The Brighton Belle

In January 1933 the then Southern Railway electrified the services on the Brighton line. In preparation for this, the Pullman Car Co. Ltd. had three 5-car trains built for them by the Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Co. at their works at Birmingham and on January 1, 1933, the old steam hauled "Southern Belle" which first ran on November 2nd, 1908, ran as an all-electric Pullman Car train in the familiar chocolate and cream livery. On June 29th, 1934, it was renamed "Brighton Belle". It ran three times daily in each direction (twice on Sundays). It was suspended during the 1939/45 war and re-introduced on October 6, 1947.

It comprised of two 5-car units, each unit having accommodation for 40 first class and 152 second class passengers. At the beginning of 1969 a start was made on refurbishing the interior of the 5-car units and soon all were completed, retaining most of the features of the original units but the interiors were re-upholstered, the first class in charcoal and grey check, the second class in blue and green check with navy blue arm and head rests. The floors were fitted with mustard coloured carpets. Light orange curtains and green sun blinds gave a pleasant finishing touch at the windows.

The exteriors were repainted in blue on the upper and lower panels, with grey in the middle. Each coach bore the legend "Brighton Belle" in white lettering and the name also appeared on the front of the yellow driving cab at both ends of each 5-car unit. Prior to repainting the two first class Kitchen Cars in the centre of each of the 5-car units were named on the outside. The names used were Hazel, Doris, Audrey, Vera, Gwen and Mona. These names were perpetuated by a small plaque inside the cars. The train was powered by two 225 h.p. motors on each bogie, i.e. four motors to each 5-car unit.

Photograph below shows the livery that was in use from 1933 to 1969..

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