The Brighton Belle part 2

The Brighton Belle, first ran on January 1st 1933, is under restoration. An iconic piece of Southern Railways from the past.

Fortunately sufficient numbers of cars and stock remained hidden from the scrap man and a complete 5 car unit is now being restored in time for the 2012 London Olympics.

Now I understand that some modification are essential in order to gain a main line service ticket, further modifications are required to cater for disabled persons and the electric pick up shoe has also to modified.

However it would be truly wonderful to see the chocolate and cream Pullman livery back on rails.

Here we see our friends from Allely's in Brighton taking care of some of the stock due for restoration. I understand most of the work is being undertaken in Derby.

These photos are outside the Grand Hotel, Brighton.

The Brighton Belle

Introduced in 1933, the Brighton Belle in now under restoration.
I do have a strange fascination with early Southern Region electric traction.

Fortunately most of the stock failed to reach the scrap man and now a major project in under way.
It is hoped to have all units restored and given a main line ticket in time for the 2012 London Olympic Games.



brightonbelle.com

Lineside Fires

Oh dear, oh dear!

Early September locomotive daytime movement from York. 70013 Oliver Cromwell and 30777 Sir Lamiel just passing Doncaster, then disaster!

Ash pan problems in one or both locomotives created severe line side fires that effectively closed the entire length on the East Coast Main Line form Kings Cross to York for several hours.

Somebody got to pay for this.

OUCH!

British Pathe

The Titfield Thunderbolt.

What a movie, shot on the disused Camerton Line, south of Bath in the early 1950's.

It is a lovely piece of English countryside.

Go and visit some of the location at Freshfield, Monkton Coombe, Midford and Limpley Stoke.

Enjoy

TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT

Forest of Arden Ploughing Match

On Thursday 15th September 2011, the Forest of Arden Agricultural Society held its annual ploughing match, this time on land near Sherbourne, Warwickshire. There are many classes of tractors and implements used, from horticultural to present day. Trailed ploughs and mounted. Here is a small selection of photographs I managed to take.

This is Su Sumners on her Ransomes MG2 crawler. MG stands for market garden and these machines are from the early 1950's.

Another fine example of a pedestrian operated horticultural machine.

This is Willie Finnegan from Hall Green Birmingham on his Ferguson TE20

Ron Turner from the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club on his Ferguson TE20

Peter Summers of his Fordson Standard 'N'. This tractor has always remained in the family, it was owned by his grandfather.

Great Dorset Steam Fair 2011

This is always a spectacular sight on the openeing day of the fair. Note all the yellow vests, I am not quite sure what they would do if one of the loads came to grief; pick it up perhaps!

Great Dorset Steam Fair 2011

The 2011 Great Dorset Steam Fair was once again a tremendous success. The Static Vintage Tractor Section, under the able control of section leader Stuart Cotton was busy and organised very well.

The North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor & Engine Club also once again had a presence. We not only represent our own group, the the National Club as well.

Here we see our stand at the top of the tractor section. Jon Boyce and me were in attendance whilst Matty Bisp joined us later in the week. The stand had the kind loan of Matt's little horticultural tractors, a Wheelhorse and International Cub Cadet. Both attracted a great amount of interest.

A welcome overseas visitor was Eric Dechanet from Arandon, near Lyon, France. He was accompanied with his wife and daughter. His tractor, a 1957 Vendeuvre BOB500, won the coveted best Overseas Exhibit. Well done Eric.

An interesting exhibit with a hand/pto winch as an attachment.

1951 Howard Hoe. A market garden tractor owned by Eddie Spencer from Tipperary, Ireland.

1916 International Titan 10-20 from Co. Kilkenny, Ireland

1942 Fordson with a McConal Hedge Trimmer.

A general over view of the Dorset event, with the Salisbury road and fun fair in the background.

1952 Steyr from Austria, owned by Christian Holtz

Mr George McCleer form Co.Antrim aboard a restarted Ferguson TE20. This represents the Ferguson Heritage section.

Saturday night at the fair is something special. Here we have 'Billy Boy', a Aveling & Porter 5nhp Showmans Tractor. Owned by the Turner Bros. Thormanby, Yorks.

Some other general shots of the night time special features.

Locomotive 80078, on loan from Swanage Railway, is a 1954 built 2-6-4 T Standard Class 4. A Brighton built locomotive. The engine is brought up by road by courtesy of Allelys Heavy Haulage and they in turn give a demonstration in the heavy haulage arena of loading and unloading a railway locomotive.