Brighton Belle Reborn (4)
Locomotive Services Limited's Class 20s, 20132 and 20118 "Saltburn-by-the-Sea" top-n-tail the exquisitely restored "Brighton Belle" on its first shakedown test run since its restoration by the 5BEL Trust in conjunction with LSL.
Whilst the 5BEL Trust owns two further former Brighton Belle pullman cars and has plans to restore one of these to complete a prototypical 5-car set, for now the focus has been getting a 4-car set back to full mainline working order and capable of self-propelled working on its old stomping ground of the Southern Region.
The current 4-car set comprises Car 91 "Mabel" (99291), Car 85 "Gravetye Manor" (99285), Car 82 "Doris" (99282) and Car 88 "Beryl" (99288).
The very first post-restoration run was seen passing Calveley Hall Lane running as 5D41 0925 Crewe H.S. to Chester. The historic working had been delayed around an hour due to 20118 playing up on depot prior to departure, and then awaiting a path on the Chester line.
The first test was run at 35mph, with the plan to step up to 45mph, 65mph and eventually 75mph on subsequent runs later that day and the following day.
Brighton Belle Reborn (4)
Locomotive Services Limited's Class 20s, 20132 and 20118 "Saltburn-by-the-Sea" top-n-tail the exquisitely restored "Brighton Belle" on its first shakedown test run since its restoration by the 5BEL Trust in conjunction with LSL.
Whilst the 5BEL Trust owns two further former Brighton Belle pullman cars and has plans to restore one of these to complete a prototypical 5-car set, for now the focus has been getting a 4-car set back to full mainline working order and capable of self-propelled working on its old stomping ground of the Southern Region.
The current 4-car set comprises Car 91 "Mabel" (99291), Car 85 "Gravetye Manor" (99285), Car 82 "Doris" (99282) and Car 88 "Beryl" (99288).
The very first post-restoration run was seen passing Calveley Hall Lane running as 5D41 0925 Crewe H.S. to Chester. The historic working had been delayed around an hour due to 20118 playing up on depot prior to departure, and then awaiting a path on the Chester line.
The first test was run at 35mph, with the plan to step up to 45mph, 65mph and eventually 75mph on subsequent runs later that day and the following day.