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Bluebell Railway East Grinstead Opening Gala - SPring 2013

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Jamessquared, Nov 18, 2012.

  1. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Hmmmmmm, that would be rather nice Chris:)

    Regards
    chris:
     
  2. E-G Media

    E-G Media New Member

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    Dare I ask who from? It might help shed a bit of light on the matter, for many of us
     
  3. tom92240

    tom92240 Part of the furniture

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    Just been officially confirmed by the Chairman, the non-attendance of 70000:

    "It is now apparent that, due to circumstances beyond our control,
    "Britannia" will not be able to visit for the Opening Festival, so the
    timetable on 23rd March will be operated by the following 8 steam
    locomotives, namely the visiting 9F No.92212, and our own Nos. 1638,
    B473, 263, 323, 178, 55 and 3.

    We have already explored all other options for visiting engines, and it
    is understood that nothing suitable is available at this very late
    stage. Although clearly the attraction is the opening of the Bluebell's
    long-awaited extension to East Grinstead, rather than a visiting engine,
    we are none the less disappointed to have to relay this news."
     
  4. David-Haggar

    David-Haggar Member

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    It really is a major disappointment that we could not get a star attraction for the event, anything would've done even a Black 5. However the point is the reconnection to E.G and the massive achievement by our team to get the job done. Just hope with the weather being as it is at the moment and coupled with no headline visiting loco the event becomes a bit of a damp squib. I'm sure it won't and still can't wait for it all to begin but it's certainly not the ideal start we were all hoping for. Majorly gutted :-(
     
  5. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    A shame about Britannia not appearing but will still be a great event regardless and as I said the other day there's always Giants to bring something in.
     
  6. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest

    I almost went back and changed it to " certain STEAM locomotves with numbers....."

    But I just new someone would want to mention the box! LOL!

    I do love a bit of humour! ......I mentioned the box once, but I think I got away with it alright.........

     
  7. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    EVEN a black five! That's a bit unkind. They may not begin with a number "3" but are still fine engines. They are also appropriate to Sussex, working through to the coast with the summer Saturday extras in the 1960s. Also, they are fairly gauge-friendly, so should be able to cope with restricted clearances betewen South Croydon and East Grinstead, unlike some other main-line registered locos.
     
  8. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Don't forget 70000 was subject to collision damage at the NNR last weekend and is back at Bury having remedial attention, hence why it cannot attend
     
  9. David-Haggar

    David-Haggar Member

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    I mentioned the Black 5 really as bit of a hopefull name-drop in that maybe the powers that be try and get one of Mr Riley's if available :) Personally would love to see a 5 on the Bluebell, in particular either 44932 or 45428 as both are noted down in my Dad's book as being shedded at Eastbourne in Summer 64. Here's three photos of Black 5's my Dad took at Eastbourne during the Summer of 64;

    https://picasaweb.google.com/105454327852537837128/TheRogerHaggarCollection#5585817285900971122

    https://picasaweb.google.com/105454327852537837128/TheRogerHaggarCollection#5585817370162326930

    https://picasaweb.google.com/105454327852537837128/TheRogerHaggarCollection#5585817430460843058
     
  10. desperado

    desperado Member

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    I hope the 33 doesn't work, firstly because I won't be there :), secondly because I suspect the howls of protest would be so loud that it would make getting it out on a real service with some advance notice for the enthusiasts even harder and thirdly because even though steam does very little for me, people who've paid their money for a steam-only experience should get what they paid for.

    PS Here's a picture of the last 33 I had to East Grinstead - 9th May 1986, the last day of the loco hauled commuter trains from London Bridge. This part of the station area now looks very different. 33201 at East Grinstead | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
     
  11. alts1985

    alts1985 Well-Known Member

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    Thursday 28th is almost a diesel gala anyhow, from what I understand you have the tour running East Grinstead to Sheffield Park and return behind a Class 66 then the Blue Belle running a round trip behind two Class 73s. Shall be there that day, will be intresting being lineside as diesels pass not steam for a change!
     
  12. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    45407 and 44871 were both due to be going to the NYMR on the 22nd, but one of them is going over the Devon Banks with 34067 on the 23rd.
     
  13. dan.lank

    dan.lank Member

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    Out of interest, what is the record for number of locos turned out for one day on the Bluebell? 8 is very impressive, especially with one pulling out. I can think of 11 (standard gauge) at the 50th, was that the record?
     
  14. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest

    You heard it here first on National Presrvation:-

    I just got the date wrong!



    A sign of the times I guess. What with crews on diesel training, (33 class), it all starts to sound like the "dreaded" events in BR in the 1960s and then Germany in the early 1970s. Another line going box soon.......

    But it's not "my" railway and those that run it and put all the current money and effort in have every right to forge the future as they think fit. But I'm not going to join them as I have better things to do these days.

    So my first steam event since 19th July last year, (35028 in Kent), will just have to wait a bit longer as I won't be going down to the Bluebell until there are less boxes around.

    Just have to hope I don't go out Owl watching this week only to hear that the Barn Owls are being trained in using peanut feeders and that the Short-Eared Owl is on a vegetarian course! LOL.
     
  15. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    Latest from the Bluebell website : - Timetables for the various days of the East Grinstead Opening Festival (23 March to 7 April) are now available. Links to the 23rd and 24th only. You need to scroll down the page Saturday 23rd March and Sunday 24th March. The timestables for other days are available. For loco allocations see Bluebell Railway Locomotive Duty Roster and for coaching stockBluebell Railway - Public Train Information



    Once word got out today, Imberhorne Lane Bridge became a popular place, but we understand that the police may take measures to control crowds on what is quite a dangerous road bridge next weekend, during the start of our formal opening festival. So we'd please request that photographers exercise considerable care when in this area, since it's a narrow and busy road.
     
  16. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thanks for that Paul.
    Just a warning to others travelling to the Bluebell by train that there are engineering works on the Southern network in that area during the first weekend of 23/24 March. We have got to make an earlier start now due to our connecting services being disrupted by this work.
     
  17. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    The loco situation, from Lewis Nodes:

     
  18. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    From the Bluebell newsletter:

     
  19. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Yeah John Sandy's videos showed some of the problems of this yesterday. Quite a few people gathered on the bridge and rushed over the road to see the train out the other side just avoiding some of the cars.
     
  20. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    I have added the loco allocations and coaching stock to the timetable shown on the Bluebell website and it is below
     

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