Christmas Sussex Belle steams into Eastbourne - in pictures

Steam hauled by Merchant Navy Class No.35028 Clan Line, the Christmas Sussex Belle journeyed through the Weald countryside to the coast on Wednesday, November 19.

Starting in London Victoria, the Sussex Belle journeyed along the main line towards Brighton, passing through East Croydon, Redhill, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges and Haywards Heath.

It left the Brighton line at Keymer Junction, just after Wivesfield, and headed south-eastwards through Cooksbridge to Lewes, before joining the East Coastway Line that runs from Brighton to Eastbourne, Hastings and Ashford.

The train stopped in Eastbourne for about 90 minutes to be serviced, allowing passengers to alight and explore the Sunshine Coast.

It was then diesel-hauled out of Eastbourne, travelling through Normans Bay, Cooden Beach, and Bexhill to Hastings where it reversed its direction of travel. The Sussex Belle now heads north through Crowhurst and Battle, passing through Mountfield Tunnel, before returning to London.