A home found

Angel Trains have now confirmed their plans to retain the remaining Class 309 units, 960103/4 (ex 309616/24) with further requirements for the units in a possible Departmental role. This provides the AC EMU Group, which plans to secure a 3-car set, extra time to raise additional funds towards the purchase, movement and restoration of the vehicles.

There were some fears that, with the new EC directive prohibiting the sale of amphibole and chrysotile asbestos which came into effect on January 1st, the unit would require stripping - which would cause damage. However, the HSE have now stated 95 exemptions remain valid.

To date the AC EMU Group, which already owns Class 308 Driving Trailer 75881, (located at the Pump House Museum in Walthamstow), already has two sites interested, which could take a Class 309 unit between them.

Current position with the 309

• A Limited Company has been set up to own the 309, which also now owns the 308
• Funds now stand just below the guide asking price
• We have space at different sites for at least three carriages, but there are some limitations on access due to the condition of the ground

What does that leave us to do?

• Rise that last bit of the guide price
• Raise transportation costs (fortunately none of the distances are too great, so this is not as bad as once feared)
• Hope that Angel are both willing, and still permitted, to sell

Anybody interested in contributing to the Class 309 Appeal, should write to the

AC EMU Group at
26 Norwood Drive,North Harrow, HA2 7PE