Category:5BEL Trust

An early 5BEL Trust leaflet [image info]

2014: 5BEL Brighton Belle leaflet [image info]

2014: 5BEL Trust Brighton Belle leaflet interior [image info]

2014: 5BEL Trust leaflet [image info]

2015: "On track with return to glory days of trains", article on the 5BEL Trust with accompanying photograph of the Brighton Belle in Brighton Station, The Argus [image info]

The 5BEL Trust are working to restore a complete set of five Brighton Belle cars to recreate the original train.

The name of the trust is based on the Brighton Belle's railway identification code, 5BEL.

Various brochures, selected text:

The wonderful all-electric Brighton Belle Pullman train was conceived by the Southern Railway in 1933. Its level of service and comfort between London and Brighton achieved gret fame, and the train became a railway icon, until it was withdrawn by British Rail in 1972. Its popularity ensured that there was a major row about its removal.
Yet a trip on this unique train was never to be forgotten, with the sumptuous interior, marquetry panels and frosted galss lampshades, brass fittings and wonderful table lamps. Service was "at seat" with light meals available, and all too soon the train glided into Brighton Station and the journey was over.
There were three trains, and nearly every carriage was saved. Some, beautifully restored, are in the famous Venice Simplon Orient Express. Some vehicles were put to work as static restaurants; one or two were kept stored away. Only two of the original 15 carriages were scrapped.
...
The Brighton Belle can be brought back to life. The concept of being able to enjoy this uniquely evocative and romantic train once more is now real. We have purchased two cars and have two more on permanent loan. A fifth car wil join then soon, to enable us to re-assemble a complete train.
We have set up a charitable trust, and have made agreements to obtain workshop space to refurbish the cars. The work wil be to the most exacting standards - nothing less will do. We shall operate the train as push-pull, until a cmplete 5 BEL set is restored to full, mainline operating condition.
Such restoration is neither quick, nor cheap! We have managed to save to secure the vehicles as a start, but in order to obtain all our restoration aims, we will need extra funds. ...
The eventual return to mainline operation wil bring a national treasure back to the South of England, allowing people to experience the luxury and romance of this famous train. We believe that the saving of the Brighton Belle will prove to be a practical and successful venture for the future, which will offer a great deal of pleasure. Will you help us, please?

— , 5BEL Trust, , leaflet circa 2011,

The 5-BEL Trust

The Trust was formed in January 2009 to progress the restoration of the Belle and to raise the status the electric train. The individuals chosen to form the team each bring unique skills to the restoration project which, from the very beginning, faced formidable technical, legal and financial challenges. But the project has really captured the public's imagination, particularly in the Brighton area. According to the Trust's chairman, Denis Dunstone, "The number of people contacting us with memories of this wonderful train, or to donate mementos, is quite moving. How quickly we complete this project is linked to the inflow of funds against a total project cost significantly in excess of £1 million, so we need as many people as possible to play a part in the restoration of this much loved train." The Brighton link for the project is the wonderful Brighton Toy Museum, which houses one of the world's finest collections of model trains and tinplate toys – the team will not only keep visitors bang up to date with progress on the Belle, but will also show off some of their priceless treasures (www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk).

— , 5BEL Trust, , leaflet,

This kind of project doesn't come cheap if we are to achieve the magnificent results that we are looking for. We have been able to commit almost £3m to acquire six vehicles, and to fund the technical specification and engineering needed to satisfy today's stringent conditions, as well as funding the superb professional restoration work to bring this Pullman train back into regular main line service.
This gives hope that we shell once more see the riot of umber and cream, with flashing glances of brass work, laid white tables, and luxury, as the wonderful Brighton Belle glides by. It was the only all-electric Pullman multiple unit train in the world; conceived by the Southern Railway in 1932 for the London to Brighton electrification. It was magnificent!
There were three units constructed, of five carriages each. The Southern Railway designated them 5BEL. Each unit consisted of two motor-thirds, a trailer-third and two kitchen-firsts. During the War, one of the cars was damaged, and the train was put into storage. It was all running again by 1946, and its war years meant that the units survived its contemporaries.
The level of service and comfort of the Brighton Belle ensured that the train achieved great fame, carrying royalty and the rich and famous, to become a railway icon. A trip on this unique train was never to be forgotten, with the sumptuous interior, marquetry panels, frosted glass lampshades, silvered brass fittings and wonderful table lamps, with hi-tech lampshades. There were deep carpets and huge, comfortable, velvety armchairs in the first class. Service was "at seat", with tea and light meals available, and the Sussex countryside swished past. All too soon the train glided into Brighton Station and the journey was over.
The train is defined by its first class cars, and we had a long and expensive search that resulted in the acquisition of the supreme first class car Hazel, to accompany Doris. However, the cost has been great, and we can only be sure to have three working vehicles assembled as a train by autumn of 2014.
Beyond this we need your help.
We've done very well so far with generous support and this is now a successful project – but it needs your help to finish.
So we have the vehicles, we have the engineering expertise. All we need now is the money to finish the job.

— , 5BEL Trust, , leaflet,

People said that this couldn't be done – and it has been our pleasure to prove that it can, as now we are bringing back a complete 1930s train to the modern main line.
The journey so far has been more complex, more expensive and more time consuming than anyone ever thought. But the end is in sight. The work progressing at Barrow Hill Engine Shed, near Chesterfield, is being carried out by professional restorers to the highest standards, to meet the requirements to permit mainline running.
The restored Brighton Belle will have the performance of a modern train, plus it will have the capacity for push-pull operation with Class 33 and 73 locomotives. The more modern bogies now fitted to the restored Belle will offer a comfortable ride, this removing for ever the train's old problem of rough suspension. Superior acceleration and braking performance will allow us to bid for train paths on busy lines, so that we may operate Brighton Belle widely across the third-rail electrified system, for you to enjpy riding in her.
All vehicles are receiving thorough major body overhauls and then being fitted with running equipment from the tried and tested 1960s generation of SR multiple units. The cars will then progress though an interior refit to bring them back to their full Pullman glory. If BR had decided in 1972 to to continue with the train – this is what they would have done. But today's standards need more. ...

— , 5BEL Trust, , leaflet,