Description

Take three great cab rides on one DVD! First, ride a 2-car class 171 DMU from Brighton to Ashford across Romney Marsh, then join the driver of a 3-car class 377 EMU at Lewes for the short trip down the scenic branch line to Seaford. Finally, enjoy the entirety of the London to Brighton Speed Run in 2005!

The hourly Southern service to Ashford (Kent) nowadays starts at Brighton, running fast to Eastbourne stopping only at Lewes and Polegate. At Eastbourne the 2 –car class 171 diesel multiple unit reverses before proceeding along the coast to Hastings, calling at Bexhill and St Leonards Warrior Square. Our train then continues beneath the semaphore signals towards Ore where the third rail runs out. From here we run fast along the single line to the ancient town of Rye.

Now we head across Romney Marsh, the flat landscape giving the line its name. After the unstaffed halt at Appledore, situated roughly one mile from the village, our train calls at one of the staggered platforms of Ham Street Station followed by the terminus at Ashford International.

We then jump back to Lewes and join the driver in the cab of a 3-car class 377 electric multiple unit for the short trip down the scenic branch line to Seaford. Calling at Newhaven Town and Harbour the line becomes single and continues along the coast through Bishopstone into the terminus at Seaford, the latter two stations retaining different but classic “Big Four” Southern Railway buildings.

BONUS
London to Brighton Speed Run 11th September 2005. Record run of 36 minutes 56.28 seconds by class 377 shown in entirety.

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