Cab Ride No 29 – Brighton to Victoria

This dvd, Cab Ride No.29, was recorded on 8th February 1990 aboard Southern Region electric Unit No. 2206, of the 4-BIG type. This is one of the few buffet-equipped types of unit then operating on the Southern.

The route, was made famous on film as the “London to Brighton in four minutes” route, but this is not a repeat of that! Firstly, the direction of travel is the reverse of that run, (this is northwards), secondly it is at normal speed, and thirdly of course, it shows the railway of 1990. It therefore makes a fascinating contrast to the 1950s film.

The route takes us through the South Downs and along one of the most intensive railway “corridors” of them all, with numerous junctions right from the start at Brighton. Lines to Lewes and Worthing, from Lewes, Horsham, Guildford, Oxted, Sutton and many other points mean there is tremendous variety on this line, making it one of the most varied cab rides yet.

We would like to thank Southern Region Public Affairs Office for arranging this journey.