Bluebell Giants of Steam 13-15 October

Video from across Saturday and Sunday. We had a great time, huge thanks to all involved! Photos to follow.

 

I know where you are coming from Gary. I still vividly recall being spell bound at the sight of Oakhampton and Biggin Hill lifting the final down working through Chilcompton on the S&D at dusk on Sunday 6th March 1966 - and that was 57 years ago now. Biggin Hill was sending red hot cinders into orbit and the pair could be heard for several minutes as they headed on to Masbury summit. Those locos could certainly talk when the occasion demanded. It is a memory that I'll take to my grave (hopefully not just yet).

Peter

 

I witnessed the sight at Midsomer Norton, my local station, just a few moments before you. As a very young lad, I cried my eyes out all the way home. But here we are, still steam enthusiasts after all these years. <BJ>

 

A final couple of images from me of the last up train of the event, Manston on 4 Bulleid's, what is really not to like. It ran a few minutes late and the cloud had began to form so no real glint, but a fine way to end what seemed a great three days.
I felt the timetable worked really well, was not too optimistic relying on everything to work perfectly all the time, and allowed for some slippage to be recovered during the day. So my congratulations to those that put it together.
I did not travel on the Rambler set when the meals were on offer but I thought £10 looked a great deal for the pie option. Maybe next time if they do it again.
Although I read the ice rink failed Friday and had not started by 09:15 on Sunday the two seemed to sit side by side well. I did half suspect that when I arrived Sunday I may find a no photography notice, at least at the shed end of SP, as 21st century profiling by many parents seems to mean "old guy with SLR or video camera near children must be a pervert". If anyone had complained in these social media days the negative publicity for the railway not responding would be a disaster.

 

I think Taw Valley is in bad need of an even deeper clean to get back to the green!

 

The last train on Sunday
Manston approaching Horsted by Paul Simpson, on Flickr

 

Afternoon All,

I've put a few short video clips on YouTube:









Plenty more to follow as time permits...

TTFN,

Ron.