Flying Scotsman at the Bluebell Railway: 13 - 19 April 2017

Letter to members dated 30th January 2017 stated " Bookings are planned to open on Monday 6th February "

 

I refer to my previous comment.

 

I hope they'll also release the timetable at the same time as the tickets go on sale. If they trips start from SP I'll have go get one of their trains to SP first as I'll be arriving by train at EG.

 

is Flying scotsman coming by rail or on a lowloader, i only ask because i was under the impression that an LNER A3 would not be with in gauge on the East Grinstead line or is it just the South eastern section where clearances are too tight

 

The timetable will allow for Passengers to travel to Sheffield Park to connect with the 'Scotsman' services.

 

It's coming in via the main line.

 

I think it's safe to say we won't be seeing 60103 on a low loader for a while, certainly while Ian Riley's looking after it.

 

Thank you. That's good to know.

 

Still no info on booking even though I have signed up for the emails. Is there a problem?

 

There does seem to be some problem with the website. Here is the latest update posted on the Bluebell Facebook page in response to someone asking about the tickets going on sale:

Bluebell Railway Yes, apologies, there appears to be some delay in launching the ticket-sales via a new web site. As per web site, there will be announcements via email (if you've signed up for that) and on here when they do go on sale.
1 · 7 February at 01:26

That was two days ago.
The new issue of Heritage Railway arrived yesterday and there is a report in there about gauging problems at Dormans Station which could scupper the visit of the A3.

 

I noticed a few days ago that there was a new platform surface to a section of the down platform at Dormans, and this morning that the top 3 or 4 courses of brickwork under the platform copings were new. I do not know when this was done since I am usually sitting on the other side of the train. Network Rail were due to carry so remedial work this year. I do not know if they have been completed, only the southern end of the platform has been done, but this is most likely where the problem was.

 

Just received an e-mail from the Bluebell Railway. Tickets for the FS visit will be on sale on Monday 13th. I guess this means that the gauging issues are now resolved.

On that subject, while there has been much discussion about the tightness of Dormans station, I thought there was also an issue with large locos going underneath the Redhill-Tonbridge line where the gradient was eased, giving slightly less clearance. Anyway, no doubt everyone has done their homework if we have reached this point. I can't imagine the NRM or Ian Riley would be pleased if Scotsman turned up at East Grinstead minus the double chimney or with scratched cylinder casing!

 

... at 11am. Tickets for non-FS trains on the day will go on sale on 27 February, but note that FS tickets allow use of other services on the day.

Tom

 

I also received the email. Great news. I hope that there will be some tickets left when I get home from work. I think that the price is very good for the tickets to travel behind Scotsman and on the other services. I must admit I was expecting a higher price.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for that. Good to know.
11am that means I'm going to either break (my) long-standing rule of not using my work PC to buy things, or risk there not being any left by the time I get home in the evening.

 

I'm booked on the 12:45 on April 14th. Really looking forward to my first ride behind the loco. Took me 3 tries to get my ticket though.

 

The Flying Scotsman magic has clearly not worn off yet! Update on the Bluebell website at 7PM today (note - the first day that tickets have been available), says that 50% of the tickets have already been sold. Quite amazing.

 

I tried to get on the ticket site at lunch time Dan and it was crazy. My first attempt failed as I couldn't get on the Bluebell site. Second attempt I managed to get on the ticket site but there were nearly 900 people in front of me in the queue . Then suddenly after 1.00pm it eased off and there was no trouble getting on.

My Dad and I are now booked on the 12.45 on Monday 17th April. Can't wait for a ride behind the legend that is Gordon's Brother!

However, we are a little confused and worried about the options given during the booking process about a reserved seat on a connecting service from EG. We can't get to EG until around 9.48.
The options for a connecting service were 9.00am, 11.45am and 2.30pm. So I have reserved seats on the 11.45am service but the terms and conditions say we have to be at SP at least 60 minutes before departure time
I can't see how this is going to work, particularly for passengers booked on the first train of the day at 10.00am who have to be at SP by 9.00am

Tom can you explain the connecting train service?
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I think those are the times that the connecting services get to SP. I got two tickets in the front coach of the 1245 on 19th. Plenty of seats left. Note that the Ts & Cs state that if FS isn't available the difference between the special and standard fares will be refunded. Main line Tour Companies please note!

 

Thanks Don. We wondered if that was the case but the booking site doesn't make it very clear what the times actually refer to i.e. dep from EG or arrival at SP.
We didn't make it to the front coach on our round trip, we are in the fourth, but 60103 should be making plenty of noise with 8 on the drawbar.