stock was ordered from AC Cars of Thames Ditton, the survivors of which worked the line until its closure in the mid-1970s. Twenty-eight cars were supplied, forming four trains of seven cars each, consisting of three motor cars and four trailer cars in M-T-T-M-T-T-M formation, the motors cars being operated in multiple. Each train could carry up to 260 passengers. At a top speed of , the journey took four minutes each way, and during peak periods a train ran every five minutes, continuing until 11 pm. The record for passengers carried in one day stands at 55,000. There were three common patterns of operation: Peak: all four trains in service. At any time two trains would be moving, one in each direction, while two more were sitting at the stations. As a train was on its way in to a station, the waiting train would depart, so passengers arriving at a station would normally – but not guaranteed – find a train waiting. Off-peak: two trains were sitting locked up, while the other two ran a service. Low season: one train ran a shuttle service on one track while all the other trains were stored, at one end or the other, on the other track. By the 1970s there were only two trains left in service, consisting of cars 1–7 and 22–28. One of the surplus motor cars was converted into a works loco, consisting of a driving cab at the south end and a flat bed mounted on the remainder of the chassis. This was used for the transportation of goods out to the bars and stalls at the end of the pier, and also acted as a permanent way train. In 1978, the electric railway closed, due to deterioration and the cost of repairs. The 1949-built electric cars were withdrawn, although three preserved examples can be found in the Southend Pier Museum. It is noted that in 1982, after rail traffic had ceased, a 2w-2PMR Wickham trolley was present on site, although marked as Out of Use. The railway was reopened by Princess Anne on 2 May 1986 after rebuilding to gauge. Two new diesel trains were built by Severn Lamb and introduced on a simplified line comprising a single track with a passing loop and twin-track terminal stations. As originally delivered, the trains were liveried in all-over burgundy with a white waist-band, but were repainted to