Bluebell Railway - Giants of steam 2018

The GN saloon (at the back) typically runs about one weekend per month, but the rest is fairly common through the year, turn and turn about with the other vintage stock. 'Tis a lovely train though!

Tom

 

Was waiting for @Shoddy127 to put this up, but anyway - full size and miniature A3s; and now A4s!



Via: https://www.facebook.com/Eastleighl...477017019000/1514503945316299/?type=3&theater

Tom

 

We had a very nice time Friday, was nice that the timetable was slightly different and the goods train certainly added something extra, Horsted Keynes the place to be. Video from Friday, photos to follow...

 

Many thanks to you all at the Bluebell Tom that looked after us so well. We had a great time and Gresley certainly seemed a very popular visitor along with it's bigger sister.

Nice to meet you too and the whole event seemed to be a huge success. Can I also add that the brake van rides on the freight train are a brilliant idea, my two boys and our group loved it on Sunday as we were enjoying the gala as passengers rather than workers.

 

Some photos from last Friday...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/albums/72157693442760771

 

Disproving the widely held view that members of the 3F Community (F*****g Freeloading Fotographers) give nothing back, I present yours truly posing with the headboard which he sponsored at the event. As I write I understand 3 of the headboards are still available hence perhaps our vocal critics may care to justify their comments by buying one - as a christmas present perhaps ?

 

And you didn't bring it over to 4498, terrible Fred!

Mind you, watching your photograph take place and on completion of the process, listening to the cheer that went up from the awaiting photographers when the Bluebell staff moved themselves out of shot was really eye opening and to be honest shameful and very selfish. But then I guess that's what some photographers do because they feel they have the right to do it, as long as they get "that shot" I guess it doesn't matter about those that put the effort for that shot to be taken.

One of the Lakeside lads was very close to purchasing one but decided against it right at the last minute and there were still three left when we left on Sunday evening.

 

Fred - I was on the 10am Saturday train from Sheffield Park, were the two reserved seats in the Observation saloon part of your package? Enjoyed Graham Aitken's platform announcement before we departed SP!

Thought the headboard sponsorship concept was a good one and perhaps might be repeated with future Giants visitors.

Shoddy - just missed you in the loco yard on Saturday afternoon by about 5 minutes, but had a nice chat about 4498 with one of the Eastleigh lads.

Excellent gala I thought - making the brake van ride train into a short goods was another nice change. Pity Mayflower couldn't make it, but an enjoyable day none the less.

Regards,

Dan

 

Yes they were but - sadly - ill health prevented my wife from joining me hence the availability of the seats on the return journey from East Grinstead; fortunately it was used by a young lad with his parents (grandparents ?) whilst I was able to take photographs (more for record purposes) of the loco front with headboard attached. All praise to the Bluebell for their offering and I hope that they are able to sell the outstanding 3 headboards. Arrangements for my headboard are still being made but it will be in my possession for only a short time - hopefully !

 

Do you know which ones ?

 

From what I remember one was the Aberdonian carried on the Friday and I think one was the Talisman but forgot the 3rd one (I think there was one from each day of the event available).

Unfortunately I haven't the space so didn't buy one despite the temptation.

 

With the wife's help I think they were:

The Night Scotsman
The Aberdonian
The Talisman

Mr Hill confirms two of the three so guess we cant be far out.

 

Thanks

 

I think your wife was right as I was wondering if it was the Night Scotsman myself. I was fairly sure there was one headboard from each day left anyway. They were the 3 left when I left the railway around 6pm on Sunday each was priced at £350 if I recall correctly. If anyone on here is thinking about getting one it might be best popping into the shop at Sheffield Park, where they were on a table by the till or calling it up to see if any are still available to buy.

I agree with Dan above that the headboards were a good concept and the platform announcements continued on Sunday, as all the stops on the original Queen of Scots I was on were read out over the tanoy prior to leaving which was a nice touch I thought.

 

It was a nice touch that each train was announced per the headboard being carried; just a little thing perhaps but it added to the atmosphere and made each round trip both unique and memorable. I note the price reduction - which I had been alerted to - hence less reason for some not to indulge in buying a unique reminder of the gala event. My only complaint ? I had originally sought "The Waverley" headboard as the train used to pass near my house when I lived in Corby and was the train used on the family's annual visit to Edinburgh but it was bought by one of the Bluebell Railway members who actually worked on the line; I couldn't compete with that so I settled for second best BUT in way a better headboard for one actually born in Edinburgh (as was Sir Nigel Gresley!).

 

Simply fantastic photo