Bluebell Diesel Gala (!)

Well I posted them as is out of the camera. It was a good day and it was good to see the line thorough the windows of the DMU.

It was good to see a lot of trackside clearance has taken place, although the tip still looks like a tip. A joke before I get pounced on

 

An excellent day out. Well supported with the 1040 from East Grinstead this morning almost running out of standing room for the run to Kingscote where enough people got off for the 09 when it eventually turned up. I hope the railway made plenty of money although it could have made more if there had been more catering staff, both on the set with the 33 and at HK while waiting for trains coming the other way. Photos to come.

 

Some photos of the event now online

http://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/Bluebellphotosets/Diesel-gala-March-2014/

Certainly seemed busy, overheard the guy in the shop at the Park saying he reckoned they'd gone into 4 figures for the day in takings just in there. Which would be incredible for a day when trains weren't originally scheduled to run.

 

I had a great day, thought it might be crowded so upgraded to 1st. Therefore got a seat in the first DMU SP to EG and back to HK then on the 33 train - Mk1 first compartments were the highpoint of train comfort IMHO.

Folk could not spend money however during turnaround times due to the queues, however as this was the first Diesel Gala and must have brought in a lot of income to help restore the Bluebells own fleet and infrastructure, one hopes it will not be the last and improvements in the catering (beer) provision will be made next time. Diesel folk can get through a surprising volume of beer at these events.

Good weather till mid afternoon at least and I saw four buzzards, one with its meal in its talons and two herds of deer.

As someone who dabbles in Cromptons the Brucie bonus for me was a good look around the 33/1 and meeting the guy who did the design for conversion of 33/0 to 33/1 in the mid sixties.

It was pleasing to feel and see that the track is much improved and is Rolls Royce smooth in the tunnel and on Freshfield Bank now. Much lineside trimming so the line looked really splendid in the Spring sunshine. One thing I did notice is that soil underneath the plastic sheeting on the tip has slid down under the sheeting and the contour now resembles my belly in shape, bulging at the bottom. Hope the sheeting is UV resistant for long life - the mud is already coming out in three or four places. I suspect the concrete retaining wall erected at the north end will have to be continued through the cutting in due course.

So thank you very much Bluebell and well done.

Brian

 

Here's a few of my pictures from yesterday.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38339202@N00/sets/72157642745630395/

The first one shows the people standing in the aisle on the 1040 from East Grinstead yesterday morning.

Jon

 

Great to hear that the gala appears to have been a success...... Well done the BB