Dates completed were as follows:

68001

25th April 1959

68002

5th May 1959

68003

23rd December 1960 (in traffic by 14th February 1961).

68004

29th December 1960

68005

4th January 1961

68006

16th January 1961

68007

24th February 1961

68008

9th March 1961

68009

14th March 1961

68010

28th March 1961

 

 

Saturday, 19th August 1978 and an unidentified MLV is at the rear of a CEP-BEP-CEP Down boat train formation passing Chart Leacon Works on the approach to Ashford.
© Tony Watson

Saturday, 19th August 1978 and an unidentified MLV is at the rear of a CEP-BEP-CEP Down boat train formation passing Chart Leacon Works on the approach to Ashford.

© Tony Watson

 

Into Traffic

MLV number 68001 was delivered to Selhurst by 5th May 1959 before moving to Peckham Rye on 12th May 1959 for further testing and inspection at Waterloo on Thursday 4th June. 1959. Number 68002 was subsequently used on some test trips hauling freight stock between Norwood and Three Bridges yards on 25th/26th June 1959.

From 18th January 1960, one of the MLV vehicles was diagrammed to work an evening parcels train from Cannon Street to Dartford and back with a trailing load of up to four vans. From 22nd February 1960 a further trip was then diagrammed for the other MLV at 7.0pm from Holborn Viaduct to Wrotham, returning at 8.37pm. From this date the MLV off the Dartford train then ran empty to Holborn Viaduct where both MLV vehicles were coupled prior to working the 11.16pm vans to Victoria; this train having a permitted tail load of 200 tons.

The Waterloo record card for 4 Cor coaching set 883 contains a note stating the set was used for trial runs with 68008 but on 16th May 1960?

 

MLV 68002 @ Snowdown.JPG

Sporting headcode 74 (Victoria to Dover Priory via Canterbury East), MLV no.68002 on a positioning move at the front of a 4 CEP passing Snowdown Colliery. Note the sidings’ overhead wiring for the BR(S) electric locomotives.

© BloodandCustard

 

Following delivery of the second ‘Phase 2’ batch of MLV vehicles their area of operations was increased and they were occasionally used for other special movements; on 16th March 1961 number 68002 hauled Pullman cars Perseus & Zena and a van from Stewarts Lane to Lancing works, whilst on the following day no.68001 was seen on a working from Lancing to Stewarts Lane hauling three loco-hauled corridor coaches.

One MLV (believed to be no.68009) was used for some static AWS tests based at Wimbledon S&T depot during 1961.

 

BloodandCustard MLV
No.68006 leading a Dover Western Docks to Charing Cross service has just passed under Boys Hall Road in the days when it connected with Crowborough Road on the right. Scene is very different today as a concrete bridge now takes Boys Hall Road across both along with High Speed 1 (which runs to the left of the main line).
© Martin Addison (CC by SA 2.0)

From the adjacent footbridge in August 1979, MLV no.68006 leading a Dover to Victoria service approaches Willesborough Level Crossing having just passed under Boys Hall Road in the days when it connected with Crowbridge Road (to the right).

This scene is very different today as a concrete bridge now takes Boys Hall Road across both, along with High Speed 1 (which runs to the left of the main line).

© Martin Addison (CC by SA 2.0)

 

Restrictions

Excepting the ‘C1’ gauge (Southern Route Restriction ‘4’) there were no restrictions for MLV vehicles running solo. However, they were subject to a maximum trailing load of 100 tons gross when hauling tail traffic, except between Folkestone East and Folkestone Harbour when the maximum trailing load was 50 tons gross (information correct to 6th May 1968).

 

 

DT85-22

An MLV leads a TLV and a mixed-livery 12 CEP formation through Faversham
© D. Twibell Collection, Courtesy Transport Treasury

An unidentified MLV leads a TLV and a 12-CEP formation through Faversham on a Dover Marine to Victoria via Chatham and the Catford Loop boat train on the 21st April 1968. The MLV has yet to display its’ identity on the cab front as well as the bodysides. Examination of this colour transparency indicates that the CEP units are in each of the three liveries they carried, namely green, blue and blue /grey.

To the left of MLV can be seen an EDL coupled to a Mark 1 BSK; this being from one of the two paper trains from Victoria to Dover. Both trains terminated at Dover Marine and the stock was made up into one empty van train that went to Bricklayers Arms sometime in the morning. This train also conveyed the ‘South Eastern’ BSK.

The ‘South Eastern’ train was booked as a passenger service to Folkestone Central; thereafter as a staff train for Dover Marine (although few argued if there was a fare paying passenger for Dover!).

The ‘Chatham’ service split at Faversham with a locomotive plus BSK and vans would form the Ramsgate portion. Another locomotive and BSK would then attach to the remaining vans before heading for Dover. At Dover it was shunted into Dover Town Yard by the station pilot (after having been cleaned and watered) and attached to the 11.55hrs freight from Dover Town to Faversham. This train usually only consisted of several Interfrigo ferry vans of fruit and was air-braked. As the paper train vans were only vacuum-braked the BSK coaches had to be dual-braked.

When this train got to Faversham the BSK would be detached and berthed in the short siding ready for the following morning. The loco that worked the train back to Dover arrived several hours before departure, and pre-heated the coach. With a daily return journey of only 50 miles this BSK had a pretty leisurely existence until swapped over to another diagram.

The locomotives used for the paper train varied over the years but could be either a Class 33, 71 or 73.

With thanks to Tony Francis.

 

BR Corporate Liveries

MLV vehicles gained small yellow warning panels on cab ends from January 1964 and several also had the vehicle number painted onto the cab end in the usual unit-number position, though without the ‘S’ prefix.

All later received blue /grey livery with full yellow ends (and numbers), though following accident repairs no.68004 was painted all‑over blue with full yellow ends in March 1967 and carried the vehicle number with an ‘S‘ prefix in smaller figures than normal on the cab end. No.68004 did not gain blue/grey until about August 1970; it also had the high-level BR symbol with the coach number directly below close to the cab end on the bodysides.

Number 68001 was the last MLV to run in green livery up to 2nd March 1970 when it entered Eastleigh Works. Although its blue /grey paint date was 10th April 1970 it did not emerge from the works until 1st May 1970; this was not unusual for MLV vehicles.

Pre-preservation livery painting dates were as follows:

 

Original Number

Green small warning panel

Rail Blue
full yellow end

Blue /Grey

London South East Sector 1

London South East Sector 2

68001

N/K

No

10-Apr-70

Jun-85

No

68002

N/K

No

2-Oct-68

No

No

68003

27-May-65

No

19-Feb-68

Mar-86

No

68004

11-Aug-64

30-Mar-67

15-Sep-70

No

No

68005

N/K

No

16-Oct-67

Mar-86

Wdn#1

68006

11-Dec-66

No

21-Jun-69

No

Renum.

68007

26-Nov-66

No

14-Jan-70

No

Renum.

68008

15-Mar-65

No

11-Sep-69

Jun-86

Wdn#1

68009

31-Dec-65

No

10-Mar-70

No

Jul-86

68010

11-Oct-65

No

18-Aug-69

No

4-Dec-86

 

New Number

London South East Sector 2

Rail Blue

 

Royal Mail Red

Network South-East

Final No. (Departmental)

9001

No

No

Feb-89#1

c.Jun-89

931091

9002

No

No

Part #5

Jun-89 #1

931092

9003

No

Yes#1

Wdn

 

931093

9004

No

No

27-Oct-88#1

Jul-89

931094

9005

Wdn#1

 

 

 

931095

9006

27-Jun-88#1

Scrapped#3

 

 

No

9007

c.May-87#2

Wdn#4

 

 

931097

9008

Wdn#1

 

 

 

931098

9009

(Jul-86)

Wdn#1

 

 

931099

9010

(4-Dec-86)

Wdn#1

 

 

931090

 

Livery Notes

 

Green small warning panel

Yellow warning panels may not have been applied to 68001, 68002 & in particular 68005. If anyone has information on these please contact us!

Rail blue full yellow ends

68004 undertook a repaint (Lancing? 1967) following accident damage before the adoption of blue /grey livery.

Blue /Grey

BR corporate livery

London & South East Sector 1

Two-tone brown /orange (‘Jaffa Cake’)

London & South East Sector 2

Two-tone brown /orange but with black border to orange band

Network South-East livery

Later livery version (darker blue with orange electrification band across the cab front above the forward observation lights (higher than cantrail level but below the unit numbers).

Rail Blue

As painted following arrival at Strawberry Hill depot May 1993 (numbered 9003 at this time)

Royal Mail red livery

Royal Mail livery discontinued following the ‘Merstham’ mail train robbery.

Network South-East

Final main-line service livery of the MLV (1989-on)

Notes

 

#1

Renumbered by this time

#2

1987 renumbering may have taken place at the same time

#3

Scrapped March 1994 following a collision with 4 CEP no. 1559 at Ramsgate on 6th December 1991.

#4

Scrapped in preservation at Coventry 30th November 2006.

#5

Entered Selhurst Paint Shops 2nd March 1989 and part-way through paining into Royal Mail red. However, no.9002 was outshopped on 30th May 1989 (also had a GO) in NSE livery following the robbery near Merstham on 8th March 1989.

 

 

MLV no.68010 at Dover Western Docks on Tuesday, 24th July 1979. Also visible are 4 CEP (Victoria Boat Train headcode 46) and 4 VEP units. Note platform 4 did not have access around to Dover Marine due to the curvature that would have been required.

Margret Thatcher was Prime Minister with Jimmy Carter US President; ‘Are “Friends”' Electric by Tubeway Army was sitting high in the hit parade.

© BloodandCustard

 

BR TOPS

Under the BR TOPS computer system, the MLV vehicles were initially allocated Class No. 422/1 in 1972; this later being amended to Class 419 during 1975. A BR design code was later allocated, these being EX560.0A for nos.68001 & 68002 and EX560.1B for the remainder.

The MLV vehicles were also shown in the BR TOPS computer system twice (once as locomotives and once multiple unit stock) making them unique in this respect. This facilitated their use (in pairs) hauling ‘water trains’ between Dover and Ramsgate, these running about 1984 during a water shortage and took water from a well on BR property at Dover for use in the carriage washing plant at Ramsgate depot. Up to two four-wheel vacuum-braked tanks were hauled on each occasion.

 

 

MLV 68002 & TLV Scan-141224-0008.jpg

With its buckeye already dropped ready for shunting onto the Quay (at Dover Marine Station) over an unmanned public foot crossing by a 08 /09 locomotive, MLV no.68002 and an unidentified TLV leave Victoria on the rear of a boat train.

© Dave Smith

 

Trailer Luggage Vans (TLV)
(68201 – 68206)

On occasions the amount of luggage carried on certain Boat Trains exceeded the capacity of the MLV vehicles requiring the employment of two MLV vehicles. However, this led to an excessive power to weight ratio and the conductor rail index of 16 for a 2xMLV + 12-car CEP (or CEP/BEP/CEP) formation was the maximum that the electrical equipment in the substations could handle.

In order to avoid this, six loco‑hauled Mk 1 BG vans were converted during 1968 and classified as Trailer Luggage Van (TLV). The conversion included air & EP braking and fitment of high-level jumper /air hose connections for use between the MLV and an adjacent 4 CEP unit. The TLVs were numbered as 68201 ‑ 68206.

They were not fitted with driving cabs and this led to staffing arguments with the unions as to whether they were a multiple unit or a hauled vehicle for the purposes of shunting.

The TLV were unpopular due to the problems of shunting them and all were withdrawn from these duties in 1975. By this time, the amount of luggage being conveyed had declined so that one MLV could handle all the traffic satisfactorily.

 

 

MLV no.68010 leading 2 HAP no.6087 at Waterloo East on Friday, 15th August 1986 with the 06.43?hrs London Bridge (low level) to Charing Cross (having previously arrived from Redhill – the 2 HAP providing additional brake force). This was a Sundays-excepted positioning move where the three would be attached to the front of the 07.00hrs Charing Cross to Ramsgate - on this day it was 2 HAP + MLV + 4 CEP (rostered). At Ramsgate the 2 HAP & MLV were detached thence off to the depot.

© John Atkinson

 

CED Parcels Traffic & Modifications

Further decline in the amount of registered luggage traffic led to the increasing use of MLV vehicles on parcels trains on the Central Division (CED); usually operating singly, though sometimes hauling vans. For instance, during 1972 one MLV was diagrammed to run empty from Victoria to Bricklayers Arms and then worked the 05V00 Bricklayers Arms to Epsom van train; this involved some use of the traction batteries in the sidings at Bricklayers Arms.

Two examples of van haulage commenced 2nd May 1977 with the Mondays to Saturday 04.48 Victoria (16) to Redhill (mail) thence to London Bridge (7) arr 06.06 and the Monday to Friday 21.15 Victoria (11) to Redhill via East Croydon with CCTs attached for Crewe & Leeds (one each) thence return to Victoria (7) arr.22.58.

However, a number of instances of overrunning signals and a buffer stop collision at London Bridge (low level) on Thursday, 18th April 1985 led to the ‘blacking’ of the MLV vehicles by drivers. The problems occurred when a defect in the braking system reduced its effectiveness so the MLV vehicles were banned from running solo whilst a programme of modifications was carried out at Selhurst. This was to fit them with an additional brake cylinder whilst separating the braking of each bogie so that in the event of failure, only 50% of the braking system was affected.

Whilst this programme was being carried out, certain mail train workings operated with a 2 HAP ‘runner’ attached to the MLV with 2 HAP units nos.6011 /6087 & 6103 being retained for this purpose beyond their planned withdrawal dates.

All the MLV vehicles were eventually modified and were also fitted with a Speed Sensing device (SSF) to enable then to run under Driver Only Operating (DOO) conditions. This increased their sphere of operations considerably, particularly on the Central Division with regular workings at various times to destinations such as East Grinstead, Seaford, Horsham, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis.

 

AWS

The MLV vehicles were also all fitted with AWS equipment at this time (they were amongst the last units to be equipped) with the AWS equipment being made operational as follows:

68001

July 1985

68006

December 1985

68002

March 1984

68007

April 1984

68003

November 1984

68008

July 1986

68004

April 1985

68009

April 1984

68005

January 1986

68010

June 1985

       

 

A train on the tracks

Description automatically generated

Leading a single ‘Jaffa-cake’ 4 CEP, MLV no.68010 departs from Tonbridge on Saturday 3rd May 1986 with the 07.00hrs Charing Cross to Ramsgate via Dover Priory.

© John Atkinson

 

Incidents

Date

 

c. May 1960

Around May 1960 MLV number 68001 was damaged (location unknown) and sent to Eastleigh for repairs on 6th June 1960; it was released on 2nd July 1960.

25th February 1966

Number 68001 was further damaged in buffer stop collision at Victoria on 25th February 1966.

6th November 1986

On 6th November 1986 number 68005 was badly damaged in a buffer stop collision at Redhill when it struck a bridge parapet. Repairs at Slade Green and Selhurst followed and the vehicle was released 10th June 1987.

15th March 1987

MLV no.68001 was further damaged in a buffer stop collision at Ramsgate depot 15th March 1987 and left hanging partly over the viaduct, but the MLV was soon repaired.

8th March 1989

Merstham; the ‘Great’ MLV Robbery (see below) - no.9004 (former 68004).

6th December 1991

As a consequence of a collision with 4 CEP number 1559 at Ramsgate on 6th December 1991, MLV number 9006 (former 68006) was withdrawn. After a period of storage at Ramsgate (thence Eastleigh) it was moved to Gwent Demolition, Margam for scrapping on 15th March 1994; being cut‑up w/e 26th March 1994.

 

 

Royal Mail liveried MLV no.9004 at Redhill on 17th June 1989. The Royal Mail MLV robbery near Merstham was 8th March 1989 and this picture was taken just two days before no.9004 went back into Selhurst Paint Shop on 19th June 1988 no.9004 having been outshopped in red on 27th October 1988.

© John Atkinson

 

The ‘Great’ MLV Robbery

Due to increasing use on mail trains, MLV numbers 9001 to 9005, 9007 & 9009 were allocated to the ‘Parcels Sector’ under the BR ‘sectorisation’ scheme and two were repainted into Royal Mail red livery, the first no.9004 in October 1988 followed by no.9001 in February 1989. One side of no.9002 had been red painted at Selhurst. However, no.9004 was held up and robbed near Merstham whilst working a Brighton to London Bridge mail train on 8th March 1989 and a decision to repaint the red livery units into NSE livery to make them less conspicuous was taken shortly after; so, they lost this distinctive livery.

 

 

Led by no.9006, two ‘Jaffa Cake’ MLV vehicles haul
three bogie vans (GUVs) north through Wateringbury
©

 

Renumbering & Further Livery Changes

In early 1986 some MLV vehicles began to be repainted into the new L&SE two-tone brown livery (known as ‘Jaffa Cake’), nos.68001 /68003 /68005 /68006 /68007 /68008 /68009 & 68010 being so done.

Early in 1987 the MLV vehicles were allocated unit numbers for the first time as units nos.9001 ‑ 9010, the first two (9001 /9004) were renumbered in February 1987, nos.9002 /9003 /9006 /9008 /9009 & 9010 following in March 1987 with nos.9005 & 9007 later after repair. Several (including nos,9001 /9002 /9003 /9006  9008) also had their bodyside numbers changed in error, these quickly reverted to 68xxx. These unit numbers were applied low down over the forward observation lights rather than high up in the centre as previously.

 

 

Due to the water-shortage, grubby NSE-liveried MLV vehicles nos. 9001 (leading) & 9004 at Dover Priory departing for Ramsgate with a single water tanker 60600 on Friday 22nd February 1991. In the background a recently outshopped NSE-liveried 4 VEP can be seen in the sidings along with an approaching 4 CEP in Priory Tunnel.

© John Atkinson

 

Network South-East

From early 1989 (starting with no.9002) the MLV vehicles were repainted into the red /white /blue NSE livery, though without the upswept arrangement at the cab ends.

From May 1990 the carriage of mails on BR(S) passenger trains ceased and with very little remaining work on Boat trains the MLV vehicles had hardly any diagrammed work, most being used at various depots as shunting horses.

During water shortages in winter 1990-1991 a drought order led to BR using its own spring at Dover (possibly near site of Hawksbury Street Junction signal box). Air-braked water tanks were filled at Dover thence hauled by a pair of MLV vehicles to Ramsgate (and Ashford?) for the carriage washers.

 

 

MLV no.931094 (with either no.9003, 9007 or 9009) at Ramsgate 24th April 1993.
Note the centrally mounted unit number with ‘9004’ painted over.

© Colin Price

 

Into Decline

MLV numbers 9003 /9007 /9008 /9009 & 9010 were out of use during the summer of 1990, stored at Ramsgate and later (Ashford) Chart Leacon. In May 1991 MLV numbers 9001 /9003 /9005 /9007 /9008 & 9009 were officially withdrawn from service and stored, the remaining four being withdrawn from 30th September 1991 for further departmental use.

Following a collision at Ramsgate on 6th December 1991, MLV number 9006 was withdrawn and after a period of storage at Ramsgate (thence Eastleigh) was scrapped at Margam w/e 26th March 1994.

All the remaining MLV vehicles were officially renumbered into the departmental number series as 931091 ‑ 931099 & 931090 respectively though not all were physically renumbered as they were stored out of use. However, nos.931092 (9002) and 931090 (9010) were renumbered at Ramsgate.

At Slade Green no.931091 (9001) was numbered 091 and no.931094 (9004) & 931095 (9005) were in use at Ramsgate.

MLV number 9007 was not renumbered 9007, being stored derelict at Ramsgate. Following collision damage 9006 was stripped at Bournemouth and held at Eastleigh pending disposal for scrapping. Number 931098 was stored at Slade Green.

 

MLV nos 9002 & 9001 working on battery on the Folkestone Harbour pierhead.

These were hauling 4 EPB unit no.5001 as part of ‘The Emerald Water Witch’ railtour down the branch on a typically overcast Sunday, 29th December 1991. Two MLV vehicles hauling a passenger train makes this photograph is exceptionally rare!

© Colin Price

 

In an attempt to find further work for the MLV vehicles, a trial took place on 15th June 1992 with nos.931091 & 931092 hauling the Ashford Breakdown Crane and Tool Van on a circular trip from Ashford to Dover, Deal, Minster and back to Ashford via Canterbury East. Stops were made on Guston bank and a short period of battery operation tried. Although the conclusion was that they would be suitable for such use nothing further came of this scheme.

During May 1993 MLV nos.9003 and 9009 (not renumbered) moved to Strawberry Hill where they were overhauled for depot ‘horses’ and no.9003 painted in all‑over rail blue whilst no.9009 retained the now defunct LSE ‘Jaffa Cake’ colours. Whilst at Strawberry Hill number no.9003 was also fitted with Sandite equipment, though this may never have been used.

 

 

Nos.931092 & 931090 sit unused at Ramsgate on Saturday, 24th April 1992.

Note the red NSE clock just behind no.931090.

© Colin Price

 

Privatisation & Porterbrook

Despite the MLV vehicles now seeing very little use, under the BR privatisation arrangements all (except scrapped no.68006) were allocated to the ownership of the Porterbrook train leasing company from 1st April 1994.

Number 931098 was hauled by a 4 VEP unit from Slade Green to Ramsgate (10th May 1996) and on 23rd May 1996 Ramsgate was cleared of all remaining MLV vehicles with nos.931092 /931094 /931095 /931097 /931098 & 931010 running to Ashford, though not all were under power. These MLV vehicles continued (with the addition of no.931091) from Ashford to Strawberry Hill on 24th June 1996 and all nine MLV vehicles were then subject to inspection for possible use as ‘Sandite’ units on the Merseyrail third rail system.

Late in June 1996 all nine MLV vehicles were hauled from Strawberry Hill to Bournemouth for further storage.

 

 

With the leading ‘931’ painted out, a smartly-presented no.091 rests between its duties as the depot shunting horse at Slade Green on Saturday, 26th September 1992.

© Colin Price

 

MLV Miscellany
(1) Smithfield Sidings

There is an unconfirmed but credible report that an MLV was taken into Smithfield Sidings instead of reversal at Blackfriars (exact date unknown).

 

A train on the tracks

Description automatically generated

26th September 1982 and MLV no.S68003 at Ashford on the 13.30hrs Charing Cross to Ramsgate via Dover Priory service; this being the Sunday equivalent of the weekday position move to return the MLV from its overnight Redhill workings.

© Colin Price

 

(2) London Bridge to Dover & Margate
(Mail Train)

The London Bridge to Dover and Margate weekday mail train was quite long with Margate section (one or two vans) being detached from the rear upon arrival at Ashford (usually platform 3); the locomotive taking the front section forward to Dover. Certainly, between early 1983 (and probably from 1976) until the service finished in 1986 it was at Ashford where an MLV collected the detached vans taking them forward (02:33 dep) to Margate. There were also times when the train only ran to Canterbury or Dover (for example engineering works).

Sample timings supplied by Clive Standen from his guard’s journals are as follows:

 

Wednesday 19th September 1984
Train reporting number 1R31 (Headcode 01)

 

Booked Time

Actual Time

Ashford (68005+1xBG)

02.33 dep

02:14 dep

Canterbury West

02:53 arr

02:34 arr

 

MLV runs round BG

Canterbury West

03:30 dep

03:26 dep

Ashford sidings

03:50 arr

03:46 arr

 

Thursday 20th September 1984
(Dover Special 4 duty)
Train reporting number 5R31 (Headcode not recorded)

 

Booked Time

Actual Time

Ashford (68003+1xBG)

03:54 dep

03:40 dep

Folkestone East

 

04:14 pass

Canterbury West

03:30 dep

03:26 dep

Dover Priory sidings

04:40 arr

04:05 arr

 

Saturday 22nd September 1984
Train reporting number 1R31 (Headcode 01)

 

Booked Time

Actual Time

Ashford (68009+1xBG)

02.33 dep

02:20 dep

Canterbury West

02:53 arr

02:39 arr

Canterbury West

03:08 dep

02:47 dep

Ramsgate

03:27 pass

03:05 pass

Margate

03:36 arr

03:16 arr

 

BG placed into the parcels dock

Margate (68009 ecs)

04:00 dep

03:37 dep

Ramsgate sidings

04:08 arr

03:37 arr

The turn continued with the 05.47 Ramsgate to Charing Cross via Dover as far as Ashford where the night turn finished.

 

 

A train on the tracks

Description automatically generated

MLV no.9010 hauling a bogie van through Tonbridge 17th June 1989
© Colin Price

 

(3) Redhill to Tonbridge

An MLV was diagrammed for overnight mail trains between London Bridge and Ashford. On occasions these trains were diverted via Redhill (instead of Sevenoaks) because of engineering possessions with locomotive assistance being booked between the Redhill and Tonbridge - then a non-electrified section of railway.

Over there years there have been a number of unsubstantiated claims seeking to suggest there were occasions when the MLV had run between Redhill and Tonbridge using only its traction batteries following a lack of available locomotive from Redhill; usually a class 33 was rostered to loco-haul the train across from Redhill to Tonbridge.

The railway line from Redhill to Tonbridge is essentially on a falling gradient much of which is steeper than 1 in 300. However, there are a number of sections that are not - starting with the slow-start climb out of Redhill. There are more climbs just after Nutfield station and on the approach to Godstone station, as well as approximately the two-miles of level on both the approaches to (and through) Bletchingley and Penshurst Tunnels.

Most nights between Redhill and Tonbridge only Edenbridge signal box would have been manned (if at all) and for any failed train the walk to the nearest signal-post telephone could be lengthy (following placement of protection behind a failed train).

The ‘connivance’ of Tonbridge signal box would have needed to provide a clear run into Tonbridge as well. Furthermore, the operating department would not want to risk needing to recover a stranded train let alone a mail train; train crew would have a lot of explaining to do as well!

During the 1980s many of the MLV vehicles struggled to undertake more than a few shunting moves (if any) before the 200v batteries flattened, so even a solo MLV working across nearly twenty-miles between Redhill and Tonbridge would appear highly improbable.

That these diverted workings left London Bridge on the ‘juice (being met by a locomotive at Redhill) may have given the impression of batteries being used to those watching its London departure!

However, if any reader can provide robust confirmation to the contrary, BloodandCustard would be most interested.

Thanks go Clive Standen and C. Watts.

 

 

No.931090 at Ramsgate depot yard Saturday 24th April 1993.
The sleeper ‘walkway’ into the No.1 cab suggests this MLV was not in regular use!

© Colin Price

 

Sale and Disposal

Around June 1998 MLV no.68001 was sold to the EPB Preservation Group and later moved to the East Kent Railway at Shepherd’s Well where it operates with 2 EPB no.5759.

MLV number 931092 was restored to use (circa September 1998) for use as a depot shunter at Bournemouth.

Six further MLV vehicles were sold for preservation about March 2000 with all moving by road from Bournemouth to their new homes, two of which moved on 28th March 2000.

MLV nos.68003 & 68004 went to the Mid Norfolk Railway at Wymondham arriving 17th March 2000 and 15th March 2000 respectively, nos.68005 & 68008 to the Suburban Electric Railway Association at Coventry and 68009 & 68010 to the Colne Valley Railway at Castle Hedingham. No.68007 was later sold to the Bullied Electric Preservation, joining nos.68005 & 68008 at Coventry.

 

 

In Blood and Custard livery, preserved MLV no.68010 at
Eden Valley Railway, Warcop on 2nd September 2018

© Clive Standen

 

MLV Preservation Notes

The MLV preservation notes are as follows (correct to 2012).

Type AF

 

68001 /9001 /931091

East Kent Railway, Shepherd’s Well (Green livery)

68002 /9002 /931092

East Kent Railway, Shepherd’s Well (NSE livery)

Type AF‑1A

 

68003 /9003

Eden Valley Railway, Warcop (Green livery)

68004 /9004 /931094

Mid Norfolk Railway, Dereham (Green livery)

68005 /9005 /931095

Eden Valley Railway, Warcop (Green/L&SE livery)

68006 /9006

SCRAPPED, Gwent Demolition, Margam March 1994

68007/9007

SCRAPPED, Coventry Railway Centre November 2006

68008 /9008 /931098

East Kent Railway, Shepherd’s Well (NSE livery)

68009 /9009

East Kent Railway, Shepherd’s Well (L&SE livery)

68010 /9010 /931090

Wensleydale Railway, Leeming Bar (Green livery)

                

Returned to original green livery with whistles and original style roller-blinds, no.S68001 ‘returned home’ to Ramsgate depot for the Open Day on 8th June 2019.

Note the original orange handrails and unofficial ‘handbrake-on’ indication of a shoe paddle having been visibly placed in the secondman’s observation light.

After the Open Day had finished, S68001 was shunted under its own power in the yard ready to be hauled back to Southall (with S68002) behind Crompton 33025.

The MLV has been subtly updated to meet current safety & NRIL specifications (for example the addition of a high intensity headlamp).

 

© John Atkinson

                

Unit

Preservation notes correct to 2012

68001

Sold about June 1998 to the EPB preservation group and later moved by road to the East Kent Railway based at Shepherd’s Well. It was progressively restored to green livery and used occasionally on battery power to haul 2 EPB unit number 5759 on passenger trains.

68002

Still at Bournemouth Depot 1th January 2004 and used occasionally as a ‘depot shunter’. Moved by road to East Kent Railway at Shepherd’s Well on 3rd /4th February 2004.

68003

Initial sale to a Bulleid Electric Preservation Society (BEPS) shareholder and moved to the Mid‑Norfolk Railway at Dereham and used as a store shed for use with restoration work on 4 EPB unit 5176. MLV did not carry its departmental number on sale. 68003 later resold to a private individual and moved to the Eden Valley Railway at Warcop where it was restored to working order and able to move under battery power. Repainted green during 2003.

68004

Sold to a group of Class 50 Locomotive Association members and moved to the Mid‑Norfolk Railway at Dereham. Currently in use as a PWay store by the railway. One side in L&SE livery, the other side painted into green (maybe all-green by now).

68005

Purchased by a BEPS shareholder and moved to the Coventry Railway Centre at Coventry Airport. MLV had been quite heavily stripped and was sold again in 2001 to the owner of 68003. It was moved to join 68003 at the Eden Valley Railway, Warcop where restoration is under way. One side green whilst the other remains in L&SE livery (maybe all-green by now). Useable on battery power.

68006

Scrapped in 1994.

68007

Scrapped in 2006, S68007 was purchased by a BEPS shareholder and moved to the Coventry Railway Centre at Coventry Airport for spares. Remained there as a store and later sold to EPB Preservation Group and scrapped at Coventry 30th November 2006 with the remains removed during November 2006.

68008

Purchased by a SERA shareholder and moved to the Coventry Railway Centre at Coventry Airport. Carried unit number ‘098’ when sold. Sold to the East Kent Railway in May 2005 but not moved to Shepherd’s Well until 7th September 2007.

68009

Purchased by Colne Valley Diesels and moved to the Colne Valley Railway at Castle Hedingham for use as a store. When sold it was not fitted with a headlight. Moved to East Kent Railway at Shepherd’s Well in early 2009.

68010

Purchased by Colne Valley Diesels and moved to the Colne Valley Railway at Castle Hedingham for use as a store. This coach was headlight fitted on sale. It was later moved to the Wensleydale Railway at Leeming Bar (ownership details unknown). In 2012 being restored, painted green with full yellow ends. However, by 2018 it was in CLC livery.

                        

Overhauled and repainted in NSE livery no.9002 on display at Ramsgate depot’s Open Day on Saturday, 8th June 2019. Note the prominent vacuum hose connection and later-style roller blind (these included two red blanks in lieu of a tail lamp).

© John Atkinson

 

 

Thanks go to research author John Atkinson, webpage author, editorial and additional information from C.Watts, contributions from Tony Francis along with the many photographers listed below their images.

 

 

 

MLV in Model Form

Until 2012 the BR(S) MLV was only available in kit form; the most recent version being from DC kits.

Silver-Fox Models marketed a ready-to-run MLV although this is now understood to be long out of production.

Replica Railways had announced a ready-to run version and displayed full body-mouldings and parts (which are available) before producing a motorised chassis which is currently sold in its own right for use under many multiple-unit types along with items such as jumper cables etc. It was understood that the ready-to-run MLV was awaiting completion when Bachmann announced it was producing its own MLV.

Complementing its 4-Cep units, Bachmann released its MLV during July 2012 (initially in three versions catalogue nos.31-265, 266 & 267) before further versions were produced:

 

Type AF (Phase 1)

68001

BR(S) all-over Green with whistles
Period 1959 to at least 1964/65  

(Catalogue number 31-265)

68002

BR(S) all-over Green with whistles
Period 1959 to at least 1964/65  

(Catalogue number 31-265A)

 

Type AF-1A (Phase 2)

68004

BR corporate all-over Blue with full yellow ends
Period 30-Mar-67 to c.Aug-70

(Catalogue number 31-267Z)
Limited Edition for
Invicta Model Rail Ltd

9004
(68004)

Royal Mail Livery
(Bodyside number is 68004)
Period 27-Oct-88 to Jul-89

(Catalogue number 31-265Z)
Limited Edition for Bachmann collector’s Club

9004
(68004)

Network South-East livery
Later version (darker blue)
& bodyside number is 68004
Period Jul-89 to withdrawal

(Catalogue number 31-268)

68006

BR(S) Green with yellow warning panel & two-tone horns
Period 11-Dec-64 to 21-Jun-68

(Catalogue number 31-266)

68008

London & South East Sector 1 ‘Jaffa Cake’ Livery
Period Jun-86 to Mar-87 (when renumbered as 9008)

(Catalogue number 31-269)

68008

BR corporate Blue /Grey
Period 11-Sep-69 to Jun-86

(Catalogue number 31-267A)

68009

BR corporate Blue /Grey
Period 10-Mar-70 to 1986

(Catalogue number 31-267)

 

A comprehensive review of these models has been taken by the Southern Electric Group.

Unfortunately, some of the green versions appear to suffer from visible white glue around the sidelight apertures; a quality-control problem not often found on blue /grey models where the sidelight glazing surrounds are painted black.

 

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