This image captures a steam locomotive service at Eastbourne station in the mid-20th century. The locomotive is a former London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR) R1 class 0-4-4T engine.
The locomotive class was introduced in 1891 and was based on an existing LCDR design.
The train is likely operating a local push-pull service, a common practice for branch lines during this era.
The photograph likely dates from the British Railways period (post-1948) before the widespread transition to diesel and electric trains.