CATHEDRALS EXPRESS: MHR TO BLUEBELL WITH 34046: 2ND OCTOBER 2014

Had the tickets and letter come through for this trip today.

Looks like the ML charter stock will stay at Kingscote throughout the day as 34046 is due to be double heading a service train with S15 847 down to Sheffield Park. Passengers for the charter then have to return to Kingscote on the 16.00 Bluebell service train.

Also a fairly early start from Alresford for those joining there. I guess 34046 will be assisted over the MHR by the diesel on the rear to avoid the risk of her getting stuck on the damp rails at that time of day.
Here is the Bluebell timetable for the day:
http://www.bluebell-railway.com/event/thursday-2nd-october/

This suggests two trains in operation (one public and one for the charter passengers).

 

Last few mainline charters from the MHR have involved the Hampshire Unit (no relation) running from Alresford to Alton and the Mainline stock starting there!

 

That timetable is the Autumn tints service (two coaches!) so I think will struggle to fit everyone in the 4pm service

The actual timetable / plan seems to be shifting a bit as a result of NR changing the timings of the incoming charter. But right now it involves:

• 7 coaches + Bluebell engine ECS SP to KC in the morning to meet the incoming charter train.
• Braunton + Support coach + 7 Bluebell coaches + Bluebell loco (in that order south to north) Kingscote to SP with the charter passengers
• Braunton + support coach on shed for servicing
• 7 coaches + Bluebell engine SP to EG and return
• Braunton + support coach + 7 Bluebell coaches + Bluebell engine (in that order south to north) SP to Kingscote
• Braunton and support onto south end of charter carriages and depart with diesel haulage
• Bluebell engine + 7 coaches KC to SP ECS.

So if you are on the charter, you can do KC to SP and SP to KC top 'n' tailed with Braunton and a Bluebell engine; and also do an optional extra full line round trip in between. The various services for the charter passengers stop at HK in each direction, so I assume you can also break your journey there.

As for "the Bluebell engine" - not sure at the moment. 847 had a failure in traffic last weekend and I am not sure if it is back in traffic. If not, I assume it will be 5643. Personally, I'm hoping for 847, but expecting 5643 ...

All of the above I assume subject to change if the timings of the incoming charter change.

In between all that, the P class + 2 coaches does three round trips on the Autumn Tints.

Tom

 

Outward times: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55369/2014/10/02/advanced

Return: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55370/2014/10/02/advanced

James

 

I might pop down as I'm free next weekend. Though is 34046 confirmed as it seemed a bit up in the air in another thread the other day.

 

Its on Thursday, Uk Steam states "Final 34046 tour before intermediate overhaul".

 

Tom, Thanks for explaining the complicated manoevres involved in running this train. One can but hope that everything will go according to plan.

 

The letter from CE says that 34046 is working the train from Alresford and back again. I guess with the gate at Alton now removed (as the MHR is now on the ML network signalling system) it's far easier to work trains straight off and on to the MHR (you don't have to wait for someone to unlock the gate which has caused problems in the past when the person hasn't turned up!)

 

Thanks for this very useful information. It's much appreciated. Looking forward to my visit. Do you know if the charter passengers have to get another ticket to travel on Bluebell services from SP?

 

I assume the special is available for the use of Steam Dreams passengers all day; I can't see why it would do the extra round trip to EG and back if our only obligation was to transport the passengers to SP and back. So worth checking on the day with the stewards on the charter, but my assumption is that basically the Steam Dreams passengers are free to use the special as they like, provided they get back to Kingscote in time for departure of the charter late in the afternoon.

Tom

 

I presume a WCR diesel will be on the back to help out over Medstead bank.

 

Damn maybe not then though might it hear it at work.

 

Well, I will definitely get up early then! My first work visit of the day is 09:00 so should be able to catch Braunton before it goes! At least won't get woken up by the Hampshire Unit starting up, although to be fair it is my son's room that gets the full blast being only 300 yards away and roughly on a level

 

I heard today the rail tour train should consist of 34046 plus eleven coach and a diesel on the back. should make for a great photo Steve.

 

And for those who want to see the consist arrive.......

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55372/2014/10/01/advanced

And depart.......

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55373/2014/10/02/advanced

 

ECS is now on it's way. Departed Southall WCRC 5 minutes late but was 2 early at Southall Station.

 

Well now, I see it has an 8 minute stop at West Byfleet.

I do hope we shall subsequently see some nice footage of loco close ups at that stop. Without the crunching of toast on the sound track if someone is late up and takes his brekkie over the road with camera etc!

Or maybe it will be bacon and eggs cooked on the footplate shovel!

 

Pictures posted on the MHR Friend-face page show the whole train with 34046 has gone to Alresford. Will 34046 be staying at Alresford all night?
For those boarding the trip it looks like dining is at the front of the train (coach b is near the front).

 

Unless I have missed it has anyone seen the times for Braunton Kingscote-Sheffield Park and the round trip for the charter passengers?

 

The times were on the Steam Dreams website but at the moment it appears to be off line. From memory I think the charter left E. Grinstead at around 12.15 arriving in Sheffield Park an hour later (13.15). The return was, I think, scheduled to leave Sheffield Park at 16.15 arriving at E. Grinstead 17.15.