CIG�s were introduced in 1963 and were initially allocated to the Brighton Mainline (C is corridor and IG was the telegraphic code for Brighton). The formation of a CIG was an innovation to the Southern Region as they only had one motor coach (with two power bogies) and it wasn�t at the front of the unit. The formation was DTC+TSO+MSBO+DTC. Subsequent deliveries (phase 2) were introduced in 1970 on the Western division and later in the 1972 for the Central division and Reading lines both times withdrawing �COR� units. CIG�s were never allocated to the Eastern division although after privatisation Connex took some CIG units from the Central division. CIG�s have been reformed over the years. BIG�s (which were CIG�s with a buffet car replacing the TSO) were changed to either operate with a CEP trailer car instead of the buffet car or run without the buffet car which changed the classification of the units from BIG to COP (Corridor open plan). The COP�s were put to work on the �Coastway� section of the Central division however this did not last and the COP�s had a phase 1 TSO put back into the formation to basically make them back into CIG units.

At present CIG units survive on the Western and Central divisions. No phase one CIG�s or COP�s remain in service.

Click Here to view some photos of CIG�s in action