Bluebell Railway General Discussion

I seem to recall a few years ago when Camelot went to the WSR by rail, the WSR paid what the lorry move would have been and the excess amount for the rail move was paid by the Camelot Society, partly because they preferred not to have the lorry move, and partly because of the adventure of seeing the loco back on the mainline!

I think in recent times, "Camelot", "Sir Archie", the C class and O1 have all been on the mainline; and - amongst the carriages - the Bulleids, Maunsells, SECR 100 seater, LBSCR bogie first, the Mets and Victorian 4 wheelers have all been out via the mainline connection.

Tom

 

This move is Freightliner, not GBRF. This probably make things a bit more complicated as FL have only air-braked locos, whereas I believe GBRF have some 73s which are still dual braked. Looks like quite a complicated shunt is in progress to get the train formed with 34059 and 2656 in the middle of the wagons.

 

Heard 34059 on it's way up to Horsted when I left work earlier.

 

Well they seem to be still using the cancelled RTT schedule as it is now showing that the train is at the platform ready to go. I hope all goes well with 34059's return to Main Line metals.


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She is on her way!


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Back on the mainline Sir Archie?

Go for it!

I timed this log some years back when on one of the the ten shillings and six pence Area 2 rovers, that covered Waterloo-Woking amongst other lines.

Sid Burton was one of many genial drivers who appreciated the interest us young enthusiasts showed in their work.

And I spent a few minutes up on the footplate with Sid at Waterloo before I got back on the train. He got me to turn the blower on and off, and asked where I was going that day.

I am sure that was because he would have let me join him and his fireman on the footplate from Brookwood, as the train was fast to Woking and then all/most stations to Salisbury. So out of general view at times.

Maybe if I had ridden on the loco, I would have had a chance to put a few shovel fulls into the firebox (or all over the cab floor!). And thus be able to compare notes with @Jamessquared

It was more than a year, I think, before regular footplate rides started: almost all at night.

Bryan

PS. Just seen an error in my log - the second sigs is in the wrong column! But it's not had a final check yet before going to my book designer. BB

 

Well done indeed for capturing that.

I wonder if it will be allowed up to near 60 mph, as shown on RTT.

Is it a mixed Bluebell and main line steam driver crew I wonder?

Bryan

 

The Ardingly Branch.

It may be remembered that some years ago, when training as a Bluebell guard, I produced the first draft of a map (‘White’s projection?’) which got the whole Railway on a single sheet of A4. That was in the days of the railway north of Kingscote being a dotted line.

This has been ably digitised and kept up-to-date by Richard Salmon:

https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/map_grad.html

A while ago (12 years!) I threatened to do something similar for the Ardingly Branch. My first draft has, embarrassingly, been lurking on a sheet of drafting film in a document tube for all that time. In my defence, I had intended to walk the branch to check the details but the health issues that ended my time performing safety-critical duties now prevent that.

But for personal reasons I am trying to tidy up those lurking ‘just’ jobs, so I worked up a better draft over the past few days.

It will be seen that I am uncertain of the names of a few structures (A to K) on the draft, and would be grateful for help from anyone who knows (or has access to the current Brighton line or Bluebell documents) who could help.

The draft is partially still in pencil where space might be needed for feature names.

I seek or assert no Copyright in this work, which I am pleased to present to the Bluebell. Equally, this is a whim of my own and this should in no way be taken as any indication that the Bluebell will be seeking its second network connection anytime soon!!

Thanks in Advance.

Robin

 

According to my Hazard Directory, D is Ardingly Road Bridge 957, E is Ouse Bridge , F is Rivers Road Bridge, G is Old Wickham Lane Bridge 145, H is Mill Road Bridge 146, J is Haywards Heath Road Bridge 147. Oddly it doesn't mention asset numbers for the Ouse and Rivers Road bridges, and it gets quite a lot of the road names wrong! (Ardingly Road bridge is on College Road, Mill Road bridge is on Balcombe Road and Haywards Heath Road is on Market Place)

John

 

Brake force AIUI - there have been ballast deliveries, but not on this service.

A Bluebell crew on the footplate of Sir Archie (but with mainline PTS).

Tom

 

Many thanks, Second draft herewith.

That just leaves A, B, C and K

regards

Robin

 

Website still shows 34059 in service this weekend- what will replace her/him?

 

Looks like:

Saturday
A - 80151 (Mark 1s)
B - 32424 ()
WR - 6989 (Wealden Rambler stock)
GAD - 80151 (Pullman stock - evening)

Sunday
A - 80151 (Mark 1s)
B - 32424 ()
GAL - 34059 (Pullman stock - lunchtime)

Not sure what the stock is on the B service, but I assume it will be the Maunsells / Obo.

Tom

 

Thanks

 

News from the Bluebell Facebook page. <BJ>

''The cats out of the bag!

34059 'Sir Archibald Sinclair' is heading away onto mainline metals this evening as she's taken up to London to take part in a private open day in the next few days.
This will be the first time that the loco has ventured onto the mainline since 1966 and will be taken up as part of a consist to the capital.
Here 34059 is seen in the afternoon sunshine at Kingscote, before she heads to London later this evening''.

 

Wow, that is great for them and for the Bluebell.

I imagine you were very disappointed not to be asked to go so you could fire your favourite loco out on the main line.

Bryan

 

For anyone visiting the Bluebell this Saturday or Sunday, the High Weald Steam Show is also taking place at Freshfield Mill Farm and will be visible from passing trains.

Alternatively if you want to visit the Steam Show and watch the Bluebell services go by, then tickets are £12 for Adults and £5 for Children.

 

The latest issue of the The Bluebell Times is now ready to download:

• Paul Seller is appointed as the new Bluebell Railway PLC Chairman
• Bluebell Home and Away - ‘Britannia’ and the Hastings Thumper visit the Railway, while ’Sir Archibald Sinclair’, No 65 and 4-VEP No 3417 all fly the Bluebell flag off the Railway
• Mark the date - the Railway throws its doors open on June 21 for the annual Members’ Day and Society AGM
• 200 years of railway history in a new museum exhibition
• Overhaul progress on No 541 - and a £500 donation to the SR Coach Group
• Volunteer vacancies - could you help us as a Utilities Manager or a website volunteer?

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/issue-70.pdf

Tom

 

Has this week’s Bluebell weekly round-up email been sent out yet? I know it’s normally released on a Thursday, and I have nothing in my inbox! Of course it may week be delayed or not going to be issued or I’ve fallen off the subscription list!

 

No, now you mention it I didn't get it this week - nor the Bluebell Times reminder email. But I can't have completely fallen off the list as I did get one today about footplate courses. Most odd. (I'll ask my contacts in the office about it).

Tom