Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Aesthetics is always going to be. personal choice, but seen side-by-side, it is striking how the change in chimney height has a big impact on the look of those two M3s. My own hunch is that shortening the chimney somehow tricks the eye into thinking that actually the boiler has got bigger, and the loco thereby looks more powerful.

Tom

 

Going solely on the pictures above, there’s also the role of angles. The shorter chimney is also illustrated at an angle that reduces the visual impact of the plating in front of the smokebox, making the locomotive look shorter and more powerful.


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A reminder that tickets for our August reopening services will go on sale at 11am on Wednesday 15 July - which is today (*)

See https://www.bluebell-railway.com/

Also, the first train on August 7th will be a members-special. This will be free, but pre-booked: booking for that opens next Wednesday.

(*) At least it is if you are reading this today. If you are reading it tomorrow, it was yesterday ...

Tom

 

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I tried reading it yesterday, but it didn't seem to work

 

And if you are watching it on Dave ... ... ...
Pat

 

There's quite an array of different train services to choose from but but basically it comes down to buying a compartment on a "normal" service train or going on some type of dining train, most of which are not really dining trains at all, just normal trains with pre-packaged food supplied. There is nothing for single travellers or couples who just want a train ride, unless you are prepared to pay £99 for a compartment. It doesn't compare well with other railways - the Mid Hants will still accommodate passengers in open carriages so no need to fill a compartment, while the Severn Valley offer a compartment for £75 on a longer line with a visit to the Engine House thrown in. On the Bluebell you don't even get to travel the full length of the line.

I guess some of you will tell me I should be grateful the line is open at all, but I just don't find what is on offer either affordable or appealing.

 

The railway has put this film together to show the Covid precautionary measures taken for reopening.



Tom

 

[

And for members : -

From the reopening date for the remainder of the year, members will still benefit from a reduced rate on fares when travelling on standard services. However, in order to assist with the key objective of restoring financial stability following lockdown, the decision has been taken to set the level of discount for members, including life members, on standard services at 20% until the end of the year on all pre-booked seats.

We fully understand this is a reduced discount on the level previously available, and that in the case of life members there will be a discounted fare charge during this period rather than free travel. However, we do hope you will understand the important reasons for making these difficult decisions. It will be a short-term measure, and our commitment will be to restore all the membership benefits to the pre-lockdown levels as soon as we possibly can. The temporary position outlined above will be subject to a further review at the end of the year. Clearly, the sooner the Railway’s financial position can be strengthened, the sooner the previous discounts can be restored.

As an additional offer specifically for members, any unsold seats on standard services and catering / dining trains will be offered daily on a first come / first served basis as follows:
• Standard services: 50% discount for all members; additionally, should any 1st class compartments remain unsold they will be available to life members free of charge.
• Catering / dining trains: 20% discount for all members.

Details of these unsold seats will be made available daily on the website (www.bluebell-railway.com) from 5pm the day before date of travel. They will be sold strictly on a first come / first served basis.

 

Bluebell Railway Souvenirs - 60th Anniversary see https://www.bluebell-railway.com/product-category/bluebellrailwaysouvenirs/60th-anniversary/

 

Bluebell Times - Issue 9

In Issue 9:

• Details of the limited edition 60th anniversary souvenir Edmondson tickets
• Learn more about the married couple who cover everything from footplate turns to filming liaison
• A closer look at the oldest locomotive at the Bluebell
• Find out how Sheffield Park station got its name
• What goes on inside the museum
• New puzzles as well as the regular favourites
• And much, much more.

You can download the latest edition using the link below.
https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-times/

(Apologies to anyone hoping for a non-SECR loco on the front cover ... I really will look for a different photo next time! Issue 8 and Issue 9 covers were taken during the filming for the video above - bonus points for spotting the editor).

Tom

 

.... just not very hard, eh Tom?

 

This is an excellent production, done with flair, imagination and humour. Are the musicians all working members? Who re-wrote the lyric? Really top-drawer stuff that deserves to be seen by a wide audience.

 

The guitarist / bassist is the Infrastructure Director, and also a signalman (see BT6 - https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bluebell-Times-Issue-6.pdf). I think Ruth probably rewrote the lyrics, and also the rest of the script. Everyone involved on the day, including camera crews and so on, was, afaik, a working member, or family of a working member. (Not sure about Martin Clunes!)

Tom

 

Yes, a really excellent production. The Bluebell (amongst others) has shown how to keep showing positive and healthy ways of engaging with both enthusiasts and the wider public over the last few difficult months. Tom's own efforts with Bluebell Times is also a very worthy part of that. Well done everyone!

Steve B

 

One whinge from me: use of the term "kitemark". To the best of my belief there is only one kitemark and it belongs to the British Standards Institution. There are many other marks issued by various bodies to certify various things, but they are not kitemarks.

 

That's very kind of you to say! There's been a lot of people working very hard over the last few months - hopefully the best ideas will continue. I suspect there's a lot of tired people around though!

Still - our rosters for August came out today. Yay!

Tom

 

A reminder that tickets for the Members’ Special reopening train on 7 August are available to book from tomorrow, 11am.

This is free for BRPS Members but tickets must be pre-booked.

More info here:

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/whats_on/the-pioneer-members-special-train/

Tom

 

The new issue of Steam Railway justed received has pages 40-92 on the Bluebell including sections on Beachy Head, the North London Tank, the Dukedog and the visit of Gladstone.

 

That's a lot of pages.

 

A 10 second piece on Meridian news this morning showing a guard waving off what looked like a P tank & carriage from Sheffield Park, confirming its safe to travel on the line. I presume the line is opening this w/end!