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The Brighton Belle

Discussion in 'Diesel & Electric Traction' started by dace83, Jun 9, 2009.

  1. spindizzy

    spindizzy Member

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    A very sensible outcome, well done to those who brokered the deal
     
  2. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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    This is great news.

    Looking at the Southern Electric Group's webpage:
    http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/preservation/preservationpull.html
    these units used to run with two 1st class trailers and one 3rd class trailer. The "Brighton Belle Project" look like they've now got one 1st and two 3rds instead. Was there much difference between the two types? I wonder if they are going to restore one of the 3rds as a 1st?

    Richard
     
  3. markb846

    markb846 New Member

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    It will be nice to see this vehicle back on the main line as I used to see it, every day when it lived at the back of Finsbury Park station.
     
  4. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Nice to see that Doris will be used on the Brighton Belle again and the Bluebell get another Pullman in return..
     
  5. martin butler

    martin butler Part of the furniture

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    at least now the restorers have got all the correct coaches and everyones happy with their end of the deal

    Whilst i understand that the units are to be re enginnered with the ee traction motors from the CIG are the original pulman bogies being reused? of have they got to run with the Br mk1 or commonwealth bogies to meet modern traction requirements that NR may insist on to be able to run on their metals?
     
  6. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

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    I believe the current plan is to run on different bogies due to the different TM's, no bad thing considering the ride quality the originals gave.

    Chris
     
  7. martin butler

    martin butler Part of the furniture

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    even on the non powered bogies? yet i thought the pulman bogies gave as good a ride as the later Mk1 bogies, how difficault would it have been to adapt the mountings on the excisting power bogies to take the english electric traction motors, and use just the wheel sets to match up with the gearing , rather than use the whole power bogie that came off the cigs
     
  8. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

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    I dont know if they'll change the bogies on the trailers, however i wouldnt be surprised - its what VSOE have done with their ex-BB trailers. While the original plan was indeed to mount new TM's on the existing power bogies, they've since started talking about fitting different bogies which would tally with the comments on wnxx about their original plan being impractical.

    ...Unfortunately fitting CIG bogies is not simple either, which probably explains why there's been a lack of (visible) progress for some time while they presumably design and get approval for the changes needed.

    Chris
     
  9. markb846

    markb846 New Member

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    Sorry if this has been covered before. But would it not have been better to look at using a CEP traction package as like the 5 BELL units they had their motors mounted under the driving cars. Also CEP's had SR designed motor bogies. where as the CIG traction package is mounted under an intermediate vehicle.
    I understand that the driving coach which was on display at Brighton is going to works this week. So maybe there will be some information on what they are going to do. As it is going to have the electrics refurbished.
     
  10. martin butler

    martin butler Part of the furniture

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    if there had been Ceps still availible then i would guess that that is what would have been done but they have to go with what is availible today i would guess that most were scrapped years ago unless some ex SWT units are still extant in a scrap yard somewhere
     
  11. buzby2

    buzby2 Well-Known Member

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    Quite agree about the units general riding qualities.
    Was always impressed with the Belle's waiting staff when they poured hot coffee and hot milk, from stylish silver pots, into your cup. Both pots were poured at the same time so your drink was ready mixed! Despite the bouncy ride they seemed rarely to spill a drop and the starched Irish Linen tablecloths remained pristine - unless you had the accident.
    Those were the days.
     
  12. gz3xzf

    gz3xzf Member

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    I have just been poking around on the Brighton Belle web site and notice that there doesn't appear to have been a newsletter since Feb 2010 and no update on the progress since Oct 2010, has the project stagnated?

    Is anyone on the forum connected with the project? :)

    (Edit: Sorry just noticed that there was an update during July 2011, but would still like to know what has happened to the news letters)
     
  13. Andre

    Andre New Member

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    A good friend of mine is involved and reports progress continues to be made. Much discussion on interior layout, kitchen fittings etc. are being undertaken.
     
  14. kesr

    kesr Member

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    This is such a woderful prject that s occuring
     
  15. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

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    As well as news of the purchase of a sixth vehicle, Pullman News has a photo of Car 91 outside on its new motor bogies (page 31).

    Chris
     
  16. xg125

    xg125 New Member

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    Very nice. Those are not permanent bogies are they?
     
  17. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

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    They are the new mk6's that allow the CIG traction gear to be used - beefier looking but should give a better ride, it'll be interesting to see how she looks when they've received their shoegear and everything else below the solebar is fitted.

    Chris
     
  18. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    To be fair, I think only hardened enthusiasts will notice of the bogies are not correct, Joe Publics attention usually stops at the bottom of the bodysides unless it's a steam loco with rods.
     

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