The section of line from Bournemouth to Weymouth was electrified in 1988 extending the range of the existing third rail electrification (which stopped at Bournemouth until 1988) making it possible to run electric locomotives and EMU sets on the whole route from London to Weymouth. With Class 432 (4REP) and Class 438 (4TC) units due for replacement and the Class 331xx diesel electric locomotives that covered the Bournemouth - Weymouth section on mainline `Push-Pull' passenger workings were due to be withdrawn, the Class 442 `wessex units' were built for the Waterloo - Weymouth services, made up into 5 coach sets with the `outer end' driving trailers having end gangway corridor connections for multiple set working. The centre coach is a combined buffet/restaurant and traction vehicle utilising high power traction motors from the withdrawn Class 432 (4REP) sets which already had a proven `track record' [grin] The passenger services operating on this line are mostly Wessex Electric Multiple Units, or `Plastic Pigs' as they are affectionately known, with old style `slam-door' EMUs still in use for some local and regional services.

There are various replacement sides, cast resin ends and detailing parts available for modellers building Class 442 `Wessex Electric' sets in 4mm (OO) scale, mostly using various RTR Mk3 coaches as the basic structure to work from.