Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Naming no names, of course.

 

Just being tactful ! Maybe not a normal trait on Nat Preservation !!!

 

And now my turn to be tactful

Checking the WTT for the 1 Jan 2025 steam up, is 73082 (build date 1955 and used a lot in the BR lined black 1960s era ) now almost permanently coupled to a set of mainly two axle vehicles some of which date back as far as the Victorian era please?

And is that due to essential maitenance on coaches appropriate to SR 1960s operation by very hard working staff and volunteers (who deserve a decent spell of time off at present), or due to demand from paying customers?

A third question if I may please; is the mainly SR green set due to run behind 34059 on that day likely to stay as in the WTT, as far as can be known at this stage of course?

Many thanks,

Bryan

 

Basically it looks like Sir Archie and Camelot working SP - HK on passenger workings; No. 65 working between those two stations with a goods set; and Fenchurch working between HK and the "point of obstruction" (basically just south of the tunnel) with the LNWR Obo on a shuttle service. The line north of there is closed for track relaying through the tunnel.

The Sir Archie set is the SteamLights set, including Van C No. 404. The lights won't be on but my guess is that I doubt there will have been time to remove the lights - so they won't be lit, but will be present on outside of the carriages.

The Camelot set is the vintage set minus the the two SR-liveried carriages, so the four 4-wheelers and four mets. I assume the two SR carriages have been knocked off to allow that set to use either platform at SP. When they were running as a ten coach set during the Santas, there was a platform extension built at SP, but only on Platform 2.

Carriages tend to run in blocks of time with blocks of maintenance between. So the Maunsells and Bulleids have been in the workshop for maintenance over the winter. The New Year's Day steam up is really just a bonus, so it is getting one extra day out of the sets that have been used all month for the Santas; it would be a lot of work to marshall completely new sets just for one day of running; and would also put pressure on the C&W to get work finished just for one day.

Tom

 

Tom, many thanks. Your helpful reply has reminded me that I came to the event this year. I see that I took mainly head on shots of 34059 due to the lighting gear still being in place on the coaches (but switched off). It certainly must take a lot of time and effort to remove it all - but hopefully the lit trains earned a lot for the railway when they ran.

If I do come over for the event on 1 Jan 2025 I'll almost certainly just enjoy two return runs behind 34059, rather than repeat those of my 2024 photos that will be possible ie between SP and HK.

Thanks again.

Bryan B

 

Good to see two Bluebell Railway projects nominated in the annual HRA awards. "Beachy Head" has been nominated for the Steam Locomotive Award. Accessible Pullman Car No. 54 has been nominated for the Morgan Award for Rolling Stock.

More information here, including the other nominees in those categories and the other category nominees: https://www.hra.uk.com/news/shortlist-announced-for-biggest-hra-awards-ever

Also - Beachy Head and Car 54 have been nominated for the 2025 Steam Railway Award. Voting closes on January 10th, 2025 – don’t miss out!
www.steamrailway.co.uk/blog/news/hra_awards/

Tom

 

I feel very sorry for those in the Morgan award. I know it sounds unfair but surely there is only one winner there. All the others are fantastic in their own right but to go up against 54 is a tough one. Maybe Im still bitter about losing to some MGRs last year.

 

I think both nominations are really deserving projects. I guess it is the nature of any kind of awards ceremony that someone comes away a bit disappointed, but in a Bluebell context, to have seen both 32424 and 54 come to fruition this year is a source of considerable pride. Hopefully for all those nominated in a any category, they get to feel that same sense of pride in the recognition conferred simply by being nominated.

Tom

 

As part of the New Years Day Steam Up tomorrow, the Bluebell will be taking part in the HRA's Whistle Off at midday, to kick start the Rail200 Celebrations according to the website. They state that should the timetable go to plan 73082 and 72 should be at Horsted Keynes, 34059 at Sheffield Park and 65 should be travelling between the 2 when it happens.

Given I live similar distance apart from both Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes, I may pop out into the garden and listen out for any of them.

 

There is much in the HR media about the precarious situation in railway preservation given the multitude of pressures faced whether spiralling costs, having enough volunteers for future endeavours or maintaining the plethora of railway skills that can no longer rely on retirees from the big railway. However I'll reflect that in engineering terms, the heritage railways have never been as good as they have been in recent times, with the Bluebell in 2024 standing out as an example of what can be achieved.
in 1970s preservation, a cracked firebox or 'worn' boiler would have resulted in that particular subject being left for the gas-axe yet now we see projects that don't even meet the cut of best-in-year yet having received replaced boilers and fireboxes as pretty much, matter of fact. Fenchurch and Sir Archibald Sinclair are magnificent successes in their own right from any year we might choose but in 2024 both bow to the greater achievement & significance of Car54 and a new Atlantic. The Bluebell Railway is not alone in achieving much in 2024 but for me, for this year, they take some beating and the bar of expectation has been raised. For those involved - take a bow.

As runners up, there are many to choose from but not really for this thread.

 

I agree. And looking at the list of nominations, these were two of the strongest claims to attention - that they are on the same railway, in challenging circumstances, is a massive achievement.

 

The 12 noon whistle up:

Fenchurch at Horsted:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18cTTY882f/?mibextid=wwXIfr

(By Sharpthorne Steam)

Camelot at Horsted:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15Eae6EQ2N/?mibextid=wwXIfr

(by @TheModster )

Sir Archie at Sheffield Park

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18RaUWywXj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

(by Bryan Ellis)

And finally No.65 departing with the demo goods.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17BpSJ7Qhy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

(By Bryan Ellis)

None are my videos, and you may need to be in the unofficial Bluebell Facebook group to see them.

Tom

 

Think I was just about able to hear the 34059 and the O1 (slightly apart from each other), but the wind made it a bit difficult to tell if I heard them.

 

Nice to see some coverage of the New Year's Day whistle up from - Belgium!

https://www.rtbf.be/article/deux-si...rFZVmDx8uMnM2olAZQ_aem_J7T280Nugm3Mzgs3QsvNcw

Also some footage from Tanfield, I think, in the filmed report.

Tom

 

Translated into English. <BJ>

''In the United Kingdom, steam trains are celebrating their 200th anniversary. They played a key role in the country's development throughout the Industrial Revolution. This railway heritage is still very much alive in the country since 120 companies put these machines back on track and allow everyone, for a few dozen pounds, to enjoy this heritage.

A real dive into the 20s
The small restored station of Horsted Keynes (West Sussex) immerses us in the scenery of the 20s. The place was also used as a filming for the series Downton Abbey.

Every day, the station welcomes passengers, more intrigued by their means of transport than by the destination. "You meet people from all walks of life there. We are asked all kinds of questions about railways, about everything and anything. It's always a fascinating part of the job, which never loses its interest," says David Morgan, the head of the Horsted Keynes Duty Center.

The station master, Roy Watts, who regularly provides the connections, is not a little proud: "The steam railways played a key role in the development of this country, throughout the industrial revolution. And the greatest reward we receive, as conservation actors, is when people say thank you."

The first steam locomotive was put into service two centuries ago in the United Kingdom. Many volunteers contribute to preserving this railway heritage: "It's very exciting. I have been involved with the Bluebell Railway for over 20 years. Which is rather short compared to some of our volunteers. And I've always been interested in railways. I remember travelling on a steam train as a child and young man," says Roger Kelly, administrator of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society.

Travel on the Hogwarts Express to discover the most beautiful landscapes of the United Kingdom
Fans can even board the Jacobite Steam Train, known for its appearance in the Harry Potter films. The Hogwarts Express passes through the most beautiful scenery in the United Kingdom and ensures the fame of British steam trains around the world''.

 

Unless I have missed it I am surprised there has been no comment on some highly dodgy portrayal of Camelot of a Nazi loco complete with 73082 smokebox plate and the destruction of "Italian Locos" at HK in Series 2 of SAS Rogue Heroes.
However the demolition of Three Arch Bridge was very impressive. Bearing in mind all the agro last time a bridge was removed, little comment this time

 

First visitor for Branch Line Gala on 14 - 16 March: Ivatt 2MT 41313 from the Isle of Wight.

(I wonder if that means a reciprocal visit for 32424 to the Island? Is the Wootton headshunt long enough? <insert winky smiley thing here/> )

Tom

 

I'm sure that 32424 is powerful enough to extend the Wootton headshunt all by itself.........

 

An excellent choice of loco as 41313 has an unusual connection to the line. On Saturday 28th May 1955 its working diagram included a trip over the line on what turned out to be the last day of regular service. As I recall a photograph of it entering Sheffield Park that day appeared in the Railway Magazine of the period. It will be quite an historic return.

Peter

 

Has three arch bridge been demolished? Any plans to replace it? If it has gone that’s one of the best photographic locations on the railway no longer available.