Bluebell Railway 60+1 event, 6 - 8 August 2001

I'm not sure the money actually was going to the brake van? The bucket itself had a 'Horsted Keynes station overhaul' label on it, and neither steward on the van said otherwise.

 

I often wonder why 1520 sees so little use in circumstances like this as it'd be an easy addition to bump up the pre-grouping bogie set to four carriages. I know it's not in a matching livery but surely that can be overcome, and maybe if it keeps sitting around not used for this reason maybe someone should repaint it?

 

It is currently in the storage shed in the road adjacent the maintenance road, with the remainder of the Southern set. I saw it on my tour of the carriage and wagon works. I cannot remember now if some specific work is required to the underside or just a backlog of maintenance.

 

I don’t know about 1520, but I’m pretty certain it’s not livery that stops it being used! It is only about 20 seats though, the carriage is mostly brake van. That and the issue of eventually re-tyreing Mansell-pattern wheelsets probably restricts its use.

It’s worth noting that both the vintage sets in use have high nominal capacity. (The Mets alone are I think well over 200seats). But it is reliant on groups sharing compartments. For example, the hundred seater only takes 100 if you squeeze in ten to a compartment: it would be forty if you put a family in each compartment and no more. It would nonetheless be really useful to have the LNWR Obo (70 seats) and the other 100 seater back in traffic. I think (going by memory on weights) that two hundred seaters + birdcage + LBSCR 1st + Obo would be just inside the weight limit for the Chatham engines as would have a pretty high capacity even with limited occupation of compartments. But I don’t set carriage maintenance priorities …

Not sure where the Maunsells were this weekend, but I suspect given that the Bulleids were out, probably undergoing routine maintenance. Those sets tend to swap availability.

Tom

 

It felt a slightly low-key weekend, but the build up due to Covid was certainly convoluted. Full marks to the Goods Division for the very rapid turnaround of the Queen Mary.

A delivery of Welsh coal after years of hard coal caused some interesting firing challenges; I’m sure we’ll get used to it. Five trips on two engines over the weekend and only one was a total horlicks …

This Wainwright D class was on the 5” gauge railway and was absolutely exquisite, right down to working steam reverser:



Tom

 

When they were parked up in 4&5 at Horsted on Model Railway weekend I believe the brake had a number of seats up and stored in the compartments so could be that's being worked on, however the opens were both available for seating so presumably were available for traffic.

 

I would agree that it felt low-key, I think it was partly due to the very variable weather. Loadings seemed fairly light, but spread across 4 trains it was probably busier than it appeared. It was interesting to see so many young families in attendance - the railway had clearly done a good job advertising the family-friendly nature of the event and attractions at HK seemed well-attended.

I traveled with two family members who were also at the 2010 anniversary event (in fact amused to 'spot themselves' in the photo of the 2010 cavalcade that's currently in the great timeline display at EG!) and they enjoyed themselves. Full marks to the guy doing the footplate tours and info sessions on 'Camelot' in the workshop - family said that was actually the highlight of the event for them, and I was happy to part with some cash into the appeal bucket. Great comparison with 'Stepney' and 'Baxter' which now have footplate access in 'SteamWorks' too.

 

I fired a trip for the first time in over 18 months. The Welsh was a bit blow off-y. I as a Driver can tell the person driving to ease off a bit when the pressure drops...
As for earlier or later trains, I think you'll struggle for crews.
The positive views are good to hear.

 

So nice to be back at the Bluebell again after nearly two years, almost certainly longest time between visits in my lifetime! Traveled on Saturday and watched on the Sunday, very much enjoyed the whole event particularly looking round the sheds at Sheffield Park on Sunday afternoon, the contrast standing next to the boilers of 34059 & 672! Massive thanks to everyone involved in putting it on! Short video...

 

I agree, it would’ve been helpful to have the charge a bit clearer - I did look out but there weren’t any signs so just hopped on, felt really awkward when the chap came to chase me and ask if I’d donated… Luckily I had some change (don’t normally carry cash) or it would have been really embarrassing! I don’t have any problem with the charge but don’t know why it was described as a donation if it was required.

Other than that it was a good event! Nice to chat to Tom firing on the H, and lots to do. Didn’t feel quite as exciting as the 50th anniversary, but I guess that’s no surprise in the current climate…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

A few photos from last weekend...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/albums/72157719674199367

 

I like this one

https://flic.kr/p/2mgsF7F

(Any chance of a hi-res copy? )

Tom

 

Of course! Do you want to send me your email address through Flickr?

 

Done ...

Tom

 

I'm in one of 'em.