Brighton Belle update

Thanks for clarifying

 

Don't know why anyone would continue to donate to this once it's tied like this.
Bit like 71000, don't see any point.

Each to their own though and it's their money not mine.

 

Looking forwad to a trip to Chester

 

So how do you propose to operate it?

 

I am very much looking forward to this coming on to SR metals. Albeit 4 coaches means probably 3.5 coaches worth of seats, much of which will be 2+1, so not a huge capacity.

 

http://brightonbelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/BB_formation-1280x648.jpg

174 seats in 6 coaches. A little over 100 for 4 vehicles?

 

Which sort of points to Belmond level pricing I guess. May even make Saphos dining look cheap.

 

I reckon between 144 (Beryl, Gravette Manor, Clare and Mabel)
And 124 (if you swap out Clare for Hazel or Doris)
Either way, compared to a 12-coach Belmond, it's going to be a lot smaller.

On the plus side, there shouldn't be any fire risk (which may be a downside in itself if it gets run in heatwaves only)

 

These cars are at the top end of luxury, and I would have thought that will reflect in the service provided, and the price, They are genuine Pullman, and unique, I would imagine it's going to be very much on a par with what Belmond is offering, except being an EMU, It's operations will be very different, with different destinations, one i can imagine, could be Victoria to Brighton, Brighton to Southampton, then back to Victoria,

 

Whatever it is, it will be a far cry from my mother grudgingly forking out the 2/6d Pullman supplement at Brighton station in the 60s!

 

Come on Martin, you of all people can be more imaginative than that with an itinerary …

Mogul from Swanage to Wareham. Pick up the juice rail to Basingstoke, Merchant Navy waiting to over back to Salisbury - surely?

Tom

 

Couple a 2 EPB behind for the cheap seats.........

 

Gordon Pettit...

 

Or the bowl of tomato soup that was all I purchased on my one trip, and they never came and asked for payment either.

 

Menu in pullman
Sole Meuniere
Tornedos Rossini
Glaces ou fromage
Vins rouge et blanc

Menu in GP
Boeuf au style roi de burger
délice des anges
Carling label noir en boite

 

Hot food from a railtour buffet, whatever next

 

Hopefully a 5 Car will happen sooner rather than later.

 

....and the smoother ride?

My mother once got a ride in the Brighton Belle on her way to school at the start of term, and was glad it was only tea - soup would have been messy!

 

Tom, I have turned over a new leaf, no more imaginative ideas from me, i'm trying to act my age now, for the short while before senile dementure sets in, then it will be normal service is resumed,

 

I remember my gran telling us about a trip down on the Belle to stay with us. She was served a coffee which, for some reason was completely undrinkable. Strangely for her, she decided to dispose of it out the window, the coffee unfortunately finding it's way back into the carriage at the far end, to considerable surprise and consternation. She was not by nature a vandal, but I remember as a 9 year old hooting with laughter and approval at her recounting of this.