Southern Steam Days at Brighton

Footage of steam locomotion at Brighton towards the end of operation, including a rare special along the freight only Kemp Town branch

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• southern railway
• steam
• southern
• rail
• railway
• region
• british
• brighton

[denisxx61]

Thanks for a great piece of film. Just to clarify, the Southern Railway had 5 electric locomotives. The two shunters inherited from the LSWR and three other main line electric locomotives. Built at the Ashford works these Bulleid/Raworth locomotives entered service as CC1 in 1941, CC2 in 1942 and 20003 in 1948 (after Nationalization). Used on both passenger and freight duties all 3 lasted until 1968.

[SouthernRailwayFilms]

@denisxx61 You're right that 20003 was the big sister to CC1 and CC2. Haresnape gives the month of introduction as October 1948, so not in the lifetime of tthe Southern as a private company. It seems however that she was erected at Brighton - the first publicity photo shows her outside Brighton Works, minus pantograph, and I have two pictures of her without bogies inside a workshop that does not resemble Ashford. if you care to message me, I would be happy to share these with you.

[JimTLonW6]

Highly enjoyable as always. One is left wondering what on earth all those locomotives had to do, seeing as many of the services were already electric.

[SouthernRailwayFilms]

@JimTLonW6 The Southern Railway only built two electric locomotives in it's lifetime. It inherited two from the LSWR but they were confined to the Waterloo & City, and Durnsford Road power station. So the answer is an easy one - freight, non passengers services and permanent way trains remained largely the preserve of steam until the late 1950s on the Southern Region's central section. There was still plenty for them to do after the Brighton main line electrification of 1933.

[Mounhas]

Brilliant vid, in colour, and showing the Southern's variety of locomotives, best region imho. I could even see my house in one shot, put right opposite, Coronoation street meets sunny Sussex. Funny watching firemen jumping off moving loco's, they did then. Again, many thanks,

[denisxx61]

Thanks for a great piece of film. Just to clarify, the Southern Railway had 5 electric locomotives. The two shunters inherited from the LSWR and three other main line electric locomotives. Built at the Ashford works these Bulleid/Raworth locomotives entered service as CC1 in 1941, CC2 in 1942 and 20003 in 1948 (after Nationalization). Used on both passenger and freight duties all 3 lasted until 1968.

[RoryTrackrod]

I remember Kemp Town Station well.This line was reported to be the most expensive per mile ever built at the time. The station building is almost identical to Hove station which still survives in use but this one was demolished in the mid 70's. The only bit that survives is the tunnel which is used as a vehicle store. It's the only piece of film I've found so far of this yard. Great stuff.

[tim7099]

Great series of films, well done for making them available for all to see. I think today's health and safety people would have a fit if they witnessed some of the scenes of loco crew jumping off moving engines and railway enthusiasts swarming around moving trains.

[deltic055]

What a great film! I now regularly use Brighton as an interchange, but had no idea there was such a variety of locos about in 1960s steam days. Thanks for sharing and I shall view more of your films now - excellent viewing!

[videochemist]

I like the way you added the sound of an old projector. Lends the footage real authenticity. It's fascinating seeing the Kemptown station, being as I've lived in Brighton all my life and only just heard about its existence.