What memories this film brought back.....My name is Mike Bassett and not only did I drive the "Belle" on numerous occasions during the late sixties early seventies as a driver based at Brighton, but I was privileged to be the driver on her final in service trip on 30th April 1972. It was the end of an era which can never be replicated. She certainly looked resplendent in the chocolate and cream livery........happy days.
Michael Bassett: Good to read your comment and memories of the Brighton Belle and being very much a Brighton fan I really do envy you for your railway career at Brighton. For instance, even in the sixties you must have seen some of the old Brighton classes, even if the Billinton K class Moguls all went in 1962 there were still something to witness Brighton steamwise. I was actually hoping there might be some whisp of old Brighton steam on this film but of course for 1972 that was expecting much too much. The film itself, its content and presentation is excellent and very well done and the rendering of "Good Old Sussex by the Sea" is superb the way it fits in with the movement of the train. Later on after some space separating it from Sussex by the Sea comes more really beautiful music - If only someone might kindly post the name of the composition I'd be very grateful - and movingly suitable music too for the doc. Thanks Michael for your comment and Cheers!
I have a feeling you might’ve passed me out on my ‘Juice Course’ in the 80’s. Sure there used to be a rake of these vehicles stored at Stewarts Lane in various stages if restoration - happy days indeed, especially the pre TPWS era speed control 👍
Thank you so much for this. This is exactly how I remember the train as as a a small boy- rocking up at Brighton station for one of our visits to London, and my heart lifting as I see the Brighton Belle in the platform, my mother cursing, as she had to cough up the 2/6d supplement! I loved the interiors, the table lamps, bright shiny cutlery, but even as a lad, it seemed to be quite a squeeze getting into to our seats past the table. I remember distinctly the smell which always seemed to hang around the train; a mixture of toast, coffee, kippers and brake dust. I'm sure the revived Belle will will not have the same ambiance as before, but yet I will make sure that I take a trip on it. Just for old times sake.
What a great film - really captures the spirit of this train. I hope the re-introduction is successful this year (assuming it passes all the regulatory tests). It'll be interesting to see it amongst all of the bland looking metal tubes that plough the route between London Victoria and Brighton.
Great film which brought back a lot of memories. I grew up in the Croydon area and often saw "The Belle" en route. My 12th birthday was celebrated on board, followed by a trip on the Volks railway. My grandad was a Brighton based driver in the 60's and 70's, and used to drive the 5-Bels from time to time; if I knew he was on this turn I'd try to give him a wave from Coulsdon North footbridge near to where I lived. I wonder if he was driving in one of these film-clips.
Marvellous footage accompanied to the tune of "Sussex by the sea". Nice seeing Brighton station as it used to be with all the old trucks and Victorian buildings which have now been demolished and replaced by office blocks.
Grew up by Hove Station in the 60s, and the Brighton Belle carriages were stationed in the side rails alongside Clark's Bakery. My brothers and I would climb over the old flint walls, grab cakes, steak pies, and Cornish pasties from the racks that'd just come out the oven. Back over the wall and we'd eat our stolen hot feast in the Brighton Belle carriages! Happy days!!
Although I never rode the Belle, she always made a fine sight. To me, interested more in the route and the places, it was great to see Victoria Station as it was in my youth, with the inner and outer platform arrangement. The stock for a second departure could stand in the outer part (before the wiggle just seen at 5.26) Then a train at the inner end of the same platform, could depart, passing the 'empties' by a middle road common to two platforms. Thank you for this historic film. Shame they repainted into the blue & white. BR often had little sense of history. The world's only electric All Pullman Train?
As a child I often used to see the Brighton Belle crossing the two bridges over the A23 in Coulsdon on the Quarry Line that bypassed Coulsdon South station.
I like both livery’s probably bc there are 4 blue and wight golden arrow pullmans in my bedroom 00 scale of corse and a original pullman livery one I forgot what it was called tho I think it started with a L or somthing but it was used in the queen of Scots service from the leaflet of pullmans I found just came to me I think it was called lucile or somthing like that but I prefer the yellow panel end of the Brighton Belle to the original it just gives it a bit more colour without overdoing it I will be making said train in stormworks today I will start with a parlour car then modify it for the different cars (I’m British but pullman always refers to there coaches as cars so I’m doing the same I do say coaches in every other case) also I’ll use the parlour and kitchen cars in my Devon belle im making the Battle of Britain is ready just the coaches are needed and I will make the observation car as I have been in the one that is at swanage 99% of the time
Quite a nice video, although it sounds to me like some of audio has been dubbed on as some of the footage sounds like the B5 type bogies as fitted to the CIG/BIG/VEP stock with there sharp loud ringing noise whereas the older bogies of the BEL had a softer, lower toned sound
How often did they run as a 10 car train (2x 5BEL) ? I rode it a few times when I was a student in the couple of years before it was killed off, though it cost 5s or 25p Pullman surcharge on top if the 1£ BR fare (student grant £360 p.a). One had to hold the teacup in the hand when full as in the saucer it spilled because the ride was a bit rough. BR were not bothering to smooth out the track or replace the worn bogies which was the main reason they stopped it. I liked trains with real chairs, even the later London-Brighton trains had real chairs in the buffet.
I travelled on the Brighton Belle in 72, for an interview at Sussex Uni. Beautiful coaches, outside and in, but I have to say it was a rough ride. The waiters somehow managed to keep the drinks and snacks on the trays, don’t know how. I didn’t know either that it would soon be over... a shame but everything comes to an end sometime.
Trying to work out the station closed at 1:05 as that doesn't look like Coulsdon North which is the only one I can think of that was closed down on the fast lines :S
The loco is class 70 Electric only 3 built this is probably 20003 which was built at Brighton they were withdrawn in 1968. This is very rare and is the first time Iv seen this class in any railway film. I agree this video is a joy to watch.
Great film of the Grand Old Lady (until BR changed to that dreadful new 'Corporate' blue colour scheme)..... Also some nice footage of the old Loco works at Brighton....
To be honest I realy like the blue and the reason for that I’d think is one day me and my dad we looking at is old train set and there was a lot in the loft there and we found 8 pullmans 4 chocolate and cream 4 blue and grey dad took the 4 chocolate and cream I took the blue and grey I do not know how to this day how one of the chocolate and cream ones ended up in my room with the blue and grey ones it’s a kitchen car named Louise from a leaflet we found it was used on the queen of Scots train while the blue and grey ones as seen on the side were golden arrow - flèche dor (I forgot how to spell that sorry) and who knows we’re the other 3 chocolate and cream ones are but every one is intitled to there on opinion and all should respect that (but I wish the nonscence of mallard hitting 126mph would stop it got to 125.2 it needs to be .5 or higher to classify as 126 a bulleid pacific reached 125.6 tho I wonder if ppl are getting confused with that it’s unlikely but possible but I still rlly love the 5bel can’t wait to see a 5 car set rolling into London vic for the 1st time we’ll in my life )
Always looked their best in BR blue and white, clean and modern and what a set of coaches. Very shortsighted attitude by BR or rather Selfservatism land who couldn't see beyond the cram them in and hope for the best attitude, people used this as a good day out to the seaside, to take the family for a proper and decent sit down dinner on the train but nope... the Pullmans had to go and so they did with the blue, the Brighton, the Bournemouth and others went and British Railways took a flurry of steps backwards. Today tourists would be clamouring to ride the London to Brighton one, it was a reminder too to Johnny Foreigner that when WE did trains, we put even the American's to shame for absolute comfort and luxury.
The Brighton belle is coming back as all 15 coaches made for it were preserved none were scrapped because they are owned by Pullman and VSOE are looking to bring one back into mainline service it will most likely be kept at the same place the oriant express is kept at Stewart’s lane I think the place is called
I got on this train at Victoria , as it was the next for Brighton , a GEEZER punched my ticket , then demanded 3/- ( 15p ! ) extra ... Grrr ! ....I still have the surcharge ticket ! ....... DAVE™ ...........
What memories this film brought back.....My name is Mike Bassett and not only did I drive the "Belle" on numerous occasions during the late sixties early seventies as a driver based at Brighton, but I was privileged to be the driver on her final in service trip on 30th April 1972. It was the end of an era which can never be replicated. She certainly looked resplendent in the chocolate and cream livery........happy days.
Michael Bassett qqqqq
Michael Bassett:
Good to read your comment and memories of the Brighton Belle and being very much a Brighton fan I really do envy you for your railway career at Brighton. For instance, even in the sixties you must have seen some of the old Brighton classes, even if the Billinton K class Moguls all went in 1962 there were still something to witness Brighton steamwise. I was actually hoping there might be some whisp of old Brighton steam on this film but of course for 1972 that was expecting much too much. The film itself, its content and presentation is excellent and very well done and the rendering of "Good Old Sussex by the Sea" is superb the way it fits in with the movement of the train. Later on after some space separating it from Sussex by the Sea comes more really beautiful music - If only someone might kindly post the name of the composition I'd be very grateful -
and movingly suitable music too for the doc.
Thanks Michael for your comment and Cheers!
Hi Michael, who on earth had the idea to replace the chocolate and cream livery by blue and grey? Must have happened in the late sixties.
I have a feeling you might’ve passed me out on my ‘Juice Course’ in the 80’s. Sure there used to be a rake of these vehicles stored at Stewarts Lane in various stages if restoration - happy days indeed, especially the pre TPWS era speed control 👍
Fantastic film, so looking forward to the restored unit being in service again.
Thank you so much for this. This is exactly how I remember the train as as a a small boy- rocking up at Brighton station for one of our visits to London, and my heart lifting as I see the Brighton Belle in the platform, my mother cursing, as she had to cough up the 2/6d supplement! I loved the interiors, the table lamps, bright shiny cutlery, but even as a lad, it seemed to be quite a squeeze getting into to our seats past the table.
I remember distinctly the smell which always seemed to hang around the train; a mixture of toast, coffee, kippers and brake dust.
I'm sure the revived Belle will will not have the same ambiance as before, but yet I will make sure that I take a trip on it. Just for old times sake.
What a great film - really captures the spirit of this train. I hope the re-introduction is successful this year (assuming it passes all the regulatory tests). It'll be interesting to see it amongst all of the bland looking metal tubes that plough the route between London Victoria and Brighton.
Great film which brought back a lot of memories. I grew up in the Croydon area and often saw "The Belle" en route. My 12th birthday was celebrated on board, followed by a trip on the Volks railway. My grandad was a Brighton based driver in the 60's and 70's, and used to drive the 5-Bels from time to time; if I knew he was on this turn I'd try to give him a wave from Coulsdon North footbridge near to where I lived. I wonder if he was driving in one of these film-clips.
Marvellous footage accompanied to the tune of "Sussex by the sea". Nice seeing Brighton station as it used to be with all the old trucks and Victorian buildings which have now been demolished and replaced by office blocks.
Grew up by Hove Station in the 60s, and the Brighton Belle carriages were stationed in the side rails alongside Clark's Bakery. My brothers and I would climb over the old flint walls, grab cakes, steak pies, and Cornish pasties from the racks that'd just come out the oven. Back over the wall and we'd eat our stolen hot feast in the Brighton Belle carriages! Happy days!!
I never knew they went blue, been in Oz for 54 years. Enjoyed the film very much.
Although I never rode the Belle, she always made a fine sight.
To me, interested more in the route and the places, it was great to see Victoria Station as it was in my youth, with the inner and outer platform arrangement. The stock for a second departure could stand in the outer part (before the wiggle just seen at 5.26) Then a train at the inner end of the same platform, could depart, passing the 'empties' by a middle road common to two platforms. Thank you for this historic film. Shame they repainted into the blue & white. BR often had little sense of history. The world's only electric All Pullman Train?
As a child I often used to see the Brighton Belle crossing the two bridges over the A23 in Coulsdon on the Quarry Line that bypassed Coulsdon South station.
Know this spot well. Used to lived in Purley for many years long after the Belle ceased running. Now enjoying life in Edmonton, Alberta 🇨🇦
Such an elegant looking train, I think BR shot themselves in the foot painting it Blue and White before scraping the service.
I like both livery’s probably bc there are 4 blue and wight golden arrow pullmans in my bedroom 00 scale of corse and a original pullman livery one I forgot what it was called tho I think it started with a L or somthing but it was used in the queen of Scots service from the leaflet of pullmans I found just came to me I think it was called lucile or somthing like that but I prefer the yellow panel end of the Brighton Belle to the original it just gives it a bit more colour without overdoing it I will be making said train in stormworks today I will start with a parlour car then modify it for the different cars (I’m British but pullman always refers to there coaches as cars so I’m doing the same I do say coaches in every other case) also I’ll use the parlour and kitchen cars in my Devon belle im making the Battle of Britain is ready just the coaches are needed and I will make the observation car as I have been in the one that is at swanage 99% of the time
I used to take this train when I felt like splurging. Even 2nd Class was like a palace.
Went on our honeymoon to Brighton Butlins Hotel at Saltdean on the Brighton Belle. October 24th 1965.
Nice. Love the traction motor whine. That train hauled arse, too!!!
How do you mean it hauled arse? What an odd turn of phrase.
@@phillipjones3439 carried passengers? Every human being needs one
George Frideric Handel: Music for The Royal Fireworks: II. Bouree. Regal music for an Empress of the rails.
Quite a nice video, although it sounds to me like some of audio has been dubbed on as some of the footage sounds like the B5 type bogies as fitted to the CIG/BIG/VEP stock with there sharp loud ringing noise whereas the older bogies of the BEL had a softer, lower toned sound
... and most of the track was jointed in the'60s too, but fair play it's nice to have some sound instead of none at all
There is absolutely nothing like this now is there.
Apart from the V.S.O:E.
@@delboytrotter8806 Yes but commuters can hardly catch that. Can they?
There is somthing like the Brighton belle still in existence the Brighton belle it’s coming back to mainline service to and from Brighton
That BR livery is beautiful!
How often did they run as a 10 car train (2x 5BEL) ?
I rode it a few times when I was a student in the couple of years before it was killed off, though it cost 5s or 25p Pullman surcharge on top if the 1£ BR fare (student grant £360 p.a). One had to hold the teacup in the hand when full as in the saucer it spilled because the ride was a bit rough. BR were not bothering to smooth out the track or replace the worn bogies which was the main reason they stopped it. I liked trains with real chairs, even the later London-Brighton trains had real chairs in the buffet.
I travelled on the Brighton Belle in 72, for an interview at Sussex Uni. Beautiful coaches, outside and in, but I have to say it was a rough ride. The waiters somehow managed to keep the drinks and snacks on the trays, don’t know how. I didn’t know either that it would soon be over... a shame but everything comes to an end sometime.
Rolling stock was getting old and declining passenger numbers sealed this famous trains fate
Trying to work out the station closed at 1:05 as that doesn't look like Coulsdon North which is the only one I can think of that was closed down on the fast lines :S
Looks like Tinsley Green between Gatwick and Three Bridges
My father Arthur Gray was the chef in first class in the 60s
Super awesome, what is look like Orient Express Services expect of it! ^_^
What's that tune around 3 mins in: 'Sussex by the Sea'?
What a superb video 2:33 what loco is that, not a 28 is it?
The loco is class 70 Electric only 3 built this is probably 20003 which was built at Brighton they were withdrawn in 1968.
This is very rare and is the first time Iv seen this class in any railway film.
I agree this video is a joy to watch.
20003 an English electric design withdrawn in 1968.
The class 70 electric designed by the amazing chief mechanical engineer of the southern railway Oliver Bulleid
The old Gatwick Airport station at 1:05
I'd say that 2:04 is Preston Park/Patcham
What is the score playing from 5:01?
Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks.
I really want to hate the BR blue livery, but some thought had clearly gone into it. It just wasn't the Pullman livery.
Great film of the Grand Old Lady (until BR changed to that dreadful new 'Corporate' blue colour scheme)..... Also some nice footage of the old Loco works at Brighton....
To be honest I realy like the blue and the reason for that I’d think is one day me and my dad we looking at is old train set and there was a lot in the loft there and we found 8 pullmans 4 chocolate and cream 4 blue and grey dad took the 4 chocolate and cream I took the blue and grey I do not know how to this day how one of the chocolate and cream ones ended up in my room with the blue and grey ones it’s a kitchen car named Louise from a leaflet we found it was used on the queen of Scots train while the blue and grey ones as seen on the side were golden arrow - flèche dor (I forgot how to spell that sorry) and who knows we’re the other 3 chocolate and cream ones are but every one is intitled to there on opinion and all should respect that (but I wish the nonscence of mallard hitting 126mph would stop it got to 125.2 it needs to be .5 or higher to classify as 126 a bulleid pacific reached 125.6 tho I wonder if ppl are getting confused with that it’s unlikely but possible but I still rlly love the 5bel can’t wait to see a 5 car set rolling into London vic for the 1st time we’ll in my life )
I FOUND THE NAME OF THE SECOND PICE OF MUSIC IN THIS ITS “HANDEL:bourrée”
And what an especially lush arrangement it is too. So lovely!
Always looked their best in BR blue and white, clean and modern and what a set of coaches. Very shortsighted attitude by BR or rather Selfservatism land who couldn't see beyond the cram them in and hope for the best attitude, people used this as a good day out to the seaside, to take the family for a proper and decent sit down dinner on the train but nope... the Pullmans had to go and so they did with the blue, the Brighton, the Bournemouth and others went and British Railways took a flurry of steps backwards. Today tourists would be clamouring to ride the London to Brighton one, it was a reminder too to Johnny Foreigner that when WE did trains, we put even the American's to shame for absolute comfort and luxury.
大昔の電車とは思えないスピードですな。
吊り掛けであんなにぶっ放してたんだw
Lovers Walk depot 3:59
Perhaps we should have a pullman service again....We had the Manchester Pullman in the North West.....just saying!
The Brighton belle is coming back as all 15 coaches made for it were preserved none were scrapped because they are owned by Pullman and VSOE are looking to bring one back into mainline service it will most likely be kept at the same place the oriant express is kept at Stewart’s lane I think the place is called
I got on this train at Victoria , as it was the next for Brighton , a GEEZER punched my ticket , then demanded 3/- ( 15p ! ) extra ... Grrr ! ....I still have the surcharge ticket ! ....... DAVE™ ...........
0:50 Merstham
going gud until you put music on! PLEASE REMOVE IT!
No the music fits so well in my mind
Try turning the volume down