Bluebell Railway East Grinstead Opening Gala - SPring 2013

Thanks for the clarification, Tom. The ban on lineside access is no surprise, but it's no big deal from a photographic point of view. I travelled on one of the shuttles behind FR 20 in 2010, and didn't see any likely shots between KC and Imberhorne Bridge, even if access had been allowed. The occupation bridge will be good for south-facing locos (323, B473) and when the 9.45 ex-SP is running, the sun should be probably in the right place for a shot from Imberhorne Lane Bridge.

The biggest bonus photographically will be the new Saturday 5.15 ex-SP. Apart from Freshfield Bank, there aren't many spots where the sun is far enough round for the 4PM train, which has been the latest departure for some years now. This will open up new opportunities along the current line (although I guess the sun will be in the wrong place on the new extension). I would also suspect that as the Saturday 7.30PM GA will have to get a bit more of a move on if it is to make two round trips to East Grinstead, this may give a bit more scope for pictures just south of HK in June and July. I've tried on a few occasions, but have sometimes found that with it not reaching HK until nearly 8PM, the sun is too weak or too low in the sky for a satisfactory picture. Just 5-10 minutes can make a lot of difference.

Anyway, the great thing is that the extension will be open next month! Never mind the pictures, I'm just looking forrward to the ride.

 

Ah, the magic of Google Street view! garden wood road east grinstead - Google Maps

What I'm not sure about is how much of the train will stick above the parapet. When I had a walk on the viaduct several years ago, I'd suggest that the parapets were probably about 5 feet high; however, that was before the track formation had been laid. So hopefully (for both passengers and photographers) the track level is raised enough that it will compensate for the line of the track runing down the centre, rather than along the near edge, of the viaduct.

With regards the rest of the extension: pre-1958 photos between KC and EG (especially in and around the cutting) are rarer than hen's teeth relative to photos further south on the line, so I am guessing that that stretch of track was never seen as offering great photo opportunities.

Tom

 

That 5.15pm is going to lead to some big loco diagrams. I'm assuming on "New Service Two, summer Saturdays" that the "A" loco will take the 9.45 / 12:15 / 2:45 / 5:15 ex SP, probably with the older carriages and smaller engine; and the "B" loco will take the 11:00 / 1:30 / 4:00 ex SP, probably with the newer carriages and bigger engine and then the two evening GA trips. That means loco diagrams of 88 miles and 110 miles for the two service engines; by comparison, on our current timetable, the "A" loco does 3 round trips + 1.5 GA and the "B" loco does 3 round trips: 82 miles and 54 miles respectively.

Tom

 

Having been around the viaduct for the diesel and VEP trains that have run on a few occasions you could not see too much of the train above the parapet from the road or the slope that runs up the west side. You really will need to be someway back, maybe the main road on the east side in the morning, though traffic noise will be a problem. It is going to be the two bridges or Sainsbury's carpark I think for photos. Will be intresting when the station site is finished what views are about, I took this through the fence at the top end of the car park a couple of years ago... Hastings DMU no.1001 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Bring a nice tall ladder you might be able to get viaduct in, my problem is my big tall ladder is to big for the car!

 

Here is that view from the main road

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=ea...rSVr10D8rb1xL2XcnHhgfA&cbp=12,355.34,,0,12.34

 

70000 is not longer listed on the Steam Dreams website for the trip on the 26th March.

 

Further update on ticket availability on the opening trains, from the Bluebell newsletter:

Note: Given two unbooked carriages on the first departure from EG on the first day, I have no idea how these will be allocated or access controlled on the assumption more than 100 or so passengers want to get on.

Tom

 

For those of you who would like to view the track/cutting etc over the Gala/Easter period below are the times when the GN Directors saloon will be attached to the trains usually on the south end so pax on the up trains will have the use of the unobstructed end windows.

You will need a FIRST CLASS ticket (upgrades will be UNLIKELY) and will be expected to purchase on board refreshments.

Saturday 23rd March
ex SP 12.15 and 3.15, and ex EG 1.30 and 4.30 journey times 40 mins up and 45 mins down
May be a morning run from HK to SP to be confirmed.

Sunday 24th March
ex SP 10.05, 1.00, 4.00 to EG and 6.15 to HK
ex EG 11.15, 2.15 and 5.15

Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday
ex HK 10.23 to SP
ex SP to EG 11.30, 2.30
ex EG to SP 12.45 and 3.45
ex SP to HK 5.30

Easter Sunday
ex HK 10.23 to SP
ex SP to EG 11.30, 2.30, 5.30, 8.10*
ex EG to SP 12.45 and 3.45, 7.00*
ex SP to HK 9.10
* Special train for Sainsburys EG staff

I will NOT be in attendance.

 

Many thanks for the post regarding the saloon, Gordon. It is a shame that access will be restricted to the vehicle over the gala but this is due to being the only first class on the train, and the only first class available on the two main corridor sets, and as you know we have somewhat limited space!

All back to normal over Easter though!

Tom

 

In the programmes given out at the MHR Gala today it is mentioned that 925 Cheltenham is to visit the Bluebell in the Spring. Is she confirmed as visiting for the Grand EG opening Gala?

 

The 2 visiting locos for the Gala have not been confirmed

 

Thanks for that Paul. Any idea when they will be? I am intending to visit the Bluebell via the new link at EG on the 23rd March and am rather curious as to what the visitors will be............

 

Britannia was mentioned in Bluebell news earlier in the year and is no longer on the CathEx the following week.

 

Thanks Paul. Looking forward to seeing 70000 on the line.

 

Hmm interesting. I sort of hope if she does visit that 928 is taken out of the shed at Sheffield Park and put on display in the yard as I'm not sure if 2 Schools have met in preservation yet and both are in varying styles of Malachite Green.

She would certainly look good with the Maunsell set and with 1638. I think though in some ways maybe she should visit in the autumn when hopefully 847 is in steam but don't both lines Autumn Galas clash this year?

 

70000 does seem to be the main almost confirmed visitor. The other is rumoured to be Clan Line. Personally, I would prefer Cheltenham!

 

Clan Line would be an amazing coup if it does turn up. She's been to the MHR and Swanage but not sure she's hauled any preserved railway trains since she was at Longmoor (if she did then?) as the MHR was for some work on the engine and Swanage was by railtour.

I've not been behind 35028 since October 1999 (though I've seen her a few times by luck a few times on the VSOE)

 

Blimey! 35028 would certainly bring in the punters as she never works services on Heritage lines. It looks like she could well be visiting as there is a gap in her ML duties between a VSOE on the 22nd March and a VSOE on the 12th April.......

 

Clan Line is the rumour I have heard too - but that doesn't mean it is right, it just means the Loco Department and the Guards Department have been potentially misled by the same rumour-monger :smile:

Tom

 

It'll be interesting that weekend because if 35028 does come down many people would be attracted to having a ride in one of the first trains its hauled on a preserved line as well as the opening to East Grinstead bringing in visitors anyway along with probably 70000 but on the same weekend both the WSR and the SVR are having their Spring Galas although it'll be the 2nd weekend of the WSR's.

Bringing in 70000 and 35028 would certainly provide some interest should they both use the mainline down to East Grinstead and both could stay for the 2 week festival as well as 35028 not having a tour between the 22nd March and 12th April as you said, 70000 is not due to go back out on the mainline until 20th April (according to UKSteam unless she has anymore Heritage Railway visits coming up) when she hauls the Great Britain VI.