Mark Thompson's Recent Activity

Mark Thompson replied to the thread GWSR General Discussion and Operations.

As the Infrastructure Blog for some reason, really doesn't want me to log in to comment, I thought I'd post a message of congratulations here. The departments "Protect and Survive" model is very obviously one to look to for the rest of the...

Mark Thompson liked Nimbus's post in the thread Bluebell Railway General Discussion.

A couple of my pictures of Sharpthorne in 1982 (in green) and 2009 (in blue). [ATTACH] [ATTACH]

Mark Thompson liked 5944's post in the thread Bluebell Railway General Discussion.

Sharpthorn update. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Xcm4z4kNG/ Quite aware there has been a lack of updates recently, but fear not, work in the background is being carried out. Bluebell Driver Bob Blake has done an immense amount of searches...

Mark Thompson attached a file to the thread Rother Valley Railway.

Many more updates since Wednesday, including the start of digging out the disposal pit for the new locomotive shed, clearance through the Salehurst section, and continued work on Robertsbridge station building. I particularly like this...

Mark Thompson liked Jamessquared's post in the thread Bluebell Railway General Discussion.

Good news from the HRA awards. Firstly, the team responsible for the restoration of Maunsell Brake 3rd No. 3687 won the rolling stock preservation award. Secondly, the https://www.setg.org.uk/ (custodians of the Bluebell-owned 4-VEP 3417) won...

Mark Thompson attached a file to the thread Rolling Stock For Sale.

Mark Thompson liked Jamessquared's post in the thread Rolling Stock For Sale.

Part of me would really like to see that carriage restored. But a bigger part thinks we should concentrate on the vernacular, not the special - hence being pleased to see work on 971 after many years, a carriage I remember from early visits to...

Mark Thompson replied to the thread Rolling Stock For Sale.

Asbestos removal was done, to the best of my knowledge, several decades ago, when a start was made, working alongside the old platform 1 at HK, of replacing the 1930s sliding toplights with original pattern LB&SCR replacements. Unfortunately,...

Mark Thompson liked lynbarn's post in the thread Rolling Stock For Sale.

Hi Mark, thinking about it overnight, yes, I do recall it was said at the time that it couldn't be used due to it having Asbestos inside it. Now I am sure there are many reasons why it is where it is in the restoration queue. Now I am not taking...

Mark Thompson replied to the thread Rolling Stock For Sale.

I was going to say, your last visit must have been many, many years ago. From my recollection, the last of the "Poison Teas runs" with the Brighton Directors saloon must have been on the wrong side of the 1980s. My memories of it actually in...

Mark Thompson liked Chris86's post in the thread Rolling Stock For Sale.

I think that's a bit chicken and egg- if you don't offer them, then folk can't get excited/interested. Equally, if folk don't get excited, I can see the cost justification being difficult. Most railways only have Mk1s, so the expectation is...

Mark Thompson liked StoneRoad's post in the thread Rolling Stock For Sale.

That, sadly, is a very good point !

Mark Thompson replied to the thread Rolling Stock For Sale.

Absolutely. And harks back to my well-worn trope about carriages being Cinderella's pumpkins, which carry every fare paying passenger to "The ball". If every punter could be transported, using a beautifully restored 19th or early 20th century...

Mark Thompson liked Jamessquared's post in the thread Rolling Stock For Sale.

I think the team doing the Maunsell Restaurant Car at the Bluebell had a fundraising target initially of £140k, but that was some while ago, so I suspect it will end up being more - that's with a substantially volunteer team. The Pullman Car 54...

Mark Thompson liked J Rob't Harrison's post in the thread Rolling Stock For Sale.

As the guy who's put £200 into the kitty (and then unwittingly sparked all of this...) all I'll say is... I've given my trust to the appeal. I think that trust should be repaid with a bit of honesty as to who they are and what their plan beyond...