Bluebell Motive Power

It was slightly different in that it was a major public event and not a gala in the way that, say, the SVR or Mid Hants galas are. It was a good indication of the capabilities of the line however now it's been opened in full and hopefully will be the template for many galas to come.

Incidentally, veering off-topic, why does 1520 hardly ever get a run?

 

Amazing to think that we dared to run the line to maximum flat out capacity on day one of the extension...

Basically we can run a four * six-coach-equivalent service with a roughly 40 minute departure schedule (limited by the time needed to get two trains through the HK - SP section). That needs 24 corridor coaches-equivalent and four big-engine equivalent.

Next year we should more easily meet the four big engine equivalent, especially with some lighter-than-Mark 1 stock in the mix: something like S15, U, H+P, C+P. Four big trains is more of a problem: it is possible (as the opening gala showed) but pretty much maxes out the available carriages. (Basically you need the wooden set; the Southern set and two Mark 1 / Bulleid sets). So running a gala to that level of intensity requires essentially maximum availability of both the loco and carriage fleet. That in turn means planning months in advance to start to align regular scheduled maintenance of both locos (washouts etc) and carriages (brake adjustment etc) to make them all available on one weekend.

Beats me - it's the finest carriage on the line...

I suspect the reason is twofold:

- Livery: it doesn't really match anything. Had it been turned out in olive green, it might end up a more regular component of the Southern set
- Capacity: it is quite a small number of seats for its size. Excellent for buggies though...

Tom

 

Has any Railway run a longer Gala than 16 days?

 

February would ideal for the a Gala after the GC and before Midhants, Severn Valley and WSR( and also before 45231 leaves).
I would like to see any 2 of 178, 263 and 592 on the Vintage set but change the pairing on each run, 847 on the Southern set, 45231 on 1 set of Bulleids and Mark 1's and 1638 with the other set of Bulleids and Mark 1's . There are only 4 paths and enthusiasts as well as the general public always complain about gaps between passengers services ( there have been a number of post in other gala threads), a earling morning good train on the Sunday which is usually a quieter day would be the best option.

 

I'd go for that. Maybe swapping 1638 and 847 so that each gets a run out with the Southern set.

Quite frequently the Bluebell has still tried to run a lunchtime GA even during gala weekends (I guess the profitability is there) but you could, for example, run an early-morning goods on Sunday using the GA loco in the preceding equivalent path. (That would mean something like 10:20 ex-SP if you ran a four train timetable based on service two). It would certainly be nice to have some goods workings - quite apart from any enthusiast appeal, there is an important training element in running loose-coupled trains which we have been largely missing in recent years.

There are also a few visual things you could do that would just add a bit of variety: for example running either the six wheel milk tank or one of the vans on the Southern set would look good and, because that set is shorter than six Mark 1s, wouldn't make it too long for the platforms, and certainly wouldn't present too much trouble to the S15 with extra load.

Tom

 

473 for the goods and GA then?

 

Aren't we due a visit of Met 1 next year as well some time?

Tom

 

Yes.

 

And splendid it will look parked up in the yard at the Park having run hot on day 1...

 

She's been up to 50 on the SVR, and getting up there for Steam on the Met. She hasn't just been shuffling back and forth on a couple of hundred meters on a demonstration line for years. I really don't think we will see a repeat of her last visit.

 

So now we've had Tornado. Ollie, Braunton and two black fives run down the line from South Croydon to East Grinstead. Back in April, I made a prediction:-

and it's interssting that representatives of all four classes of tender engine which I expected to be sufficiently gauge-friendly to work through to the Bluebell have now done so. With more tours in the pipeline, it will be interesting to see if it's just more of the same (although we have yet to see an unrebuilt Bulleid or a Merchant Navy run through) or whether any other classes of loco turn up on the connection at EG, either on railtours or as guest engines. The only other additions to my list where there is a class of loco likely to be main line certified at some stage in the future would be B1, 8F, BR5 4-6-0 and BR4 2-6-0. I'd be very surprised if an A4, Duchess, Jubilee or Royal Scot would fit, and as for any outside-cylindered Great Western locos........

 

We set up our defences at EG but the blasted things keep coming in by road...

Tom (only kidding)

 

Perhaps in theory the K4 and K1 should be added to my list, but sadly, these two locos don't venture down south on the main line. I think a repeat of the RTC November 9th Top and Tail excursion to Uckfield and Sheffield Park would sell out if these two engines were rostered. There's a precedent for the Great Marquess - it did run down the Brighton Main Line in 1967. One can but dream...

Your reply gave me good giggle. Thanks!

 

GW Moguls and Manors ran to Redhill so might fit. With regard to bigger locos the viaducts north of EG may be a problem

 

I have heard a comment of two made when linesiding asking when are we gonna see a Manor or a Hall come to the Bluebell as they did haul green coaches on the Redhill, Guildford and Reading services. Also I've seen a colour rail photo of a Castle class hauling a mixed rake of green Bulleid/Mk1's on the S&D so bring on the GW invasion

 

I am waiting for the GWR invasion( Great Western Society member). With 5322 potentially visting 2 railways next spring, and the costs involved in getting it out of Didcot, it would ideal time to try and hire it for a Gala. We need to keep the crews familiar with driving and firing proper locos

 

A Castle on the S&D, are you sure?

 

It would be nice to see them both down south, probably more chance of the K4. With its regular work in Scotland, I think it is unlikely we will see the K1 down South.

 

Yes on page 9 of Somerset & Dorset Steam Finale by Micheal Welch. 7023 Penrice Castle at Green Park on a rail tour from Bath to London via Mangotsfield, Gloucester and Stroud on 7th June 64. Micheal writes that this is thought to be the only occasion when a Castle class visited Green Park Station.

 

That's not really the S&D proper though. That started at Bath Jct. The Castle was technically on former Midland metals when the photo was taken. I know I'm splitting hairs but to most people talk of the S&D has them thinking about trains over the Mendips.