Chasing a Brighton Baltic in 1931

This is a bit special. A rather murky Saturday at London Bridge in 1931 is the starting point for a run to East Croydon in pursuit of a Brighton Baltic - the largest engines built by The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, the Billington L Class 4-6-4T. No.327 'Charles C Macrae' departs the station, then board an electric train, passing an ex-South Eastern & Chatham Railway C Class 0-6-0, several electric units and , through New Cross, blanketed in smoke and fog, to catch up with our quarry. Having been overhauled by the steam train, we glimpse an ex-LB&SC E4 Class 0-6-2T then catch up with No.327 again at Norwood Junction and follow her along the flyover beyond. At East Croydon we witness an ex-SE&CR N Class 2-6-0 passing through with a variety of passenger stock including a brace of Pullman cars. The Baltic puts in a final appearance as the driver inspects his charge before pulling off, following which we catch another glimpse of an N Class 2-6-0. A brief glimpse of an ex-London & South Western Railway N15 (King Arthur) Class on the Southern Belle completes the sequence. All seven Baltics were rebuilt as Class N15x 4-6-0s two years later, lasting in this form on former L&SWR lines until withdrawal in 1957.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• london
• brighton
• south
• west
• coast
• eastern
• chatham
• southern
• british
• rail
• railway
• railways
• bridge
• norwood
• junction
• east
• croydon
• billington
• maunsell
• marsh
• urie
• steam
• baltic

[easta007]

At the beginning its supposed to say 'St. pauls looks down on a very different atmosphere to that in the 1930's.' I know that cause of my dvd I got. I really enjoy the clips. And I believe the filmer is C.J bernard.

[jet936]

Superb footage, Thank You

[JimTLonW6]

Very interesting if not unique piece of film. London certainly looks murky there!

[modemeyes]

Thanks for sharing this historic film. 5* & Fav

[freqeist]

1931=smoggy, obviously!

great posting btw

[RickManchester]

never thought id see a baltic on film, amazing!

[robmcg567]

marvellous like all of your clips; I used to make movies with clockwork camera, and the b+w is OK considering the age.

Nice editing too.

Thanks

[andyg3]

smogy