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Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Jamessquared, Feb 16, 2013.

  1. jnc

    jnc Well-Known Member

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    I expect you realize this already, but I wasn't asking, or suggesting, that you personally do so.


    I don't think I implied the rest of us have any 'right' to hear their plans. If they want to keep them moderately closely held, they certainly have that right. I merely suggested that there didn't seem to be much to be lost by doing so (and I've yet to hear someone list a concrete disadvantage), and something (albeit not necessarily a great deal) to gain by making them public.

    And yes, the Bluebell does do quite a good job of making the goings-on there public on the Internet - better than just about any other heritage railroad, for which I am rather grateful. But one can always make things even better... :)

    Noel
     
  2. seawright

    seawright New Member

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    Is there any chance that Gordon Pettitt which played such a pivotal roll in promoting the way south from East Grinstead will be back on Bluebell metals as part of the opening celebrations?
     
  3. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Not that I know of - there is no mention of using it on the list of events planned for the opening fortnight, and in any case we have no loco (except I suppose the 33 on loan) that could haul it.

    The 4VEP is still owned by the Bluebell, but its custodians are now the Southern Electric Traction Group, based at Wimbledon Depot.

    Tom
     
  4. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    An update on the canopy project at Sheffield Park, from the Bluebell email newsletter:

    Tom
     
  5. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    According to Railway Magazine, 3205 is due to visit the Bluebell in May. Is this true? If so, is it to cover an ongoing loco shortage? (I know 92212 has a few problems at the mement) Apart from the Southern at War weekend, there aren't any special events listed on the website that month.
     
  6. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    Yes. There is a photo charter with it in May. I do not know the answer to the second question.
    I suspect it is in return for the Dukedog visting the SDR.
     
  7. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    That'll be another visit from me then. Yet to see 3205.
     
  8. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    I hadn't heard, but if Paul knows already about photo charters, I suspect it must be reasonably pukka.

    I do wonder if the timing, if not exactly covering a shortfall, is an insurance for when we start daily running to EG, especially if 847 is either not finished by then, or has a few teething problems when first in service. If nothing else, it can deputise for the C class in capability.

    Tom
     
  9. tom92240

    tom92240 Part of the furniture

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    Yes, it is visiting, and mainly for a charter.
     
  10. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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  11. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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  12. dan.lank

    dan.lank Member

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    Looking good! Is this a complete new build or are there some parts reclaimed from other stations? The pillars I'm assuming must have come from somewhere or they'd have cost an awful lot!
     
  13. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Cost an awful lot... :smile:

    The pillars are actually wood: a sturdy upright surrounded with purely decorative panelling. So they don't need casting (unlike, say, those at HK, which were recovered from BR(S) stations being modernised for the Platform 1/2 canopy).

    Tom
     
  14. dan.lank

    dan.lank Member

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    That makes sense then Tom, I was thinking they were castings!
     
  15. Maunsell man

    Maunsell man Well-Known Member

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    The new buildings on platforms 1 & 2 had cast stanchons and brackets recovered from Hassocks station. All of sheeting and woodwork was buried deep in the undergrowth at Horsted when I joined in 1982 and it was thought that most of it would end up in the skip. I believe most of it did as it literally fell apart and returned to earth long before it was ever needed!

    The replacement of those buildings started back in the very early 80s when the actual stanchons were erected but then the project stalled for many years. Sometime in the mid nineties it was stated 'offically' that the project was dead and that the buildings would never be replaced as there was neither funding nor the will to do it. That galvanised a small group into action to fund, design and build what is now a magnificant addition to the station ambience.
     
  16. Fireline

    Fireline Well-Known Member

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    Guys, apologies for cutting into the general congratulations. I went onto the new website to look for the date for this year's July Collector's fair at Horsted Keynes. I can't find anything on the website at all. Could someone please tell me the date, or point out where I can find it?
     
  17. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Seems to have disappeared off the website - I think that is more likely a limitation of the website than the fact that it isn't happening (the navigation has got swamped by a large number of special events in connection with the opening).

    Anyway, these are the details I took when the full list was published:

    "20 & 21 July: Toy and Rail Collectors Fair - Railway Artefacts, Model Railway Equipment and many other stalls at Horsted Keynes, both on the station platforms and in a marquee. "

    Tom
     
  18. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Whats the plan for Kingscote besides the Singleton Crane and Goods Yard Projects because yesterday they said they couldn't sell tickets or refreshments at Kingscote now they've opened to East Grinstead because of (I think) Land Permissions running out.
     
  19. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    Planning permission since no longer a terminus, but they did say it was only temporary.
     
  20. Fireline

    Fireline Well-Known Member

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    Thank you Tom. Take an O.B.E. out of petty cash. :)
     

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