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Bluebell Railway General Discussion

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

  1. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

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    It's back.

    IMG_4216 (Medium).JPG IMG_4217 (Medium).JPG IMG_4218 (Medium).JPG

    More photos of the reopening train at https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/Bluebellphotosets/Re-opening-train-August-2020/
     
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  2. Martin Shaw

    Martin Shaw New Member

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    Having been a member for at least 50 of the last 60 years I can only wonder at how far Bluebell and the rest of the standard gauge heritage railway industry has travelled. It hasn't always been easy and there will be difficulties ahead, but today I offer my heartfelt congratulations on a wonderful achievement, happy birthday.
    Martin
     
  3. Dan Hamblin

    Dan Hamblin Part of the furniture

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    Life Member since I turned 21 in 2004 (thanks Gran!), couple of volunteering days at East Grinstead station on days when my late Dad was on duty. Great to see the railway back in action and on such a significant anniversary.

    Looks like Tom is now on the O1's footplate for the 11am first public train from Sheffield Park, judging by the webcam footage. The locomotive, Cheshams and Birdcage Brake look immaculate in the sunshine.

    Bluebell_60_02.jpg

    Regards,

    Dan
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2020
  4. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    I've been a life member since the early 1980s. Volunteered occasionally in the 1970s when in my teens (loco department) and made a very brief return to help out for the Flying Scotsman event when extra volunteers were acutely needed. If ever I can retire (or more likely, semi-retire) I'd consider volunteering again, but with my spare time rather limited, at the moment, I volunteer on an occasional basis at another smaller local line where it's easier to fit in someone like me who can't commit to a regular slot.

    All the same, having lived in Sussex for most of my adult life, I do have a soft spot for the Bluebell and can only agree with the earlier comments of just how much it has changed since I first spent a night in that old LMS sleeping car at Sheffield Park. Looking at A1X's photos above, the use of compartment stock is very wise in the current circumstances anyway, but one development in the last 10-20 years which I particularly like is how stock from the early years of operation such as the Mets and small locos like the Ps and Terriers have been found a new role to play on a longer and very different line where, under normal circumstances, the main trains would consist of 5 or 6 corridor coaches hauled by a loco of Class 4 classification or more.

    I'm in no hurry for a ride with temperatures up into the 30s today (And I've got to work anyway), but congratulations to the Bluebell, even if this wasn't quite the celebration which was originally envisaged.
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2020
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  5. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Happy 60th to the Bluebell, and a line I hold dear since my first visit as a kid in 95, I still have pictures of the visit, as it was a Thomas event and 30777 had just arrived and was in the shed at Sheffield Park. I have lost count how many times I've visited since then (although living locally helps). Even in that 25 year period its been amazing to how much has changed in that amount of time, let alone 60 years.

    Hopefully all went well today and hopefully over the weekend as well. I heard the 01 whistling on the 9am Members Special during my morning break at work so I wasn't too far from the action (well a few fields and a road away anyway).
     
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  6. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Yes, that was me - I did the first public trip on 65, having lit up 80151 first (the crews swapped between, for slightly arcane reasons).

    Wow it was hot!

    Lots of media about; this was the piece on ITV's "This morning" - we were interviewed just before departure. The little boy interviewed had donated his pocket money to the emergency appeal; he was given the honour of waving the flag for the members' special at 9AM.

    https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=683101882282141 (On Facebook; FB doesn't seem to like embedding the video, but publicly available).

    Tom
     
  7. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Lighting the fire in an engine for a public train for the first time in four and a half months ...

    654544EF-7E6F-47E5-A846-5D3D8B306F95_1_105_c.jpeg AA0308BF-FF70-4B60-ACF3-FA432129B17C_1_105_c.jpeg DF222298-67A9-45C3-8357-53A4C4C1CD2C_1_105_c.jpeg

    Tom
     
  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Great to see the TV coverage and not just a 30 second news clip. OK - it was a special day and so the heritage line deserved extensive coverage but it was not as if the boarding point was in the middle of a community such as places like Swanage, Kidderminster or even Minehead. So getting the cameras there and setting it all up was a great piece of PR. And, of course, the beauty that is SE&CR was there to admire.
     
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  9. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    A lot of organisation going on behind the scenes! Plus a bit of thought from the "main man" :) fireman to ensure we weren't ranting away through the safety valves even though we were about five minutes late leaving.

    65 looked splendid as always.

    Tom
     
  10. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Lots of videos at the moment to celebrate ether 60th anniversary - but for anyone who would like to volunteer, this film has just been released - a really good overview of life at 6am in the loco yard. (Filmed pre-lockdown but released to co-incide with the 60th anniversary).



    Tom
     
  11. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

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    I may be biased (but I don't think so), but I have to say that when it comes to to promotional material, the Bluebell really does set the benchmark. And it sets it very high too. How many more of these were made, Tom?
     
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  12. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    I don’t know as I wasn’t around for the filming (it was done between Christmas and New Year I think), but from trailers that have been released as teasers, I know at least one more and possibly a couple.

    Tom
     
  13. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

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    This is really worth reposting. Just released, its a recreation of the formation of the BRPS between 1958- 1960..
    The actors used are excellently cast, and the production really gets a period atmosphere, somewhere between John Schlesinger's "Terminus" and the GPO film unit.
    It gets five stars from me:
     
  14. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    That it is a good film! I'm struggling to think how some of it was made. Bernard was really well cast in particular.

    Tom
     
  15. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    The Breakfast Belle 8th August 2020.

    Arrived at Sheffield Park 9.00am for the 9.30am departure with my sister, tickets checked in the booking Hall and advised our coach was at the train. The was signs to indicate which door to enter for you table number ( see example in picture below)
    DSC_0086.JPG

    We were allowed to board approximately 10 minutes before departure.The tables in use were staggered ,we were at a table two while the next table in use was the table of four in the next block, with the number clearly on it with surname and all vents were fully open. My preordeed 60th anniversary souvenirs were in a bag on our table with the mug wrapped in bubble wrap.The continental breakfast was brought to our table shortly after departure and we were grateful for the ice in the orange juice . Teas and Coffee was served on the outward and return journeys, I tried both, the Tea PG being the best option compared to the instant Coffee.
    DSC_0087.JPG

    We were delayed onward while a lineside fire was put out, so only about 20 minutes at Kingscote. The refreshment hut was open, although the way through to it from the back of the canopy is actually the exit, many people including myself missed this, the entrance is further up where a fence panel has been removed.
    I did not take my DLSR camera since I wasnt't expecting any good photo oppourtunities but due to a barrier on the plaftform I captured a better one than expected over the fence.

    DSC_0090.JPG

    We arrived at platform 2 on the returnto Sheffield Park and were asked to use the footcrossing and not the footbridg.We visited Steam Works which was the coolest place on the Railway , hand sanitizer inside and one way system in operation, followed by the shop- - hand sanitizer outside which ou are asked to use before entering. The Exit from the station is not via the shop but between Steamworks and the Bessamer. Note The Bessemer is closed but you walk through it as part of a one way system.The kiosk outside is open, and there is a pop-up for drinks outside in the old top carpark.

    A very enjoyable visit in current situation.
     
  16. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

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    He is certainly an uncanny likeness, both in appearance, and vocally.
     
  17. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    I too am wondering how some of that film was done, but it's very impressive.
     
  18. Martin Shaw

    Martin Shaw New Member

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    If your of a certain age, and I most certainly am, Horace May brings back some memories, not all of them wholly pleasant but let's not dwell there, it was along time ago. Nonetheless as a glimpse into the past when nobody had done it before, it does remind you that someone had to be the pioneer.
    Regards
    Martin
     
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  19. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Here is part 2 of the volunteering film:



    Tom
     
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  20. TheModster

    TheModster Member

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    Footage from the Bluebell's 60th Anniversary filmed on the Saturday, with 80151 and No.65
    Also features the Mid Hants on their blue timetable:
     

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