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Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Jamessquared, Feb 16, 2013.

  1. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    There's an evening Golden Arrow dining train that day - 263 will haul that after the end of the daytime services.

    (Generally on the Bluebell loco roster, GL refers to a lunchtime dining train and GD to an evening train).

    Tom
     
  2. Funnell

    Funnell New Member

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    Yes, The Golden Arrow departs Sheffield Park at 19:30 and then again at 21:20. I can give more detailed times if you would like them.

    James
     
  3. 73082

    73082 Member

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    Would anyone have times for the trains on Friday (23rd)? The special event page for the Santa Specials says that there are only 12:45 and 3:30 departures from East Grinstead, but the loco roster says 3 sets of stock and a station pilot...
     
  4. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    SP Departures are at:

    10:30 (Set Z) - see below
    11:00 (Set X) Depart HK 12:25
    11:55 (Set Y) Depart HK 1:20
    1:45 (Set X) Depart HK 3:10
    2:40 (Set Y) Depart HK 4:05
    7:30 (GD)
    9:20 (GD)

    Set Z works to East Grinstead ECS and then does EG - HK departures departing EG at 12:45 and 3:30 (returning north from HK at 2:15 and 5:00). Final return of the stock is ECS from EG at 5:45 - the stock is left at HK and the engine is L/E back to SP.

    The other two sets (X and Y) just work SP - HK, with depart HK at the times listed above.

    The Evening Arrow works to Kingscote on its first trip and EG on its second.

    Tom
     
  5. 73082

    73082 Member

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    Excellent, thank you!
     
  6. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    From the What's New page:

    £1.1million grant awarded, which will revitalise the way the Bluebell Railway exhibits its locomotives.

    "The Bluebell Railway is delighted to announce that its application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the ASH (Accessible Steam Heritage) project has been successful. The full text of the press release is available to download here."

    See: http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html and http://www.bluebell-railway.me.uk/news/Bluebell_News_Release_Dec16_ASH_HLF.pdf

    Tom
     
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  7. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    Excellent news
     
  8. CH 19

    CH 19 Well-Known Member Friend

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    Well done all concerned, that really is good news. Again, proud to be associated with the Bluebell and yes I remember working round Pioneer II, a well rusty Baxter and Blue Circle in that siding by the then car-park, late sixties early seventies. Remarkable progress!!
     
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  9. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Early morning loco preparation for the penultimate day of the Christmas Service yesterday - photo taken about 7.15am, at which point is was still resolutely dark:

    [​IMG]
    Pilot turn
    by Tom James, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Pilot turn
    by Tom James, on Flickr

    I worked out yesterday that in the course of about 8 hours shunting at Sheffield Park on the pilot engine, we crossed all but one set of points, and had to pass all but one signal within the station limits.

    For anyone looking for some post-Christmas steam, the railway will be operating a two train service on Boxing Day, and a one train service from 27 December - Monday 2 January. Timetable here: http://www.bluebell-railway.com/event/timetable-novdec/ (scroll down a bit). Thereafter, there is a closedown period to allow some track renewal, with services re-starting in mid February.

    Happy Christmas to everyone!

    Tom
     
  10. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Great news. Should be a great additional attraction when it's complete. I'm a bit confused about the exhibition lasting 3 years though or do the exhibits get changed around as locos enter the works or a loco gets withdrawn.
     
  11. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    I might have misunderstood it, but my understanding is that the three years refers to the formal duration of the project and specifically the interpretation and education development manager post which is funded for three years as part of the project; the exhibition facility itself and associated building improvements will be long term (subject to any occasional variation if locos move from the exhibition area to overhaul).

    Tom
     
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2016
  12. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Many thanks Tom.
     
  13. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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    Work on the Elephant Van continues with it now located in the paint shop - a few pictures of the "SCENERY" lettering which was completed on Tuesday

    David R
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Zoomeg

    Zoomeg New Member

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    I really enjoyed the opportunity to travel behind 847 on the last train of the day over the period between Christmas and New Year; with the glow of the boiler illuminating the large plume of steam (helped by a cold snap) as well as returning through HK to the glow of signal and platform lights;

    am I right in thinking that such a late last train in the winter is unusual? it's certainly the last time I remember night time regular services since the sadly missed Starlight Specials of several years ago.
     
  15. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    When the ASH project was announced, it was also announced that the USA tank would be cosmetically restored so it could be used on the rolling road exhibit. I think initially it was planned to have the loco painted either Southern Wartime black (as was seen on 65 at the KESR until a few years back) or the USATC Grey livery it currently carries (if I remember correctly. According to Steam Railway it has been decided to paint it in BR Lined Green (a livery I feel suits 30064).
     
  16. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    According to an advert in the latest Steam Railway there will be an Autumn Steam Gala 13th - 15th October 2017.
     
  17. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    I don't think it was especially late - 3.45pm up / 4.45pm return. For a long time (even pre-East Grinstead), the last train from Sheffield Park would be at 4pm at weekends, slightly earlier I think mid-week. There is something magical about train running in the dark though ...

    Tom
     
  18. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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    Work has started to dismantle S2531S in the Shed

    Apologies for poor quality picture but lighting and photography is quite difficult in this part of the shed

    David R
     

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  19. SomewhereintheSouthEast

    SomewhereintheSouthEast New Member

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    Dose anyone have an update with those SECR Dance Hall brake vans? Or with 80151?
     
  20. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Can't answer about the Dance Halls, but on 80151, the last replacement frame stretcher had been fabricated, painted and was ready to be fitted at the rear of the frames as of early late November. The loco should be rewheeled shortly. On the boiler, the replacement throat plate has been delivered and awaits fitting, and repairs are continuing to the tube plate and door plate.

    This was the frame stretcher before painting, a couple of months ago:

    IMG_2376.jpeg

    Tom
     
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