The Bluebell Explorer 09/11/2013

RTC have posted the confirmed timings on its website: http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/blue-bell-explorer-09-11-13 Looks like now it is visiting the Bluebell first and then on to Uckfield, although the blurb hasn't been altered to indicate this. I've checked Real Time Trains but nothing seems to be posted as yet. 1 hour and 20 minutes at Sheffield Park this time.

 

08.43 from Victoria, 34046 leading, 44932 on the rear. ( last time I had a combo like this was 34028 and 44767 at Churnet valley).

Victoria platform 9 should be a good spot to watch..black 5 banking the train out !
Even the ECS moves on this should be worth watching... In both directions.

 

Complains about steam loco hanging off back of train all day?

 

Depends if that ghastly northern thing hanging off the back stops me hearing the Southern stallion at the front doing it's thing...

 

Interesting as RTT show an 0845 to Chesterfield from platform 2. Is steam allowed from any other platform?

Don

 

08.45 to Chesterfield is a WTT path for the VSOE, but it's not booked to run next Saturday.

 

Platform 2 at Victoria is used for nearly every steam operation from Victoria (I say nearly because in 2012 35028 as 35018 left Plat 7 once, and 34067 arrived on plat 3 once.. because 35028 was on plat 2 already.... that was a good night)... but otherwise.. its Plat 2 across the board for most trips.

Plat 2 is the only one where the departure end is not undercover, and is long enough for length for the train. (plat 9 could do it.. but is way too busy), the rest are shorter/undercover.

(There is a really big clue.. if you look at the over bridge it's smoke stained above plat 2.. )

top end of Plat 9 is the best place to watch the departure.

 

Have I wandered into a parallel universe ?.

 

If this comes off - two locos, the trip up and down the East Grinstead line, the reverse, Uckfield and back, as planned, I shall be delighted. However, cometh the day..........

 

Keep the faith at the back..

this is hardly a complicated trip.. 2 lines with limited service, 30 miles or so out.. 30 miles or so back and a trip down two branchlines, and a spare black 5 waiting at the destination if it all goes wrong.

what could possibly go wrong ?

 

Just thinking aloud guvner, ( wanders away muttering "Network Rail" under his breath )

 

Indeed, I think the only miss in this trip was the option to do the Eridge-tonbridge wells line as well... There's enough spare time in the day to have done it.

 

Probably would have ended up in the way of the Uckfield train though, unless they managed to squeeze it into the loop at Crowborough. Would have been fun squeezing a ten coach train's worth of passengers into 4 on the Spa Valley as well!

 

The lack of a physical connection at Eridge between Network Rail and the Spa Valley would make getting to TWW very interesting!

Braunton is good but I don't think it can levitate!

Andrew

 

Was that the 26th April Al? If so, here's the return/inbound working of your Oxted-Tunbridge Wells train with 31278. Approaching Hurst Green.