Class 442 Driver’s Seat Auction

How would you like to own a one-off piece of modern traction railwayana in the form of a Class 442 EMU driver’s seat? Mortons Media, Angel Trains, Gemini Rail Services at Wolverton Works, and South Western Railway are auctioning off this amazing prize, with all money raised going towards RBF.

The ‘Wessex Electric’ fleet has been in service since 1988, mostly on the main line routes out of Waterloo to Weymouth and Portsmouth, but also out of Victoria and London Bridge to Gatwick and Brighton.

Based on British Rail’s iconic Mk.3 coach bodies, these third-rail EMUs are arguably the most stylish ever built, and are widely admired by enthusiasts and passengers alike. Now, however, the post-Covid world sees no further use for them and so, after more than four decades of service, they have been taken out of service permanently and are been consigned to the scrapyard.

Fleet owners Angel Trains and former operator SWR have kindly made one driver’s seat available to raise money for the Railway Benefit Fund through a sealed bid auction.

“What a unique piece of railway history up for grabs and what a privilege it is for the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) to be receiving the amount raised,” says RBF President Pete Waterman.

“We are so thankful to Mortons for organising the auction and to South Western Railway, Angel Trains, Gemini Rail Group and Philip Marsh for making it happen. Every seven minutes somebody in our Railway Family reaches out to the RBF for help and advice and your support will ensure we can continue to meet the increase in demand for our services through the tough times.”