Good News from the Bluebell

A good spot my Dad and I found today is just north of the broken down bridge, about a 5 minute walk up, before you get to Treemains. The E4 produced some reasonably good steam effects, I've posted the photo on UKRP.

 

If you're talking about between the demolished bridge and Treemains, that's the "site of Freshfield Halt" to which I was referring or do you mean between Freshfield Summit and the bridge?

 

I think it's called Monteswood, I've found a youtube clip of 80151 at the location we got the E4 today. We're planning to get the Fairburn at this location in 2 Saturdays' time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL5OJts5vjw

On about 1:01 of the clip u see a lineside hut, my dad and I stood a few mtrs in front and on the opposite side of the line today to phot the E4.

 

If you look at the line up, 9017 doesnt exactly fit in. I know there are other occasions where it doesnt, but the aim here is for southern branch line

 

That's where Freshfield Halt used to be. The PW hut is just about where the platform was.

 

Ahh thanks for that Ian, I guess this location is gonna be quite popular with us photters to get the E4 and Fairburn at Branch Line w/e so the good old step ladder could come in handy.

 

...but 78019 wouldn't fit that well either...

 

Maybe 78019 was consellation (sp?) for 30777 not being able to make it to Giants :lol:

 

I take that Jon is doing one of his photo charters with the Fairburn tank over the next few weeks?

 

A series is/was planned over a few days but we've not had confirmation from the railway yet. One rumour has it that the owners have yet to approve its use on charters.

 

They had to beg and plead just to get her there in the first place

 

This month's Steam Railway reports that the Bluebell has requested both 30777 and 70013 for Giants in October. Nice.

 

Wow, not suprised about 30777, but 70013 would be a massive coup for us. Not sure about this but does the NRM let Cromwell travel on low-loaders as it's a main line loco? If not does this suggest that the Bluebell thinks they could be fully linked up to E.G by October and the Brit will travel down on the mainline?

 

The GCR isn't mainline connected (I think) so mainline locos have to be transported by road to somewhere they can be offloaded onto network rail metals. But I agree, 70013 is a big scoop. It's gonna be manic when they visit, even more so when Tornado comes.

 

Oooops yep I forgot about Cromwell at the GCR so obviously there's no problem letting the loco travel by low-loader. Had a ride behind Cromwell on the Scar. Spa Express last year and cabbed it at Scarborough Station, magnificant loco so let's hope all goes to plan!ray2:

 

Just noticed this about 70013 and 30777. Be a coup if the Brit does visit. Looking to be a great year on the line. Can't wait to get down to the Branch Line Weekend in a few weeks.

 

Right, I did the PTS Course today and I found it very good. It was taken by Norman Blake, the railway's safety manager. We were given a lineside guide which includes everything from signals to maps, emergency telephone numbers, general lineside conduct and other things. We then had a powerpoint presentation for a couple of hours basically covering everything in the guide but in greater detail. It was kept fairly informal and was punctuated with amusing/shocking anecdotes. We then took a 30 question multiple-choice exam, much of it was common sense but some things like what distance away from the line is 'A place of safety' you would have had to pay attention or read the guide. Other questions included, how to cross the line correctly, how to stop a train in an emergency etc etc. The tests were marked school-boy style (shuffling the papers and giving them to someone else) most of us got 30 out of 30, for those who didn't, we all went through what they answered incorrectly and they were put right. It wasn't the kind of exam where if you didn't get the mark, you fail, it was a case of, if you got a couple wrong, you see where you went wrong and you now know the correct answer/procedure then it's all fine. The course was very good, Norman was a good 'teacher' and the people doing it were a good bunch and we can all expect our PTS cards in the post.

Also I peeked into the works through the windows at the north end and saw the boiler and smokebox are in place on 178.

 

During the course did you actually do any practial?...ie actually walk across the track.....

 

Entirely theory.

Oh I forgot the most important thing! With a PTS you're now allowed between Horsted House Farm and the South end of the tunnel.

 

Thanks for the info Matt, I would liked to have done the course yesterday but I was in London watching the Brighton vs Leyton Orient game, hopefully I can make one of the courses in March. Did it give any info on places you will be allowed to go once the East Grinstead extention is open?