Bluebell on Parade 10th and 11th June

A quick bump for this event taking place next weekend. I'll be Running Foreman at Sheffield Park on Sunday of anyone wants to say hello (during the quiet bits!)







Tom

 

This looks intriguing for those who like rare mileage:

"Bluebell On Parade- Sheffield Park Pilot: Saturday, June 10th

A rare opportunity will occur on Saturday, June 10th. Take part in an everyday activity that is normally restricted to loco footplate crews, guards and shunters only. Travelling in Observation Saloon behind No. 72 'Fenchurch', experience the behind-the-scenes world of the station pilot. You will be shunting coaches into and out of the sidings at Sheffield Park. The last shunt of the will be with Class 73 E6040 'The Bluebell Railway'.

There will be a small admission of £10 to take part in this very rare opportunity and this can be booked on the day at Sheffield Park booking. (Please note, tickets must be booked before 4pm on the day).

For more information about Bluebell On Parade, visit https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-on-parade-2023/"​

(Haven't seen the working notice yet of how it will operate!)

Tom

 

The traffic notice has just been published, which gives further details on the carriages in use:

What's listed on the timetable below, with bold additions derived from the STN.

• SET A- PRE-GROUPING SET WITH 65
• SET B- MK1 SET WITH E6040
• SET C- SHUTTLE PUSH-PULL SERVICE (OBSERVATION COACH+72+GN SALOON)
• SET D- 1923 TO 1948 GROUPING SET WITH 6989
• SET E- 1948-1968 MK1 SET WITH 80151 (WHEELCHAIR ACCESS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THIS SET)

Service Set A (S-N):- 1098-7598-3188-3360-114 (100 seater + Brighton bogie first + 3 four wheelers)
Service Set B (S-N):- 34556-4824 (Mark 1s)
Service Set C (S-N):- 43909-Fenchurch-1503 (GN Saloon - Fenchurch - LNWR Obo)
Service Set D (S-N):- 2526-1482-1464-5768-1336-1309 (4 Bulleids, 2 Maunsells)
Service Set E (S-N):- 21246-16210-4941-1818-4957-25728 (Mark 1s)
Pullman Set (S-N):- 3069-32975-175-64 (Regular GA set - 2 Pullmans + 6 wheel BGZ + Mark 1 FO)

Tom

 

Very excited to see that some four wheelers are appearing - worth a trip out just to see those I think. Thanks for sharing Tom.

 

Now the track has been relaid at Vaux End, the prohibition on long-wheelbase 4 wheelers north of HK has been removed. I'd expect them to see more usage from now particularly during the shoulder seasons, especially with 949 nearing completion and Fenchurch available.

Tom

 

I am in the UK this weekend and thinking about popping over with my elderly father. It would be the afternoon only, so I'm not sure that we will get round to see everything.

 

73 will be replaced by the 09 on trains this weekend as the ED wasn't quite ready in time.

 

We had a great day yesterday, shame not to meet Tom. Many thanks to all of the Bluebell staff who went out of their way to help my father, he's not the fastest on his feet! We missed out on being pulled the Hall but he was getting tired so we called it a day.