I had always thought that steam workings on these trains reduced sharply after 1963 (when Brighton lost its allocation of Bulleid pacifics) and became very rare after mid-1964 when Brighton shed shut to steam.
However, I have come across a comment in the book 'Rail centres: Brighton' (by Basil Cooper, published around 1980) which says that there was a brief return to steam working at the Brighton end of the journey in 1966 (which time the train was only going as far as Exeter).
Furthermore, a fellow enthusiast has said that, as a child, he has a vivid memory of the westbound train arriving into Chichester steam hauled, where the locomotive was replaced by a diesel for the run west. He is able to date these observations to 1965/66, and says that this happened on multiple occasions.
Any comments/information much appreciated.
Many thanks in advance
However, I have come across a comment in the book 'Rail centres: Brighton' (by Basil Cooper, published around 1980) which says that there was a brief return to steam working at the Brighton end of the journey in 1966 (which time the train was only going as far as Exeter).
Furthermore, a fellow enthusiast has said that, as a child, he has a vivid memory of the westbound train arriving into Chichester steam hauled, where the locomotive was replaced by a diesel for the run west. He is able to date these observations to 1965/66, and says that this happened on multiple occasions.
Any comments/information much appreciated.
Many thanks in advance