Bluebell Railway Branch Line Gala - 18-20 May 2018

It is almost as if you need a branch off the line (say HK) similar to the Mountsorrel branch to allow you to fit in a goods train.

 

Let's not go there

Actually - just extending the thought. Suppose the branch did exist and you ran a goods train on it. The primary benefit would presumably be for photographers, but they would naturally want to stick to the mainline during gala where the majority of trains were. So realistically, for demonstration purposes and providing a "show", having a loco shunting all day at HK is probably a better bet: it wouldn't need to actually go anywhere.

Tom

 

According to FB GWR 813 has landed at The Bluebell Railway on Wednesday 16 May!
As often is the case the owners are the last to know!
Have fun with the Loco!

 

There’s a photo of her here:

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html

I’m looking forward to the weekend!

Tom

 

Can anyone help me plan my visit by telling me which way the locomotives in use for the Gala are facing?
Dave.

 

I think currently all serviceable locos on the line (and also 813) are facing North so smokebox first towards East Grinstead.

 

Thanks.

 

For those wanting to photograph or travel in particular carriages, the sets are as follows, south to north:

Service Set A (S-N):- 3188-3360-661-114-1098 (Victorian 4 wheelers + SECR 100 seater)
Service Set B (S-N): - 6686-1309-1336 (SR liveried Maunsell set)
Service Set C (S-N): - 2526-1482-1464 (BR liveried Bulleid set)
Service Set D (S-N): - 1503-387-394 (LNWR Obo + the two Metropolitan coaches)

Tom

 

Oh dear, getting my days wrong......! I will be on the Bluebell Railway as GWR 813 Rep tomorrow! Say hello if you see me, I wll be wearing a few 813 Badges!

 

There will be guided tours of the Carriage Works at Horsted Keynes over this weekend, starting at

• 11.20, 12.20, 13.20 & 14.20 on Saturday
• 11.00, 11.45 & 14.00 on Sunday.

Tom

 

Sparky performance by 813 up Imberhorne this afternoon - quite set the place alight...

 

Shame, I thought, that the coach set wasn't marshalled with the 4 wheelers at the East Grinstead end, so that 813 wasn't hauling them chimney first. She does look nice against the gorgeously restored SECR stock, but not so special against the equally immaculate 100 seater as I'm not sure the two greens are that comfortable together.


Interesting 4/4 rhythm in the leading coach: dit dit dit - DAA daa with the accent on the off beat, quite different from the normal corridor stock rhythm...

 

A few of 813 from me from this evening - a memorial train for a Bluebell and Stoomtram Hoorn-Medemblijk volunteer (hence the British and Dutch flags).



Tom

 

The star attraction looked good on the 9AM ex-SP at Imberhorne this morning. As I'm a "film" man, I can't post my picture up here, but the sun was out and there was a decent exhaust. I don't think I've ever seen 813 before, but essentially, this rather charming tank engine has gained one new fan!

 

From what I gather, I don't think you're the only one!

Steve B

 

A big Thank You to the Bluebell Railway!
Great day which included a Footplate ride on 813!
Thanks to the crews: Tony,Dave, Laurie,Nigel and Simon!
Thanks to Chris,Ops Manager!
Thanks to all the Railways staff!
Best of all the Railway would like The Locomotive back!

 

.....it WS a difficult decision between the Wedding or The Bluebell............

 

Liar.

 

Video from Friday 18th.
Thought I was going to have pheasant for dinner if you look at the clip at Sharpthorne (2.20)!