RTC Sussex Belle: 06/12/23

Having a look on the RTC website the image for The Sussex Belle has changed from one of 44932 to 44871, so presumably the latter is due to due to haul it, although no particular loco is listed in the description (just a Black Five locomotive).

Got a day off work, so thinking of popping down to see it during it's stop at Haywards Heath

 

Deffo 44871, only loco at Southall now.

 

With many fewer trains tomorrow on the 'Sussex Belle's route, I'm wondering if the RTT times will have much meaning. For example, it is routed down the slow line to Purley then onto the fast on RTT. Is it likely that it will just be given the fast all the way? Just wondering about the collective's opinions. The only 'anchoring' times are presumably the London departure, the waterings and the Hastings departure back to London.

 

There will still be GWR services around Redhill and Gatwick plus freight services and Rail Head Treatment Trains. ( I know RHTT's seems to operate as and when but they do have schedules.) Transport for London services will mean that the ECS workings between Southall and Victoria will have to adhere to the loaded timings.

Cheers, Neil

 

Indeed, but as the steam is pathed down the Quarry line from Stoats Nest Junction, Redhill/GWR won't affect it. I was particularly wondering if the planned pathing stop at Purley p4 to await a path across to the Quarry line is still likely to happen, or will it just take the fast all the way (or, of course, just stay on the Redhill route). I will have to wait and see. There are even fewer/no service trains on the return leg, at least until Thameslink territory is entered.

 

The Purley stop looks like it's to allow a Gat Ex to go ahead of it, so presumably it will stop there to wait for it.

Looked at the timings a few days ago and there was originally a stop at South Croydon for a train that didn't exist, but now the stop is at Purley, so it's probably been retimed to the days strike timetable.

 

RTT times for the Sussex Belle tour (6 Dec)
Victoria - Eastbourne: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U14383/2023-12-06/detailed
Eastbourne -Hastings (diesel): https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U14385/2023-12-06/detailed
Hastings - Victoria https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U14386/2023-12-06/detailed

 

Despite being 5mins late around Gatwick, the train arrived at Haywards Heath about 3 mins early (it was arriving in just as I got to the station). Also left about a minute early (the limited Thameslink service seemed to find itself running late).

Also had a chance to see some rarer movements I usually don't get to see, including a freight with a Freightliner Class 66 and one of the Network Rail Class 153's passing 44871 as the tour departed.

 

At Coulsdon, having just gained the Quarry line at Stoats Nest Junction. Video to follow.

 

Saw her at St Leonards the only steam hauled charter we ever get down this way now, nice touch that she is running with SR route disks.

 

Interesting picture Dan - the station looks a lot different now to what it was when I grew up nearby, but that was some 60 years ago now. Thanksfor posting

Peter

 

Seen speeding through Dunton Green this evening. I got caught out by the Thameslink service coming the other way

 

Also interesting to see that the nearest road still has bullhead rail.

 

Given the complete lack of SE trains today, you were unlucky to be 'bowled' there!

 

No problem, thank you Peter. The stations appearance has only really changed thanks to the footbridge and car park (where I was just in front of) about 8 years ago (inside the footbridge are some nice pieces of art relating to the LBSCR history).

Despite living in the town until very recently, it's the first time I've ventured out for a local railtour since the redevelopment.

 

Yes...!! But at least it wasn't a few seconds earlier - it could have been so much worse... haha As it is, I quite liked it with the contrast of old and new and the Thameslink unit's tail lights reflecting on the railtour...
Thanks for watching

 

The weather couldn't have been better! Captured at Coulsdon, Berwick, Eastbourne and Stonegate:

 

That style of disc is GE Region. Southern didn’t have the holes in for the handle and at the bottom by the bracket either.

 

But perhaps more interestingly, the headcode discs indicate Victoria to Eastbourne or Hastings via Redhill. Normally, this is the route taken by any steam running down the Brighton Main Line due to the problems of pathing a steam-hauled train - especially one limited to 60mph - along the Quarry Line with its frequent 90mph trains. Ironically, due to the strike, passengers were able to enjoy a rare treat of steam haulage over this route, as clearly shown in @Deepgreen's photos and @TheModster's video. The correct disc headcode for Victoria-Eastbourne via the Quarry Line is the same as that for the L&SWR West of England route.

Anyway, end of Pedant Mode! We see very little main line steam down here in East Sussex and I for one certainly appreciated the sight and sound of 44871 on such a fine winter day, regardless of the accuracy of the discs. Thank you, RTC, West Coast and Ian Riley.

 

Very nice - but the weather could have been better - snow on the ground! Only kidding - lovely scenes as usual. You were just down the road from me at Coulsdon. It was entertaining there because quite a few gathered on the bridge and when the train appeared to be staying on the Redhill line (as they hadn't realised how close the crossovers were), there was a sense of panic that they were wrongly positioned! My video is here: