Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Quite something, I agree.

Interesting that 34059 worked the pullman. Bluebell Public train info has 80151 rostered for this. Is 34059 likely to work Monday's breakfast pullman too?

 

Our internal info says 34059 on the Monday breakfast train.

Tom

 

I recall at the first Deltic weekend back in 2015(?) there was a wedding taking place on the Platform 1/2 island meaning the two service trains were crossing by the down train being held between Leamland Bridge and the station while the up train used platform 3 then used the up line out of 2 to pass the down train (Deltics being, perhaps unsurprisingly, banned from running through 4 & 5), that's the only time I've ever seen this sort of thing happen before

 

@Jamessquared And tomorrow's lunch Golden Arrow too Tom? All being well I'll be across for that.

Bryan

 

Yes, and that is normal Arrow timings (12:30 and 2:45 departures from SP).

Tom

 

Very many thanks Tom.

Bryan

 

70000 and special train safely conducted across the boundary, quite good to see all the movements unfold on the webcams. Presumably a designated person in the Bluebell's SMS has to phone the ROC at Three Bridges to let them know the train is ready to cross over?

Regards,

Dan

 

Oxted or Lingfield signaller I think, or the panel if it's gone into TBROC already? Yes there is a procedure for contacting them before going onto the transfer track between BB and NR

 

I've long given up trying to keep track of what has or hasn't been transferred yet to the ROC!

Regards,

Dan

 

I think you are being a bit unfair on O V S Bulleid Tom. When the difficilties were pointed out to him, the great man replied that it was always his plan to install a device very simliar to a rolling road test bed exactly where the Altantic is positioned in the photo. That was accepted as typical of his engineering brillance, except by the passenger ticket sales department. . . . . . . .

PS. Thanks to your information I'm just back from another great day at the Bluebell. All worked as you said - with a very acceptable bonus of 73082 running with a Man of Kent headboard.

Photos to add later - the sun shone for just about everything except for the two shots I took of 34059 on the Golden Arrow. Such is gricing!

Bryan

 

Britannia making her first visit to the Bluebell since 2019, hauling a private 'Wedding Belle Express' for LSL, seen arriving on Friday, and departing today including its tour round Kent:

 

I couldn't spend a good part of today at Horsted Keynes without checking out platform 1. The edging stones look fabulous and the trackwork is progressing very nicely as far as I can see. And the station buildings are looking good too.

I'd be interested to know what the additional line next to the platform road is being laid for. Or perhaps it's the replacement of an existing siding?

Bryan

 

A rather tiring day at the Bluebell today, it's this getting older nonsense I think! But a very worthwhile day.

Train loadings looked good as far as I could see, and I doubt there were many places unsold on the Golden Arrow lunch train.

I did ok with my main target photos, a Light Pacific, 34059, on the Golden Arrow. But with the sun hiding when it appeared there is room for improvement. The locations were chosen to create the illusion the Arrow could be a lot longer than it actually is.

As mentioned earlier, 73082 hauling the Man of Kent all day was a surprise and very much welcomed; especially as the sun came out for the 4-6-0. I was amazed to get the crossing shot with 80151 with no one else in shot. There were several 'normals' filming on phones as the Standard 4 tank arrived and they left me alone huddled up against Camelot!

I ended the day at Keysford Lane Bridge and a word of warning to those here who use the footpath/track to photo from, as I did this afternoon. The hedge is growing fast and some (small at present) vegetation is also sprouting close to the track. It's going to get hard quite soon to find a clear view of the line over any distance from standing on the footpath/track.

Bryan

 

Out of interest @The Gricing Owl I was cleaning Camelot that morning and we were all chuckling because the driver was going to run with his own headboard "The Grinny Flyer"! He then appeared with that huge Man of Kent one from somewhere instead. I'm guessing the first choice wouldn't have made you such good pictures

 

Many thanks for your effort with the cleaning; the loco looked superb.

If any such headboards as you mention appear, I move to my 'side on' or 'going away' shot locations.

As for the Man of Kent, I do remember that train in steam days. With seven standard class 5s allocated to Stewarts Lane it is possible one could have hauled the Man of Kent at some stage.

https://www.kentrail.org.uk/br_standard_5mt.htm

Bryan

 

Still under the control of Oxted. Lingfield closed about the time of electrification, from memory the late 1980's.

Cheers, Neil

 

@Jamessquared Any idea of which loco will be on the GA this weekend? I unfortunately missed 34059 on the bank holiday weekend due to work so hoping it’s rostered for it this weekend. Many thanks

 

Diagrams say:

A - 34059, 5 Mark 1s
B - 32424, 4 Maunsells + LNWR OBO
WR (Sat) / GA (Sun) - 80151

Saturday evening Pullman is 34059.

Remember - it’s the launch into service of Maunsell 3687 and the four coach Maunsell set. It ran in the week as a special for those involved in its restoration.

Tom

 

Perfect, many thanks.

Do definitely wanna capture 3687, car is going in for a repair on the Saturday morning so will have to see if I can squeeze it in somewhere.

 

Quick question. Have booked to visit the railway in July and will be visiting the Inspiration Train. Am currently booking the train from East Grinstead back to London.

Planning to return to East Grinstead at 14:57 and get the 15:36 Southern Service. What is the likelihood of the Bluebell running 40 minutes? I don't want to be overly cautious and wait at East Grinstead longer than I need to (16:06) but I also don't want to risk missing the train, especially as you have to book a specific train back...

Thanks in advance to the collective wisdom on here!