Bluebell Railway Giants of Steam 17th-19th October 2025

I would expect the most important booking to be the one made first, which is the GoS one. Tornado will have a contract for a minimum of a certain number of NB services per year all this means is there is one service it is not able to have counted towards its contract.

 

Given what's happened with Tornado's move to Carnforth and the disruption to the ELR booking, I'd be less confident

 

Perhaps Tornado not showing up maybe a blessing in disguise?
Someone today, yelling rather unnecessarily, was saying that 34059 would be standing in if/when Tornado doesn't show up.

Perhaps if 6989 is still there, which I didn't see at Sheffield Park today, it could be a "Southern VS. Western" theme?
2999, 6880, 6989, 34059 and 32424?

The potential then for some final service double headers would be unfathomable!
That's the one thing they did right at 2023's GoS, thought it was good idea.

 

Well, I"m glad we did one thing right then ...



Tom

 

You do plenty right.
I just thought it was good way to keep the enthusiasts there longer at the railway.

 

Well, I am officially excited. Flights, rental car, and hotels booked for a quick jet across the pond in October for GoS. Having only been to the Bluebell once in 2004 and not gotten "off railway" on that visit, I am very much looking forward to attending all three days of the Gala and both riding and photographing the line and the action. Look forward to the eventual release of more details and the timetable closer to October.

Very much looking forward to this and seeing the three new builds I have not seen (I saw Tornado at the SVR in 2011, hard to believe it was that long ago already!).

Cheers,

Stephen

 

Had one of the Travelodge £35 room emails.
Did not really expect it to be available for the GOS weekend but somewhat shocked at £180.97 non refundable or £207.98 flexible for two nights. For a Travelodge??
As I can never guarantee what I would be able to do next weekend, let alone October a rethink me thinks.

 

The Roebuck Hotel Wych Cross, which I am aware people have stayed there for photo charters is £190.80 ( booking direct via Green King website) for 2 nights includes breakfast and cancellation up to 12pm on date of arrival.

You need to look at view more rates, after putting in dates.

 

We stay usually at Premier Inn and you need to book really early, but it’s cheaper. They allow you to move the date back up to 18 months so it gives some cover if things change, we’ve hotels booked for Severn Valley winter gala and West Somerset Spring gala next year already at cheap rates hoping both will go ahead on the traditional weekends, if not we want to visit both lines anyway so will go to a different event.

 

Yes I know about the Premier Inn semi flex thing. Works if your life is even vaguely plannable I guess. However I have been unable to attend any Heritage Line apart from the one I can see out of the window since the Bluebell Branch Line gala in 2024. A wife with a couple of serious bone break incidents, a nearly 99 year Dad who has periods of illness and now me part way through a raft of tests for something they seem unable to diagnose means whilst I might be prepared to write off £70, but certainly not £100 or £200 on a just hope basis.

 

Timetable now available - GOS GALA TIMETABLE 2025

 

Sunday still be worked on?

 

No, all three days are in the PDF doc. - Fri and Sat is split over two pages

 

It threw mw by having Sunday at the bottom of page 5, thanks.

 

Notice from the Timetable that Fenchurch is only doing Brakevan Rides at HK on Friday and Sunday - does it do something else on the Saturday?

 

It hides as by Sunday it thinks I'd have got together all the paint and brushes etc to come over and restore it to 32636 in 1962 BR condition.

Bryan - a dinosaur that got missed by the big asteroid - B

"Missed by the big asteroid? Another one can be arranged Bryan". I hear almost everyone here say.

 

I very much hope your tests find nothing serious.

As for booking such as Travelodge etc. When I think about staying at a Premier Inn I have a version of what @alts1985 does. I book a fully refundable room on the day the event is arranged.

My personal view is that these 'cheap' hotels have ways of checking for events and then react very quickly with their prices.

As for the Bluebell, still comfortably within range, but not for a wr dominated G.O.S!

Bryan

 

Looks like a good timetable. Rather surprised that 34059 or 73082 aren't involved but I suppose the intention is to keep things strictly to the "new build" theme. Looking forward to seeing 34059 and 73082 visiting other railways this Autumn.

 

Fenchurch isn’t currently due to run on the Saturday.

It was looked at, but in the end it was decided to keep it to new builds only (Strictly New Builds perhaps ).

 

New builds...and one of the oldest operational locomotives in the country