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It's PEP ON TOUR day.
Bold = Haulage, Red = Winner, All others are sightings.
An early start and a walk down to East Croydon for my first train of the day.
9S03 East Croydon to Brighton 700049 (non winner) [40m 21ch].
A couple of other enthusiasts were on the train as well.
Into platform 3 came 313213 and on the other end was 313201 aka the Big Blue - that was my carriage :-) .
The crowds began to gather including many of the Twitter guys I've chatted with online over the past few years. Good guys all of them.
When the doors opened it was a rush to get seats and I ended up with a FL driver and his son. Two really great guys and Spence knows a bloke I beenmates with since the late 80s.
At 09:01 we were booked to leave to Preson Park but in true Rail fashion it was late. But only for acouple of minutes.
1Z31 Brighton to Portsmouth Harbour [46m 63ch].
At Portsmouth we stopped for a PNB and photos.
1Z32 Portsmouth Harbour to Littlehampton [34m 75ch]. This one took in some rare track - namely the Bognor Regis Middle Road. whereupon it reversed out and on to Littlehampton for PNB, photos and lunch break.
After a few chats with the guys from Twitter, eating and of course more photos it was time to leave again.
1Z33 Littlehampton to Three Bridges [40m 59ch]
At Three Bridges we reversed and then headed south to Hastings.
1Z34 Three Bridges to Hastings [55m 10ch] via Ore and Ore North Siding.
At Hastings we were detained on platform 1 (another track 'cop' for me). This was so the units could then head out to the siding and return in to platform 2 for the next stage of the trip.
The platforms was heaving with enthusiats and there were a few raised eyebrows from some at the people dressed as furrys.
1Z35 Hastings to Newhaven Marine [39m 05ch] via Platform 2 at Lewes.
New haven Marine station has been obliterated, The fence encroaches on to hte platform, All build gone and you cannot even get close to it. Nor were we allowed off. I'm going to count that station as a ✅ !
1Z36 Newhaven Marine to Brighton [31m 25ch] via Haywards Heath North Siding, Preston Park Junction via Carriage Road North, Carriage Road, Carriage Road South to Montpelier Jn (Brighton).
I needed to get home for a family thing so I crossed the platform. Now I wish I had stayed for the tones fanfare that happened when the units left for Lovers Walk at the end of the day.
I have to admit I was a little dubious about the tour having heard of idiots behaving badly and damaging the rolling stock. But BLS did a great job in organising and including the keeping everyone safe into the sidings.