The Clacton Express Preservation Group

British Rail Days

The British Railways AM9 Class was a class of EMU intended to operate on the East Coast Main Line. However, the route didn't under which the class could run. Instead, they were reassigned to the newly electrified Great Eastern Main Line. Here, they were used on express passenger services between London Liverpool Street and Clacton-on-Sea via Colchester, earning the class the nickname of the "Clacton Express" units. Between 1962 and 1963, twenty-four sets were constructed at York Carriage Works. 309624 was built in December 1962 and was built as a four-car set numbered simply as 624. The set included Brake Driving Trailer Composite (BDTC) 75965, Motor Brake Corridor Second (MBSK) 61928, Trailer Second Open Lavatory (TSOL) 70256, and Driving Trailer Composite Second Open Lavatory (DTCsoL) 75972. As well as the rest of her class, 624 initially had the GE prefix, which was exclusive to this class. She was also initially painted in maroon like the rest of her class and rode on a set of Commonwealth bogies, which gave a smooth ride. Initially, 624 was allocated to Clacton-on-Sea like the rest of her class. Under the TOPS system, 624 became 309624.

Network SouthEast Days

In either 1986 or 1987, the unit was refurbished at Wolverton Works. The date of the refurbishment is unclear. Soon after her refurbishment, 309624 was used along with the rest of her class between Ipswich and Harwich. When new 321/3 Class EMUs came into the picture, 309624 became surplus to requirements. Later acquired by Regional Railways, 309624 was used between Manchester Piccadilly and Crewe via Stoke-on-Trent, as well as to Birmingham International. In 1990, 309624 was one of three Class 309 units to haul the "Cheshire Cheese" service between Colchester and Crewe for the railway works' open day, the others being 309621 and 309623. In 1994, 309624 returned to the Great Eastern Main Line for an excursion between Liverpool Street and Norwich and return via Stansted, Ely, Hitchin, and Southend. However, after the trip, 309624 was placed into storage at Blackpool.

Regional Railways

In 1995, the 309 Class was inherited by Regional Railways. In 1996, 309624 was repainted into a unique Manchester Airport livery to celebrate the opening of a new line to Manchester International Airport. 309624 was used on trains between Manchester and London Euston.

Privatisation

In 1997, the network was privatized. 309624 then fell into the hands of North West Trains (NWT), which was later renamed First NorthWestern. She lasted until 2000 when she was taken out of regular service alongside 309616 and placed into storage at Shoeburyness.

Departmental Use

Following withdrawal from regular service, 309624 and sister 309616 went into departmental use after refurbishment at Eastleigh Locomotive Works. 309616 was renumbered 960101, and 309624 was renumbered 960102. During this time, the unit was reduced from a four-car set to a three-car set. Renamed "New Dalby", she lasted in service until being withdrawn in 2004 and placed back into storage at Shoeburyness.

Preservation of the Unit

In 2009, the unit was preserved and moved to the Lavender Line. However, in August 2021, it was announced that 309624 was going to be sold for scrap. The Clacton Express Preservation Society was formed to save the unit. However, as of right now, it remains at the Lavender Line in need of a new home.

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