SCHOOLS CLASS STEAM LOCO "BRIGHTON"

I think that this loco must have been hauling a "special" running since much of the pipework, edge linings and wheel rims are picked out in white, a sure sign of a special train. Possibly a "Royal".

I have since been reliably informed by John Nash that the date was June 1953, the Driver & Fireman were John Nash & Syd Turner and that the loco had hauled the Royal Train from Victoria to Tattenham Corner on Saturday 6th June for HM visit to the Derby.

For the occasion of the train to Tattenham corner, the buffers were always changed and would have been highly polished and buffed but by the time this photo was taken, they had been replaced with the normal workday ones.

In this photo, the loco was actually at Newhaven loco shed for "turning" so that it would be facing forward when hauling the boat-train from the harbour to Victoria, its normal service duty.

That's very interesting, Richard. I've managed to find a video on You Tube showing that Royal Train on its way to the 1953 Derby, hauled by "Brighton" on the Tattenham Corner branch. The loco is described as "over decorated"! The URL is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH2s_qXeQLc&feature=channel_page.

Hi John, I looked at the youtube video, but if you pause it in the second sequence with the loco coming towards you, you will see the loco number is 30922 not 30915. Richard

Richard, according to the info with the video the sequence you refer to shows another train, the "Bookies' Belle", hauled by Class N1 31822, also on its way to the Derby. I think that is the number you can make out.
The video owner states that the first loco, with the royal train, was 30915 Brighton. It is not possible to see the number in this clip though. No doubt special attention was given to the appearance of 30915 as the Derby took place only four days after the Queen's Coronation. John

By Dave Brady.   In 1939 at the outbreak of WW2 I was on holiday with my mother's brother Jack Hillman, and it was decided that I would stay there and not return to London where my mother worked. As a result Jack Hillman became my guardian. He was a driver at the loco shed as was his brother Ted Hillman. I started there as a cleaner in 1949 and I left in 1954 as a top link fireman. If anyone has any photos of the engine crews of that period, I would appreciate copies please as I only have a couple. Thanks

Dear Mr Brady, Two wonderful photos of "Brighton" my favourite class of engine that I worked upon. Over 40 years ago! Would there be any possibility that I could purchase a copy of each photo that you display please? Await in anticipation, Yours sincerely Mick Croucher

Hornby are to produce a model of this particular loco later this year, with a rake of Pullman's truly a sight for sore eyes, a great pity 'Brighton' went to the cutters torch. But at least we still have 3 others.

30915 or 30922..... There was always a standby loco, which would have been prepared to the same standards. Would probably have been standby at Purley.