Bluebell Railway Giants Of Steam: 14th - 16th October 2022

It's an ode to Robert Riddles!

Guests:
73156 From Great Central.
76017 From Mid Hants.

Home Fleet:
6989 "Wightwick Hall".
30541.
73082 "Camelot".
80151.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/giants-of-steam/

 

Just to say, it hasn't been announced on social media or the website, however if you check the Bluebell Discussion page, you will see that it has been identified.

 

Not sure that 76017 is a "Giant of Steam" but it's a good line up. Looking forward to it

 

Maybe not the largest of giants, but it's bigger than a Terrier!

Steve B

 

It's something they haven't really had before, so it will definitely draw the crowds and IF they run all 6 engines, I can imagine that they will run that in tandem with 80151.

But like I said, not officially announced but discovered amongst the community.

 

This wasn’t a ‘giant’ back in 2018, but me and the old man loved it!

 

Clearly a man of taste!

Tom

 

You’ve never met my Dad mate!

 

Of course going back through my records previous "Giants" galas, other "Giants" have included 263, 592, 9017, 3440 and at least one of the Terriers.

I'd argue 76017 is definitely bigger than 30541, which I doubt many would bat an eyelid about.

 

Why don't they just call it a "Steam Gala" like most other railways, then there would be no argument?

 

For as long as I can remember it’s been ‘Branch Line’ & ‘Giants of Steam’ vs Spring & Autumn at most other places.

 

Considering it is the smallest of the 4 classes (makes you wonder what's the biggest), I would say it definitely deserves to be classed as a giant, it could pull a fair whack of Mark 1's and I would hardly describe Sharpthorne bank as unchallenging.

 

It is also mainly to do with what engines they plan to run:
Branch Line: Tank engines/small tender engines.
Giants: Big tender engines.

I think it's actually a rather unique system, dare say, I wish the Watercress Line would follow suit, I do get a bit bored of massive, overpowered engines being praised and swooned over while the little guys get ignored/sneered at.

 

The Watercress don't have any small engines though except 41312 (unless you count "Thomas" and "Percy"). They have had a number of smaller engines visiting for various galas though. I remember one gala a long time ago that featured a Terrier, a Well Tank, a Small Prairie and 813.

 

Don’t recall the “Bluebell on Parade” galas then? Went to a few of those in the 70s.

 

I love seeing smaller locos used at bigger galas. Really pleased that the NYMR have hired TVR 85 for this year's for example.

 

Afraid not - born in 1985! Just about remember Starlight Specials - was that a gala as such? Remember it being busy but maybe I was just very young!

 

Are we sure the second visitor is 76017? Still no official announcement from the Bluebell as far as I can see

 

We are, many people have said both here and Facebook that it is.
Bluebell just has a really annoying habit of waiting till the last minute before announcing the last guest.
Trust me, 8572 in 2016, gave me a horrid migraine because they blindly refused to put in on their website until they wanted too.

 

Considering "Thomas" has run at one or two events, then yes, yes I do.
I mean, it may not be practical but you possibly could run those 3 plus 2 small engines:
2 sets of 4, 1 set of 3 + guard's van and a very short freight. Perfect!