Good News from the Bluebell

I know MHR usually runs late, but what i mean by 'works' is that u dont arrive in the morning and find a locos failed.

Anyway, lets move on and get back to the threads subject.

 

But that can happen any time.

A gala works if there is a good, intense and decent timetable (not a 1000 - 1630 gala), plenty of locos, and if there is late running (it can happen) the railway works to recover the lost time.
A gala that gets later and later with staff not even trying to recover lost time is not a gala that works.

Also visitors come and enjoy, feel that they have had their monies worth and not feel ripped off.

A freight train at a steam gala works but on a diesel gala is a big no no.....

So just because a a steam or diesel loco fails on the first day does not mean a gala has not worked.

 

Thanks for that, all of that information is actually very interesting.

 

Back to the good news, there's an update to the extension page http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/ext/extprog.html

 

Gentlemen, far better good news is that 178 passed her full steam test yesterday and subject to getting the remaining work done and if no unexpected problems are found she will steam at Branch Line Weekend.

 

Good stuff. Well done to all concerned.

 

In more good news it is confirmed that the Brighton Belle Trust are taking the two completed power cars from their set to the Bluebell for the weekend and that they are hopeful of a positive outcome with Doris. Should be quite a Birthday Gala in August.

 

That's great news, the Brighton Belle is a really exciting project and I'm looking forward to seeing these completed power cars.

 

What the Bluebell have and continue to achieve is inspirational to other railways. I cannot wait to arrive by Southern Trains for a round trip from East Grinstead.............to Haywards Heath!
Seriously that's something special you have there. Well done.

 

Only one is coming... And I wouldn't hold your breathe on the Doris thing! I think the BBT have gotten a bit too keen.
There are plans within the retail directorate for Doris to be used in the medium term.

 

Proves me wrong. I'm going down on the Sunday.

 

Richard Salmon has said on the Yahoo group:

The original situation was that we could not disclose the problems
until they had been discussed with the loco's owners. That is common
courtesy. This has now taken place, and I gather there is still a
possibility of the loco running, if repairs can be completed in time
(and I am not entirely certain myself what those repairs entail). If
not the Dukedog will be steamed, so there should be 7 locos in steam
either way, rather than the "up to 6" originally advertised.

I suspect discussions with the owners over extending or repeating the
visit are only appropriate if it does not run, so these questions are
completely premature.

Indeed people should be careful of the tone of their questions, since
discussion in public might upset negotiations in private - I know
from past experience that these things are often quite delicate
matters!

Regards,
Richard

 

This has been posted on the Bluebell Site

 

What a load of childish rubbish gets posted on here - censorship? I just suggested on the Bluebell Group that people demanding we get our money back on the Fairburn visit was a bit premature, and people should be careful about the tone of what they write because the relationship between a railway and the owner of a visiting engine is one which has to be handled carefully at times. That was before I heard that it was going to steam.

The News:
7 locos in steam and one standing by to cover for last minute problems.
42085 has a fire in it this morning, and so far looks OK. Plan is to move it around the station this afternoon to prove it, and so we hope it will be a runner.

178 won’t be finished until mid-afternoon today, so there isn’t time for a proper test run, and therefore the plan is for it to be in steam around Sheffield Park tomorrow, possibly venturing up to Horsted Keynes on Sunday, for use on the Brake Van rides.

I won't bother logging in here again for a while now!

Goodbye

Richard

 

Don't be to hasty Richard, some of us appreciate your input, being from East Grinstead and a BB member I very much support you and the railway. Look forward to Tommorow, the kids will enjoy it as much as I do.

 

I agree about Richards input and supporting the whole Bluebell staff and also a Bluebell member look forward to getting to East Grinstead and await the day that Bluebell trains arrive in Haywards Heath. I can't wait for my visit Sunday and look forward to many visits this year.

 

I'm getting excited now, big well done to the those who not only got 178 steamable in time but also got the Fairburn going. It's shaping up to be a superb event.

Richard, don't be too quick to dismiss this forum, although we have to wade through childishness and rudeness there is plenty of good clean discussion that goes on and we appreciate the input of key people like yourself.

I hope to be getting down on Sunday, I intended to go both days but someone has done the passenger window of the car in.

 

Many thanks Richard for informing us on the update re:42085. My Dad and I are linesiding tomorow probably around the Freshfield Bank, Monteswood and Treemains locations so let's hope for some decent weather and a bit of luck for 42085.

Cheers

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the latest update (4.36pm) on the Bluebell website says that the P 178 will not be running as there are a couple of minor problems with her. She will however be in operation the following weekend.

 

Yes disappointing regarding the P, but then we have got 10 years with it so not too tragic and I guess all the focus will be on the Fairburn this w/e.