Brighton Belle update

Outdated, unrealistic, and a minority audience?

 

I do wonder though, what is the market the 5 Belle group are aiming at? that is not already taken by the British pulman, ? is it destinations in which case would a brighton, , Sussex belle or Kentish belle attract enough custom if it covers a destination not in the Brittish pulman ? i dare say a Revamped Bournmouth belle might attract some interest obviously a Brighton Belle may need to cover some additional milage if your hoping to serve a full dining experience , so it may need to run back via Eastbourne etc, or take in part of the coastway to Portsmouth or Southampton before heading london bound.

 

This'll be the radio programme that did an excellent storyline on mental abuse by partners, yes?

 

So long as the soup course includes passing East Croydon slightly too fast for comfort, followed by a good old larching of the points at Purley, it should be a great, authentic experience!

 

Only just caught up with this thread and wasn't sure whether to be astonished or just laugh? Jealous of what, precisely?

I don't agree with the Frankenbelle project - never have done, never will do - and I won't be donating to it, travelling on it or having any other involvement with it. That is my prerogative and - given that I was under the impression that (a) we live in a democracy that values free speech and (b) internet forums are supposed to be about discussion - I don't think it's unreasonable to be allowed to express that opinion.

However, by the tone of the replies from all the budding Kim Jong-uns in this thread, an outsider might get the impression that there was only One True Way and that Any Dissent Will Not Be Tolerated. That 'discussion' is all very well, but only as long as it concurs with the majority view.

That way badness lies, people...

 

there are parallels with this and the Beachy Head thread / events .

in both cases there were some odds and sods of varying interest to railway minded folk , laying around with zero chance of ever being restored to their original form . some of the Belle coaches just rotting away .
what has been done in both cases is to recreate an icon from the past . not in a way that will satisfy the purist , but in a way that will emulate the spirit of the past .

in the case of 32424 the only other way would have been a complete new build using only new parts . at least with the Belle there has been full use made where possible of original material . truth be told 32342 is no different to the Saint project .

the preservation scene is changing . 32342 and the Belle will not be the last where parts are brought together to create something that has been lost .

I just wish there was a Patriot knocking around to turn into a Claughton

 

@DisusedBranch Whilst our opinions differ on the 5BEL, I'm 100% behind your post. Vive la différence!

Where's that b****y firing squad gone?

 

If I remember correctly, there are only a couple of minor parts from long scrapped Southern engines. The rest is new, or recycled....

 

when the project first started , I spoke to one of the team involved . he told me the frames were taken from another loco. and cut down to suit . I cant tell you which southern class provided them . it was a long time ago , but frames are a pretty big component .

 

I think you'll find the loco frames, as with just about everything below the running plate is brand new. The boiler (ex LNER Atlantic), some minor fittings and some tender parts are the only items re-used.
As regards the "Belle" 14 of the original 15 cars still exist so I have no problem with the modifications being carried out that will enable the 6 car unit to return to the main line. If someone has the cash and determination I'm sure that a static "original condition" Belle could be re-assembled from the remaining cars.
Ray.

 

One of two sometime departmental survivors ..... but the wheelsets were clapped out. IIRC, one was once fitted to a C2x (What? Me tempting "next new build" froth? ...... As if!)

 

The ability to agree to disagree is a much under-appreciated virtue in modern society and I have nothing but respect for those who can embrace it. Thanks 30854. I'd enjoy a virtual pint with you if this place had a bar

 

If it did have a bar, you would never got Victor out of it nor several others
I also can agree to disagree, and have done so many a time on here, the thing is to never take it as being personal , only if it does, then would i take that person to task, privatly though , not in the forum

Now back to the 5 or is it 6 belle, the original traction equipment i should imagine has major spares problems, ie, there won't be any, or fitters with experience on it, the 400 traction modifications, are sensible in that there are still people who work on this equipment day in day out, and spares should be easier to obtain and should be for some time from the customer point whats under the solebars isnt important its going to be the standard of whats on offer, and the finish of the units, it wil have to be very good and kept as such, things like modified front ends with modern lighs are there because to run on NR you have to have it as long as its done so it does not stand out like a carbunkle i don't see the problem, its going to be a working emu, not a museum piece .

 

I say, don't mind if I join you old boy? Very kind... Do they do Harveys Old here?

 

Even were yellow ends still an option, I'd take compulsory lights (and a properly decorous Pullman front end) over those every day of the week.

When someone works out how to successfully do what the folks at Coventry tried so hard to achieve, then let's talk about degrees of authenticity. After all, there are enough 'Belle' survivors to assemble a 'no compromise' 5BEL, given the funds to do so, though the problem still remains what to do with it when you have!

 

Its this weeks special Mark, oh and ian ( spamcan) and Victor says thanks , its your round Marks paying chaps

 

OOh, I loved the 70s (I was a teenager then, best ever time to be one) but absolutely bloody hated the 80s

 

you are correct
the conversation I had was very shortly after the boiler arrived on site . maybe using frames from another loco was an idea that was later rejected