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The carriage was built in 1961, as part of the first batch of Class 308 numbered 133-165 and later acquiring unit numbers 308133-165. These units were built to operate commuter services on the GE main line from London Liverpool Street to Shenfield, Witham, Colchester, Walton-on-the-Naze and Clacton. Each unit was formed of four carriages; two outer driving trailers, an intermediate trailer, and a motor coach. From 1981-83 the units were refurbished, which included opening out the compartments and fitting gangways between the carriages, new seats and lighting and moving first class seating from the intermediate trailer to one of the driving trailers.

308136 at Leeds
Photo: Graeme Gleaves

As late as 1985 the units were still operating the same services as they were built for, with the exception of the Tilbury boat train units which were by then in parcels use. With first class the 308/1 were operating GE lines outer suburban services and Colchester - Clacton and the 308/3 on the Hertford, Enfield Chingford and Bishops Stortford lines alongside the 305's. One unit went through the sand drag at the end of the down loop at Broxbourne whilst working the 03.37 Liverpool St -Bishops Stortford service in 1976 and ended up in a field for nearly 6 months. By the early 1990s however, only the Class 308/1 units were still in passenger service. These were gradually replaced on GE services by the new Class 321 units. Some of the displaced units were transferred to the LTS line, whilst others were transferred to the West Midlands to work commuter trains pending the introduction of new Class 323 units. The LTS units were later displaced by Class 312 units. In 1994/95, the lines from Leeds to Bradford, Skipton and Ilkley were electrified but no new stock was been ordered. Instead, BR decided to overhaul some Class 308 units for use on these services. The work was carried out at Doncaster Works, and involved reducing the unit length to three carriages, with the removal of the intermediate trailers, which were scrapped. The trains were also painted in the attractive WYPTE maroon and cream livery. In 1996, with the privatisation of Britain's railway network, the Class 308 fleet passed into the ownership of the Angel Trains and were leased to Regional Railways North East. This became the Northern Spirit franchise and later Arriva Trains Northern. By the late 1990s, it was clear that the elderly Class 308 units needed replacing. Due to their age, they were increasing unreliable and expensive to maintain. Replacement came in the form of sixteen new 3-car Class 333 units, which were introduced from 2000. They slowly replaced the Class 308 units, which were withdrawn and sent for storage at Pig's Bay near Shoeburyness. The final three units, nos. 308138/157/158, were withdrawn in late 2001, and were sent for scrap at Immingham. Since then, the stored units have slowly been scrapped at various locations, with the final vehicles disposed of in 2004.

308146 at Tilbury Riverside
Photo: Bill Wilson

75881 was saved for preservation in late 2004 moving to the Pump House Museum Walthamstow, where it remains to this day. A large amount of spare where obtained over the years to allow for a fully restoration at a later stage. As many members of AC EMU Group where also involved with the Electric Railway Museum talks open in late 2009 which resulted in early 2010 the vehicle joining the Electric Railway Museum collection. The Vehicle will now continue with it cosmetic restoration and remain at the Pump House Museum.

75881 at the Pump House Walthamstow
Photo: Mark Armstrong