Suburban Electric Railway Association      
Located at the COVENTRY ELECTRIC RAILWAY CENTRE, Rowley Road, Baginton, Warwickshire           

Established 1996

Why Not Become A Member Of The
Suburban Electric Railway Association?

The Suburban Electric Railway Association (SERA) is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to the preservation of electric multiple units (EMUs) on a national basis. Since it was formed back in early 1996 (then called Mersey And Tyneside Electric Preservationists) SERA has built a collection of EMUs that not only represents a fair spread of the development of suburban DC electrification but is also the largest EMU collection cared for by a single organisation.

The aims of SERA are not just to build the collection but also to restore and operate them at a heritage site dedicated to presenting the history of the suburban electric train. Such a facility is a long term aim but certainly the target at which SERA's efforts are ultimately aimed.

EMU preservation has for many years been the 'Cinderella' field of UK railway preservation. Recent years have seen a concerted effort to redress this situation with SERA at the forefront of the movement. To continue making progress the association needs members. SERA operates various EMU preservation projects at the Coventry Electric Railway Centre that are of interest to most enthusiasts who have fond memories of their local electric service of years gone by; the 4-SUB and 2-HAP units are examples of commuting before and after the war into London from Kent, Surrey, Middlesex and Berkshire via the 'Southern' third rail network, while commuters from Merseyside will remember the 503 sets that plied their trade between Liverpool and the Wirral for over 50 years and some may recall the Liverpool Overhead Railway than ran above the City's Dock Road until 1956 - examples of both trains are under restoration by SERA. The North East had one of Britain's first electrified commuter networks and an example of the last type of unit built for use on that system is being restored by SERA members. Other vehicles in the SERA fleet that cover the century of electric traction range from the City and South London tube trailer cars of 1902 right up to the pioneer three phase drive unit 7001 converted in 1989 and run for three years to enable the development of the technology that is now common place on EMUs built for the 21st century. One final unit that SERA hopes to be successful in acquiring is one of the class 501 EMUs that ran on the North London DC services from Euston and Broad Street out to Watford, Croxley Green and Richmond. All of this is only achievable with the support of a healthy membership base.

Membership Of SERA

As stated the work of SERA need supporters to continue. To be a supporter of our work it is recommended that you become a member. The benefits of membership of SERA are thus:

• A copy of our group newsletter 'The Contactor', published quarterly, which contains articles on all group activities, sent to your home.

• The opportunity to join in restoration work parties on any of our projects with full training provided where necessary, from wood and metal work to loco driving.

• The chance to take part in the management of all group activities.

Membership of SERA is available to all at an annual
fee of £15 (£8 per year if you are under 16 years of age)
and your contribution really does make a difference.

OVERSEAS MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE

We can accept cheques made payable in any currency - please contact us first to arrange this.

If you would like to become a member of Britain's largest EMU preservation group then click on the 'membership now' link at the foot of the page - this will take you to a membership form that you can then print, complete and then send off to become a member. Please do so today..... and support your local trains !!

MEMBERSHIP NOW