VEP (Vestibule EPB) units were the last of the Mk1 designed EMU’s and were introduced in 1967. They were the same electrically as CIG’s however they were designed for suburban and short distance routes and had 3+2 seating and doors in every seat bay. The VEP’s lead a rather uneventful life until 1978 when a new express service was introduced from Victoria to Gatwick Airport. 12 “VEP” units were painted into a special “Rapid Citylink” livery and reclassed as 427 “VEG” units (Vestibule EPB (Gatwick)) however these units were deemed unsuitable and in 1984 the “Rapid Citylink” (Now known as the Gatwick Express) was replaced with Mk2 coaches in push pull mode. In 1999 Connex South Central replaced the DTC with a DTSOL on some VEP’s for South London Line work and they were reclassified as “VOP’s” (vestibule open plan).

VEP’s are now the most numerous of the Mk1 stock left in regular service with numerous examples left on 3 divisions. VOP’s remain on the Central division although with the current units vs diagrams situation they can be found on just about any service.

Click Here to view some VEP units in action