Brighton Belle.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-6m-revamp-wider-seats-todays-passengers.html

 

Looking forward to this very much. Had one ride on the original (as it were) back in 1972. I wonder if they will ever be able to work up to a full 10 coach set.

 

Unlikely - and certainly not as 2 totally separate 5 car units!

3 out of the 6 first class trailers built are in use / ownership of VOSE who are not going to release them, along with one other first class trailer currently stored.

The BB group have 2 of the first class trailers which they are restoring.

Of the 3rd class trailers (only 3 built), the BB group have 2 and VOSE have the other one stored.

Of the 6 driving motors, 2 are with the BB group, 2 are stored by VOSE, 1 scrapped after fire damage in the 1991 and the final one privately owned by an individual in Derbyshire.

The BB group thus have 6 cars to work with and nothing more unless VOSE can be persuaded to release some of the cars they have stored,which is most realistically only going to be the trailer 3rd and a couple of driving motors.

The driving cars would need radical rebuilding to turn them into ordinary coaches (minus cab) as it makes no economic or practical sense to duplicate the catering and staff due to no gangway connection between BB units. There is also the matter that the original kitchens are far too small to supply the needs of charter train passengers anyway - hence a new bigger one has been inserted into one o the trailer 3rds to supply the while train.

 

Thanks for that. I was more thinking in terms of the more cars the more paying customers. But I see the difficulty.

 

Tbf it will be beautiful train when its at 6 cars gliding along the 3rd rail network. I read in the article that its got modern usb charging and LED lights all blended in which is nice

 

The news report, in Post1, has delightful photos; the interesting observation is about the corpulence of present day passengers, forcing a reduction of seating. However they say they can break even financially. It will be travelling in style for sure - providing the use of modern technology is kept to a minimum. Panelling in these and Wagons-Lits style cars is always a joy to see.

 

i think the reduction in seating arose from using first class 2+1 rather than second 2+2

 

They seem happy with the seating reduction and that it work money wise but passengers get bit wider seat to enjpy their journeys on. When do they expect the first 4 cars as a unit to make there first test runs under power? Will make people look when its travelling amongst all the electrostars and desiros

 

in effect , the unit will be all first class

 

All first isnt a bad thing i think. considering its going to be a premium service. A contender to the british pullman perhaps

 

My post #6 mentioned the seat reduction it also mentioned why it was reduced.

 

Post one was quoting the Daily Mail, not the most reliable. Your post 6 was quoting that post. How is anyone to know how accurate that reason is?

 

This looks incredible now it is coming together. I can't wait to see it doing its thing: http://brightonbelle.com/news