Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Yesterday was the launch day for "Beachy Head" in which it was formally handed over from the project team to the railway. The hand over was followed by a Pullman dining train for those most connected to the project.

Here's the morning view, with 32424, 6989 and 73082 being prepared for the day's service; and 34059 being warmed for service the next day.



I was on "Camelot", with a slightly incongruous, but very lovely, train. We paused at Kingscote to allow the Pullman to work through:



And here's the star of the show:



After the day on Camelot, I was lucky enough to have a familiarisation trip to Horsted and back on "Beachy Head". What a fantastic machine! But even from that brief introduction, it's clear it is not a loco you are going to step onto and just get right straight away; it has a lot of quirks. But what a great day!

Tom

 

Amazing to see it running, I remember wandering around the boiler in the bushes at Sheffield Park (pretty much where Atlantic House is now!) as a kid in the early 90's. Looking forward to hopefully visiting both Saturday and Sunday for a ride next weekend.

 

The Bluebell will be hosting an event as part of the Rail 200 celebrations called Rail200 @BluebellRailway in August 2025 and has been awarded a grant of £250,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the event, with the money being spent on attractions and exhibitions, as well as funding repairs at Horsted Keynes station, where the main event will take place.

I think I've seen it mentioned in a magazine or two that the Network South East Society's 4CIG Motor Coach will be on display at Horsted Keynes, which is being painted in NSE livery.

 

Hopefully not! They've only just finished the 1930s scheme there ...

Official press release is here: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/th...ailway-to-celebrate-200-years-of-rail-travel/

Tom

 

One from Sunday of Beachy Head approaching Horsted Keynes at Bluebell Halt. A magnificent machine and a credit to all involved, I look forward to a trip behind her on Friday.

 

Oooh, will that include a celebration of the last decade of normal steam locomotive operation in Britain - with special emphasis on presenting a wide range of operational and non operational Bluebell locos in 1960s livery and numbering

Bryan B

 

While yesterday did not appear to be as busy as I expected it to be, it was still well attended. Much to my delight I found space in the OBO for the very first trip of the day behind Beachy Head which performed superbly. According to a friend at the front window she apparently slipped a little with the speed slack through the tunnel, but otherwise sounded and performed exceptionally.

After a round trip with the new toy and a second with the Terrier (my favourite and also saw me tick of rides in the four wheelers at last), I hot-footed it to Sharpthorne for the final trip. I could hear the Atlantic starting from Horsted from where I stood...

 

Here's my footage of 32424 Beachy Head and her public debut at the Bluebell Railway yesterday. The engine sounded superb the whole day and was joined in the celebration by 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair and 72 Fenchurch who both equally sounded fantastic. Well done to the Bluebell Railway and the people behind the Beachy Head project for making this happen. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

Excellent video. And very well done to the Bluebell teams who have brought this long, complex locomotive building project to completion and kept to the launch timetable. What an achievement!

 

My photos aren't a patch on some of the others above, but it was great to see Beachy Head yesterday

 

Well would you adam and eve it? C'est moi striding past the water crane bag on the opposite platform headed to take another picture - this one:-

Peter

 

For anyone who hasn’t caught Beachy Head yet (and if not - why not ) I believe that after this week, there are only three more weekends where it will be in public use this year:

• Daily until 1st September in the big launch event
• 5/6 October (in connection with an Atlantic Supporters’ event, but running in public traffic both days)
• 11/12/13 October (Giants of Steam)

After that, I don’t believe there are any more scheduled runnings this year.

Tom

 

On my way home after my visit yesterday I managed this interesting parting shot at East Grinstead - a contrast between commuter trains of today and 60+ years ago.


Peter

 

The one on the right being comfortable, with room for a bag on the overhead rack, the one on the left well not on either issue (as it is not built by Siemens). Aircon probably suspect as well.

 

Alright if you want to get your ironing done on the journey though

 

• Thank you for the dates. Can you confirm the 4/5 October as that is a Friday and Saturday? <BJ>

 

No, my mistake - running 5/6 October, i.e. Sat / Sun.

Tom

 

Out of curiosity why is that - is that because they want to do more running in fettling or more because something like its load limit precludes it from regular use in the Autumn/Winter?

 

Not allowed out in the rain. Might spoil the paintwork . Im sure Tom will reply with a more sensible option.

 

TBH, not many trains left in the year after Giants that it can haul - the Santas / SteamLights are the one group of trains we have that are beyond its load limit; and locos like Camelot or Sir Archie are preferred.

Tom