Bluebell Railway Branch Line Gala - 18-20 May 2018

Glad you had a good time - I looked round to say hello in the morning but for various rostering reasons didn’t have a lot of time spare and didn’t manage to catch up. I had a chat with the fireman of 813 on yesterday evening’s train and he was full of praise.

Was excellent fun today - and shouldn’t that be what it’s all about? Five locos, four carriage sets, everything vintage and close reading of the STN needed to work out where you were supposed to go at what time! Topped off this afternoon with a grandstand view of a sparkling performance on the 323/263 double header at the end of the afternoon.

Tom

 

I will pay another visit Tom, catch up with you then.
Yes, it was Fun!
Again Many Thanks!


Nick

 

A couple from today.

Waiting at Horsted Keynes with a down train while 323 runs in with the up and exchanges tokens.




Waiting at Kingscote with a down train while 541 runs in with the up service.



Tom

 

Excellent day today - perfect weather and the timetable allowed the locomotives, coaches and railway to be displayed to great effect.

Good to meet you today Tom, also I think I must have spoken to Nick at Kingscote while 813 waited to head South for Horsted Keynes. It really is a lovely loco and pretty gutsy for its size. I should have got up earlier for the 9am round trip with it, maybe another time.

Did get in a spirited run up to Kingscote with 323 'Bluebell' as well, which was hauling the 100 seater and four 4-wheelers. As noted above this ended up with one of those occasions when there were three trains in the platforms at Kingscote!

Finally it was pleasing to see the first two Met carriage back in action, they have been sorely missed.

Regards,

Dan

 

Very nice video.

 

Thanks,
Dave.

 

a few observations from yesterday.......

 

Kingscote was an absolute stunner yesterday, beautiful weather. Some photos are here - https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/Bluebellphotosets/Branch-Line-Weekend-May-2018/

 

@A1X's shot of 323 on the vintage set [post#48 above] is about the best rendering of that beautiful livery I've seen (superb lighting conditions ... for a change!) ..... and after over half a century living on the Bluebell, who honestly cares if it's 'unprototypical'? Had Harry Wainwright clapped eyes on it, I reckon he'd have taken a sample of that blue back to Ashford with him. It sits very well with stock in 'varnished teak', SECR lake or 'Blood & Custard'.

 

Video from yesterday also up

 

A few from today. Was nice to say hello very briefly to @cav1975 - hopefully more time for a chat next time!

No. 813 at Horsted Keynes.



Today’s office:



Keeping tabs on the Society chairman (and guard...)



End of the day: No. 65 shunts the eight coach vintage set into the carriage shed, while 323 comes the other way to come on shed.



Tom

 

It was nice to meet you too Tom, sorry there wasn't more time to chat - I didn't want to delay the service any more!

We wife and I had an enjoyable afternoon, the highlight for us was the riding in the up train on the observation car.

Thanks to all the team who worked so hard to make this event happen.

Nick

 

Just been informed that GWR 813 is staying on The Bluebell Railway until after the Bank Holiday Weekend.

 

Was due to be Tornado next weekend, but I think 813 is a better substitute!

Tom

 

Seems to be a feature of 813's visits - the host railway doesn't want to give it back!

 

Thoroughly enjoyable day on Sunday. A morning’s photography followed by lunchtime ales and then an afternoon riding.
I liked the feature of changing locos at HK. Sadly 813’s climb to Sharpthorne was somewhat subdued so didn’t get to see what she is capable of. Fireman said it was due to a cold fire brought on by her layover at HK between duties. Glad to hear she’s staying a while longer as I may get an opportunity to experience her at full chat now.

 

It was an interesting trip! Essentially the loco seems to like a really hot fire; it had had 2.5 hours doing nothing more than brake van rides at Horsted, then we got on with three miles of 1 in 75 to face on an unfamiliar loco! It started to come round by the tunnel and was in good shape up from Kingscote. Maybe one to write up for Bullhead memories, as those trips can be more interesting than the sparkling ones.

Talking of sparkling - Saturday afternoon double header with 323 and 263

Tom

 

Had an enjoyable afternoon at this event on Sunday, was fun to ride in a four wheeled coach on the last train back to Sheffield Park! How often do those get a run out, I can imagine they get used more for filming period dramas than carrying the public?

 

Fairly often. They have formed most of the A Set for the last few weekends.

 

Glad you had a good time.

The Victorian carriages work turn and turn about with the other vintage carriages whenever service 2 runs (weekends through the year, plus mid week during school holidays). As such, they get quite a lot of use: they have been service set A for a number of weeks now, since Easter I think.

This page will tell you which carriages are planned to be in use and when.

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

Tom