Sussex Coast Statesman 14th August 2026

[leomartin125]

Due to the derailment at Lewes (thoughts to those affected), the tour today is due to head through Lewes en route to Eastbourne. I assume this will be diverted now? Any idea which route this will go?

Sussex Coast Statesman

MTIA

 

[SECR 65]

I provide what I've just posted on another thread, which I think is about the same tour.

I haven't been closely following this thread, but if trying to divert around the incident area at Lewes, and keep the lead engine leading, you could run like so:

Haywards Heath
Keynes Junction continue towards Brighton
Preston Park
Spur to Hove
Reverse at Hove
Brighton platform 3
Reverse at Brighton
East Coastway to Lewes
And continue towards Eastbourne or wherever the tour heads

You could also go:

Redhill
Tonbridge
Then down to Hastings
Reverse and back to Eastbourne

 

[trainmania100]

It's going via Brighton

 

[zwk500]

I provide what I've just posted on another thread, which I think is about the same tour.

The link at Brighton Platform 3 between the West Branch and the Main or East Branch is only 4 cars long so they won't do that.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

It's going via Brighton

Noted. Are the higher number platforms at Brighton not capable of accommodating an 8 or even 12 car train off the Brighton main line before it then reverses out via London Road / Moulsecoomb towards Lewes / Eastbourne? How long is the Statesman, BTW?

 

[zwk500]

Noted. Are the higher number platforms at Brighton not capable of accommodating an 8 or even 12 car train off the Brighton main line before it then reverses out via London Road / Moulsecoomb towards Lewes / Eastbourne? How long is the Statesman, BTW?

The East Branch junction is well off the end of the platforms so trains to/from Lewes can use the full length of 3-8, all of which are 240-250m long. It's only trains to/from Hove in P3 that have a particular issue.

 

[SECR 65]

Noted. Are the higher number platforms at Brighton not capable of accommodating an 8 or even 12 car train off the Brighton main line before it then reverses out via London Road / Moulsecoomb towards Lewes / Eastbourne? How long is the Statesman, BTW?

I feel fairly sure that you could run an 8 car Electrostar in the manner described into a platform such as 7 or 6.

 

[LA50041]

I feel fairly sure that you could run an 8 car Electrostar in the manner described into a platform such as 7 or 6.

You can run up to 12 cars from the main line (Preston Park) to platforms 3-8 and reverse out to the East Branch

 

[Peter749]

Today 47712 worked 1Z58 05:34 Derby to Eastbourne Statesman
The train was booked via Keymer Jn to Lewes which did not happen due to yesterdays derailment
On the Liverrail page the train went via Preston Park to Hove where it reversed but was next reported at Lewes - how did it get thru Brighton?

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Haywards Heath

2

12:46½

12:16 30 Early

2

Keymer Junction

12:19

Off route

Preston Park

12:30

12:29

Off route

Hove Signal T674

12:33 17 Early

12:38 12 Early

7

Keymer Junction

12:50½

No report

Path: 4½

Lewes

1

13:05

12:53 12 Early

3

Southerham Junction

13:08

12:56 12 Early

Path: 5

Polegate

13:22

13:10 12 Early

2

Willingdon Junction

13:26

13:13 13 Early

Hampden Park

2

13:26½

13:16 10 Early

Path: 3

2

Eastbourne

3

13:33

13:21 12 Early

Train finishes.

3

Terminated

 

[zwk500]

I don't think it did go via Hove.

VailData Berth History has a 1Z58 in Platform 7 at Brighton at 12.31:50-12:38:33 https://vaildata.uk/berth_history?describer=TB&berth=F446

 

[Peter749]

I don't think it did go via Hove.

VailData Berth History has a 1Z58 in Platform 7 at Brighton at 12.31:50-12:38:33 https://vaildata.uk/berth_history?describer=TB&berth=F446

That make more sense - thanks

 

[PP57601]

It reversed in Brighton (12:33 - 12:38) according to accurate industry [rather than online spotter] sources.

Not sure what you are using above for timings?

 

[SECR 65]

Using platform 7 at Brighton, I don't believe it could have come from Hove.

If it did come from Hove, it would have had to have used Brighton platform 3, which I understand to be 4 car maximum for the crossover.

 

[8ace]

The only reason it would need to go via Hove would would be to turn a kettle via the triangle, but as it was duff-hauled (apparently) it would just complicate and lengthen the journey.

 

[Peter749]

It reversed in Brighton (12:33 - 12:38) according to accurate industry [rather than online spotter] sources.

Not sure what you are using above for timings?

I was not using "online spotter sources" - I was using OpenRail

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[Dave61]

It reversed in Brighton (12:33 - 12:38) according to accurate industry [rather than online spotter] sources.

Not sure what you are using above for timings?

I was on this trip and on the way to Eastbourne is reversed via platform 7 (Platform 6 had a "DONT USE" berth code at the time) and then platform 5 on the way back.

We got a really fast and clear run down to Brighton and despite the diversion managed to arrive at Eastbourne slightly early