Bluebell Branch Line Weekend 21-23 April

Hastings confirmed via the email newsletter

 

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/branch-line-gala-weekend-2023/

Tickets and prices now available as well

 

I was just thinking about Hastings the other day.

 

Judging by the website, looks like it's just going to be 5 engines in operation [3 visitors + 2 usuals], definitely going to be a rather interesting one.

 

I must admit to being rather surprised by this third visitor as indeed I was by the Pug. This forum and indeed official pronouncements from a number of heritage lines are full of warnings about cost cutting and how hard this year is going to be financially. Given the costs of moving engines around, I would have therefore thought that any and every visiting loco hired in for a special event would need to have the sort of profile which could be guaranteed to draw the visitors in order to justify the expense. 52322 fits the bill perfectly, but I can hardly imagine that the announcement of Hastings is going to result in scores of hitherto uncommitted enthusiasts putting the Bluebell branch line weekend in their diaries.

Naturally, I hope the event is a success and would be delighted to be proven wrong but I wonder if any other forum members have had similar thoughts.

 

It’s not a huge distance to come from though is it John? And it’s only one Lorry load?
I’m guessing there’s going to be some sort of reciprocal arrangement with some sort of Terrier maybe?
As you say I echo your comments about this being a success.

 

And yet the three visiting locos are the very thing that have got me to book a nights hotel and drive up from Dorset. Something for example the SVR Gala the previous week has not done.
I also imagine that the pug and Hastings may fit on one low loader, thus reducing movement costs.

 

Hastings presence makes this event a really most go to event, rather than a should go to event. I have waited a very long time to ride behind Hastings.

 

As I understand it, the agreement is with the owner of Hastings, not the KESR itself, so a reciprocal agreement is less likely.

 

Hastings is the only reason I'm considering going!

 

Humble pie duly eaten! I must admit, 52322 is the only visitor that appeals to me, but I'm glad that others feel differently for, as I mentioned above, I very much hope that the event is a success - railways can't afford loss making galas in the current economic climate.

 

Certainly if me attending was possible, Hastings would be a big attraction for me. Conversely to the Big Chuffer discourse elsewhere, small unique locomotives are just as popular if not more. 828s first visit to the SVR had it outshine Tornado.

 

828 is absolutely lovely though, I was rather hoping that she might be the last visitor- I understand she is out of traffic at the Spa Valley currently though.

Chris

 

for me too

 

Timetable see https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BLGW-Timetable.pdf

 

Fantastic to have the timetable already. Trying to work out what the brackets on locos mean - top and tail maybe? Any hints at which coaching sets are which would be appreciated too as I've basically started planning our day immediately. Really looking forward to it - and Hastings is a big draw for me too!

 

I think they are top and tailed moves, with the loco in the rear shown in brackets. Double headed moves show the two numbers without brackets, with the leading loco given first.

For example, if you follow Set C on the Friday:

• 11243 and 72 double head (11243 leading) from SP to HK at 09:50, arrive 10:15
• 11243 splits off; 72 runs round and returns south at 10:40, arriving at Sheffield Park at 10:55; meanwhile leaving 11243 behind at Horsted Keynes
• Hastings (leading) and 72 (trailing) then leave SP at 11:50, arrive 12:05
• 11243 couples to Fenchurch at the south end and they return almost straight away at 12:15, leaving Hastings at Horsted Keynes
• 52322 comes up from Sheffield Park arriving at 1:00 with set D; Hastings couples on the front and the two continue to East Grinstead leaving at 13:30

etc etc.

Looks like 11243 is getting some full line turns, but is being allowed 25 minutes SP - HK; 25 minutes HK - Kingscote and 10 minutes Kingscote - EG. (Normal timings are 15 minutes, 14 minutes and 8 minutes). Those are probably similar to what Normandy was allowed in days past.

Tom

 

Deleted

 

Thanks Tom, much appreciated

 

I think to make full sense of it you either need to wait for a version of the timetable with the accompanying shunt notes; or else get the Brio out and try each move!

Carriages: Not sure at the moment, though I gather the Mets won't be in use (they need maintenance, having been very heavily used over the last few months). Very tentatively, I'd suggest perhaps a Maunsell set; a Bulleid set; the SR pre-grouping set and maybe a four coach Mark 1 set; but subject to lots of caveats.

Tom