Bluebell Railway East Grinstead Opening Gala - SPring 2013

Timetables on the Bluebell website with allocations, click on service for the relevent day on this page Bluebell Railway - Public Train Information

Direct links for 23rd Bluebell Railway - Public Train Information and 24th http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pti/2403.html

Stepney is also on the first train from East Grinstead and the U is now with set B and the 9F with set A.

 

To give credit where credit is due, I have noticed a significant increase in timely and useful information appearing on the Bluebell Web site in the last few days.

And Tom. Enjoy your holiday, especially meeting up with your family again.

Cheers,

Bryan

 

From the trains for the coming week page on the .co.uk website : -

"Southern services to East Grinstead, 23/24 March
Southern will be operating through trains from London to East Grinstead on both days of the re-opening weekend, with the customary engineering works on the Oxted line suspended. On Saturday they will run from (and to) London Bridge instead of Victoria, departing at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour instead of 23 and 53; timings from East Croydon and points south as usual. On Sunday the normal service to and from Victoria will operate, but a diversion will mean later departure times from East Croydon and points south, and a later arrival time at East Grinstead; Up trains will call at Norwood Junction instead of Selhurst."

 

Hi all,
I've got two reserved tickets for the 9:45 down from East Grinstead tomorrow-the first one. The friend I was going with has had to pull out, so I have one going spare. Is anyone interested? It's £22.50-I've already paid the booking fee. PM me if you need one, if you're is hoping to travel on the unreserved carriage it might save missing it!

 

Pictures of coach formations for those interested can be found at Bluebell Railway - Public Train Information

 

And more indispensable aids:

Gradient diagram for the whole line: Bluebell Railway - Location Map and Gradient Profile

East Grinstead Signalling Diagram: East Grinstead Ground Frames Diagram

Kingscote revised signalling diagram: Kingscote Signal Box Diagram

Tom

 

A light covering of snow at East Grinstead this morning and snowing lightly.

I will be on the 9.45am from East Grinstead to Sheffield Park.

 

We are going to have to give it a miss as a friend who was coming with us today texted me at 6.15 this morning to say the snow had arrived where he lives. Got up to find a lot of snow here in Hampshire. Can't trust the electric services in this weather so we aren't risking it. We will definitely visit soon though. Hope it all goes well for the Bluebell.

 

Evening all, what a day!

Video of the first train out of East Grinstead is now here - 2013 "The Pioneer" - First Bluebell Railway train out of East Grinstead - YouTube

Photos of the same movement are up at "The Pioneer" - First train from East Grinstead - March 2013 - Railway Galleries

More photos from the entire event to come over the next couple of days.

Cheers,
Chris

 

Fantastic day. I took the 10:05 up to East Grinstead (a train that for all but the front 2 coaches was occupied) and on the return ended up standing I spent most of the day behind 92212 with a trip on 178 and 263 from Horsted Keynes to East Grinstead and return to Sheffield Park. Sadly I ended up putting a battery in my camera that wasn't fully charged so some photos are from my camera and some from my phone. Had a nice chat with two shareholders in 5199 and the Betton Grange project in the Mets.

I'm thinking of going again on Easter Monday to try and get some more pictures then, although the snow did create some nice pictures if a bit cold (well for me who should have put more layers on, doh!).

Here are my pictures Bluebell Railway East Grinstead Opening Gala Photos by DanHill1991 | Photobucket

 

There was a great atmosphere on the railway today despite the weather. I spent the day behind either 473+323 or 263+178. 323 & 55 were on the rear of the 9.45am departure from East Grinstead. 55 came off at Horsted Keynes to do the brake van rides. My photos can be found at Zenfolio | Paul Simpson | Bluebell Railway East Grinstead Opening Weekend | Photo 5 and include a photo of the board to mark "Holden Summit" in the cutting.

 

The Gala timetables show trains crossing at both Horsted Keynes and Kingscote, Horsted Keynes shouldn't be difficult, but is there sufficient time at Kingscote to change trains?

thanks

 

I would say you needed to be quick and ready to change trains but yes you could easily make a change at Kingscote during the Four train timetable.

 

Thankyou, I'm heading down on Good Friday so the info' in advance is welcome!

 

Couldn't Make the gala this weekend. How well attended was the gala?

Thanks

 

Not quite sure. When I got to Sheffield Park not long after 9:00 the overflow car park was open and had a number of cars in there. East Grinstead was busy when I got off the 10:55 arrival there and stood on the way back. But after I managed to get a seat on each train after but seats still filled out until later in the day but that happens at most galas anyway.

 

Good loadings on most trains, only saw one train where passengers were standing. Always found a seat. When I got off the penulitmate train to EG - 4.45pm from SP ( from the front coach) and looked down the platform I did not have a clear view of the other end of the platform due to the amount of people that have got off the train.

 

Sounds like people weren't put off by the weather over the weekend. Always nice to hear a gala well attended. I hope to see a few photos from other Nat Press members who made a visit to the gala.

 

Plenty of time to change trains at Kingscote as the up train has 5 mins either side of the down train arriving then leaving straight away, spent quite a while at Kingscote over the weekend. Video from Saturday live now, Sunday's to follow and photos...

Bluebell Railway East Grinstead Opening Festival Day One - Saturday 23rd March 2013 - YouTube

 

Was at West Hoathly today, didn't look overly busy on trains but then the EG line was closed for engineering works. I suspect next weekend will be the acid test, start of the school holidays, Easter and (by the long range forecast) should be dry.