Bluebell Diesel Gala (!)

It's official: Hell has frozen over.

http://www.bluebell-railway.com/event/diesel-gala/

 

Nit picking maybe, but perhaps reflecting their unfamiliarity with things diesel, the Bluebell website page advertising this gala has "diesel mechanical unit" for the DMU. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought DMU was short for diesel multiple unit.

 

Having a diesel event on a Friday seems to be an odd thing to do. What's wrong with running the event on a Saturday or Sunday?

 

See my post in the Bluebell Matters thread for what I believe is the thinking.

Tom

 

Technically it's a DMMU, or Diesel Mechanical Multiple Unit, as opposed to a DEMU.

 

And about time too..

 

Should not be running at all!

 

And why not?is the money from the potential visitors not good enough?

 

Obviously someone not with the best interests of the BB...

 

Yes, but it's a diesel mechanical as opposed to a diesel electric or diesel hydraulic so the description is still accurate.

 

So will you promise to match the money which could be raised by ticket sales on what would otherwise be a "no trains" day to fund it not happening?

 

Get a grip, isn't like the steam loco's are being shipped back to South Wales and a fleet of 172's on order.

An out of season event that doesn't affect the bread and butter steam services and might just make a bit of money, what's the harm ?.

Might I suggest those demanding the Bluebell stays 100% steam, offer their services for fire lighting and oiling at 4am in a rainy Tuesday any time of year when a shunt or pway work is required ?.

 

Might I suggest those demanding the Bluebell stays 100% steam, offer their services for fire lighting and oiling at 4am in a rainy Tuesday any time of year when a shunt or pway work is required ?.

Merely expressing my opinion. my preference is for steam.
If I had the funds to match the money made I would.
As for firelighting. When I am rostered on as third man or cleaner, I get up very early and on arrival I help out as much as I can.

 

It's perfectly OK to prefer steam - most people do. But saying diesels shouldn't run, even on a day with normally no service, is denying others their pleasure. There is surely room for all of us on the Bluebell?

 

But I'm not the one getting het up because the line is having the temerity to run some diesels...

 

Can't really see the problem with it, the railway is making money, if you don't like it, don't go, go on a steam railtour instead for recuperation like I did when the GWSR had their diesel gala!

 

I personally would not pay to travel on my local heritage line ( not the Bluebell) behind diesel traction, but they do have their uses! shunting without having to light up a steam loco, out of season infrastructure work, thunderbirds when steam fails en-route (Sir Keith Park on the SVR?) or a short-notice substitution when a steam loco develops a problem during your scheduled service timetable, and an early turn scheduled if it means a slightly less early start for the steam crews as intimated above. Thunderbird and short-notice substitution work does though require your diesel loco to be an "instant" starter not requiring to sit warming up. Class 20's would be fine for most of our heritage lines for this sort of work with the possible exception of the NYMR.

 

I'd pay to travel behind certain diesels - the last time I traveled on a diesel hauled service by choice was when the NYMR hired in a Deltic a couple of summers ago - and I'm not normally annoyed if a diesel turns up so long as, if it's a cold day, the thing can heat its train. But diesel galas are useful off season earners, so fair play to the Bluebell for making a virtue out of a temporary necessity.

 

If this event is marketed well, there shouldn't be any losers. There are no visiting locos being hired purely for this event, there were no trains planned to run on this day prior to the announcement of a diesel gala (so no disappointed passengers expecting steam) and presumably enough diesel enthusiasts keen to sample a bit of rare mileage to cover the costs. Given that unusual circumstances which have led to the DMU and Swordfish being based at the Bluebell are unlikely to be repeated, this is probably going to be a real one-off. Indeed, unless the 09 is called upon to rescue another failed steam loco in the future, the only chance to enjoy diesel haulage on the Bluebell after this could well be on an incoming charter. Even though I wouldn't support regular diesel running on the Bluebell, I hope this event goes well.