Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Afternoon All,

Part Two of my 'Giants of Steam' video is now on YouTube if you'd like to have a look:



Hope you like it.

TTFN,

Ron.

 

Clan Line leaving Sheffield Park with the 3 pm departure yesterday. A lineside location accessed with permission from the railway.
We hear a lot about the politics and in fighting on some railways but I have to say what friendly and helpful people the Bluebell staff are. I wasn't there for the whole week but I'm sure everyone else would say the same. Hopefully 28 will make a return visit in the future.

 

A couple of shots from last night's charter with 35028. Thank you to all involved in the organisation and running of the evening, and what a pleasure it has been to have Clan Line on my 'home' railway.

35028 Clan Line Photo Charter - Bluebell Railway - 14/10/2021 by Matthew Nightingale, on Flickr

35028 Clan Line Photo Charter - Bluebell Railway - 14/10/2021 by Matthew Nightingale, on Flickr

 

Really bizarre question:
Could they fit a GWR Manor on their railway?

 

OO or N gauge?

 

Standard Gauge.

 

Possibly. 5199 visited and has the same size cylinders mounted at I suspect the same height. I think it was probably banned from Platform 4/5 at Horsted Keynes but otherwise could run.

Tom

 

They wouldn't be able to run it through platforms 4 and 5 at Horsted if it can, as that's been off limits to most visiting GWR

The railway has hosted large and small Prairies, Taffy tanks, City of Truro, 3205 and is home to 9017 so its entirely possible one could visit.

 

Interesting, thank you.

 

You mention several inside cylinder locos there which are unlikely to be problematic. It is those with outside cylinders, like a Manor, that can cause issues in some places.

Peter

 

30925 Cheltenham officially announced as running over half term week commencing this weekend.

30925 will take A set, 65 rostered for the B set.

 

Congratulations are in order - 18 Across in today's Telegraph crossword:
"Dancer from Le Lido with line of heritage in Sussex (8)"
Pat

 

I'd like to give a huge shout-out to Chris Cooper, who this week recieved his lifetime achievement award at the annual National Transport Trust awards. This was received for his services to the Railway – particularly his carriage cleaning work.
HRH The Princess Royal presented Chris with the award at the ceremony at Fawley Hill.
For as long as I can remember, Chris has been as much a part of the fixtures and fittings at Horsted as anyone could be. His genial, bear-like presence around platforms 4/5 originally in dungarees and trademark cheesecutter, and in latter decades, the unmissable orange. From my first visits to Bluebell in the mid 70s to today, he has barely seemed to age at all. A really genuinely nice bloke, always with some friendly chat.
I wonder how many thousands of carriages he has cleaned over all these years?
Rather like the ravens guarding the Tower, HK always looks sort of complete when he's around.
Photo: Roy Watts:


Photo: Derek Hayward

 

I met Chris in the buffet of the set hauled by Cheltenham on the Saturday of GOS and we had a friendly chat most of the way between HK and SP. He was in unmissable orange. He saved me from someone in else who has a habit starting conversation with people and does virtually all the talking.

 

I think Chris is in the select group at the railway who have 60 year service awards - always ready with a cheerful word or two when you see him.

Tom

 

It wasn't that dreadful Dolly Messiter, was it?

 

I don't know her name, that's about they only thing you do not learn about her.

 

Saw a photo on Instagram the other day of 75027 being taken away on the back of a low loader (at least the front half of her), has she gone off travelling somewhere? They haven't sent her to the Mid Hants as well, have they?

 

An event off the railway apparently. I think a carriage went as well.

Tom

 

It's going on display somewhere for someone's birthday along with a coach. I helped clean it last weekend. Hasn't steamed in a decade so wouldn't be able to do anything other than be on for show if it went to Mid Hants.