Brighton Belle On Test - 2025 onwards

[EbbwJunction1]

"the man who had lunch in the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower every day, because it was the only place in Paris where the Eifel Tower wouldn't spoil his view."

I've always been led to believe that this was Victor Hugo .... but it couldn't have been, because he died in 1885 and the construction of the Tower didn't start until 1887!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I've always been led to believe that this was Victor Hugo .... but it couldn't have been, because he died in 1885 and the construction of the Tower didn't start until 1887!

Off topic, but it was Guy de Maupassant.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Off topic, but it was Guy de Maupassant.

Ah, thanks.

 

[JB_B]

Off topic, but it was Guy de Maupassant.

Or maybe William Morris ..

Quote Origin: This Is the Only Place Where I Can Avoid Seeing the Damned Thing – Quote Investigator®

quoteinvestigator.com

.. or maybe someone else (or no-one).

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Or maybe William Morris ..

Quote Origin: This Is the Only Place Where I Can Avoid Seeing the Damned Thing – Quote Investigator®

quoteinvestigator.com

.. or maybe someone else (or no-one).

That's very interesting ... thanks.

 

[WesternLancer]

This is superb to see. The Brighton Belle website seemed to be pretty static on the news front in recent times / years so I’d given up looking at it for info.

But what’s the story on the fifth car for the reborn set? Anyone know where that is and situation on progress?

 

[Welshguy1048]

Afternoon

What is the website for The Brighton Belle please?

I cant find anything at all with a google search...

Thank you
Dave

 

[Class15]

Afternoon

What is the website for The Brighton Belle please?

I cant find anything at all with a google search...

Thank you
Dave

@trainmania100 said that he couldn’t find it either. Suspect it’s been taken down?

 

[trainmania100]

It's probably this site here, although not much on it:

Bringing back THE BRIGHTON BELLE | THE BRIGHTON BELLE

brightonbelle.com

However if you go to the news page there is a photograph update of the runs to Crewe.

News | Bringing back THE BRIGHTON BELLE

brightonbelle.com

 

[WesternLancer]

It's probably this site here, although not much on it:

Bringing back THE BRIGHTON BELLE | THE BRIGHTON BELLE

brightonbelle.com

However if you go to the news page there is a photograph update of the runs to Crewe.

News | Bringing back THE BRIGHTON BELLE

brightonbelle.com

Yes. That is their site I used to check for updates on occasionally. Had a lot of good background info tho news updates were a bit irregular.

 

[Welshguy1048]

It's probably this site here, although not much on it:

Bringing back THE BRIGHTON BELLE | THE BRIGHTON BELLE

brightonbelle.com

However if you go to the news page there is a photograph update of the runs to Crewe.

News | Bringing back THE BRIGHTON BELLE

brightonbelle.com

@trainmania100

Thank you

Dave

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Feb 2025 ==

Yes. That is their site I used to check for updates on occasionally. Had a lot of good background info tho news updates were a bit irregular.

@WesternLancer

Thank you

Dave

 

[WesternLancer]

In answer to my own earlier question about the 5th car - I found the below here. A 'notional sum' of £1.5m is indicated for the 5th car for fundraising purposes

Trust Updates | Bringing back THE BRIGHTON BELLE

brightonbelle.com

Restoring the train to a five car set-the 5BEL.

Up to this point, the Trustees have focused on completing the 4 car train, maintaining the position that this must not be put at risk by embarking on further restoration work until the 4 car train is secure. The trust owns two further Brighton Belle cars plus three donor ex BR Southern emu vehicles with a large collection of spare parts and equipment. This has kept open the possibility of completing a five car train but continuing to keep such a large store of equipment is not financially viable. In fact it is a drain on our financial resources which if not attended to, potentially prejudices further restoration.

The Trust agreed with LSL at the meeting to explore the engineering feasibility of restoring a fifth BEL car. One car will be selected for this and one donor vehicle. The other body as well as the two remaining donor vehicles will be available to other heritage organisations. This will be accompanied by a rationalisation of our general spares, with LSL retaining any spares required to maintain the 4 car train in service, and the trust retaining those necessary for the potential 5th car restoration.

This puts the Trust in a position to focus on developing the 5th car project.

The launch of the fifth car project.

If the engineering appraisal deems the project feasible, The Trust envisages a relaunch of funding for the 5th car project coincident with the 4 car train being presented as ready for service, probably early next year.


18th May 2024

 

[RGM654]

Several years ago I asked what I thought was a civil question about some aspect of the rebuild but got a very snotty response, along the lines "You have no right to free information". That made me much less sympathetic. I'm still undecided whether to swallow my pride and book a trip when the time comes. Other Pullman cars are available.

 

[mikehartuk]

Several years ago I asked what I thought was a civil question about some aspect of the rebuild but got a very snotty response, along the lines "You have no right to free information". That made me much less sympathetic. I'm still undecided whether to swallow my pride and book a trip when the time comes. Other Pullman cars are available.

Please do ask again. Contact email, that is monitored and answered efficiently, is: admin@brightonbelle.com We also have another £1.5m to raise to restore a 5th B Belle car if anyone might like to help!! Mike Hart

 

[WesternLancer]

Please do ask again. Contact email, that is monitored and answered efficiently, is: admin@brightonbelle.com We also have another £1.5m to raise to restore a 5th B Belle car if anyone might like to help!! Mike Hart

@mikehartuk - Hi Mike - sounds like you are involved in the project - if so good luck with it - it will be really superb to see this back on southern metals again, and hope there is a good chance of that in the relatively near future and of course many will be 'behind you' with the ambition to see the 5th car completed.
Best wishes!

 

[Deepgreen]

Perhaps we will have the temporary unit class of 4BEL (Or BabyBEL!)?

 

[Invincible]

It's probably this site here, although not much on it:

Bringing back THE BRIGHTON BELLE | THE BRIGHTON BELLE

brightonbelle.com

However if you go to the news page there is a photograph update of the runs to Crewe.

News | Bringing back THE BRIGHTON BELLE

brightonbelle.com

"There are a number of workstreams to be completed in the coming weeks by way of preparation for the next phase of testing when we hope to energise the train through its 3rd rail pick up equipment."
Rail Magazine website (behind a paywall but some of the report is public) reports they are awaiting a date to go to Chester to test (on the Merseyrail line?)

 

[trainmania100]

"There are a number of workstreams to be completed in the coming weeks by way of preparation for the next phase of testing when we hope to energise the train through its 3rd rail pick up equipment."
Rail Magazine website (behind a paywall but some of the report is public) reports they are awaiting a date to go to Chester to test (on the Merseyrail line?)

Yeah was checking here to see if anything new was added from that article as it wants my details to read it

Guessing then, theres not a static yard third rail they can test it on up north like at Eastleigh. They're probably cautious about putting it on the merseyrail and it blowing something up

 

[Invincible]

There was talk of eventually basing it at Eastleigh, but guess with LSL it will now be based at Southall? Not sure if Southall depot has 3rd rail?

 

[Class15]

There was talk of eventually basing it at Eastleigh, but guess with LSL it will now be based at Southall? Not sure if Southall depot has 3rd rail?

Southall depot definately does not have third rail, and it would need dragging via Acton and Willesden to reach the third rail at Mitre Bridge.

Has anyone discounted Strawberry Hill? It’s where the 4VEP was/is being done.

 

[D6130]

Could the unit be energised at the East end of platform 7 at Chester? The third rail extends for some distance beyond the part of the platform used by Merseyrail trains and presumably the platform is signalled for permissive working.

 

[Class15]

Don’t suppose the BEL is going to the Greatest Gathering?

 

[simonmpoulton]

Could the unit be energised at the East end of platform 7 at Chester? The third rail extends for some distance beyond the part of the platform used by Merseyrail trains and presumably the platform is signalled for permissive working.

I wouldn't see any reason why not as the third rail extends the entire length of Platform 7 - on the Wirral Swan song railtour 507001 and 507003 were taken right up to the Eastern End!

 

[32475]

An article in the March edition of Railway Magazine says it is thought that the first testing of the unit under third rail power will take place on the Merseyrail network. Also that a fifth coach will be added before entering traffic.

 

[Class15]

An article in the March edition of Railway Magazine says it is thought that the first testing of the unit under third rail power will take place on the Merseyrail network. Also that a fifth coach will be added before entering traffic.

Does it give any hints as to timescales?

 

[trainmania100]

Given how few charters actually go to Brighton these days it makes me wonder how often this unit will actually go to Brighton

 

[Jan Mayen]

Given how few charters actually go to Brighton these days it makes me wonder how often this unit will actually go to Brighton

Assuming the fare isn't ludicrously expensive, I'd do it once.
I was taken on it as a child just before it finished. It'd be nice to do it again.

 

[32475]

Does it give any hints as to timescales?

Sadly not

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Mar 2025 ==

Given how few charters actually go to Brighton these days it makes me wonder how often this unit will actually go to Brighton

Being an EMU with no locomotive requirement for haulage in third rail territory I would imagine Brighton being an ideal and at least semi regular destination. Also with just 5 coaches (I’ve read of possibly 6 in the future) it’s not going to take up too much platform space.

 

[paul1609]

Given how few charters actually go to Brighton these days it makes me wonder how often this unit will actually go to Brighton

Not Often as I undertstand the plans but there are other Sussex Stations which have spare capacity away from the Brighton Line and theres a number of 3rd rail circuits that are available from Victoria P!.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Mar 2025 ==

Sadly not

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Mar 2025 ==


Being an EMU with no locomotive requirement for haulage in third rail territory I would imagine Brighton being an ideal and at least semi regular destination. Also with just 5 coaches (I’ve read of possibly 6 in the future) it’s not going to take up too much platform space.

I think that south of balcombe Tunnel Junction the Brighton Line now has 2 Gatwick Expresses to Brighton, 4 Thameslink, 2 Eastbournes and 2 Littlehamptons per hour. I think in some hours there is a spare path for charters but they wouldnt be ideal for a premium dinning charter.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Not Often as I undertstand the plans but there are other Sussex Stations which have spare capacity

A mouthwatering thought, of the restored 5-BEL under Bognor's and Littlehampton's fine bracket semaphores.