The celebrated ‘Brighton Atlantic Farewell’ special train (6 coaches plus Pullman Car ‘Myrtle’) ran from Victoria station to Newhaven in April 1958. (The official name of this train was the RCTS Sussex Coast Limited, and bore carriage roof headboards to that effect.) The outward leg was headed by No 32424 ‘Beachy Head’ -its last run in service. The return from Brighton was headed by King Arthur No 30796 ‘Sir Dodinas le Savage’. (Newhaven to Brighton via Lewes was hauled by the last locomotive to be built at Brighton Works, No 80154.) In this scene No 32424 has arrived at Newhaven and disengaged from its train, whilst an inquisitive cat surveys the historic scene from a perch on the bush above the passing lady’s head.

© David P Williams Archive / Rail-Online