New-build H2 Class - 32424 "Beachy Head" would be welcomed into public service with a commemorative 'Brighton Works Weekend', held over the weekend of August 24th-26th. The event would feature four locomotives in action, all with ties to the famous railway works.

Brighton Works can be traced back to the London & Brighton Railway in 1840, originating as a locomotive repair works. The formation of the LB&SCR in 1846, and the appointment of John Craven as their Locomotive Superintendant in 1847, saw an acceleration in its development, enabing the construction of brand new locomotives at the works for the first time; the first to emerge being No14, later named "Merton", in 1852. Continued expansion, development of its facilities, as well as shuffling the workload with other available sites, enabled Brighton Works to pass through Southern Railway ownership, and into British Railways ownership upon nationalisation in 1948. The works would be marked for closure under the BR Modernisation Plan, with locomotive construction ceasing in 1957, the motive power depot following in 1961, and finally locomotive stabling in 1964. The works would be demolished in 1966. In its 105 years of locomotive construction, 1211 locomotives emerged brand new from Brighton Works, with the swansong falling to BR Standard Class 4MT Tank - 80154.

Built at Brighton in 1872, 72 "Fenchurch" is the oldest surviving locomotive to be built at the works, remaining in service for over 91 years before being withdrawn by British Railways in late 1963 from 71A Eastleigh, having spent its twilight years operating on the Hayling Island branch line. At the other end of the scale, 1957 built 4MT Tank - 80151 is the youngest surviving locomotive to be built at the works. For the duration of the event, 80151 would be renumbered as 80154, to represent the final locomotive built at the works. Rebuilt 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" is another product of the famous works, emerging as 21C159 in 1947. Plans for the rebuilding scheme of the Bulleid pacifics was undertaken at Brighton Works in the 1950s, with 34059 receiving the treatment in 1960. Although 32424 is officially classed as a new-build, there is no denying the Brighton heritage of "Beachy Head". Locomotive manufacturing may have ceased at Brighton 67 years previously, but the legacy of its practices is well represented by 32424, and is a fitting tribute to the railway works which birthed the original 113 years prior.

The event would feature an intensive timetable, with all four locomotives making full return trips between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead. The Friday before the event, and the Saturday, had been scheduled to include a 'Golden Arrow' Evening Dining service. It transpired that the Saturday service would be cancelled, with all possible bookings being transfered to the Friday.

Locomotives:
Ex-LB&SCR H2 Class - 32424 “Beachy Head”
Ex-SR Rebuilt 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair"
BR Standard Class 4MT Tank - 80154 (80151)
LB&SCR A1X 'Terrier' Class - 72 "Fenchurch"

00:00 - 32424 On shed at Sheffield Park
01:24 - 32424 Freshfield Bank
02:45 - 34059 Leamland Bridge
04:38 - 80154 Imberhorne
05:30 - 32424 Sharpthorne Tunnel
07:01 - 72 West Hoathly
08:04 - 34059 Sharpthorne Tunnel
09:40 - 80154 Hosted Keynes footpath
11:56 - 32424 Hosted Keynes footpath
13:29 - 32424 Tremaines

All footage filmed on Saturday the 24th of August 2024.