Brighton Belle update

Interim arrangement as they mention eventually running 6 cars

 

Ooh .... put another way, that'd be 60% of the once familiar* 10BEL formation.

There's an interesting photo in the link above, showing a drop-down table in a vestibule, blocking door access, the caption for which mentions a catering function. I wonder how that squares with modern safety concerns?

* only familiar on it's home stamping grounds, I know!

 

Presumably as its a hinged arrangement purely for storing dirty crocks, it could be readily moved if emergency access was needed.
Howard, you're a local lad, you must have travelled on the Belle in its original form- the jazz pattern seating, I'm sure was originally purely in shades of brown and fawn. The pattern looks as I remember, but I can't recall it having the green shades present, unless they had faded by the 1960s. Can you remember it?

 

Rather frustrating to see the problems they had with the original work-first photo of the painting is a bit alarming. Hopefully it'll get sorted properly.

 

I must admit, I saw that and thought umm, that doesn't look good, if the surface isn't keyed filler will just fall out, same with once the fillers gone off, you only use the minimum too get a good flat surface, if its rippled you drill out the spot welds dress the panel flat then re attach,

 

Although old enough, I wan't rich enough! I actually grew up in Saarfeest Lunnun (Woolwich Arsenal & Bexleyheath lines to Dartford, with an endless succession of 2/4EPBs, 4BEP/CEP, punctuated by the occasional appearance of the 4DDs), but Victoria and Waterloo were familiar enough.

From memory, during it's dying years (when it looked bloody awful in ever more faded corporate blue/grey), the BEL's seating in 3rd 2nd class was bog standard tatty blue moquette. The faded grandeur looked so knackered and out of place by then, I always thought the units should've been put out of their misery along with their contemporaries, the 6PUL, 6PAN, 4LAV 4COR and 2BIL. The ride on those, at any sort of speed over Keymer Jnc, had to be experienced to be believed!

Looking at the current rebuild, what we'll see when the BEL hits the rails once more, will be something unknown during my lifetime. The images of the work, in every aspect, looks nothing short of jaw droppingly stunning. Can't wait to see it under the roof at Brighton (itself now clean and properly maintained).

The return of the Belle will be the greatest sight at Brighton since the events over a quarter of a century ago, which brought an immaculate 73101, matching it's rake of Pullmans, or the visit of Taw Valley (which caught the mayor and silver band on the hop, when it rocked up from London Bridge nearly 15mins early!). Along with those and seeing Gladstone (not in steam), the Belle's return is something I absolutely will not miss, come hell and high water ... even if they have to take me Brighton station in my coffin!

 

I've got many memories of the Belle, mainly thanks to my mother's ignorance of train timetables. About four times a year, we'd go up to stay with my grandmother in London, and I distinctly remember her complaining, as we rocked up at Brighton for the next fast to London "Oh no! It's the Belle", as she would have to cough up the half crown supplement, whereas I was in my element! I loved that train, at least before those blue and grey twilight years. The Pullman attendants on the platform, and the smells from the kitchen cars as we walked along the platform- coffee, toast and kippers, mixed with the more acrid tang of brake dust. Even as a 7-8 year old I appreciated the gleam of lamplight on polished woodwork, and the snugness of those 4-seat bays with the table fully laid up, and my mother's cursing as I pressed the "Call attendant" button (well, what small boy could resist!?). I also recall the lurching of the train, and the spilling of tea. How those attendants managed, God only knows... Route knowledge, and sea legs, I guess.
I'll be there at Brighton on the day, and travelling second class, because that's what I remember. And I'm sure the attendants will have an easier time on those B5s, too

 

Second Class? - there'll be none of that peasanrty lark on this sooper-dooper train. It looks to me like it will make the Orient Express look positively down market. I also suspect that it will bear very little resemblence to the Brighton Belle of old.

Peter

 

And probably won't ever smell of kippers either!

 

If it doesn't, I will be greatly disappointed. (at least if it's a journey starting at breakfast time) Laurence Olivier, Brighton Belle, kippers. The three synonymous with old Brighton folklore

 

Where do you suppose Olivier's famous kipper petition would be valued at, were it to turn up on Antiques Roadshow?

I do hope not all the restored Belle's tours start from the capital. What with all the PA announcements, intrusive door alarms and crap seating, even with the admittedly superior ride of modern stock, for me, today's railway isn't the relaxing experience of yore and definitely not something with which I'd want to "bookend" a cruise around the third rail.

Perhaps the Brighton Festival (May) might afford an opportunity for an annual run from here? Twice round via Nohampton, Horsham and Three Bridges ought to usefully occupy the set for a Sunday (one lunch, one dinner).

 

Nicely complemented by the orange curtains!

 

Kippers and brake dust, now there is fragrance everyone can get behind (but not necessarily stand down wind of).

 

Just don't mention that in front of him:

 

Nice view from last August of 3 Belle cars together at Crewe.
L to R, Car 85, Doris, Car 88 (photo by Christopher Baker):

 

Edging ever closer ..... I do hope, come the day, some competent photographer (i.e. not me!) is on hand to capture the Belle's triumphant return to Brighton Station.

 

Or just to be there would be enough. Incidentally, all, there's an appeal out for help with the restoration of "Hazel", and.. erm... the other trailer 3rd.

 

JOOI, has anyone got any gen on how they are getting on?
The website seems to have a last update of nov 2021. Hope all is going well for them

 

I can well imagine that the economic downturn, coupled with the supply chain issues which everyone else is experiencing, has had it's impact, particularly in an extremely complex project like this. The website has historically been only very infrequently updated, anyway. This project is very close to my childhood heart, and I hope sincerely that whatever hurdles they are having to overcome (and there will be), can be successfully negotiated. If there's one thing I am determined to do before I fall off my perch, it is to travel on the Belle again.
Good luck, and very best wishes to everyone involved, from an old Brightonian.

 

I understand testing should be taking place shortly, probably in the new year.