The Sussex Belle steam train is coming to Eastbourne

The Sussex Belle steam train will be in Eastbourne on Thursday (September 10).
Thanks to Phil Clements for this fantastic photo of the Oliver Cromwell pulling the Christmas Sussex Belle into Eastbourne on December 12. Here, the locomotive is steaming through Hampden Park stationThanks to Phil Clements for this fantastic photo of the Oliver Cromwell pulling the Christmas Sussex Belle into Eastbourne on December 12. Here, the locomotive is steaming through Hampden Park station
Thanks to Phil Clements for this fantastic photo of the Oliver Cromwell pulling the Christmas Sussex Belle into Eastbourne on December 12. Here, the locomotive is steaming through Hampden Park station

The popular train will be travelling from London to Eastbourne and Hastings to capture the ‘summer sights of yesteryear’.

Steam hauled by Southern Railway West Country Class 34046 ‘Braughton’, the train will start its journey from London Victoria at 10.20am.

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It will take its passengers on a tour of the picturesque Sussex countryside to Hastings, where it will stop for guests to explore the town.

Then, it will take the 45-minute journey down the coast to Eastbourne in the mid afternoon, with passengers encouraged to stop and sightsee.

The train then returns to London via Kent, with an estimated arrival at Victoria at 8.45pm.

Saphos Trains, which runs the Sussex Belle, has not provided timings for each stopping-off point.

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However, it is estimated the steam train will arrive in Hastings at midday, and in Eastbourne at about 2.54pm, before heading off at about 4.54pm.

The classic steam train company described Eastbourne as ‘one of the sunniest resorts in England’.

It said, “Nestling at the foot of the South Downs next to the national beauty spot Beachy Head, [Eastbourne] owes much to the Victorians and the 7th Duke of Devonshire who laid out beautiful parks and gardens and built the pier.

“This elegant town has many charms awaiting discovery including an excellent shopping centre and traditional seaside bandstands.”

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The train travels from London Victoria through East Croydon, Redhill, Tonbridge, Robertsbridge, Hastings, Eastbourne, back through Hastings, Rye, Ashford International, Sevenoaks, Swanley, Nunhead and finally back to London Victoria.

Though the service is fully booked up, the tickets ranged from £95 for standard to £260 for premier class and passengers are treated to food and drink throughout the journey.

The train has socially distanced seating and safety screens to abide by government covid-19 guidelines.

Passengers are not required to wear facial coverings however, as Saphos Trains says its seating plans exceed the 2m or 1m+ requirements.

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