Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Was that Saturday night? It was just listed as a special, so I assume a private charter of some kind.

Tom

 

It was a gratis special organised by our Loco Superintendent and co owner of the shunter.
It ran a couple of trips to Grinstead for the benefit of staff and vintage vehicle exhibitors.
The bar at Horsted was open and we all had a good evening.

Russ.

 

thanks, it was a pleasant suprise seeing it to end the day

david

 

Speaking of Giants of Steam the Bluebell Facebook account seem to be suggesting a BR Standard theme with 2 large Standards being brought in to join 73082.

70000 has been strongly suggested for a while but wonder what the other Standard could be. Wouldn't mind seeing 76084 from the NNR.

 

73129 is a strong rumour

 

That'd be nice. Have 2 Standard 5's been in steam together in preservation yet as I don't recall this happening yet?

 

Does 73129 still have a boiler ticket?

 

Yes was running at Midland Railway earlier in the month see https://www.facebook.com/MidlandRailwayButterley, but due to run out later this year.

 

Quick reminder that the Baxter Goods is running this Saturday, 22 August, times as follows:

Dep SP 9.20 Arr HK 9.35 Light Engine
Dep HK 10.20 Arr KC 10.40 Gds
Dep KC 11.32 Arr SP 12.10 Gds
Dep SP 12.50 Arr HK 1.10 Dep HK 2.05 Arr KC 2.25 Gds
Dep KC 3.20 Arr HK 3.40 Gds
Dep HK 4.35 Arr SP 4.50 Light Engine

Normal two train service in operation, with stock including the Mets, after a period out of traffic, on the "B" service. The Great Northern Railway Saloon is also in regular service for first class ticket holders, again on the B train.

Also, there are two evening trains with Baxter on Sunday 30 August, with proceeds going to the Maunsell Restaurant Car fund. Trains depart at 6.00pm or 8.30pm, and the ticket price includes a meal in the Bessemer Arms, all for £18 - tickets need to be pre-booked for a specific departure. Train will be the LNWR Obo, SECR 3rd class disabled access saloon and LBSCR 4 wheel first. More details here: http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html (scroll to 18 August).

Tom

 

Mr Salmon has kindly updated the loco roster not only to include September, but October as well.
73082 is on the roster to work at the Giants of Steam 31st October.

 

The Giants of steam Gala sounds very interesting with 2 Standard Class 5's a possibility. I am keeping my diary empty for this event. Be good to visit a Gala on the Bluebell again. Last one I visited was when they had a 14xx tank in use.

 

Is 73050 now out of ticket? Seem to remember that it was described somewhere as 'getting quite tired near the end of its ticket' not long ago? Don't think it's been anywhere but the nvr has it so would be a bit of a surprise visitor?!

Chris

 

Yes. From the NVR website " Currently stored out of service, anticipated overhaul to start in 2015"

 

The four Metropolitan carriages are due to leave on Thursday this week, by rail via East Grinstead, for the forthcoming London Transport Museum's "Vintage Summer Steam".

 

A few photos (not mine) of the Mets leaving HK behind a couple of GBRf EDs.

http://riff-raff.org/photos/v/Mlawrence/2015-09/

Tom

 

This may interest people: "Murder on the Bluebell Line", a 1980s BBC "QED" episode about the Piltdown Man hoax starring Hugh Fraser as Sherlock Holmes, Ronnie Frazer as Doctor Watson, and the North London tank as herself.

 

Four locos in steam both days this weekend, with a bit of a Southern theme.

847 and B473 are on the service trains (the vintage set is the Maunsells and Obo). 30541 is on the Wealden Rambler Saturday and Golden Arrow Sunday, but will be out all day on Saturday as there are morning and evening specials either side of the normal afternoon Rambler. Baxter is pilot engine both days - late afternoon on Saturday and all day Sunday.

Tom

 

RTT for the move of the Mets back to the railway today from their sojourn back to the Chesham branch. Due back to East Grinstead around lunchtime.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97571/2015/09/16/advanced

Tom

 

A pity that these moves cannot be run as a rail tour.

And I would love to see a shot of the Mets standing in platform 17 atClapham Junction...

Robin

 

A railtour would be nice - but sadly impossible in this day and age I think. Technically, the move is a freight move.

You may get your wish about photos at Clapham Junction - in previous mainline moves of the Mets, reasonable photographic coverage has appeared and this is a daytime move, so no real technical difficulty in getting photos.

Tom