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Bluebell Railway Branch Line Gala - 18-20 May 2018

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Jamessquared, May 9, 2018.

  1. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Featuring Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company GWR 813, as well as Stirling O1 No. 65, Wainwright H class No. 263, Wainwright P class No. 323 and Maunsell Q class No. 541 from the home fleet.

    Details here, and ticket prices here: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/whats_on/branch-line-weekend/ Tickets can be purchased online.

    Timetable here: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Branch-Line-Timetable.pdf

    It looks like the train pattern on the Saturday and Sunday is similar to last years event, i.e. with Horsted Keynes acting as a hub with separate SP - HK and HK - EG services, with considerable shunting and loco changes at HK. Friday sees a three train SP - EG service at 45 minute intervals.

    I don't know what the carriage sets refer to at the moment. But if I were a betting man, I'd take a punt that Set A may well be the four wheelers (and possibly one or the other of the LSWR coach and / or the LNWR Obo; Sets B and C are probably the SR pre-grouping non-corridors and the SR Maunsells (one way round of the other); set D is probably a mixed Bulleid / Mark 1 rake. I'll confirm when I see the relevant STN.

    Tom
     
  2. Funnell

    Funnell New Member

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    The plan for the Carriage Sets is as follows.

    Set A - North - South - 1098, 114, 661, 3360, 3188 (SR Liveried ‘100 Seater’ and 4 x pre grouping 4 Wheelers
    Set B - North - South - 1336, 1309, 6686 (SR Liveried Maunsell Corridor Stock)
    Set C - North - South - 1464, 1482, 2526 (BR Liveried Bulleid Stock)
    Set D - North - South - Metropolitan Stock, + 1503 Observation Car (Number of metropolitan Carriages TBC)

    Interestingly there are occasions on Saturday and Sunday when there will be 3 passenger trains at a usually quiet Kingscote Station with some interesting shunting. Incidentally I am also the early turn Kingscote Signalman on Saturday so feel free to say hello.
     
  3. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Thanks for that. I hadn’t noticed the movements at Kingscote just from the public timetable (I’d only looked carefully at my own times) but looking in detail you’re right - 323 is running some short HK - KC services, so you get 323, 65 and 813 all in the station together round about 12.30; and 323, 541 and 263 all together round about 2.30pm. Presumably 323 and it’s train shunt to the down siding while the others cross?

    I’m early turn on 263 on Saturday and late turn on 813 on Sunday if anyone wants to take photos - or just say hello :)

    Tom
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2018
  4. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    This will be 813's first outing since her return from the KESR. Will be there on Saturday 26 as rep! Please say hello if you see me....will have various 813 Badges on!
     
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  5. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

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    No outing for 1520 then? Still, good to see the Mets are back.
     
  6. Funnell

    Funnell New Member

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    Not quite. 323 arrives in the main with the terminating up train and runs round. 65 then arrives heading south in the loop. 323 shunts via the north end points into the loop behind 65 and train. 813 then passes through heading north to East Grinstead and 65 departs South. Once 65 has cleared the section, 323 follows south. This is then repeated later in the afternoon.
     
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  7. 73082

    73082 Member

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    Is the plan that 813 does brake van rides at HK on Sunday afternoon? Timetable says it works set EBV (presumably brake van?) as the 12:05 SP - HK, then seems to spend 2 1/2 hours at HK before, unless I'm misinterpreting it, it swaps with 263 on the northbound run of the 2:30 from SP and takes it on to EG. Anyone clarify?
     
  8. ykin01

    ykin01 Member

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    Any one know what is working Brake Van rides on Saturday? The website says there will be some but couldn't see any details of what, or when?

    Many Thanks
     
  9. Funnell

    Funnell New Member

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    That is correct.
     
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  10. Funnell

    Funnell New Member

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    They will be at Sheffield Park on the arrival of the down train.

    813 @ 10:40
    263 @ 11:30
    30541 @ 12:30
    65 @ 1:30.

    The above will be around Sheffield Park Station limits before the loco takes up its next duty.
     
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  11. ykin01

    ykin01 Member

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    Thank-you, looking forward to it!
     
  12. DragonHandler

    DragonHandler Well-Known Member

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    Does anyone know which way round the locomotives are?
     
  13. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Everything faces north (smokebox leading out of Sheffield Park). That includes 813, which arrived the other day.

    Tom
     
  14. DragonHandler

    DragonHandler Well-Known Member

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    Thank you.
     
  15. jafcreasey

    jafcreasey New Member

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    I understand that a demonstration goods train doesn't directly generate revenue, but for a branch line themed gala I was a little disappointed not to see this planned on the timetable. Nonetheless, looking forward to the weekend!
     
  16. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    I think given the complexity of workings in this gala, you would struggle to path a goods train, at least without creating long gaps between passenger trains. Given the generally short carriage sets, that latter point is an important consideration - low capacity sets and a long gap between trains is a bad combination at a gala!

    We do run the demonstration goods reasonably frequently on normal service days: next ones are 14 July and 4 August by the look of things. We have also run it at the Autumn gala for the last few years, which tends to have longer trains and a simpler timetable that makes fitting a goods working in either early or late a bit simpler.

    Tom
     
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  17. jafcreasey

    jafcreasey New Member

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    Thanks, Tom - appreciate the explanation (and logistics involved)!

    I do enjoy seeing the goods on normal service days with the LE movement up to HK prior.
     
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  18. Funnell

    Funnell New Member

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    It appears the shunt notes have changed. 323 arrives in the loop, runs round and propels into the down siding. The two trains then pass each other before 323 head south again.
     
  19. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Makes more sense to me, though it depends how clear that siding is - can't remember looking recently. Easy to take water there as well.

    Tom
     
  20. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    Hello Tom, would like to have your thoughts after your turn with 813, plus any photos!

    Nick
     
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