Ah, so THAT's why the 20s were on the move in your previous video! A very pretty, eye-catching train. I wonder how many thespians who used to catch it between London and Brighton are still with us to see its resurrection?
Back in the early seventies one set ended up at Slades Green and a lot of EMU folks knew that Slades Green was the waiting for death place as those destined to be scrapped would be whipped down to Hoo dismantling sidings and scrapped. I have a dim memory of seeing the ol' one eyed Portsmouth units being dismantled around 73-4 ish as my old man tried to grab a headcode box off of one as he was over in the signalbox but the dismantlers had them away promptish and all that was left was the bare shells as all the electrical stuff was stripped out at Slades Green, six of the GRI's survive to this day as rail carriers. The GRI's and NEL's had the most powerful of EMU traction motors and these were recycled onto the 4CEP's giving them and the BEP's the faster pullaway and faster top speed making them proper express units. I did see a 5BEL once at Victoria but I was very small when I did, unusually over on the boat train platform, a shame just as it was a shame losing the pub trains from that era.
Up until a few months ago, I thought all the Brighton Belle sets had been scrapped! Great to see this one is being put back on the mainline and not in a museum
Not many folks know about the second railway at Crewe which the last bit was still in use by 1980, known as the Crewe Works Narrow Gauge railway, signalmen also used the bit that went to the box as far easier than navigating the trackside... all gone now but I do remember it as a young lad above the overheads but the full on electrification was in swing and it all had to go sadly.
When i was a toddler in the early 70s we used to see "Belle" sets stored near Gatwick Airport, im guessing at Three Bridges. The main road used to run past the sidings. Dad always used to rattle on about using the Belle back in its heyday. As a side note, i can rember seeing Laker Skytrain jets stored next to the road as well after Freddy's business hit the skids.
Excellent selection of shots. Further to one or two comments here, I can remember the Bournemouth Belle (loco-hauled) but not the Brighton Belle but it will be a real star turn on the Southern again. Thanks for sharing.
That Brighton Belle unit looks so much better than the last time I saw it at Barrow Hill back in 2013... I must get around to uploading my footage from that day.
0Z57 at 1m 50s was going from Kilmarnock Bonnigton sidings, this is the works where 769431 was dropped off yesterday having been towed from Oxenhome having failed on its last attempt to get to the works. Its not a civil engineers sidings.
Some great catches there. 2 ROC class 37s a crane & parts of the Brighton belle tnt by 2 class 20s. Crewe never disappoints. I think crewe & york this week try & get 805006. Thank you.
As a youngster I train spotted from the footbridge between Norbury and Thornton Heath and the Brighton Belle units frequently came past. There were 3 units the morning and evening trains were normally 10 cars while during the day a single 5 car set sufficed.
I remember the Brighton Belle very well; I think I went to Brighton at least once on it with my parents, but I saw it frequently going through Purley and Redhill. I used to change from Southern Electric to steam at Redhill on the Guildford line. As far as I can recall the Brighton Belle were always 10 carriages….I don’t ever remember them being only 5. Perhaps that came later :-) my memory goes back to the early 1950’s when there was still plenty of steam. I went on holidays on the Bournemouth Belle and the Whitstable Belle and they were Merchant Navy class or Battle of Britain class locos’ mainly.
Great to see the Belle on the move at last. Can't wait for it to be back on the juice!
Indeed - Hopefully not too much longer now 🤞👍
Ah, so THAT's why the 20s were on the move in your previous video! A very pretty, eye-catching train. I wonder how many thespians who used to catch it between London and Brighton are still with us to see its resurrection?
I travelled on it in 1961 and my photos of it have appeared in a local Newspaper.
@herbypumpkin1256 Hopefully you'll get a chance to ride it again soon 😄
Back in the early seventies one set ended up at Slades Green and a lot of EMU folks knew that Slades Green was the waiting for death place as those destined to be scrapped would be whipped down to Hoo dismantling sidings and scrapped. I have a dim memory of seeing the ol' one eyed Portsmouth units being dismantled around 73-4 ish as my old man tried to grab a headcode box off of one as he was over in the signalbox but the dismantlers had them away promptish and all that was left was the bare shells as all the electrical stuff was stripped out at Slades Green, six of the GRI's survive to this day as rail carriers. The GRI's and NEL's had the most powerful of EMU traction motors and these were recycled onto the 4CEP's giving them and the BEP's the faster pullaway and faster top speed making them proper express units. I did see a 5BEL once at Victoria but I was very small when I did, unusually over on the boat train platform, a shame just as it was a shame losing the pub trains from that era.
I'd almost forgotten how good 20's sound when they 'open up'. Excellent video.
Never gets old that 👌👍
1:00 I love how they just chucked the lantern onto the ballast
Great to see the Brighton Belle out on the rails again.
Nice to have the brief chat Pal.
See you around 👍
You too mate - Apologies - Didn’t see where you went after 608 run around. I ended up on 1 on my own 😬
Up until a few months ago, I thought all the Brighton Belle sets had been scrapped! Great to see this one is being put back on the mainline and not in a museum
where have you been all these years ?
@ on a planet called Earth..
Great video Rob! WOW,the Brighton Belle 52+ years on and in Cheshire, who would have believed it! I chose Chester today, brilliant ,despite the rain!
Not many folks know about the second railway at Crewe which the last bit was still in use by 1980, known as the Crewe Works Narrow Gauge railway, signalmen also used the bit that went to the box as far easier than navigating the trackside... all gone now but I do remember it as a young lad above the overheads but the full on electrification was in swing and it all had to go sadly.
Great work, sir 🙂
Excellent footage of the 37s and 20s
I was at crewe today filming the Brighton belle and other stuff
Excellent video as always 👍
When i was a toddler in the early 70s we used to see "Belle" sets stored near Gatwick Airport, im guessing at Three Bridges. The main road used to run past the sidings. Dad always used to rattle on about using the Belle back in its heyday.
As a side note, i can rember seeing Laker Skytrain jets stored next to the road as well after Freddy's business hit the skids.
Excellent selection of shots. Further to one or two comments here, I can remember the Bournemouth Belle (loco-hauled) but not the Brighton Belle but it will be a real star turn on the Southern again. Thanks for sharing.
No probs - Looking forward to seeing it gracing the Southern lines again soon 👍
That Brighton Belle unit looks so much better than the last time I saw it at Barrow Hill back in 2013... I must get around to uploading my footage from that day.
Fantastic, i wish I'd been there.
They’ll likely be further tests again soon 👍
I'll keep an eye out for them, fantastic video as always 👍
0Z57 at 1m 50s was going from Kilmarnock Bonnigton sidings, this is the works where 769431 was dropped off yesterday having been towed from Oxenhome having failed on its last attempt to get to the works. Its not a civil engineers sidings.
Some great catches there. 2 ROC class 37s a crane & parts of the Brighton belle tnt by 2 class 20s. Crewe never disappoints. I think crewe & york this week try & get 805006. Thank you.
Thanks Tom - Good luck chasing down 006 👍
@trainsplanes . Yes I will need inspiration from somewhere.
Love the choppers!
When is Avocet going to be on the mainline? I read it was December 24 but don't recall seeing it.
Fabulous 😊
Not sure - But hopefully soon 🙏👍
Amazing !!! Beatiuful video ,greetings 🚂👍🙋♂️
Glad you liked it 👍
never seen this kind of train before but great to see it out on test again how many coaches did the Brighton Belle contain
It’s usually a 5 car set 👍
As a youngster I train spotted from the footbridge between Norbury and Thornton Heath and the Brighton Belle units frequently came past. There were 3 units the morning and evening trains were normally 10 cars while during the day a single 5 car set sufficed.
I remember the Brighton Belle very well; I think I went to Brighton at least once on it with my parents, but I saw it frequently going through Purley and Redhill. I used to change from Southern Electric to steam at Redhill on the Guildford line. As far as I can recall the Brighton Belle were always 10 carriages….I don’t ever remember them being only 5. Perhaps that came later :-) my memory goes back to the early 1950’s when there was still plenty of steam. I went on holidays on the Bournemouth Belle and the Whitstable Belle and they were Merchant Navy class or Battle of Britain class locos’ mainly.
NICE VIDEO, TOM FROM HUNGARY 🙏🙏🙏❤🤍💚
Is it working again tomorrow??
Does the signal the return of the Brighton Belle to its out stomping ground? 🙏 be true!!!
Was 66544 on a 8T68 move? What was 68007 doing
Yep - 544 was on the 8T move. 68007 worked down to Daventry as 0Z06 👍
I bet even English Electric never expected 20s and 37s ( or should i say type 1s and type 3s) to be running in 2025.
How many should they have?
If this is only 4?
Surely it can only operate down south with third rail?
It’s a 5 car set in full formation 👍
That’s the plan! LSL are hoping to use this set down south..
A full Belle set is 5 cars, the S.R. designation was 5-BEL.
showing your age !
@@petersmith4455 for sure!
Born in 2000 … the wrong era in my eyes.