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Bluebell Railway Branch Line Weekend, 13 / 14 May 2017

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Jamessquared, May 8, 2017.

  1. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Visiting engine LNWR Coal Tank, courtesy of the National Trust / Bahamas Locomotive Society / KWVR; plus SE&CR 592, 263, 323, 178; Maunsell Q 541; and Fletcher Jennings "Captain Baxter" from the home fleet.

    Timetables:

    http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pti/BL1.html

    http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pti/BL2.html

    Or in easily printable form: http://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Branch-Line-Weekend-Timetables.pdf

    More details: http://www.bluebell-railway.com/whats_on/branch-line-event/
     
  2. Funnell

    Funnell New Member

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    Last weekend in traffic for both 592 and No.3 'Captain Baxter'
     
  3. dan.lank

    dan.lank Member

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    Really the end of ticket for Baxter? Thought he only came back into traffic in about 2010, and can't have had too much use at all?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  4. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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  5. 73082

    73082 Member

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  6. alts1985

    alts1985 Well-Known Member

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    I see 1054 is down for the following weekend as well, does anyone know how long she is staying for?
     
  7. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    AFAIK just this weekend and next.

    Tom
     
  8. D7076

    D7076 Well-Known Member

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    592 failed today-RIP.
    847 vice tomorrow
     
  9. alts1985

    alts1985 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Tom, shame, I am away this weekend and next!
     
  10. 73082

    73082 Member

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    Overall, I thought today went very well, despite the unfortunate early end for the C class and consequent cancellation of the 15:00 from SP. The shunting and brakevan rides at Horsted Keynes made for some additional interest between the service trains, as did the running round and other LE moves that only normally occur at SP and EG. From what I could see, there were no ridiculous-sized crowds at the stations, though most of the trains were almost full with a few (most notably the first train from EG, though this is always a popular one) being standing room only; this was probably more related to the trains being shorter than they normally are at other events. I attach a few photos from today:

    The Coal Tank at Horsted House Farm on the first train of the day:
    P5130195.JPG

    Captain Baxter working the 4 wheelers out of East Grinstead: P5131125.JPG

    592 leaving Horsted Keynes on what became its final train before overhaul: P5130701.JPG
     
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  11. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    An enjoyable day. Managed to have a ride behind 592 on its own before it failed.
    Coal Tank on the late running 2.35 pm from Horsted Keynes : -
    IMG_0357 (1024x691).jpg
     
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  12. Funnell

    Funnell New Member

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    592 failed yes but 847 is not running tomorrow!!
     
  13. 847

    847 New Member

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    Is Baxter going out too? Haven't heard anything of this?
     
  14. glenng

    glenng New Member

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    Had a lovely day yesterday apart from forgetting my camera :( so looking forward to see some photos of the gala.
     
  15. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

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  16. Journalist

    Journalist New Member

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    The Bluebell got a bit squeezed in my plans for this weekend once Chinnor came up with an amazing diesel gala, the Romney announced its brilliantly bonkers plans and I had to add an extra work shift, but I did get along for the final part of Saturday and it was a reminder that the Bluebell does these Branch Line events so, so well. Seeing Baxter in action on a full-line passenger turn was the absolute highlight. With its very decent long climb, the Bluebell is a line where bigger engines feel at home, and I've had some great runs with Camelot and the S15, but the smaller/older locos on shorter sets are a wonderful sight.
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2017
  17. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    For me, shown to perfection in @Paul42's photo above (#11).

    For me personally, Saturday afternoon was slightly frustrating, given that I took over the C class when it was declared a failure, so didn't really have anything to do except dispose. But it was more than made up for by Sunday on the Coal Tank - what an absolutely brilliant loco!

    A few photos from Sunday here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamessquared/albums/72157683766773876

    Tom
     
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  18. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Any idea which set of stock 1054 will be working on Sunday?
     
  19. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    According to the PTI page 3 Maunsells and the 100 seater.
     
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  20. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Thanks. Was hoping for something a little more vintage but at least it's not a rake of Mk.1 stock. :)
     

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