Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Can I just add two DLR examples, Tower Gateway and of course Canary Wharf. The latter has 6 platforms serving three tracks.

 

I have been a porter at Horsted (many years ago by now), and have given trains the right-away from Platform 5; your observations seem to match my recollection of how it was done. If necessary the door to the booking hall would be locked, to reduce the risk of people running for the train once the right-away had been given. At the time, the convention was that trains left northbound from P4/5 and southbound from P3, which I think was for signalling reasons.

 

Chatham is, or rather was, yet another example (photo below). I was beginning to think about a development of @8126's theory, based upon whether the general level of the station was above, below or at ground level, and therefore where the best location for the station building was, but Chatham sunk my theory I suspect that you would probably have to look individually at the development and history of each station, along with the signalling to see how each road was used (whether for terminating trains, for example) to understand the reasons in each case.

Maps on the NLS site to some examples for those interested.

• Ascot
• Chatham
• Christs Hospital
• Guildford
• Herne Hill
• Horsted Keynes
• Lewes
• Norwood Junction
• Yeovil Town
• Yeovil Pen Mill

Tom

 

I see from 13th to 19th April 2017 Flying Scotsman is to visit the railway.

Looking for to that. Shall book a ticket when the go on sale, as I've haven't had a run behind her and none of its current 2017 tours have interested me.

 

Confirmation and News Release here:

http://rasalmon.co.uk/bluebell/download/news/Flying_Scotsman_News_Nov16.pdf

David R

 

Might go and camp in the field south of Horsted from about early February then. Beat the rush.

 

Have created a thread in the "galas" section here: https://www.national-preservation.c...the-bluebell-railway-13-19-april-2017.827281/

Tom

 

Are there going to be additional trains running or just a service 2 timetable when Scotsman is down?

 

At the moment, all that has been announced is what's in the press release, i.e. the loco and the date. Everything else - price, ticketing arrangements, timetable etc - is still to be revealed.

Tom

 

Ok thanks

 

Diesel Gala, 31 March - 2 April. Should have a Western Region feel. https://www.facebook.com/events/240504129695877/

 

western feel eh, d1015 ? I'l be back to the bluebell for that.

 

Ascot still has this, although the doors aren't opened on both sides (I guess the guard can't easily check both on departure).

Edit - I see Tom has already mentioned Ascot

 

A charter with modern traction from London and 60103 back onto NR and beyond would be more likely as the Bluebell prefers to run large tender engines facing uphill - i.e., East Grinstead. Still, the general idea is an excellent one.

 

Provisional list of Special events now available for 2017 see : -

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/events/index.html

or http://www.bluebell-railway.com/event/special-events-2017/

Note : - The list is not complete, and that the Branchline Weekend is now 13th and 14th May.

 

No Giants planned as of so far?

 

Paul42 said the list is not complete, so who knows? Given the success Giants has been in the last two years, it's hard to imagine that it won't happen.

No surprise that the Branch Line weekend has been put back to May. The FS event and diesel gala come in pretty close proximity. The original provisional date (10th-12th March) would have caused a bit of an overload with three special events in six weeks. Still, I'm pleased that it has been postponed by a couple of months rather than cancelled. This event hasn't taken place since the extension to EG was opened. It always used to be an enjoyable occasion

 

Branch line weekend should have happened last year, but the floods at the KWVR prevented 1054 coming, and delays to the p&v on 263 meant it was cancelled. Better luck this year! There is a fair chance we could have five SECR locos all in steam together, which will be quite a sight - plus a visitor.

Tom

 

What is the situation with 178? I know it's confined to "light duties" because of its cylinders, and that it has done a couple of single coach runs up the line on private charters, but would it be allowed out double heading a normal service train to give decorative value (in much the same way that Stepney did before being withdrawn)? Or is the risk of it failing mid section during a gala too great?

Steve B