Bluebell Railway 60+1 event, 6 - 8 August 2001

Am I right in assuming that the pictograms are accurate and all the locos are facing East Grinstead with the exception of 80151 which is facing Sheffield Park?

 

Yes, 80151 faces south, the others face north.

Tom

 

Thanks.

 

Do we need a time machine to go back to 2001 as per the thread title??

 

Oops! Please don't alight at East Grinstead. The compartments of the middle two Mets are locked out of use due to not having been restored yet ...

Tom

 

No mention of 1st class tickets on the weekend's Bluebell website. Is 1st declassified?
Thanks
Nick

 

I was hoping to go on Sunday, but unfortunately I got pinged by the NHS COVID App on Tuesday so having to isolate (without any symptoms) sadly.

 

All 1st class travel is disclassified on special events

 

Personal citrep of the day. Part 1.

First round trip of the day hauled by 80151 was very busy. Got off at Horsted Keynes to witness D4106 shunting wagons in the North end of the station which was a very entertaining watch. Went down on the Q to Sheffield Park where the loco workshop is open for a walk around. 34059s frames are on show with the boiler of 672 in front. Also on 5 Road (2nd in the workshop) was the boiler of 34059 on its side showing the progressing stages of boiler work. Also 73082 "Camelot" on display. The Atlantic House was open for viewing. Went back up to HK behind the Q again and remained there for a trip behind the H-class down to SP on the ex-16:20 departure from HK. This was my first ride behind 263 solo for almost three years. Finally took the Q back up to EG then hometime.

Back for day 2 tomorrow.

 

Thanks Ben - glad you enjoyed it. I was on the Q / Bulleids, which was running well. Three trips though, so didn’t see much of what else was going on! The two 5” gauge Terriers looked very nice in the Loco yard. Two more days to go!

Tom

 

My video from day 1:

 

From earlier today, but unable to get a strong enough signal to upload until now.

 

Personal citrep day 2:

Started off at Sheffield Park to take some pics of locos on shed. Had a trip up the line behind 80151 to East Grinstead then to Horsted Keynes to witness some more shunting with the 09 which in turn did brake van rides which I do thoroughly recommend. Back down to the Park behind the H before having a very lively run behind the Q up to Kingscote where I took 80151 back to Horsted where I remained till the Q returned on the down and had yet another lively run back to East Grinstead from Sheffield Park. Ignoring the changing weather conditions it was a very enjoyable day.

Now for the final part.

 

It was certainly a day of dodging showers! Enjoyed the live music at East Grinstead, Kingscote and Horsted Keynes. Agree with Ben that the brake van ride was good behind the 09. Got caught out by the loco works and Atlantic House closing before 5pm, hopefully can do that at Giants of Steam in October. I don't think there was the same buzz that surrounded the 50th anniversary in 2010, but of course we are living in turbulent times and I think the most was made within the current constraints.

Topping it all though - great to travel behind a steam engine again for the first time since COVID screwed everything up.

Regards,

Dan

 

On arrival at East Grinstead on showing my E-Ticket was given an Edmondson Ticket - marked Exchange E-Ticket. Had a run lively behind 80151 to Horsted, where the weather had changed for the worst, and I was grateful for the large canopy.
263 arriving at Horsted Keynes by Paul Simpson, on Flickr
I had a first class compartment all to myself for the run up to East Grinstead behind 263, and a third on the return all the way to Sheffield Park, after others realised they could travel first class for no addtional charge, as well as the Railway was getting busier after a quiet start. On Sheffield Park I headed to the Bessemer Arms to see what they had on tap, but after seeing the only choice was Doom Bar, I headed to SteamWorks and the Locomotive Works where I saw Camelot which is nearly complete after an intermediate overhaul.

Visited the shop which has recently had a revamp and found a selection of local ales from 360deg Brewing anf Harveys, and purchased some from the former. Caught the H Class to Horsted where I joined a tour of the Carriage and Wagon which included a talk by Steve Biggs on reupholstering, followed by a visit to the Hog Roast Van, when the heavans opened. The nearest shelter was the HorstedFest marque where The Orange Sunshine had started playing Sultans of Swing.After the rain had eased I headed back to the station for the train back to East Grinstead, which was a lively run behind 30541.

 

Some photos and a video now up

Photos - https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/Bluebellphotosets/Steaming-Through-60-1-August-2021/
Video -

 

My video from yesterdays visit. Aside from the weather, a nice day out at the railway.

 

Citrep for day 3.

Another day which weather was half and half but some nice sunshine in the afternoon. Got 80151 from EG to SP where unfortunately I failed to bag a ride behind the O1 due to the short set and timing (down train was adrift slightly) so therefore back up to HK behind the Standard 4 tank. Remained there for some more shunting which provided an fantastic entertainment element across the weekend and one I hope the line repeats at Branch Line galas even if it is just the 09 (not anti-diesel). Back down to SP behind the Q and back up yet again to East Grinstead and terminated the day and gala there. Including travel from home plus haulage on the line. I made a good 256 miles across the three days. Personal opinion it wasn't the best gala the Bluebell ever held but it was always going to be a challenge following the well known issues but my PERSONAL OPINION of positives and future things could be improved

Positives:
- Four train timetable
- Shunting at Horsted Keynes with the 09. A very memorable highlight across the weekend.
- The Driver for a Tenner behind Skippy. A very nice rare public appearance for the loco.
- The usual high praise I have for the lines volunteers following a slightly difficult period due to the loss of 847 and "Camelot" for the weekend.
- Walking around the loco workshop with lots of information and things to see in there.
- Both Chathams on the Mets provided a fantastic photo opportunity.

Areas of improvement.

- Probably one or two more earlier and later trains either side of the timetable could've provided another incentive for people to visit. First down train didn't get in to SP till 12:05.

- Perhaps using a further coach or two for each of the two Chatham services. There was times where people struggled to find room on either set carried by them. Even if it is just one more coach on each as long as it is within the capabilities of both.

However I am already looking forward to Giants of Steam. A very enjoyable weekend

 

Attended Sunday.

Don't mind chinging out £28 on the day for 4 locos but then finding on waiting for them at HK that the brake van rides with 09018 had an additional charge (mentioned by the people crewing it as a required donation) was pushing it a little, especially as this wasn't mentioned on the website or any boards at Horsted Keynes. Lucky I had some spare coins on me!

 

It should've been mentioned on a board or something but a donation would've been asked for as the brake van has only just had a rapid mini overhaul over the past four weeks to make it suitable for the weekend and that the donations received went toward the materials and parts used in the four week turnaround.