Bluebell Railway General Discussion

We're considering coming down for the model weekend this weekend.

After a bit of searching I've eventually found the 2 train timetable, and understand the Hall is visiting. Is there any indication about what the other loco that is in steam will be?

Also, are there likely to be any golden arrow or other services either day?

 

I haven’t seen a traffic notice, but from the crew duties, looks like just a two train service - no additional dining trains either day.

Locos - perm 2 from Wightwick Hall, 73082, 80151 I suspect.

Tom

 

73082 is currently the service train for the week. So I would presume it will be that obviously subject to the usual caveats

 

Thanks gents

 

Looks as if things are stirring out west ..... if this goes ahead, where's all that stuff on Platform 1 at HK going to live? T'is a shame HK is about as handy as Ardingly for the South of England Show Ground!

https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/bluebell-heritage-railway-planning-a-western-extension-55674/

 

There hasn't been a news update on the Bluebell website for ages. Is all well?
Pat

 

I believe the gent who updates the blog has a full time job outside the railway and probably hasn't had time to release a further update. There is due to be a Bluebell Times released today so hopefully that will have a couple of updates in it. I'm sure when possible the blog will be updated. Best thing to do is keep an eye on the Facebook pages.

 

And here it is:

It’s a Terrier Special this month as we get ever closer to Fenchurch’s 150th Anniversary Bash

In this issue:

• Preparations are underway for Fenchurch’s Birthday – including a special guest coming by ferry!
• The story of how a locomotive designed to work in the London suburbs in the 1870s was still hard at work in the southern countryside 90 years later
• Updates from Horsted Keynes as renovation work starts – and news of another generous donation to the Jewel in the Crown appeal
• 'Stowe' departs for overhaul work at Quainton – while ‘Wightwick Hall’ travels the other way to help with our summer services

The Bluebell Times is published monthly on the second Friday of every month. The next issue is due out on Friday 12 August.

You can download the latest edition by clicking here: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-times/

Tom

 

Very nice- but in the Terrier article you seem to have lost your usually firm grip on the use of the apostrophe.

 

Ah, written quickly I’m afraid - I always seem to be behind.

Tom

 

Just wanted to say, following my messages the other week, we attended the model railway event and what a good event it was. Trains lost a bit of time on Saturday, but there was enough slack in the timetable that it was easily regained. There was a good mix of layouts, though obviously a slant in the more popular layouts towards southern region secondary main lines!

The railway was busier than we expected, and I got the impression that it caught the railway a bit unawares... An additional Sheffield park - HK shuttle could have easily been filled!

One thing that struck us though visiting for the first time with a train-mad 3 year old, was the friendliness and focus on families. From when we arrived at East Grinstead the guard invited our son into the brake area of the coach, and to have a look up through the bird's nest look out, which started the day off well. Then we lost about 2 or 3 hours with him 'driving' Stepney, Baxter and the SECR tender loco in the sheds. The visitor enhancements in the shed area are certainly a change from when I last visited (before the EG extension opened)

And of course the Hall and Standard 5 made a great noise up the banks!

A good day all round

 

I wonder if I am not the only one with concerns about the well-being of Richard Salmon, Bluebell's webmaster? It's coming on for 2 months now with no updates, and is not like him at all. Although the news pages are not updated as often as once was, there has always been a feeling that someone is at the helm, nonetheless. The Facebook pages have no updates of any substance, either.
This is a concern particularly now, as we currently have 2 sets of rumours circulating - firstly, will Fenchurch's 150th bash be going ahead with the birthday boy himself in a state of undress? There are several mentions on Facebook of this possibility.
Secondly, what of the reported (in the local press) proposals for the western extension, and how does this fit within the Long Term Plan, not just financially, but also from the apparent proposal to construct a deviation to the north of the Hanson depot at Ardingly?
A quick perusal of Streetview shows this as apparently impractical:

Immediately to the north of the bridge (behind the camera) on College Road, is the old Avins Bridge Hotel (centre), plus it's neighbouring property. The space between them is occupied, whilst further up on the opposite side of the road, masked by trees, are other properties, so any deviation would have to be considerable, with associated land purchase, and alignment issues.
Unfortunately, social media vacuums give rise to rumours and speculation of this type, as questions which remain unanswered tend to grow legs!- just a look at the Lynton and Barnstaple's current modus operandi will confirm this phenomenon. It's a pity, as the Bluebell has traditionally been one of the best at communication, and if it wasn't for Tom, and the Bluebell Times, we really would be completely in the dark.
As I stated, I really hope that all is okay with Richard, and that this is just a temporary glitch.
Any updated information would be most welcome.

 

I though the explanation of the planning issue had been explained on here and I believe in the Bluebell Times (and perhaps the hard copy magazine, although may be wrong on that).
Richard was still posting on the email group at the end of June
People do have other calls on their time apart from Heritage Railways, especially if they are not a retired old git like me.

 

The visitors for the birthday bash are coming, there are Photo Charters with both. One was only announced yesterday. Fenchurch will not be ready.

 

Ok. Thanks for the confirmation, Paul.

 

5he rationale for the timing was explained, although the linked press article specifically introduced the subject of the deviation for, I believe, the very first time, hence the questions.
I'm glad that Richard is apparently ok, at least. I gave up on the email group quite some time ago, as I found it rather cliquey, plus the manner in which one or two regular contributors were addressed was, I thought, unnecessarily rude.

 

Paul, which one was only announced yesterday? I can't find any recent announcements....

 

One of the photo charters, which you will only get if you are on the mailing list, on the organiser.

 

Ah, my mistake. The way it read to me, it seemed that a visiting loco had just been announced!

 

If Fenchurch isn't going be ready why hasn't there been any public announcement about it? Or details about what will be happening on the event instead?