Bluebell Northern Extension - so what's occurring then?

Robert Philpott posts that he was 'not able' to film the joining up. I do hope that does not mean that he was 'prevented' from doing so. His reports have been the most timely and simply wonderful and lately joined by John Sandys, to whom we are grateful, the both of them.

 

The event was low key and primarily for those who did the work - even most Bluebell Directors and Trustees weren't there, except for the two Chairmen (Society and PLC) and Chris White.

The actual site beyond the gate is classed as a work site - to enter beyond the gates you will have had to attend the induction course have the site pass & suitable PPE, or else be accompanied by a suitably accredited person (under which conditions accredited press were admitted). So I suspect what he means is that the ceremony was out of sight from his vantage point on the bridge.

Tom

 

Just got in from work to see the brilliant photos from today's historic achievement. Well done to all and particularly to Robert, John and Tom for keeping us updated with the various news/photo reports over the last few months. Really can't wait now for the gala weekend and also booked the day off work on the 27th as the visiting loco/s have been pencilled in for service trains. In terms of the T9, she was in fine fettle during Wednesday's photo charter on the MHR even if the weather was pretty naff. A few of us were talking about if 30120 would visit the Bluebell and in particular how good she would look paired with not just the Bulleid carriages but also the 3 coach Blood & Custard set. Doubt she'll visit for the Opening Gala, Giants would be good but a T9 isn't exactly "giant" in terms of size. So I guess the best time for 30120 would be next February's Branch Line Weekend if that event is re-established in the special events list now that Giants Of Steam is also back in October.

 

I bet you didn't get an invite Howard, not with your initials!

Seriously, this has been a great event and like so many great events, marked by somewhat miserable weather.
I echo Howard's thanks to Mr Philpott and to Mr Sandys who have done a great deal to publicise this incredible heritage railway development and have ensured that those of us who either live too far away or have too much decorating/house maintenance/gardening/job/other half authority (choose distraction of choice) to do can "be there" and "see the dream."

 

Looking at John Sandy's pictures the ceremony was held under Imberhorne Lane bridge to keep out of the rain.

Also looking at the pictures, the class 33 with three hoppers was the first actual train consisting of more than one vehicle to run from Kingscote to East Grindstead (and back, presumably).

Well done, Bluebell Railway!

Christoph

 

The full John Sandys photo set:

NEP Photo Update, Fri, 08/03/13, (Now updated) - a set on Flickr

In this photo of the team: The Workforce | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

• Bluebell Railway PLC infrastructure director, and the programme manager for the extension, Chris White is back row on the right, standing with his foot on the yellow sack
• The next person to the left with the jacket undone and glasses is Matt Crawford, the Bluebell infrastructure manager
• The man in the front row in the very smart grey coat is Graham Flight, the Bluebell Railway PLC chairman, who has kept the money flowing to the right place at the right time
• The man front row, second from left is Roy Watts, the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society Chairman
• The man on the front row, far left, is Sam Bee, the BRPS Vice Chairman (I believe Sam is also quite involved in the GWS - probably why we keep getting strange Swindonian things turning up

I don't know the names of all the volunteers, and in any case it would be unfair to single any particular ones out. There are certainly a few familiar faces missing here, as you'd expect from a project that has taken many years and, at least in recent months, has been pushed forward seven days per week. One very notable absentee as far as I can see (IMHO, and without wanting to single out any one person over another) is Roger Kelly, who has led the fundraising drive.

Tom

 

I laugh at it if it makes you feel better!

 

And John Sandys' trip to EG


A ride from Imberhorne Lane to East Grinstead - YouTube

Excellent

 

Thanks for posting the link to this interesting journey. Anyone watching it can see why after the opening celebrations, the KC-EG section will need to be shut for a bit to tidy things up. However, the important thing is that Sheffield Park and East Grinstead are now connected by rail for the first time since 1964. A fantastic achievement. Once again well done to all involved.

 

Surprisingly good ride even on a Whickam! But does underline the amount of work for the tamper, noting the varying amounts of ballast laid down so far.

 

Yeah there are some areas with a sizable amount of ballast in the rails or to the side of it.

Great work and determination by everyone to get it done especially the last few months.

 

BBC Coverage: BBC News - Final track laid for Bluebell Railway extension

It's interesting that Network Rail had the official opening of their new EG station on the same day - I'm not sure if that was by accident or design, but I know a few of the Bluebell dignitaries were at the Network Rail opening first, before travelling down to the cutting for the "white fishplate" ceremony.

Tom

 

Once again, the preservation movement has restored what politicians, with habitual lack of foresight / own agendas had removed. Congratulations to the Bluebell and all the supporters who ploughed time, money, effort, or all three into this. I know how excited and euphoric we were as we extended the Severn Valley, first to Highley and Bewdley, then 10 years later to Kidderminster. You must all be on cloud nine and rightly so.

Circumstances have kept me from visiting the line for far too may years, something I intend to remedy this year.

All the best,

jtx

 

I was a little disappointed that Meridian news covered the East Grinstead station revamping on Friday with an extended piece including vox pops and Christoper Soames wheezing a few anodyne sounbdbites about rail travel but that there was not even a mention of the significant ceremony taking place a mile to the south. I know that at least one preserved railway not far to the west would have exploited the occasion by ringing every TV and radio station they could get hold of, and rightly so. Meridian TV for one would have happily covered the story - viewers elsewhere in the region are not much interested in East Grinstead station but would be very interested in what has happened to the Bluebell.
A missed opportunity methinks to prime interest in what is due to happen in couple of weeks time.

 

From what I saw on the Bluebell's Facebook page John Sandy's posted that the spike ceremony was a low key affair mainly for the people involved and that a big media event is still to come.

 

Every opportunity must be exploited Dan. The Bluebell cannot dictate or assume they will get their own way on PR just when they want it. THeir big day won't be seen as a priority by news editors unless they think it's already a public interest story.
I was hoping the reconnection would be picked up as an "And Finally...." story on News at Ten, but sadly the BLuebell's Achilles Heel came to the fore. I think you'll find that all those present at the private ceremony would have been absolutely delighted to have watched themselves on TV later that evening.

 

Last night the catering coach was craned into position at East Grinstead, onto a disconnected bit of track at the north end of the station between the travel centre and toilet block. The bogies were also swapped at the same time, exchanging a pair in good order for a more worn set.

This film from John Harwood, taken today, shows the coach in situ and its relationship to the other structures at EG, also some general views around the station, viaduct and cutting. Less than two weeks to the opening, and everything (including the Crompton...) is covered in a nice layer of snow!

[YOUTUBE]0BJX3AEYL-8[/YOUTUBE]

Tom

 

Would you describe the toilet block as a 'long drop'…?

Simon

 

Hopefully not!

Tom

 

Watched John's video earlier, I took a walk up today and on the way was thinking I must be the only idiot going to look as the freezing snow was blowing in my face on the walk down the hill to Hill Place, but obviously not! Don't know if he posts on here but I like the way he edits his videos together. Track all looked nicely ballasted up around Hill Place and the road railers were buzzing up and down doing bits and bobs.