THE BRIGHTON MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY

One of the main reasons for doing these web sites is to try and explain to everybody the history of the footplate grades, the conditions they had to work in and the creation of the A.S.L.E.F. branches within the Brighton & Sussex area.

I am therefore very grateful for people sending me personal photos from their personal collection and for allowing me to display them on the web sites. But unfortunately what is missing, are the stories that accompany them. What I want to do is to try and remedy this by starting to record the remaining stories that are still out there, before they too are lost in the midst of time.

I have added some information about some of the drivers that I know and the comments that have already have been sent to me.

If you too have any stories about your own working life on the footplate, the people that you worked with and the conditions you had to work in please send me and I will post, on the web site.

If you are interested in helping me in capturing these stories by any means possible please let me know.

Click on the icon above for

the history of the Brighton Branch of ASLEF

Click on the icon above for

the Sussex Motive Power Depots & ASLEF Branches

VIRGIN TRAINS

2000 - 2008

Brighton's orignal 23 Virgin Drivers late 2000

Back Row Left - Right: John Hornby Manager, Gareth Williams, Phil Ward, Todd Walsh, Mark Ryan, Andy Hobden, Alan Morton, Dave Shephard (H&S Rep), Andy Gregg (LDC Rep), Malcolm Bradord*, Mark Henningham, Fred "Jimmy " Williams, Mel Power, Graham Hussey Depot Manager, Sue Lavesconte Admin. Front Row: Ron "Bagpuss" Bales Management, Paul Fish *(LDC Rep), Darren Nolan, Mark Hughes, Steve Brooke, David Neish*, Chris Hughes, Phil Dawe, Rosie Turner, Paul Barrow* Nick Johnson, Danny Lodge*

* Remained at Brighton after depot closure.

NICK JOHNSON COLLECTION

'MILLENNIUM BUGS'

TRAINING AT CREWE 2000

Nick Johnson, Paul, Barrow, Andy Hobden, Todd Walsh, Pete Dawe, Gareth Williams, Rosie Turner, Darren Nolan & Phil Ward

Gareth Williams, Nick Johnson and Todd Walsh

Rosie “Rucksack" Turner, Phil Dawe, Darren "Diesel" Nolan and Nick Johnson

Left- Right: Graham Hussey (Depot Manager), Paul Fish, Andy Gregg, Malcolm Bradford & David Neish.

Photo was taken at Virgin's new maintance shed at Three Bridges c2001.

Above: Darren Nolan & Malcolm Bradford.

Right: Danny Lodge & Malcolm Bradford Voyager training at Reading West Yard June 2001.

Malcolm Bradford at Brighton Station in the cab of a Class 47 in 2001.

Above: Paul Barrow arrives in Brighton with a class 47 at platform 8.This was his maiden journey back from Birmingham 28.02.01.

Left: Andy Hobden on the footplate of Voyager C2001

Steve Hazelwood-Lee being assest by Brighton D.S.M. Mick Bullen

Nick Johnson about to work 1S76 in early 2001, not long after the depot went 'live'. With the closure of the Brighton depot Nick transfered to Bristol Cross Country.

Steve Hazelwood

Andy Gregg

Running into Gatwick Airport

Rodney Burstow Collection

THE LAST DAY

John Herriott at Brighton station on 06.12.2008

John served as a member on the Brighton Cross Country L.D.C. prior to the depot closure on Saturday 13.12.08.

Rachel Johnson (nee Bowles) & Steve Brooke, just before the departure of 1M50, 1418 Brighton - B'ham New Street on the last day of operation. This train normally ran through to Manchester but not that day!

With the closure of the Brighton depot Rachel transfered to Bristol Cross Country.

Dave Neish

Worked the 09:33 Birmingham New Steet - Brighton, on the last day of the Cross Country Service

Dave is photographed with his family, just after his arrival at Brighton station

Click on the icon above for

the history of the Brighton Branch of ASLEF

Click on the icon above for

the Sussex Motive Power Depots & ASLEF Branches