Can you believe it has been 10 years since two steam hauled special trains called into Seaford station to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the branch line into our town? Videos of these events are still available to view on YouTube.
Below is a photograph taken at Sheffield Park station on the Bluebell Railway in East Sussex last Sunday, 30 June 2024. It’s a steam locomotive named ‘Beachy Head’ number 32424. How old do you think this steam engine is? Possibly 70, 90 or maybe even 120 years old?
You’d be wrong!
This engine is a brand new build, just completed. It’s been constructed at Sheffield Park station over the past 20 years and so far, has not turned a wheel in public service. It’s Britain’s newest steam locomotive!
Why build a new steam engine? It’s a full size replica (or as near as can be) of a steam locomotive originally built by the local London, Brighton & South Coast Railway down the coast at Brighton works in September 1911. This and other similar locomotives were famous in their day hauling express trains between London and the South Coast towns. In 1925 a decision was made to name this batch of locomotives after prominent coastal features in South and West England; hence the name ‘Beachy Head’. There is a local connection here as they were often associated with hauling crack continental boat trains between London and Newhaven to connect with ferries to France until the 1950s. Some of these engines were based at the Newhaven motive power depot and were driven and fired by local crews. Their numbers dwindled with age until there was only one locomotive left – ‘Beachy Head’ – number 32424. This engine became a ‘celebrity’ and often hauled special trains and rail tours. However, in 1958 it was suddenly withdrawn and quickly scrapped. There was dismay as it was the last locomotive of this type to run on British Railways and the opportunity to preserve it had been lost.
Fast forward another 30 years and a plan emerged to reincarnate ‘Beachy Head’.
A project team was formed at the Bluebell Railway. Original plans were examined, components were located, including salvaging an old locomotive boiler from a sawmill in Essex and the new frames were cut and assembled in 2007. A new build locomotive took shape over 20 years thanks to the dedication and skill of the team and their supporters who have worked to create an engine that should never have been scrapped in the first place.
‘Beachy Head’ should be in traffic on the Bluebell Railway in late August. You can book tickets to ride in the first trains to be pulled by this unique locomotive. Further information can be found on the Bluebell Railway website Bluebell Railway
Before the steam train specials that visited Seaford 10 years ago it is commonly held that the last British Railways steam hauled train into Seaford station was a van train of school luggage on the 25th July 1963. This was hauled by a small tank engine number 32678. This was a member of a class of engines nicknamed ‘Terriers’. This engine was also built at Brighton Locomotive works but way back in 1880 and was also based at Newhaven depot. It was withdrawn soon after its trip to Seaford but happily it is now preserved on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, click here for further information Kent and East Sussex Railway website
Article submitted by Bill
Celebrating Seaford 