Bluebell Railway General Discussion

A plug for Hampton Transport Gala which takes place today, for anyone in or around SW London.

http://www.hamptontransportgala.co.uk

A few photos (not mine) showing the Adams Radial tank and the LSWR brake 3rd carriage being loaded onto low-loaders earlier this week, where they will form the centrepiece of the exhibits at the station.

http://riff-raff.org/photos/v/Mlawrence/2014-09/20140906_135603_6.jpg.html

http://riff-raff.org/photos/v/Mlawrence/2014-09/20140906_135603_6.jpg.html

http://riff-raff.org/photos/v/Mlawrence/2014-09/20140906_135533_5.jpg.html

Tom

 

The Adams radial is a beautiful locomotive my favourite lovely photos.

 

The latest Heritage Railway Magazine reports that the London Transport Museum have signed a 5 year deal with the Bluebell to borrow the Mets, for a month a year, in each of the next 5 years.

 

Does it go into detail what they plan to do with them?

 

They are considering Ealing Broadway to Mansion House for next year.

 

Carry lots of passengers!

Seriously, I suspect that having developed the expertise to run heritage services on a busy network, as well as demonstrating the goodwill it generates for LU, it makes sense to maintain that knowledge base and approval, rather than perhaps wait ten or fifteen years for another significant anniversary, and then find that the expertise has dissipated and the willingness of senior management is less forthcoming.

Tom

 

The mastermind behind the trips Andy Barr , London Underground's heritage operations manager retired in mid September after 48 years service, and was immediately given a new job as Heritage operations manager for the LT Museum.

 

Bet no one saw that coming 50 years ago, or 5 years ago.

Steam on the East London line would be a nice one, but is this tfl or network rail ?

 

Maybe he can work out the logistics of getting the Beyer Peacock 4-4-0T out of the museum and into the Flour Mill!

Tom

 

I believe it counts as NR these days. Although doesn't Harrow-on-the-Hill to Amersham technically as well?

 

I Think TFL have a concessation but it is owned by Network Rail.

 

It is part of TfL's London Overground franchise - maintained by NR, operated by LOROL.

 

And I presume having been sucessfully taken by rail to and from EG and TFL depot they will be moved by rail each year

 

No, Harrow to Amersham is LUL. Chiltern, as descendants of the GCR, have running powers.

 

The IanVisits blog touched upon this earlier in the year in a write-up of the Thames Tunnel walks - Walking under the Thames

"Subject to all the boxes being ticked, all the paperwork being signed and the contracts agreed… then next year they hope to run a steam train around the London Overground. And yes, through the Thames Tunnel.

So keep an eye out for that exceptional event, hopefully in 2015"

Not heard anything since, but fingers crossed.

Chris

 

I wouldn't count on it as it all comes down to cost.

 

Intending taking a trip to Sheffield park (Nat Trust property for the autumn tints) in the next few weeks on a thursday.
I am just checking that trains are running.

 

Should be - midweek is normal service 2 (two train service) all through October, with each train being a P tank and two coaches.

Check with the office about tickets though - in previous years Autumn Tints has been pre-booked only. I think this year it is more open so as to create a viable service for people wishing to go to the Gardens, but it is worth checking first as capacity will be quiet limited and I imagine there will still be a fair amount of coach party traffic. So it may be worth pre-booking a ticket if you know the date. The tickets are open for any outward and return trip in either direction - you don't have to book a specific service.

http://www.bluebell-railway.com/event/autumn-tints/

Incidentally, if you are around in the week October 13 - 17, say Hi - I'll be on the second service (equivalent to the B service on the normal service 2 timetable).

Tom

 

Thanks Tom

 

sadly I'll miss Braunton's 2nd visit here tomorrow (hopefully I will see it in London) but intrigued why the charter is only going as far as Kingscote? maybe train too long to fit in SP?