Out on the Brighton Line
24th November 2008 to 29th April 2009

On Monday 24th November I took myself off to Horsham to see the Arun Valley RHTT MPV. It never showed but I took a few pictures of the Horsham scene nevertheless.

The following day I went to Horley, primarily to get a picture of the morning Manchester to Brighton XC Voyager, a service which will disappear from the 14th December when the new timetable heralds the end of XC service to Brighton. An added bonus was the appearance of GatEx Thunderbird 73.202 on a crew training run to Three Bridges.

On Thursday 12th Feb GBRf ran a 6G30 Brighton (Lovers Walk) to Eastleigh Yard in conjunction with the demolition of the old Pullman Car sheds near Preston Park. A quick trip down to Barnham revealed not only it, topped and tailed by 74205 and 73206 but also a NR test train with the combined power of 37s 605 259 and 609.

Tuesday 17th Feb was not a good day for Southern. A fatality at Balham caused mayhem with the evening rush hour. So much so that the 19:15 Gatwick Express departed from platform 5 on the Chatham side.

<-- Index | Showing 1-13 of 13 pictures | Index -->
An MPV in the yard at Horsham, the pallets in the foreground presumably contain the chemicals which the RHTT trains use in their fight with the leaves.
An MPV in the yard at Horsham, the pallets in the foreground presumably contain the chemicals which the RHTT trains use in their fight with the leaves.
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A 377 on a train from London Bridge passing Horsham's disused signal box. The levers of the Westinghouse type A2 frame can be seen through the windows, although all the instruments and train describers have been removed.
A 377 on a train from London Bridge passing Horsham's disused signal box. The levers of the Westinghouse type A2 frame can be seen through the windows, although all the instruments and train describers have been removed.
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As well as the trains too and from Three Bridges and Gatwick Horsham is still served by an hourly train over the 'traditional' mainline via Dorking. Not a Pullman or buffet car in sight, just a utilitarian 455.
As well as the trains too and from Three Bridges and Gatwick Horsham is still served by an hourly train over the 'traditional' mainline via Dorking. Not a Pullman or buffet car in sight, just a utilitarian 455.
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At Horley on Tuesday a Horsham to London Bridge train is overtaken by a Brighton to Watford Junction service, another journey which will not be possible after the timetable change in a couple of weeks time. They are being cut back to East Croydon and (later in 2009) extended to Milton Keynes.
At Horley on Tuesday a Horsham to London Bridge train is overtaken by a Brighton to Watford Junction service, another journey which will not be possible after the timetable change in a couple of weeks time. They are being cut back to East Croydon and (later in 2009) extended to Milton Keynes.
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The 07:54 from Manchester Piccadilly to Brighton approaching Horley and making ready for its Gatwick stop. Judging by the amount of movement on board plenty of passengers were preparing to get off at Gatwick.
The 07:54 from Manchester Piccadilly to Brighton approaching Horley and making ready for its Gatwick stop. Judging by the amount of movement on board plenty of passengers were preparing to get off at Gatwick.
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Horley's generous station buildings and platforms attest to the concern the Brighton Railway paid to its clientele. A passenger awaits the 13:19 to Horsham whilst a Portsmouth Harbour/Bognor Regis to Victoria semi-fast heads north.
Horley's generous station buildings and platforms attest to the concern the Brighton Railway paid to its clientele. A passenger awaits the 13:19 to Horsham whilst a Portsmouth Harbour/Bognor Regis to Victoria semi-fast heads north.
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An FCC 319 brakes for the Gatwick stop.
An FCC 319 brakes for the Gatwick stop.
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73202 approaching Horley on its crew training run to Three Bridges, from where it returns just before 14:00.
73202 approaching Horley on its crew training run to Three Bridges, from where it returns just before 14:00.
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Super power for a lightweight test train. 37609 and 259 lead out of platform 1, the Bognor bay...
Super power for a lightweight test train. 37609 and 259 lead out of platform 1, the Bognor bay...
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...and out onto the mainline with 37605 brining up the rear (also under power)
...and out onto the mainline with 37605 brining up the rear (also under power)
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The 6G30 approaches Barnham
The 6G30 approaches Barnham
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A GatEx set on the 19:15 to Gatwick awaits departure from platform 5 on the Chatham side at Victoria.
A GatEx set on the 19:15 to Gatwick awaits departure from platform 5 on the Chatham side at Victoria.
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April 29th; a pair of 442s in their new garb on a Victoria to Brighton service approaching Gatwick Airport
April 29th; a pair of 442s in their new garb on a Victoria to Brighton service approaching Gatwick Airport
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