Bluebell Railway Branch line Weekend - 3 to 5 April 2020

Time for a dedicated thread for the three day Branch Line Weekend.

As already announced, star visitor is Taff Vale Railway Tank Engine No. 85, courtesy of the KWVR; another visitor is a possibility. No timetables yet; however, for the last few years, Branch Line weekend timetables have been rather more complex than normal, with services based around exploiting the flexibility of layout at Horsted Keynes, and I imagine that this year will be similar.

Details and tickets are available from here - there is a discount on advance booking: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/whats_on/branch-line-weekend-3/

Tom

 

Second visitor just announced - Ivatt class 2mt 41312, courtesy Mid Hants Railway.

So the loco line up is

Taff Vale O2 No. 85
Ivatt 2mt 41312
Wainwright H class 263
Wainwright P class 178
Stirling O1 class 65
Maunsell Q class 541
BR Standard 4mt 80151

More details and advance purchase tickets here: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/whats_on/branch-line-weekend-3/

Tom

 

I think I may need to negotiate a pass for the Friday...

 

If you do, come and say hello - I’ll be on a loco, but don’t know which one yet (haven’t seen timetables or diagrams).

That gala will quite possibly be the last realistic chance of a passenger turn behind 178 before it is withdrawn later in the year.

Tom

 

Hmm, think I might try and make this too, life permitting! A "complex" timetable sounds fun, and a good opportunity to experience the Bluebell's carriage fleet.

 

Nice to see 41312 back after her long stint 15ish years ago

 

Timetables are now up.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/whats_on/branch-line-weekend-3/

 

Timetables up? No link when I look at the page - and a bit early for them.

 

Sorry there down the bottom of the page.

 

Here they are .

 

Think that's an incorrect draft - has W24 and 30587 listed on the Friday! The version currently on the website looks to have been corrected.

Tom

 

Thanks to all. Not sure what's happening with 178 though?

 

I'll see if I can find out (I wouldn't be totally surprised to see revisions though). One possibility is brake van rides at HK.

Tom

 

Carriage sets are up:
A 4 Bulleid coaches
B 3 carmine & cream MK1s
C 4 green MK1s
D 3 Maunsell coaches
E 4 carmine & cream MK1s

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Oh. I must admit I was hoping that this event would be a good way of sampling as much of the Bluebell's interesting carriage fleet as possible. 3 trains of Mk1s and nothing pre-1930s is a little disappointing.

 

Could be quite cosy on some of those sets. I'll be there on the Friday anyway, at least both visitors are running.

 

I'm planning on being there on the Saturday with a group of friends (one coming from Ireland!), and if it's as popular as it has been, the Mk1 seating will probably be beneficial, though I must confess I would have liked to have seen the four wheelers and slightly more vintage stuff out to play. I'm sure there will be other opportunities though.

 

The Bulleid's and Maunsell's seem pretty representative of vintage stock and how I would remember branch lines. Much as I like the Chesham set I would regard it as a little out of place at this event.

 

TBH, when you're running a beautiful pre-grouping engine like no. 85 almost ANY coaches will look better behind it than Mk. 1s!

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From the Bluebell Railway e-Newsletter: "Branch Line Weekend planned for 3-5 April has been postponed and all other events will be reviewed."

Tom