Bluebell Railway Giants of Steam 2009

I wasn't too happy about it! But I think I can understand why.

Trying to make sure all the locos survive the whole event? Keeping costs under control in the expectation that losing the visiting loco would see visitor numbers drop a little?

It must be a difficult balancing act for the railway to try and get it right.

I went today as there were a good number of locos running. Had a ride in a Pullman behind a Bulleid! First time since the Bournemouth Belle ran with steam. And enjoyed a number of other runs: trying to take decent photos was not my idea of fun today in that bl.ody awful weather.

Lovely day out. Thank you Bluebell Railway.

 

I too wish to thank the line for a great day out. Can't wait for the 50th Anniversary Gala next year. May have to go down there more than once what with The Tornado Effect. Hopefully all visitors will be avalible.

 

I had to laugh at this shot Paul ( http://paul-simpson.fotopic.net/p61734052.html ) Looks like the Poor Terrier is being pushed hard by the Std Tank!!

 

Presumably this is in response to the poor folk who caught the first bus from East Grinstead to Kingscote today, arriving at 10.25 only to find that they then had 1 hour and 40 minutes to enjoy the delights of Kingscote in the pouring rain before the first train departure at 12.05!

 

Pretty much! I'm not sure why this wasn't done today anyway as the timetable had ample time to include it. Oh well, at least passengers won't be so stranded at Kingscote for 1hr 40!

 

No, instead they get stuck at East Grinstead for 50 minutes, followed by a further 30 minutes at Kingscote. Off the last bus from Kingscote, the connection time at EGR is a mere 3 minutes. Any delay to the bus and it's an hour wait for the next train back to London. If you leave on an earlier bus, it's a 55 minute at EGR.

I realise the bus is run by Metrobus and not the Bluebell, but not meet the service trains at East Grinstead adequately is absolutely crazy!

And they wonder why the car parks are always full!

 

This sort of thing has been going on for years and is the reason I don't travel by public transport to the Bluebell anymore. Hopefully when EG is reached the situation will be improved but the Bluebell timetablers seem to have boobed here!

Regards

 

There was a vintage bus in addition to the Metro at Kingscote yesterday. Strange they didn't run the early train either, they normally do on event days. Lots of complaints about it but at least they have listened and sorted it out for today. It is also a good idea that they have dropped the freight, a complete waste of time for people travelling, more options and less wasted time waiting for a service.

 

I was there on Saturday and owing to delays in travelling I only just managed to make the afternoon departure from Kingscote at 12:05. The trains were wedged solid in the pouring rain and it wasn't until the sun came out in the late afternoon that the crowded trains seemed to have a bit more space on them. I was particularly interested in seeing 34059 for the first time and I wasn't disappointed. A superb looking machine it is too. My photos of the day can now be seen on my fotopic site. Some of my photos include footplate staff and if anyone can put names to them I'd be happy to hear from you.

Cheers,

Paul

 

I was there yesterday, and despite the rain it was good, overall. 'Fenchurch' was an enjoyable attraction, and there was plenty to do (Pete Waterman-spotting) at the southern end of the line (if you had the time to do them, that is!). As a volunterr with the Gwili Railway Vintage Carriage Group, I appreciated the quality of the Bulleid set (not to mention the VERY comfy chairs), and the new brake was fantastic. It was good that some of the standard locomotives had been taken out of the shed at Sheffield Park and shunted to HK for display, and that there were opportunities to go "behind the scenes" (time constraints conspired to prevent me from visiting the carriage works).

However, I do have some qualms. Was there an operational reason why there was no possibility of interchange between trains at Kingscote at 13:15 in the timetable, (34059 arrived and 1638 left within the minute)? I noted that there were some (myself included) who arrived there via public transport for the 12:05 and had already seen the bookstand, and wanted to catch the down train towards HK, rather than spend another 30 minutes in what has always been a backwater. I realise that I could have got off earlier at HK to interchange, but this seems to defeat the point: what happens if paying customers (NOT necessarily enthusiasts) want to ride the length of the line behind one locomotive, and return on another, merely to get their money's worth? Was the state of affairs due to the lack of a visiting locomotive on the line?

Another was the Pullmans- they looked good, but I felt they would have been better used on a "quieter" gala day (if there are such things). The two Mk. Is bolted onto the end of the set contained standing room only, especially as everyone seemed to be on it especially for a ride behind 34059 (although it did look stunning with the GA regalia).

Finally, having paid for my £16 gala ticket, I also purchased the programme for an extra £1 to gain access to a working timetable, only to find that it was a printed sheet of A4 paper worth 50p of anyone's money. Having attended galas during the current economic recession at the WSR (£18.00, a longer line and better-timetabled services), I did leave the Bluebell feeling slightly underwhelmed with these aspects of the experience. Perhaps I'm being a little unfair because the Bluebell is a smaller railway, but I felt this should have counted in its favour.

I'm not trying to knock the Bluebell in any way; they tried their best to maintain a gala atmosphere despite the no-show of the headline act. However, these three points are despite this fact, and are the reason why I originally stated that the gala was good; if the constructive criticism here is addressed in future, then a future event would be EXCELLENT.

Cheers, Thomas.

 

I'm not sure why a small "connection" of say 3-4 minutes could not have been maintained at both Kingscote and Sheffield Park during the Gala. I'd have found it useful.

Especially as the normal timetable had been changed for Saturday and Sunday anyway, so "nominally" a blank piece of paper could have been the starting point?

Maybe the timings of the buses at Kingscote were an external influence on the timetable planning? And possibly other factors we just don't have access to, or knowledge of. I do know the staff at Horsted Keynes were very keen to get the last train to Kingscote away as soon as possible last night, (it was running ten late), to make sure the bus connection was met.

 

Just got back from filming the trains in glorious weather if not a bit cold today. Was interesting they also added 1503 to 80151's set for extra capacity, and the mets, so maybe leant some lessons from yesterday.
Great photos for the conditions Paul, you must have been standing right next to me with 1638 taking on water at Sheffield Park, I was the one crouched to his camera catching the umbrella just before it was going to take off, and then happily accepting his Dads offer to hold it, my camera just about survived yesterdays pouring rain!

 

I have added some further photo's taken today. They can be found at http://paul-simpson.fotopic.net/c1771821_1.html

 

Cheers Daniel!
It was a bit damp around the edges to say the least. I think the weather failed to spoil a good event.
Perhaps there's a lesson here somewhere for all railways about having the occasional "home fleet" event by just throwing out everything you've got. The income would be substantially higher than if a visitor or visitors were hired in.

Cheers,

Paul

 

Just a thought, I feel some thought the price was a bit steep for what was on offer or the fact that it wasn't exactly Giants, rather Autumn Steam Gala, couldn't they have put 592 out, and then kept the planed timetable, swapping maybe some engine sets so no engines will struggle with their load and running the originally planned intensive timetable without 30777?
Just a though as I said, but I would like to thank all involved at the Bluebell for a very enjoyable weekend.
I did look out for you Tom behind 1638 but couldn't see you, although I'm pretty sure Neil Glaskin was the guard on one train! Sure I recognise him from a DVD!
Could take a while to get my footage up, takes a while from editing, rendering to getting it uploaded. Probably will come in two or three parts.

 

Just back from the BB. Not quite the GoS we're used too, that said the trains where packed. Such a shame that neither Lamiel, Manston (if rumours are true) and the E4 weren't fit. That said, the U looks stunning on the Maunsell set and it does show you what can be done just using the homefleet of locos.

Such a shame the freight was cancelled today, but I understand they needed to give more capacity for passengers. Looking at the timetable I'm not surprised it was a problem, the day was very short.

A few pics from the day:

 

Nice ones Matt.

My visit was during Saturdays monsoon, so I just rode the trains.

 

You know the problem with you PhotoMatt, is that your photos are always 10 times better than any else's and you make every event seem worthwhile going to. (This isnt a negative attack, it is just a light tease)

 

Very good and thank you!

It's quite interesting how busy the event was both at the lineside and on the trains despite not having a visitor. Whilst it's obviously great news I don't totally understand why.

Could it be the "Giants" is such an established brand/event that people come for it no matter what? Maybe the BB need to keep the reason secret, other railways could save a fortune on all these visiting locos!

 

My photos from Saturday...

http://ashleysmith355.fotopic.net/c1738691_31.html

Travelled on 11am from Sheffield Park and 12.05pm from Kingscote and it was like a main line train, standing room only!