Thrashing Into the UK's Longest Heritage Tunnel! Class 31 No. 31210 Thunders Into Sharpthorne Tunnel

Locomotive: British Rail Class 31 No. 31210 in BR Railfreight Grey
Constructed by Brush Traction at Falcon Works in Loughborough, Leicestershire in July 1960 (works number BT234, originally entering traffic as D5634 and renumbered 31210 under TOPS in 1974), 31210 is a 66-year-old A1A-A1A mixed-traffic diesel-electric locomotive. Re-engined during British Rail's major fleet refurbishment programme, the locomotive is powered by a 1,470 hp (1,096 kW) English Electric 12SVT 12-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine driving Brush traction motors. With an operating weight of 111 tonnes (109 imperial tons), a starting tractive effort of 35,900 lbf (160 kN), and a maximum operating top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h), the locomotive is turned out in authentic unbranded British Rail Railfreight Grey livery with full yellow warning front ends, a black roof, and cabside numerals. Operating solo without Class 60 assistance, 31210 provides spirited English Electric performance across the Sussex heritage line.

5-Car Southern Region Green Coaching Rake
Coupled directly behind Class 31 No. 31210 is a magnificent five-coach passenger rake finished in authentic British Railways Southern Region Green livery with classic lining and period crests. Directly behind the locomotive is carriage 6686 (frequently displaying its historic 'Waterloo' roof destination board / referenced as 66806), an authentic 1935 Southern Railway Maunsell Corridor Brake Composite (BCK) built at Eastleigh Works featuring flush-panel sides. Following this is carriage 1336, an elegant 1933 Southern Railway Maunsell Droplight Open Third (SO) dining saloon, followed by S1482S, a 1950 British Railways-built Bulleid Open Third (SO/TSO). Next in the formation is S5768S, a 1947 Southern Railway Bulleid Corridor Composite (CK) constructed at Lancing and Eastleigh, with the rear of the train brought up by S25728, a 1961 British Railways Standard Mark 1 Corridor Second (SK) constructed at Derby Litchurch Lane Works. Together, these five historic vehicles form an evocative recreation of a mid-century Southern Region express.

Thrashing into Sharpthorne Tunnel from West Hoathly Foot Crossing
Seen in 8K 16:9 widescreen on a southbound journey from East Grinstead to Horsted Keynes, Class 31 No. 31210 works solo on the 1040 (1O40) diagram on a beautiful summer's afternoon on Sunday, 6th of September 2026 at 13:37 (1:37 PM). Filmed from the pedestrian foot crossing at the historic site of the former West Hoathly station, the 66-year-old Brush Type 2 delivers heavy diesel thrash under full power as it accelerates past the disused station platforms. Echoing off the surrounding cutting and countryside, 31210 roars directly towards and into the portal of the 731-yard Sharpthorne Tunnel—the longest railway tunnel in UK preservation—thrashing into the darkness as the Southern green carriages snake into the bore during the railway's Network SouthEast 40th Anniversary Diesel Gala.

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