Bluebell Railway General Discussion

There's a picture on the Bluebell's Facebook showing 34059 arriving at East Grinstead with a test train earlier today. The loco now looks more complete, with the smoke deflectors having been fitted, as well as the brackets that usually hold the nameplates and crests.

 

I wasn’t asked to model

Tom

 

Webcam screenshots on here
https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/bluebell-motive-power.33437/page-179#post-2839680

 

The 12280 station staff must take a bow for worst boy end ever…

 

That's what I was thinking! I think she's actually the driver, as well. And on the KESR.

 

I don't think she is who you are thinking of ...

Tom

 

Probably, as you'll have more knowledge of the prototype than me but it did look like the lady I'm thinking of when the picture was blown up.

 

Add @Victor to the mix and it will fly off the shelves

 

I deny everything!

Tom

 

If the money is right I'll appear anywhere.

 

The latest issue of The Bluebell Times is now available to view for October.

• Overhaul plans announced for a trio of our oldest locomotives
• New safety director appointed
• A summer of work on Horsted Keynes platform, canopy and building draws close – where next for the Jewel in the Crown?
• Overhaul updates on Q class No. 541, Thumper 1305 and Crompton D6570
• “Sir Archibald Sinclair” makes its first loaded test runs
• The annual Nine Elms reunion provides a welcome boost to the Bluebell Railway Trust – and Woking Homes
• The last weekend for the Carriage Shop approaches before it moves to a new home
• … and Bluebell Times reaches its 50th edition!

The Bluebell Times is published monthly on the second Friday of every month. The next issue is due out on Friday, 10 November 2023.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-times/

Tom

 

Just had a look at the prices for Giants of Steam (and yes, I know it costs a lot to put on!) There seems to be no option for a "non-travel" ticket, i.e. for photographers, etc, to access stations without travelling. Is this something that could be thought about in the future, or does it cause too many problems?

 

There is an "all stations" platform ticket - £10 adults / £5 children. Listed in the "on the day" prices, but not in advance.

See https://www.bluebell-railway.com/giants-of-steam-gala-2023/ - scroll down.

Tom

 

Another excellent newsletter Tom

 

Thank you Patrick!

Tom

 

I was at the event yesterday, which was excellent and ran very smoothly as far as I could tell. However, there was one incident which interested me - the 1505 from EG to Sheffield Park, headed by 73082, ground to a very sharp halt at the outer home signal for Horsted Keynes. Some were saying that the signal had returned to danger as the train approached/passed, but I didn't see what actually happened in that respect. Does anyone know? The delay was only about five minutes before we proceeded as normal.

 

I've no idea what happened but these things happen from time to time for any number of reasons. The signalman is required to watch the departing train and, if he sees something amiss, stop it. I had it happen to me recently when the signalman spotted a door on the non-platform side that wasn't properly closed so would not be seen by the guard when giving the R.A. Why it was like this will never be known; perhaps a passenger had mistakenly opened it to get off before realising it was not the platform side and failed to close it properly.

Edit: Should have read the original post better. It was the home signal and not the starter signal so my comment is largely irrelevant.

 

Richard Hannay had pulled the cord, and was making his escape across Leamland Bridge

 

It wasn’t a departing train but a southbound one. It happened to my train twice yesterday probably caused by Fenchurch on its Freight shunt moves. Not sure how far beyond Lealand the shunt moves are allowed but they would have been in sight of the crew of the train from EG.

 

I was on that train as well - it was actually the inner home, not the outer. I think (open to correction) that the reason was that the service was signalled through platform 4. For most of the year that has been out of use while the Jewel in the Crown works were under way, and I suspect the driver was confirming the routing was correct.

Tom