Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Nice view of that loco, thanks for posting it here. And I totally agree with you about not re-creating the front embelishments.

Bryan

 

Is something odd going on with HK and KC over the next few days?

 

I read on another forum that they didn't have enough volunteers to open the stations and that trains will not be stopping.

 

Volunteer shortage.

 

I’m sorry to hear that. We got a bit close to the knuckle on the KESR for guards last weekend. I hope it’s just a temporary problem.

Robin

 

The public train information page has been updated for the first half of the inspiration trains visit and it shows Fenchurch on observation car workings plus the class 33 out as well as the normal trains - are they likely to run the following week does anyone know and are they available for people with normal tickets? On the main Bluebell page it just says 2 steam locos and 5 trips a day across all the days. We plan to visit Monday 28th July. Thanks advance!

 

From what I can see, Monday 28th July has the same timetable as Wednesday 23rd. This is a heavily modified Timetable C with Fenchurch OBO Shuttles (Park-Horsted) and 33108 on early/late East Grinstead trains and East Grinstead shuttles throughout the day (Horsted-Grinstead). A rover ticket will cover all of these.

The PTI should be updated with this next Thursday.

 

I see the on the website that on July 26th and 27th, Class 66 66710 (which is the one that accompanies the Inspiration Train and carries a special Rail 200 livery with the crests of the former Big Four Companies) will be hauling passenger trains in injunction with the Class 33 to provide vacuum braking for the train, alongside the Steam services.

 

It is indeed. Timetable E (7 round trips) is in operation on that day.

Set A (C+C Mk1s): 66710 + 33108
Set B (4-Wheels+Mets): 32424
Lunch GA: 34059

The diesels run down from Horsted light engine at 9:40 and return at 5:50.

Fenchurch is at Horsted between 10:15 and 4:05, running up light engine and returning on the 4:05 departure to Sheffield Park with 32424.

 

Thank you!

 

Based on the NYMR thread about to many volunteers on the station standing around chatting perhaps some "bussing" should be taking place

 

Out of curiosity where do you get this information from? I'm visiting on Wednesday and all I can see on the website is that 80151 and Sir Archie are running.

 

https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pti/index.html

 

There is a page on the Bluebell website called the Public Train Information, primarily aimed at enthusiasts. Someone else has helpfully linked it above - since the two rebuilds of the website it had become very difficult to find. It gives the timetable, engine rostered and the coaches in the set (North to South). The information itself is sourced from HOPS, but only available to volunteers on that site.

 

Legend!

The carriage bit alone is super useful.

I haven't seen Beachy Head yet and my son, who was one of the TfL super fan winners, would love to ride on one of the Chesham carriages! Sounds like two birds with one stone!

 

Be careful with using that link, it can be very helpful indeed to get an idea of what should be running. And the link to the timetable is a superb addition as it gives the times of all trains running, not just the normal schedule service.

But being set in advance it doesn't deal with late changes at the railway of course. So for today that web site shows 80151 on the Maunsell set (with two other coaches on the rear), and the Bulleid on the other stock. But having just checked the webcams, the locos have swapped over.

I would like a particular photo of 80151 on just the four Maunsells, and may still have come across today as the two other coaches are at the rear when 80151 returns from East Grinstead chimney first, and they do sort of fit with the Maunsells! But not now as the Bulleid is on the 'Maunsells plus two' train.

If you go back to my post #8032 on page 402 you will see my 1962 80145 photo I am trying to match - I can get it as 80151 arrives at Horsted Keynes from East Grinstead. But not today!

Anyway, the very best information is that which Tom @Jamessquared posts here about Bluebell workings, but as at every heritage railway, that is also subject to very late changes.

Hopefully when you make you trip you will have as much information as can be given in advance to base your day on, even if you may have to revise your plans just a little when you arrive.

And the Bluebell is a fabulous railway with so very much of interest there to enjoy. My first visit was over 60 years ago, and I still enjoy every visit I make.

Bryan

 

Thanks for the tips. We've made a few trips over the years. We've very recently become members and are looking forward to visiting more frequently!