Sussex passengers enjoy New Year's Eve rail tour

Passengers flocked to board the Canterbury Bell's New Year's Eve rail tour at a number of Sussex stations this morning (Saturday, December 31).

After calling at Eastbourne and Bexhill stations, where it was only service to run today, it took passengers on to Hastings, Canterbury and Faversham.

The tour was run by the Hasting Diesel Group, a heritage rail organisation based at Network Rail’s St Leonards depot.

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Founded in the 1980s, the group welcomed passengers aboard its well-preserved ‘slimline’ diesel train.

Heritage diesel train at Bexhill station SUS-161231-121857001Heritage diesel train at Bexhill station SUS-161231-121857001
Heritage diesel train at Bexhill station SUS-161231-121857001

The train, which was designed to run the Hastings to Tunbridge Wells and Charing Cross services, was one of earliest models to replace steam engines and ran on the Sussex coast until the line was electrified.

On the Canterbury Bell’s final 2016 outing, passengers enjoyed food and drink from the train’s onboard catering and licensed bar.

More information about the tour can be found at www.hastingsdiesels.co.uk.

Photos by Michael Foster.

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