Ex-Southern Railway Maunsell 'V' or 'Schools' class 4-4-0 No. 30915 ' Brighton'. Built at Eastleigh in May 1933 as SR No. 915 and withdrawn in December 1962.

At Tonbridge in Kent, 'Brighton' has been allocated for the Royal Train that brought Her Majesty from London Victoria to Tattenham Corner to witness the Epsom Derby on Saturday 6th June 1953. Driver John Nash and Fireman Syd Turner were the crew - plus an unidentified 'bowler hat'! Note the white cab roof and burnished wheel rims. Oh yes- the winner was 5 to 1 favourite 'Pinza' - sounds familiar?

© Steve Armitage Archive