The electrification of the railways in 1932

“I was very fortunate in getting a job on the railway, in the Brighton area. After many talks and plans, the electrification of the railways (London to Brighton and London to Eastbourne) was to go ahead. The fine and grand steam engine called “Stephenson” hauled the last regular steam-worked train from Victoria to Brighton on December 31st 1932. Next day, January 1st 1933, the Brighton railway line became the first electrified main line in the country, the first section running from Three Bridges to Brighton.

Preparations had to be made in advance for the repair and maintenance of the rolling stock and so the engineers had made plans to construct the twelve repair roads (or tracks) at the railway repair sheds just off New England Road, forming seven pit roads and five flat roads. These pit roads allowed the men to walk under the whole length of the train and the five flat roads were ordinary railway tracks where the trains and coaches would run into the repair shed awaiting attention. This was another very interesting and educational job.”

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