Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Yes, that's basically what I could make of it. I think I worked out that, for a short time at around 13:26 on Saturday, there will be a train on every line at HK: Set B in 4/5 (with or without C class on South end), 178 and 263 on Set C in plat 3, Q class about to move off Set D in plat 2, 323 having just moved onto the brakevan in plat 1, and Baxter shunting in the Up Yard. Whether or not this actually happens, it's undoubtedly going to be a busy day for the HK signalman!

 

The crew diagrams are interesting too. I have turn on Sunday that involves signing on at Sheffield Park and riding "on the cushions" to take over an engine at Horsted Keynes, departing for East Grinstead; meanwhile, the relieved crew ride on the cushions back to Sheffield Park in order to sign off. There are a few turns like that over the two days. Not something we do very often.

Tom

 

It sounds more like a mainline operation, where crews often have to "taxi" (some times more literally than others) to get from the signing on point to their trains. On another note, I must admit I'm looking forward to seeing Baxter again, having not seen her in steam since 2015. The pairing with the 4 wheelers should look good.

 

While I do love Baxter (and working Fletcher Jennings locos are decidedly thin on the ground), the B4 & NLR tank haven't turned a wheel in anger in a good few years. I don't know the specifics of the condition of any of the three. Is one or more is a viable candidate for a swift return to steam? Or will the Blubell reverbatate to the growl of a 'Gronk' for a while to come? Pity this isn't an ideal world!!

 

From what I can tell the plan is for medium to larger locos to be allocated workshop space for the near future as thats whats needed to run the line, but with the Terrier's, specifically Fenchurch I think mainly 150th birthday coming up, Fenchurch is probably the next small loco to be overhauled. I don't think anything will happen with the NL tank and Normandy is owned by the Bulleid Society who I assume have their priorities set on the pacifics at the current time.

 

Thanks for that. It makes sense, as I understand work on 21C123s boiler may finally have an end in sight. In the 45 years since I first visited the Bluebell, I've successfully managed to miss Blackmoor Vale in steam on every single occasion, a record only exceeded by the 52 years during which I've achieved the same with RH&DR No.10 Dr Syn!!

I suppose with a P or two, plus Fenchurch, there will be sufficient small locos kicking around.

 

The PTI page now states that Camelot will work the Q class' diagrams for the duration of the Branch Line Weekend due to a blown superheater element on 30541.

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

 

Yes, anything down on the timetable for 541 will now be 73082, but otherwise no changes.

Tom

 

Helped out with the Bahamas Loco Society sales stand at Sheffield Park yesterday. Nice to see the Coal Tank working a train of period coaches even if they were from the wrong railway. There was also the bonus of 841 on a Wedding Train.
Grabbed one shot at Sheffield Park and after we packed up I did managed to get over to Horsted Keynes to photograph 1054 on the last up train of the day. I was told that the loco made quite an impression on the Bluebell crews.

 

A shot of the Coal Tank at West Hoathly on the first train yesterday.

The S15 with the combined Pullman set (for a wedding party) and Wealden Rambler set at HK yesterday afternoon.

 

Well, it made an impression of on me - I wish I could have had more time on it than just one afternoon!

Tom

 

A Couple from the last run today : -

 

Duplicate

 

Good pictures. The sun came out just at the right time for 1054 on the 5.15 train on Saturday. Glad to see it made it to HK and beyond. I was north of Freshfield and it didn't sound too happy as it passed me - plus it was a good 10 minutes late.

 

Thanks, the train left Sheffield Park late for some reason. We packed up the sales stand at about 4 as there wasn't much trade compared with the Gala weekend and we were positioned on platform 2. The general public seem to be a lot more interested in the loco when they are told it belongs to the National Trust.

 

Just an observation but when we arrived at the Bluebell yesterday to find 847 on the first train, we went to Horsted Keynes to ask if the Coal Tank was still running as we planned to take a trip behind her. Nobody at the station could tell us nor seem inclined to find out. Just a shrug of the shoulders and a "don't know." I phoned Sheffield Park and got the info we needed and tickets were purchased. Could a member of staff not have phoned?

 

There is a photo on Facebook of no. 178 leaving Sheffield Park today on a lorry...anyone know why?

 

It's going on loan for the summer.

Tom

 

Can you tell us where 178 will be based this Summer?

 

To the NRM York for brake van rides, according to the comments in the aforementioned Facebook post.