Brighton Belle update

Found details and photo, Hopefully will be on the Met Line in September.

https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/840707mr.htm
7th July 1984
Might be a good tour for the Brighton Belle in 2025?

 

I think that market is rapidly contracting/dead anyway. Looking at the stock movements for the WCR/RTC trains last week even those sets seem to be majority 1st coaches now.

 

Indeed. Woking, early 1980's. (Can't be more precise - I have 1998 but it is amongst railtour pics from 1981-4. Doh!)

Eastleigh Depôt, I believe.
Pat

 

Looking at the LSL Saphos site (who will probably be running the Brighton Belle) say Riviera Express, they will be after the first class dining trade at about £400, or more, a ticket, to make the initial Brighton Belle Pulman tours (electric, without steam!) viable. Some passengers will be enthusiasts, some will just want the luxury experience.

Hopefully there will still be "standard class" sub £150 enthusiast tours from other TOCs with Mk1 standard coaches (or Hasting units, 4VEP, or the LU 4TC units) available for 2025.

 

It worked in 1983 with the 4SUB.

 

This probably warrants inclusion here as well....

 

That was a great watch from beginning to the end...thoroughly enjoyed it, thanks for posting the link

 

An unexpected and somewhat exciting update.

I just saw a post on Railcam's Facebook, which showed the 4 restored Brighton Belle cars so far, looking resplendent, out on a test run to Chester top and tailed by LSL's 2 Class 20's. I've shared the Twitter/X link in case it's easier for those without Facebook.

https://x.com/railcamlive/status/1884226504353067402?t=eTwNWvsUERup-ljtrck6JQ&s=19

 

In the middle of winter, with the news all around us permanently gloomy, that is a sight to warm the cockles of any heart ❤

 

If its tested on Merseyrail will that make it The New Brighton Belle?

 

A view from the station at Chester this morning - running almost an hour late. I understand testing on the Chester - Liverpool 3rd rail line will be part of the testing before its public introduction.

 

So it's a 4-BEL at the moment?

 

Think they have another two available/in progress, guessing one is a 'spare'

 

Yes. "Hazel" and a trailer 3rd are in storage. The plan has always been to get the initial 4 into service, and starting to earn revenue before considering next moves. Being unpowered cars without kitchens, the work required, whilst still challenging and costly, won't necessarily be of the magnitude required for this initial "core" set. Also, the lessons already learned can be carried forward.

 

Great to see a Belle end

 

Do you see many Belle ends in Swanage ? You could always catch one to Brighton, you might be able to see more than just the one Belle End might need a 33/1 to give it a shove to Wargret Junction though,

 

I'm in the Canaries at the moment, no end, of bell ends

 

And if several of them got a tv show that was a knock off of a popular US sitcom, they'd be The Brighton Belles.

 

Frinton it is then next year