Who remembers The Brighton Belle ?

Barry Izbak · Nov 13, 2014

How brilliant would it be to see this iconic train running on the Brighton line once again.
And maybe ride on board.

It could happen:

http://www.brightonbelle.com

clippedgull · Nov 13, 2014

It would be fantastic to see the Brighton Belle reborn

The Oldman · Nov 13, 2014

Wonderful memories of trips to London with girl friends in the late 50's.early 60's. May not seem like much theses days but eating Cheese on toast washed down with Tuborg Lager ona train was so cool.

Brovion · Nov 13, 2014

Oh yes. Went on it a few times as a boy. Would be brilliant to see it back. (Or more accurately stopped outside East Croydon because there are 'too many trains')

Dick Knights Mumm · Nov 13, 2014

We went up to town to see a match and got on not really appreciating what it was - and we were asked for a supplement as I remember. No idea if we had to pay.

GT49er · Nov 13, 2014

Yes, remember it well. Went on it a couple of times - would be lovely to see it back.

It would be good to have a preserved line somewhere with other old Southern Electric stock running on it, but I suspect there's not enough of that left to make it viable.

BensGrandad · Nov 13, 2014

Will they still sell kippers for breakfast.

Lord Bracknell · Nov 13, 2014

BensGrandad said:
Will they still sell kippers for breakfast.

Proper kippers - with bones - not boil in the bag processed herring fillets.

Hastings gull · Nov 13, 2014

Yes, remember it well. Used it infrequently, in fact only once, as a kid, as there was as a supplement. The colouring compared to the usual rather drab green, tended to make it special. I recall that in first class, you got this cloth attached to the seat for your head so that you did not dirty your precious self by touching the seat, but the cloths always looked as grubby!

Gary Leeds · Nov 13, 2014

GT49er said:
Yes, remember it well. Went on it a couple of times - would be lovely to see it back.

It would be good to have a preserved line somewhere with other old Southern Electric stock running on it, but I suspect there's not enough of that left to make it viable.

Unless they can find a line with the 3rd rail still in place then it will never happen. Health and Safety would not grant permission for any new lines (or old lines like the Bluebell) to be built with a 3rd rail due to the risk of stupid people deciding to stand on the live rail.

And anyway, the Brighton Belle is an express train and would not be done justice running at 15-20mph on a 5 mile stretch. Get it back on the mainline ASAP

tinycowboy · Nov 13, 2014

My parents used to (actually, still do) go on about getting this train in the swinging 60s with their pals. Still, I'm all for a bit of glamour on the daily commute, so I agree with getting it back on the mainline.

1swedegull · Nov 13, 2014

I think the ambition is to run mainline , the group purchased a post 1967 4 car electric unit (ironically the units that replaced the belle) the electrical equipment will be used from this plus all requirements for mainline running such as safety systems etc also there is provision for the belle to be pushed/pulled by a class 33 or 73.Initial Testing on the mainline is hoped for in spring 2015.

Hiney · Nov 13, 2014

Never travelled on it, but used to love going to Brighton on train spotting days, with The Brighton Belle being the main attraction.

8ace · Nov 13, 2014

I remember one carraige used to be parked at Finsbury Park station in the late 80s for some reason :shrug:

JBD · Nov 13, 2014

Dick Knights Mumm said:
We went up to town to see a match and got on not really appreciating what it was - and we were asked for a supplement as I remember. No idea if we had to pay.

The same happend to me. My first away game with mates, Fulham 1970

Boys 9d · Nov 13, 2014

A couple of years ago I took a short trip on the Orient Express from London Victoria to Folkestone. The train was made up of ex-BR Pullman Cars including one or two from the Brighton Belle.
In my younger days, I would try to time trips to London in order to catch the Belle. despite having to pay the supplement to the normal fare.
Of course in those days there was one train every hour with at least one Pullman Car travelling non-stop between Brighton and Victoria.

Perfidious Albion · Nov 13, 2014

My Dad took me on it once for a treat...never forgotten.

Dick Knights Mumm · Nov 13, 2014

Perfidious Albion said:
My Dad took me on it once for a treat...never forgotten.

Good parenting.

Gregory2Smith1 · Nov 13, 2014

gets a mention in a Stranglers song

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/stranglers/burninguptime.html

Danny-Boy · Nov 13, 2014

Gary Leeds said:
Unless they can find a line with the 3rd rail still in place then it will never happen. Health and Safety would not grant permission for any new lines (or old lines like the Bluebell) to be built with a 3rd rail due to the risk of stupid people deciding to stand on the live rail.

And anyway, the Brighton Belle is an express train and would not be done justice running at 15-20mph on a 5 mile stretch. Get it back on the mainline ASAP

Essentially the units would have to be remotored, as the current is higher now than it was when they were withdrawn in 1972. I travelled on one of the last "specials" which did a railtour.

Amazingly of the 15 carriages (3x 5coach) built, only one has been scrapped so there are a few spares, but the units were "refurbished" about 1968 and a lot of the original decor was taken out. They looked rather ugly in blue and grey, would be great to se the old umber and cream livery back.

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