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Bluebell Railway | Giants of Steam | 16th-18th October 2026

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Ben Jenden, Dec 24, 2025.

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  1. Paul42

    Paul42 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Resize_20261016_162037_7418.jpg
     
    Paul42, Oct 16, 2026 at 4:21 PM
    #61
    silversteellady, acorb, The Gricing Owl and 6 others like this.
  2. Paul42

    Paul42 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Resize_20261016_173518_8594.jpg The end of a very enjoyable day. Thanks to everyone who made it happen.
     
    Paul42, Oct 16, 2026 at 5:36 PM
    #62
    silversteellady, acorb, cg and 9 others like this.
  3. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    Very poor show by the Bluebell this morning. First train from East Grinstead was full due to being a vintage set so anyone arriving by train couldn't get on it. Not impressed.
     
    mattspencer, Oct 17, 2026 at 9:39 AM
    #63
  4. The Gricing Owl

    The Gricing Owl Part of the furniture Friend

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    Oh dear. Presumably that arrived from SP full, or there were must have been a lot of people already waiting for it at East Grinstead before the big railway train arrivals tried to make their connection?

    Bryan
     
    The Gricing Owl, Oct 17, 2026 at 10:14 AM
    #64
  5. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Waiting on 71000's non stop 10:45 which is also full to standing (quite a few got off the 80151 service mentioned above to get in this one).
    Overflow car park at Sheffield Park was looking very busy when I arrived about 9:20, so I think capacity on trains could be an issue throughout the day.

    PXL_20261017_092050956.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2026 at 10:45 AM
    Dan Hill, Oct 17, 2026 at 10:40 AM
    #65
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  6. Paul42

    Paul42 Resident of Nat Pres

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    The first train starts from Horsted according to the timetable, so presumably a lot of people have driven there.This set ref D has 354 seats according to the carriage stock list.The A set Green mark1s plus Bullied set has 314 seats.The B set 236 seats and C set 260 seats.Appears to be very busy.
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2026 at 11:17 AM
    Paul42, Oct 17, 2026 at 10:51 AM
    #66
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  7. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    Perhaps a lesson to learn for the future is to run the first service to East Grinstead as empty stock and/or don't use capacity restricted set (I assuming the vintage set does not allow standees)
     
    mattspencer, Oct 17, 2026 at 10:58 AM
    #67
  8. Paul42

    Paul42 Resident of Nat Pres

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    It has the highest capacity seating of all the sets, although no standing, I have added capacity of all sets above. The set is stored overnight at Horsted. I do not think it has been an issue before, I have always managed to board at East Grinstead being a resident.
     
    Paul42, Oct 17, 2026 at 11:28 AM
    #68
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  9. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Unfortunately 71000's run didn't end up being non stop, as we got held at Leamland Bridge just after passing through the station.
     
    Dan Hill, Oct 17, 2026 at 11:32 AM
    #69
  10. Paul42

    Paul42 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Neither of yesterday's runs were either.
     
    Paul42, Oct 17, 2026 at 11:33 AM
    #70
  11. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    41313 is back in operation, just arrived at Kingscote on the front of its double header with 80151.
     
    Dan Hill, Oct 17, 2026 at 12:03 PM
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  12. The Gricing Owl

    The Gricing Owl Part of the furniture Friend

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    I imagine the HK car park was rather full after that.

    I had been planning to go tomorrow just for 80151 - on the front of 34059, and then on its own later. Both on appropriate rolling stock as my arrival shots at HK would not have picked up the rear coach.

    But with my current hybrid condition (one hip rebuilt by a Mr Jarvis and the other still in original Bulleid condition but needing a rebuild) I am just not mobile enough to cope with long waits on platform ends or long walks to/from wherever I can find a parking spot at HK.; my normal early arrival not being sensible at present.

    So I'll follow the event here and on the excellent Bluebell webcams (for which I have just made a modest donation).

    I hope all there have a great time and that the Bluebell's finances come out nicely on top from the event.

    Just about every loco in or close to BR 1960s livery and numbering and the dinosaur is staying at home :eek:

    Bryan
     
    The Gricing Owl, Oct 17, 2026 at 12:24 PM
    #72
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