Brighton Belle Brighton Belle The Brighton Belle passing Purley Oaks at speed in June 1964. The Brighton Belle was a named train which was operated by the Southern Railway and subsequently by British Rail from Victoria Station in London to Brighton , on the Sussex coast. Commissioned as the flagship of the Southern Railway’s mass electrification project, which commenced in January 1931, the world’s only electric all- Pullman service ran daily between London Victoria and Brighton from 1 January 1933 until 30 April 1972. Contents 7 External links History The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) began using Pullman cars in its express trains in 1875, and in December 1881 they introduced the first all-Pullman train in the UK. Known as the Pullman Limited, this ran between London Victoria and Brighton via Horsham and subsequently ordinary rolling stock was added to the service. In 1888 a second all-Pullman service was instituted, using cars lit by electricity and designed by William Stroudley . [1] The LB&SCR was the origin of the British umber and cream Pullman livery.

In 1903 R. J. Billinton changed the colour of the ordinary LB&SCR coaches to umber brown with white or cream upper panels, and in 1906 this colour scheme was also adopted by the Pullman Car Co., with the name of the car in large gilt letters on the lower panel and flanked on each side by a coloured transfer of the Pullman Company’s crest. Another all-Pullman service was introduced in 1908 under the name of the Southern Belle. Contemporary advertising by the LB&SCR claimed that this was “… the most luxurious train in the world…”. In 1908 this could be experienced for a special London Victoria to Brighton day return fare of 12 shillings, a premium rate at a time when average earnings were around £1 a week (or 20 shillings). The Southern Belle was steam hauled until 1 January 1933, when electric units were introduced. Trial trains had commenced running between London and Brighton on 2 November 1932, using an experimental five-coach unit (No.

2001) and examples of the new rolling stock were exhibited at London Victoria and Brighton stations from 29 December 1932. [2] With the arrival of the mid-day Victoria to Brighton service at Brighton Station on 29 June 1934, the Mayor of Brighton, Margaret Hardy, [3] renamed the train the Brighton Belle, [4] and it retained this title until withdrawal. The service was scheduled to take 60 minutes for the 51-mile express journey. Three five-car all-Pullman electric multiple units designated 5-BEL were commissioned by the Southern Railway as the flagship of the world’s then-largest electrification project, which covered over 160 track miles. The 15 cars – built in 1932 by Metropolitan-Cammell at its Saltley works in Birmingham – were operated in trains comprising two units, the remaining unit normally held in reserve. The ‘spare’ multiple unit set was used for a Sunday Pullman service from Eastbourne , known as the Eastbourne Pullman for much of the 1950s, but this service was discontinued in 1957.

During the Second World War the service was suspended after Unit 3052 was badly damaged by aerial bombing at London Victoria; all cars were placed in safe storage at Crystal Palace (High Level) station , but the service was progressively reinstated in 1946. The trains were refurbished and overhauled in 1955, but by 1972 the stock was old and rode poorly by contemporary standards. Despite protests, [5] the decision was taken not to replace the rolling stock and the service was withdrawn on 30 April 1972. Every car was preserved, in most cases to meet the ambitions of major breweries to ‘bolt on’ Pullman restaurants to pubs and hotels, although most were removed relatively quickly because of the high cost of maintenance and refurbishment. [6] A number were progressively acquired by the Venice Simplon Orient Express , while one still remains in use as B&B accommodation at the Little Mill Inn, Rowarth, Derbyshire.

[7] Motor brake car 90 was used for passenger service on the Nene Valley Railway between 1980 and 1990, but was subsequently scrapped at Bury in 1995 following a series of arson attacks. The Southern ran three Pullman trains with the suffix Belle. The others were the Bournemouth Belle and the Devon Belle . British Railways introduced the Thanet Belle (later renamed the Kentish Belle) in 1948. [8] Restoration Driving Cars 88 and 91 were coupled together for the very first time when the latter arrived at Rampart of Derby for restoration in September 2009. A campaign [9] to return the Brighton Belle to mainline service was launched by the 5-BEL Trust [10] in 2009. The trustees had been concerned for some time about the worrying state of electric train preservation in Britain and wanted to raise the profile of the issue and to deal with the issues of financial support and covered accommodation.

The project was launched at the National Railway Museum following the acquisition of two of the surviving 14 cars; by early 2009 four out of the five cars needed to form a complete unit [11] had been acquired and the trust had set in place agreements to cover refurbishment of the cars, which began at Pullman restoration specialists Rampart Engineering at the Barrow Hill Engine Shed in February 2009. When the 5-BEL project is completed, it will be returned to mainline service. Despite the high cost of the restoration (approaching £6 million) the programme is seen as an investment for future generations. Progress with the restoration of the Brighton Belle to mainline use will depend in part on the level of public donations. This is the first time that a complete train will have been restored in Britain. [12] A short train of three cars will undergo mainline proving trials in 2016, with mainline excursions with a four car unit commencing shortly afterwards. [13] A restored fifth car will be added before the end of 2016, with the final car expected to be completed in 2017.

Train unit completed Brighton Belle Car 88 on display in Brighton for the first time in 40 years to celebrate the acquisition of the fifth car needed to form a complete Belle unit. Pullman First Class Car ‘Hazel’ had been continuously used as a restaurant attached to the ‘Black Bull’ at Moulton, Yorks, since 1972. It took two enormous mobile cranes to perform the delicate removal operation on 10 August 2012. During February 2011, Driving Car 88 was displayed on the Brighton seafront to celebrate the acquisition of the Trust’s fifth car. [14] The fifth 5BEL car required was Pullman First Doris, then based at the Bluebell Railway for the Bluebell’s pullman rake, and thus a swap was arranged. The 5-BEL Trust had purchased Golden Arrow Pullman Kitchen Car Carina and supplied this to the Bluebell railway in exchange for Doris, allowing the Bluebell Railway to complete a five-car all-Pullman Golden Arrow rake.

Carina is of considerable heritage importance, having formed part of Winston Churchill ‘s funeral train which carried the principal mourners from London to Bladon on 30 January 1965. The 5-BEL Trust said at the time that acquiring Doris as the trust’s fifth car was not only the right move from a heritage standpoint but also it demonstrated the benefits of like-minded organisations working together. The following year, on 6 September 2012, the 5BEL Trust announced [15] that, following two years of complex negotiations with the owners of the Black Bull at Moulton, near Richmond, it had purchased Pullman first ‘Hazel’ (no. 279) the previous month and had removed the car by road to the Brighton Belle shed at Barrow Hill. The car had been in continuous use as a highly praised restaurant since 1972 and her removal was an extremely delicate operation, involving the use of two of the largest mobile cranes in Britain. The acquisition of a second first class car, originally considered as an impossible outcome, permits the correct unit configuration of two motor brakes, two trailer kitchen firsts and a trailer parlour third, with a trailer held in reserve.

Brighton mural On 23 September 2010, the then Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Geoffrey Wells, and Sir William McAlpine jointly unveiled [16] a commemorative Brighton Belle street mural . This striking feature has been painted into the arches in Trafalgar Street underneath Brighton Station, and runs along the length of the Brighton Toy and Model Museum . See also Brighton Belle - Wikipedia, Photos and Videos Brighton Belle NEXT GO TO RESULTS [51 .. 100] WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE For the novel by Sara Sheridan, see Brighton Belle (novel) . The Brighton Belle passing Purley Oaks at speed in June 1964. The Brighton Belle was a named train which was operated by the Southern Railway and subsequently by British Rail from Victoria Station in London to Brighton , on the Sussex coast. Commissioned as the flagship of the Southern Railway's mass electrification project, which commenced in January 1931, the world's only electric all- Pullman service ran daily between London Victoria and Brighton from 1 January 1933 until 30 April 1972.

Contents History[ edit ] The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) began using Pullman cars in its express trains in 1875, and in December 1881 they introduced the first all-Pullman train in the UK. Known as the Pullman Limited, this ran between London Victoria and Brighton via Horsham and subsequently ordinary rolling stock was added to the service. In 1888 a second all-Pullman service was instituted, using cars lit by electricity and designed by William Stroudley . [1] The LB&SCR was the origin of the British umber and cream Pullman livery. In 1903 R. J. Billinton changed the colour of the ordinary LB&SCR coaches to umber brown with white or cream upper panels, and in 1906 this colour scheme was also adopted by the Pullman Car Co., with the name of the car in large gilt letters on the lower panel and flanked on each side by a coloured transfer of the Pullman Company's crest. Another all-Pullman service was introduced in 1908 under the name of the Southern Belle. Contemporary advertising by the LB&SCR claimed that this was "...

the most luxurious train in the world...". In 1908 this could be experienced for a special London Victoria to Brighton day return fare of 12 shillings, a premium rate at a time when average earnings were around £1 a week (or 20 shillings). The Southern Belle was steam hauled until 1 January 1933, when electric units were introduced. Trial trains had commenced running between London and Brighton on 2 November 1932, using an experimental five-coach unit (No. 2001) and examples of the new rolling stock were exhibited at London Victoria and Brighton stations from 29 December 1932. [2] With the arrival of the mid-day Victoria to Brighton service at Brighton Station on 29 June 1934, the Mayor of Brighton, Margaret Hardy, [3] renamed the train the Brighton Belle, [4] and it retained this title until withdrawal. The service was scheduled to take 60 minutes for the 51-mile express journey.

Three five-car all-Pullman electric multiple units designated 5-BEL were commissioned by the Southern Railway as the flagship of the world's then-largest electrification project, which covered over 160 track miles. The 15 cars – built in 1932 by Metropolitan-Cammell at its Saltley works in Birmingham – were operated in trains comprising two units, the remaining unit normally held in reserve. The 'spare' multiple unit set was used for a Sunday Pullman service from Eastbourne , known as the Eastbourne Pullman for much of the 1950s, but this service was discontinued in 1957. During the Second World War the service was suspended after Unit 3052 was badly damaged by aerial bombing at London Victoria; all cars were placed in safe storage at Crystal Palace (High Level) station , but the service was progressively reinstated in 1946. The trains were refurbished and overhauled in 1955, but by 1972 the stock was old and rode poorly by contemporary standards.

Despite protests, [5] the decision was taken not to replace the rolling stock and the service was withdrawn on 30 April 1972. Every car was preserved, in most cases to meet the ambitions of major breweries to 'bolt on' Pullman restaurants to pubs and hotels, although most were removed relatively quickly because of the high cost of maintenance and refurbishment. [6] A number were progressively acquired by the Venice Simplon Orient Express , while one still remains in use as B&B accommodation at the Little Mill Inn, Rowarth, Derbyshire. [7] Motor brake car 90 was used for passenger service on the Nene Valley Railway between 1980 and 1990, but was subsequently scrapped at Bury in 1995 following a series of arson attacks. The Southern ran three Pullman trains with the suffix Belle. The others were the Bournemouth Belle and the Devon Belle . British Railways introduced the Thanet Belle (later renamed the Kentish Belle) in 1948.

[8] Restoration[ edit ] Driving Cars 88 and 91 were coupled together for the very first time when the latter arrived at Rampart of Derby for restoration in September 2009. A campaign [9] to return the Brighton Belle to mainline service was launched by the 5-BEL Trust [10] in 2009. The trustees had been concerned for some time about the worrying state of electric train preservation in Britain and wanted to raise the profile of the issue and to deal with the issues of financial support and covered accommodation. The project was launched at the National Railway Museum following the acquisition of two of the surviving 14 cars; by early 2009 four out of the five cars needed to form a complete unit [11] had been acquired and the trust had set in place agreements to cover refurbishment of the cars, which began at Pullman restoration specialists Rampart Engineering at the Barrow Hill Engine Shed in February 2009. When the 5-BEL project is completed, it will be returned to mainline service. Despite the high cost of the restoration (approaching £6 million) the programme is seen as an investment for future generations.

Progress with the restoration of the Brighton Belle to mainline use will depend in part on the level of public donations. This is the first time that a complete train will have been restored in Britain. [12] A short train of three cars will undergo mainline proving trials in 2016, with mainline excursions with a four car unit commencing shortly afterwards. [13] A restored fifth car will be added before the end of 2016, with the final car expected to be completed in 2017. Train unit completed[ edit ] Brighton Belle Car 88 on display in Brighton for the first time in 40 years to celebrate the acquisition of the fifth car needed to form a complete Belle unit. Pullman First Class Car 'Hazel' had been continuously used as a restaurant attached to the 'Black Bull' at Moulton, Yorks, since 1972. It took two enormous mobile cranes to perform the delicate removal operation on 10 August 2012. During February 2011, Driving Car 88 was displayed on the Brighton seafront to celebrate the acquisition of the Trust's fifth car.

[14] The fifth 5BEL car required was Pullman First Doris, then based at the Bluebell Railway for the Bluebell's pullman rake, and thus a swap was arranged. The 5-BEL Trust had purchased Golden Arrow Pullman Kitchen Car Carina and supplied this to the Bluebell railway in exchange for Doris, allowing the Bluebell Railway to complete a five-car all-Pullman Golden Arrow rake. Carina is of considerable heritage importance, having formed part of Winston Churchill 's funeral train which carried the principal mourners from London to Bladon on 30 January 1965. The 5-BEL Trust said at the time that acquiring Doris as the trust's fifth car was not only the right move from a heritage standpoint but also it demonstrated the benefits of like-minded organisations working together. The following year, on 6 September 2012, the 5BEL Trust announced [15] that, following two years of complex negotiations with the owners of the Black Bull at Moulton, near Richmond, it had purchased Pullman first 'Hazel' (no.

279) the previous month and had removed the car by road to the Brighton Belle shed at Barrow Hill. The car had been in continuous use as a highly praised restaurant since 1972 and her removal was an extremely delicate operation, involving the use of two of the largest mobile cranes in Britain. The acquisition of a second first class car, originally considered as an impossible outcome, permits the correct unit configuration of two motor brakes, two trailer kitchen firsts and a trailer parlour third, with a trailer held in reserve. Brighton mural[ edit ] On 23 September 2010, the then Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Geoffrey Wells, and Sir William McAlpine jointly unveiled [16] a commemorative Brighton Belle street mural . This striking feature has been painted into the arches in Trafalgar Street underneath Brighton Station, and runs along the length of the Brighton Toy and Model Museum . Train Journeys UK | Luxury Train Travel and Day Trips UK | Steam Train Journeys - The Brighton Belle Offers THE GOLDEN AGE OF TRAVEL - THE BRIGHTON BELLE Step back in time aboard the vintage carriages of the Belmond British Pullman luxury train.

The rake includes three beautifully restored carriages from the iconic Brighton Belle service—Audrey, Gwen and Vera. Prepare for a fine dining experience on this scenic round trip as you follow part of the classic line’s former route through Sussex. Your table is set with starched white linen, bespoke china and sparkling cut glassware. Look around and admire the sumptuous art deco features and exquisite marquetry. Liveried stewards are on hand to take care of you. Sip champagne, sit back and relax, enjoying the changing views through your own picture window. You may wish to read about the train’s fascinating history and imagine some of the famous passengers who have sat in your place. Soon the first course of the spectacular seasonal menu will be served, accompanied by our sommelier’s choice of wine. Whether a gift for someone special or simply a chance to spoil yourself, this wonderful journey is a day to remember.

Includes Round-trip travel aboard the Belmond British Pullman luxury train Travel on part of the original route of the Brighton Belle Fine-dining silver service Welcome champagne reception on board Sumptuous five-course lunch: British seasonal table d’hôte menu, including Great British cheeseboard, biscuits and chutneys Half a bottle of wine per person Coffee, tea and petits fours Did you know… Inaugurated in 1931, the Brighton Belle was the world's only electric all-Pullman service. It ran daily from London to Brighton along the Sussex coast until 1972. Loading your journey results Please Note All timings shown on this website are for your guidance only—a confirmed schedule will be supplied with your travel documents Please ensure you bring your travel documents on the day of your journey If booking up to eight (8) weeks prior to departure, a non-refundable 15% deposit is required to secure your seats Payment is required in full if you are booking within eight (8) weeks of travel Full payment and cancellation details can be found in our Terms and Conditions page > Loading other journeys you may like Need some help?

For further information, assistance in choosing your journey or to purchase this journey as a gift, please call us on 1 800 524 2420 Brighton Belle Explained Brighton Belle Brighton Belle Explained The Brighton Belle was a named train which was operated by the Southern Railway and subsequently by British Rail from Victoria Station in London to Brighton , on the Sussex coast. Commissioned as the flagship of the Southern Railway's mass electrification project, which commenced in January 1931, the world's only electric all- Pullman service ran daily between London and Brighton from 1 January 1933 until 30 April 1972. History The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) began using Pullman cars in its express trains in 1875, and in December 1881 they introduced the first all-Pullman train in the UK. Known as the Pullman Limited, this ran between London Victoria and Brighton via Horsham and subsequently ordinary rolling stock was added to the service. In 1888 a second all-Pullman service was instituted, using cars lit by electricity and designed by William Stroudley .

[1] The LB&SCR was the origin of the British umber and cream Pullman livery. In 1903 R. J. Billinton changed the colour of the ordinary LB&SCR coaches to umber brown with white or cream upper panels, and in 1906 this colour scheme was also adopted by the Pullman Car Co., with the name of the car in large gilt letters on the lower panel and flanked on each side by a coloured transfer of the Pullman Company's crest. Another all-Pullman service was introduced in 1908 under the name of the Southern Belle. Contemporary advertising by the LB&SCR claimed that this was "... the most luxurious train in the world...". In 1908 this could be experienced for a special London Victoria to Brighton day return fare of 12 shillings, a premium rate at a time when average earnings were around £1 a week (or 20 shillings). The Southern Belle was steam hauled until 1 January 1933, when electric units were introduced. Trial trains had commenced running between London and Brighton on 2 November 1932, using an experimental five-coach unit (No.

2001) and examples of the new rolling stock were exhibited at London Victoria and Brighton stations from 29 December 1932. [2] With the arrival of the mid-day Victoria to Brighton service at Brighton Station on 29 June 1934, the Mayor of Brighton, Margaret Hardy, [3] renamed the train the Brighton Belle, [4] and it retained this title until withdrawal. The service was scheduled to take 60 minutes for the 51-mile express journey. Three five-car all-Pullman electric multiple units designated 5-BEL were commissioned by the Southern Railway as the flagship of the world's then-largest electrification project, which covered over 160 track miles. The 15 cars – built in 1932 by Metropolitan-Cammell at its Saltley works in Birmingham – were operated in trains comprising two units, the remaining unit normally held in reserve. The 'spare' multiple unit set was used for a Sunday Pullman service from Eastbourne , known as the Eastbourne Pullman for much of the 1950s, but this service was discontinued in 1957.

During the Second World War the service was suspended after Unit 3052 was badly damaged by aerial bombing at London Victoria; all cars were placed in safe storage at Crystal Palace (High Level) station , but the service was progressively reinstated in 1946. The trains were refurbished and overhauled in 1955, but by 1972 the stock was old and rode poorly by contemporary standards. Despite protests, [5] the decision was taken not to replace the rolling stock and the service was withdrawn on 30 April 1972. Every car was preserved, in most cases to meet the ambitions of major breweries to 'bolt on' Pullman restaurants to pubs and hotels, although most were removed relatively quickly because of the high cost of maintenance and refurbishment. [6] A number were progressively acquired by the Venice Simplon Orient Express , while one still remains in use as B&B accommodation at the Little Mill Inn, Rowarth, Derbyshire.

[7] Motor brake car 90 was used for passenger service on the Nene Valley Railway between 1980 and 1990, but was subsequently scrapped at Bury in 1995 following a series of arson attacks. The Southern ran three Pullman trains with the suffix Belle. The others were the Bournemouth Belle and the Devon Belle . British Railways introduced the Thanet Belle (later renamed the Kentish Belle) in 1948. [8] Restoration A campaign [9] to return the Brighton Belle to mainline service was launched by the 5-BEL Trust [10] in 2009. The trustees had been concerned for some time about the worrying state of electric train preservation in Britain and wanted to raise the profile of the issue and to deal with the issues of financial support and covered accommodation.

The project was launched at the National Railway Museum following the acquisition of two of the surviving 14 cars; by early 2009 four out of the five cars needed to form a complete unit [11] had been acquired and the trust had set in place agreements to cover refurbishment of the cars, which began at Pullman restoration specialists Rampart Engineering at the Barrow Hill Engine Shed in February 2009. When the 5-BEL project is completed, it will be returned to mainline service. Despite the high cost of the restoration (approaching £6 million) the programme is seen as an investment for future generations. Progress with the restoration of the Brighton Belle to mainline use will depend in part on the level of public donations. This is the first time that a complete train will have been restored in Britain. [12] A short train of three cars will undergo mainline proving trials in 2016, with mainline excursions with a four car unit commencing shortly afterwards. [13] A restored fifth car will be added before the end of 2016, with the final car expected to be completed in 2017.

Train unit completed During February 2011, Driving Car 88 was displayed on the Brighton seafront to celebrate the acquisition of the Trust's fifth car. [14] The fifth 5BEL car required was Pullman First Doris, then based at the Bluebell Railway for the Bluebell's pullman rake, and thus a swap was arranged. The 5-BEL Trust had purchased Golden Arrow Pullman Kitchen Car Carina and supplied this to the Bluebell railway in exchange for Doris, allowing the Bluebell Railway to complete a five-car all-Pullman Golden Arrow rake. Carina is of considerable heritage importance, having formed part of Winston Churchill 's funeral train which carried the principal mourners from London to Bladon on 30 January 1965. The 5-BEL Trust said at the time that acquiring Doris as the trust's fifth car was not only the right move from a heritage standpoint but also it demonstrated the benefits of like-minded organisations working together.

The following year, on 6 September 2012, the 5BEL Trust announced [15] that, following two years of complex negotiations with the owners of the Black Bull at Moulton, near Richmond, it had purchased Pullman first 'Hazel' (no. 279) the previous month and had removed the car by road to the Brighton Belle shed at Barrow Hill. The car had been in continuous use as a highly praised restaurant since 1972 and her removal was an extremely delicate operation, involving the use of two of the largest mobile cranes in Britain. The acquisition of a second first class car, originally considered as an impossible outcome, permits the correct unit configuration of two motor brakes, two trailer kitchen firsts and a trailer parlour third, with a trailer held in reserve. Brighton mural On 23 September 2010, the then Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Geoffrey Wells, and Sir William McAlpine jointly unveiled [16] a commemorative Brighton Belle street mural . This striking feature has been painted into the arches in Trafalgar Street underneath Brighton Station, and runs along the length of the Brighton Toy and Model Museum .

See also Map of Brighton Belle - The Full Wiki The Full Wiki Wikipedia article: Map showing all locations mentioned on Wikipedia article: The Brighton Belle was a named train which ran on the Southern Railway from Victoria Station to Brighton on the Sussex coast. The first electric all- Pullman service in the world, it is almost certainly the best-known electric train in the UK. This Pullman service ran from 29 June 1934 until its unpopular withdrawal on 30 April 1972 . History The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway began using Pullman cars in their express trains from 1875, and in December 1881 they introduced the first all-Pullman train in the UK. It was known as the Pullman Limited and ran between London and Brighton via Horsham . Subsequently ordinary rolling stock was added to this service. In 1888 a second all-Pullman service was instituted, using carriages lit by electric lighting and designed by William Stroudley . The L.B. & S.C.R. was also the origin of the familiar British umber and cream Pullman livery. In 1903 Billinton changed the colour of the ordinary L.B.

& S.C.R. coaches to umber brown with white or cream upper panels, and in 1906 this colour scheme was also adopted by the Pullman Car Co., with the name of the car in large gilt letters on the lower panel flanked on each side by a coloured transfer of the Pullman Company's crest. Another all-Pullman service was introduced in 1908 under the name of the Southern Belle. Contemporary advertising by the L.B. & S.C.R. claimed that this was "... the most luxurious train in the world...". In 1908 this could be had for a special London Victoria to Brighton day return fare of 12 shillings, a premium rate at a time when average earnings were around £1 per week. The Southern Belle was steam hauled until 1933 when electric units were introduced. With the arrival of the mid-day Victoria to Brighton service at Brighton Station on 29 June 1934 the Mayor of Brighton, Miss M. Hardy, renamed the Southern Belle the Brighton Belle and it ran with this title until withdrawal.

Three five-car all-Pullman electric multiple units designated 5BEL were built for the service and ran throughout the train's life, usually in trains with two sets. The service was scheduled to take 60 minutes for the 51-mile non-stop journey. During the Second World War the service was suspended and the carriages were put into store, but the train was re-instated in 1946. The 'spare' multiple unit set was used for a Sunday Pullman service from Eastbourne , known as the Eastbourne Pullman for much of the 1950s, but this service was discontinued in 1957. The trains were refurbished in 1955, but by 1972 the stock was old and rode poorly by contemporary standards. Despite public protests the decision was taken not to replace the rolling stock and the service was withdrawn on 30 April 1972 . Nearly every carriage was preserved: some, beautifully preserved, are used on the Venice Simplon Orient Express ; others became static restaurants, in various states of repair and permanently exposed to the elements.

In 1972, one carriage became part of a public house in Winsford, Cheshire - it was removed in 1998 because of the high cost of refurbishment. Bringing Back The Brighton Belle The umbrella organisation for heritage transport preservation in the UK - The Transport Trust - has been concerned about the general plight of electric train preservation in Britain, the need to raise the profile of the type and a pressing imperative to deal with the issues of financial support and covered accommodation. Under its patronage, a campaign to return the Brighton Belle to mainline service was launched by the 5BEL Trust [460478] in 2008. This charitable trust assembled a five-car set in early 2009 and has set in place agreements to cover refurbishment of the cars to an exacting standard....in effect, raising the bar for the restoration of electric trains. Restoration of the first driving car, Car 88, began at Pullman restoration specialists, Rampart of Derby, in February 2009 and was largely completed, awaiting motors, by September 2009. In that month, the second driving car, Car 91, was delivered to Derby for restoration.

It is anticpated that a third carriage will commence restoration before the end of 2009. Driving Cars 88 and 91 were coupled together for the very first time when the latter arrived at Rampart of Derby for restoration in September 2009 The aim is to operate the train as push-pull until the complete 5BEL set is restored to full operating condition, with a return to the mainline a clear goal. Despite the high cost of restoration, the programme is seen as an investment for future generations and a torch bearer for the preservation of electric trains. Progress with the restoration of the Brighton Belle to mainline use will depend on the level of public donations, but the Trust has given a commitment to have the train operational in time for the London 2012 Olympics.

References Frye, Charles, British Pullman Trains: A Tribute to All Britain's Steam, Diesel and Electric Pullman Services, Silver Link Publishing, ISBN 0947971785 (1992) Preserved 5BEL Pullman Units [1] , Southern Electric Group Owen, Nicholas, The Brighton Belle, Southern Electric Group (1972), p9 Dunstone, Denis, For the Love of Trains, Ian Allan, ISBN 0711033013 (2007) "Farewell to the Belle"[1]. This is Cheshire. Retrieved on 2009-01-04 Coupe News (Journal of Pullman Car Services) No. 66, pp 24-25 [2] Southern Electric Group: Preserved Pullmans [3] THE BRIGHTON BELLE – THE ONLY ALL-ELECTRIC PULLMAN CAR TRAIN IN THE WORLD. | Cruising The Past Contact & Comments THE BRIGHTON BELLE – THE ONLY ALL-ELECTRIC PULLMAN CAR TRAIN IN THE WORLD. Posted by: Michael L.

Grace April 9, 2010 in PULLMAN , STEAMSHIP LINES Comments Off on THE BRIGHTON BELLE – THE ONLY ALL-ELECTRIC PULLMAN CAR TRAIN IN THE WORLD. Great YOUTUBE video of the Brighton Belle. 29th June 1934: Staff of the Southern Railway at Victoria station, London changing the name board on the front of a train, the ‘Southern Belle’ is now called the ‘Brighton Belle’. (Photo by E. Dean/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) The Brighton Belle represents an important part of British railway heritage, the only all-electric Pullman car train in the world. Launched by the Southern Railway in 1933, it offered passengers traveling between London and Brighton a unique blend of romance, luxury and personal service. When the Brighton Belle was withdrawn from service in 1972, it looked like not only the end of a glorious era, but also the permanent loss of a railway icon. Of course this unique – on hour dining train ride – type of first class dining service today would never exist – mainly because labor costs would be too expensive. This is true of American trains.

To create a dining car found mid-century, would be so costly that it would be impossible except on special trains – where costs are very high like the European Orient Express. History of the Brighton Belle Pullman cars were first introduced to Britain in the 1870s by the Midland Railway. George Mortimer Pullman, an American, pioneered the idea of charging a premium fare for travel in luxury cars with at-seat meal service. At first his cars ran singly or in pairs in normal railway company trains, but in 1899 the London Brighton and South Coast Railway experimented with an all-Pullman summer excursion train, the Brighton Sunday Pullman Limited. I t proved such a success that it was extended to an all-the-year-round service. A new 7-car train was introduced to the route in 1908 and carried the name Southern Belle. Other notable steam-hauled Pullman trains operated by the Southern Railway were the White Pullman from 1924 (later renamed the Golden Arrow) and the Bournemouth Belle from 1931. Certain boat train services to Southampton also featured Pullman cars.

On 1st January 1933 the Southern Railway began operating main line multiple-unit electric trains between London and Brighton. To fit in with this scheme, the Southern Belle was equipped with three new five-car sets of Pullmans, built by Metropolitan-Cammell at Saltley, Birmingham. (left) MENUS – for the 1 hour run. Each set of trains provided seats for 40 first class and 132 third class passengers. Later, third class became second class. Painted in the distinctive Pullman livery of umber and cream and adorned with the Pullman Car Company coat of arms. The Pullman train sets had driver’s and guard’s compartments at the outer ends and were commonly coupled together as a ten-car train. FIRST CLASS ABOARD THE BRIGHTON BELLE IN LATE 1960S. The service provided three 60-minute runs in each direction and, apart from a change of name to the Brighton Belle in 1934 and wartime interruptions, continued virtually unchanged for the next thirty-odd years. Changes began to escalate in the 1960s.

As with other trains, for the benefit of track staff the end panels were treated to, first, a yellow warning patch, then an overall yellow face. The traditional livery was replaced with standard rail blue and grey as the Pullman Car Co was no longer an independent company. Kippers disappeared from the breakfast menu. The journey time was cut to 55 minutes, provoking complaints of rough riding. Finally, having outlasted their contemporaries and showing their age, the three sets were withdrawn after April 1972 and replaced with standard Brighton-line trains. The Brighton Belle was no more. Many mourned the passing of the Belle and crowds swarmed on the platforms to say goodbye on its last day. Something of profound importance had been lost. The Belle had personality – a whiff of luxury, an air of excitement, an aura of romance – reinforced by the people who travelled in it, an esoteric community of film stars, politicians, the aristocracy and the rich, the celebrities of the age. When rail travel was really First Class. When the Brighton Belle was withdrawn, the fifteen cars were sold at auction and dispersed across Britain – although not, as some had feared, to America.

Fourteen are still in existence in various collections: all have been repainted into the traditional colors but many still need extensive restoration inside and out. There is now a very real chance that future generations will be able to experience this wonderfully evocative train following the launch by the Transport Trust of the Bring Back the Brighton Belle campaign. The objective is to restore at least 3 cars to an operational train set. This campaign will be the beacon to fill a gap in our transport heritage by creating a working home for electric multiple-unit trains. The cars will be refurbished one by one as funds permit. The Belle is poised to be reborn, initially as a 3-car set capable of being propelled by, for example, a class 73 electro-diesel locomotive. It is hoped one day to gather two more trailers and fit electric motors again so that the Belle may run once more as a self-contained train into the historic station at Brighton. Bluebell Railway Press Release 5BEL Trust and Bluebell Railway Press Release Pullman musical chairs 18 February 2011 Two major rail restoration projects can now be completed following the acquisition of historic Pullman car 'Carina' by the 5BEL Trust.

The former Golden Arrow kitchen car has been transferred to the Bluebell Railway to allow them to complete a five car all-Pullman Golden Arrow rake. In turn, the ex-Brighton Belle Pullman first class car 'Doris' moves to the 5BEL Trust as the final car for their authentic Brighton Belle train set. The 5BEL Trust and the Bluebell Railway have been working in close partnership to achieve these long held goals. "We're thrilled to help the Brighton Belle return to the mainline - it was such an important and iconic train and the 5BEL Trust really is breaking new ground in the restoration of electric trains," said Roy Watts, Chairman of the Bluebell Railway. "It has also been a long held ambition of ours to add a much-needed second kitchen car to the Golden Arrow." "It's a happy day for those who long to see the Brighton Belle back on the mainline," said 5BEL Trust Chairman, Denis Dunstone. "Acquiring 'Doris' as our fifth and final car was not only the right move from a heritage standpoint, but it also demonstrates the benefits of like-minded organisations working together.

It is clear to Roy and me that the heritage movement has been set a wonderful example by Carina's previous owner, Jim Kay, whose vision and generosity of spirit has allowed us to finally bring to fruition these two important programmes." The Brighton Belle project was launched in 2009 and will see a complete train returned to the mainline. It is the largest rail restoration project underway in Britain. ENDS Notes to Editors: The announcement was made by the 5BEL Trust and the Bluebell Railway at Brighton Modelworld, at which Brighton Belle Car 88 is starring. The 'real thing' is on display on the Brighton promenade from 17-20 February, while inside, visitors are greeted upon arrival by a nine metre mural of 'Doris'. Trailer Pullman First 'Doris' (Car 82) was built in 1932 by Metropolitan Cammell as part of an order from the Southern Railway for three five-car all-Pullman Brighton Belle (5 BEL) train sets. The Brighton Belle was the only electric all-Pullman train ever built and ran daily between London Victoria and Brighton from 1933 until 1972.

The 5BEL Trust is professionally restoring a complete five-car train set to its original condition. Whilst it is intended to be operated regularly on the mainline, the Brighton Belle will also become the flagship of an Electric Railway Museum. Pullman Kitchen Car 'Carina' was built in 1951 by Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Co for the Golden Arrow service. A Type K, she was one of the last of the old-style Pullman cars to be produced. She is of significant historical importance, forming part of Sir Winston Churchill's funeral train and carrying the principal mourners from London to Bladon on 30 January 1965. Since the withdrawal of Pullman cars from service, 'Carina' has passed through a number of owners, but was never returned to service. For a while she was preserved at the Hotel Mercure in Lyon. In recent years, she has been stored by Jim Kay on the NYMR, awaiting deep restoration. It is expected that the return to full operating standard will take several years. The acquisition of 'Carina' is a key part of the Bluebell Railway's long-term plan for a five-car all-Pullman Golden Arrow train, providing a much-needed second kitchen.

Several years ago, the railway acquired 'Doris' as a potential second kitchen, but recognised that the conversion from electric to steam specification might not be optimal from a heritage standpoint. The Bluebell Railway therefore agreed to release 'Doris' for the Brighton Belle project if another Pullman kitchen car could be found. For further information on the Brighton Belle and the 5BEL Trust: For further information on the Golden Arrow and the Bluebell Railway: Brighton Modelworld runs from 18-20 February at the Brighton Centre, Brighton: Earlier Press Releases: Brighton Belle Brighton Belle Share Bring Back the Brighton Belle The Brighton Belle represents an important part of our railway heritage, the only all-electric Pullman car train in the world. Launched by the Southern Railway in 1933, it offered passengers travelling between London and Brighton a unique blend of romance, luxury and personal service. When the Brighton Belle was withdrawn from service in 1972, it looked like not only the end of a glorious era, but also the permanent loss of a railway icon. History of the Brighton Belle Pullman cars were first introduced to Britain in the 1870s by the Midland Railway.

George Mortimer Pullman, an American, pioneered the idea of charging a premium fare for travel in luxury cars with at-seat meal service. At first his cars ran singly or in pairs in normal railway company trains, but in 1899 the London Brighton and South Coast Railway experimented with an all-Pullman summer excursion train, the Brighton Sunday Pullman Limited. It proved such a success that it was extended to an all-the-year-round service. A new 7-car train was introduced to the route in 1908 and carried the name Southern Belle. Other notable steam-hauled Pullman trains operated by the Southern Railway were the White Pullman from 1924 (later renamed the Golden Arrow) and the Bournemouth Belle from 1931. Certain boat train services to Southampton also featured Pullman cars. On 1st January 1933 the Southern Railway began operating main line multiple-unit electric trains between London and Brighton. To fit in with this scheme, the Southern Belle was equipped with three new five-car sets of Pullmans, built by Metropolitan-Cammell at Saltley, Birmingham. Each set provided seats for 40 first class and 132 third class passengers.

Painted in the distinctive Pullman livery of umber and cream and adorned with the Pullman Car Company coat of arms, the sets had driver's and guard's compartments at the outer ends and were commonly coupled together as a ten-car train. The service provided three 60-minute runs in each direction and, apart from a change of name to the Brighton Belle in 1934 and wartime interruptions, continued virtually unchanged for the next thirty-odd years. Changes began to escalate in the 1960s. As with other trains, for the benefit of track staff the end panels were treated to, first, a yellow warning patch, then an overall yellow face. The traditional livery was replaced with standard rail blue and grey as the Pullman Car Co was no longer an independent company. Kippers disappeared from the breakfast menu. The journey time was cut to 55 minutes, provoking complaints of rough riding. Finally, having outlasted their contemporaries and showing their age, the three sets were withdrawn after April 1972 and replaced with standard Brighton-line trains. The Brighton Belle was no more. Many mourned the passing of the Belle and crowds swarmed on the platforms to say goodbye on its last day.

Something of profound importance had been lost. The Belle had personality - a whiff of luxury, an air of excitement, an aura of romance - reinforced by the people who travelled in it, an esoteric community of film stars, politicians, the aristocracy and the rich, the celebrities of the age. Life after death When the Brighton Belle was withdrawn, the fifteen cars were sold at auction and dispersed across Britain - although not, as some had feared, to America. Fourteen are still in existence in various collections: all have been repainted into the traditional colours but many still need extensive restoration inside and out. There is now a very real chance that future generations will be able to experience this wonderfully evocative train following the launch by the Transport Trust of the Bring Back the Brighton Belle campaign. The objective is to restore at least 3 cars to an operational train set. This campaign will be the beacon to fill a gap in our transport heritage by creating a working home for electric multiple-unit trains. The cars will be refurbished one by one as funds permit. The Belle is poised to be reborn, initially as a 3-car set capable of being propelled by, for example, a class 73 electro-diesel locomotive.

It is hoped one day to gather two more trailers and fit electric motors again so that the Belle may run once more as a self-contained train into the historic station at Brighton. The project now has its own website, brightonbelle.com .

Question: Which all-Pullman train ran between London and Brighton from 1931 to 1972?
Answer: The Brighton Belle