Bluebell 2009 "Modernisation"

The EMU is discussed here

viewtopic.php?p=264228#p264228

 

They are chargeing quite high for the event so that meansmore of the rubbish can be removed. I can see why some are disapointed but it means the extension happens quicker and more money can be spent on other things when the extension is done and dusted.

 

Now I must applaud the BB for what they have done with Vep 3417.

That said......£30 for a round trip with an ED...!!!!!

Kerrrching.....

That is steep. And some will say a rip off.
And I tend to agree.

But if they fill the train good luck to them.....I,m not that desperate to part with£30 for a round trip

 

How many carriages do you think they dare hang on the ED?

Maybe the high ticket price is to cover the cost of a steamer to help it up Freshfield bank? :-#

Richard

 

If diesels are so popular, why aren't there all diesel preserved lines all round the country?

 

I hear it's going to be four mk1s.
\/ \/ \/ \/

 

Apart from the numerous minature railways, Mid Norfolk? Wensleydale?

If diesels are so unpopular, how come diesel galas are so well attended?

 

If steam engines are so popular, why aren't there all steam preserved lines all round the country?

And before people jump down my throat, I'm simply playing devil's advocate here. We are all aware from your previous posts that you're not a fan of diesel motive power, but one must acknowledge their usefulness to heritage railways.

 

Without wishing to 'get on my high horse' with this debate, lets just say that heritage railways would survive without diesel traction, but most would not survive without steam traction!

 

Probably true.....but diesels CAN make railways more financially viable...

 

Well nice though the Mid Norfolk and Wensleydale are, they hardly rival similar length "steam"
lines in the passenger number stakes. When 34067 visited the MNR briefly a couple of years ago,
passenger numbers went through the roof. One volunteer informed me they sold more tickets on the Sunday morning than they normally sold in a month (4 weekends).
As for diesel galas being popular, that's quite understandable because they are events of limited duration and can thus concentrate the support from diesel enthusiasts into that short period of time. It's the same reason why a steam gala will attract far more enthusiasts than a normal running day.
Make a line 100% diesel and that support becomes diluted over the year and the line also becomes much less attractive to the general public who, like it or not. are by and large much more interested in visiting a heritage line for the steam experience than a diesel one. No railway will thrive on enthusiast passenger numbers alone so to make the big time they have to attract large numbers of the general public and that means running steam.

 

Perhaps this is part of the thinking behind the "Wealden Exclusive"? :-k

 

I really struggle to find the relevance of that comment. AFAIA no one is suggesting the BB become diesel only.

 

9466 has been on the MNR now for three years (for one month or so) and Wensleydale have had steam visiting for the holiday season as well.
MNR has invested alot in steam facilities as they know it makes them the money, I have been on the line twice, one diesel hauled and one steam, guess which one was packed and the other almost empty

 

:-$

Don't let silly things like facts get in the way of a good rant!

 

Firstly congratulations to the Bluebell for taking the plunge but the price for one round trip is on the steep side surely? Add to the price the fact that on the same day you can visit a long standing popular diesel gala at the Nene Valley and for less than £30 ride behind more than one loco and the pessimist in me says that the Bluebell have set this event up to fail I'm afraid. Why should I drive 520 miles (return) to the bluebell for one loco for £30 when on the same day I can do better in Peterborough (240 mile round trip) for less? What happened the March 1st, which would not have clashed with the NVR?

I was up for this but I'm having second thoughts now. Can anyone from the Bluebell suggest what steam loco I might get on the day with the 73 for my £30 to persuade me otherwise?

 

People go on and on about how wicked and evil the Bluebell are for letting the VEP rot, not letting '136 do a passenger run - yet when the Bluebell does the right thing people still complain. The price in this instance is more than fair; It isnt a gala, its a one-off, quite possibly the only time you'll ride the line behind a diesel, and the railway are more than justified in trying to make a financial return from it, especially given their current need for money.

I find the idea that the line wants it to fail bizarre - its only going to be a short train after all. When it comes to the price, if anything they've paid too much attention to the critics on sites like this and wnxx who bang on about the line never running diesels, how it would make them money if they did and how they'd jump at the chance if offered. If modern traction enthusiasts arent prepared to pay a premium for such a unique experience like this, then it only justifies the steam-only stance.

Chris

 

Christopher:

There you go again self opinionated as per usual. If anyone disagrees with your opinion you either slag them off or complain as a private mail, never thinking for one minute that there may be another point of view.

The Bluebell is full of people like you which to my mind are destroying the very thing you are trying to preseve, so why don,t you do the whole movement a favour and leave it ?

Regards
Chris Willis

 

Pardon? This is the first time i have commented on this, and im aware of other people's views, but if there wasnt such a constant criticism of everything the Bluebell does i wouldnt feel the need to be so vocal in their defence at times - i am not connected with them in anyway, but when it comes to lines like the Bluebell, and the MHR for instance, the problems that they've had and continue to have do not mean everything they do is wrong - as im sure you'd agree.

I admit perhaps i was a bit strong, and im sorry Mr Drewry Car - it was much more directed at other people on here and wnxx and i should've made that more clear. My sincere apologies.

To remain on topic, i feel that the price of £30 is more than justified as i've made clear, and if you think im wrong in that opinion and have a decent one of your own i'd like to hear it

Chris