Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Saturday:

Wealden Rambler - Departs SP 13:45; Departs East Grinstead 14:55, non-stop in both directions. Loco: 73082

Sunday:

Golden Arrow - Departs SP 12:25, non-stop up. Departs EG 1:25, stops at Kingscote for pathing; Departs SP on second trip 2:45 to Horsted Keynes, departs 3:25. Loco: 73082

Tom

 

Sorry to bother you but please can you say if the allocation is the same for both Saturday and Sunday?
I was pointed at http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pti/index.html but it's not yet been updated for the weekend.
Thanks in advance.

 

Yes, same both days.

Tom

 

We spent an excellent day at the Bluebell Railway today. Excellent locos, stock, stations and of course, the weather.

May I say thank you to all Bluebell volunteers and staff for all your hard work and dedication. You should be very proud of your railway. [BJ]

 

Yes, I’m in sympathy with all that - but only up to a point.

Risk assessment is an important process, but needs to be done carefully, logically and in the right context. Incorrect decisions (over-caution - or the opposite) should be challenged

In Gladiator’s examples - staying 100% indoors is actually a non starter, it would quickly create severe mental and physical risks due to lack of stimulation and face to face human contacts, no sunlight on the skin, not enough variety of exercise, etc. Most participation sports are similarly much healthier than inactivity, too.

The question “can the risk be avoided outright” should always be an early part of the assessment process. But in many cases the answer must be a “no”. If an activity has value, then one goes on to find ways of reducing the risk by sensible mitigations, rather than trying to eliminate risk by ceasing the activity. It is all about doing what is reasonably practicable. Like adequately training people who do certain hazardous tasks (like work at height, or shunting) to do the tasks in the right way, with the right equipment and precautions, and without improvisations to cut corners.

In the context of heritage railways, one has to remember that (1) society has moved on - risk levels that were accepted in an 1930s workplace are now considered much too high; and (2) volunteers (and the public) may very well lack the practical experience to identify and quantify certain risks that were formally commonplace. So the volunteers need training and information, and the public may need advice (and monitoring) to keep them away from some now-unfamiliar hazards.

 

I posted on this thread on September 8th that The Bluebell Railway was joining the Railcam family.
At that time just one ‘sampler’ camera was positioned at Horsted Keynes for the duration of the Gala.
However, today at 1pm no less than TEN cameras have gone live along the length of the line. Enjoy!

 

Some very good extra locations from those previously available through the Bluebell website.
As I am unable to attend the gala I may at least get to see some Southern Locos in action.

 

Thanks Tom, thought it might be something along those lines.

One from the Saturday of the beer festival of 32424 climbing Freshfield bank with its last service of the day:

 

Bluebell events for next year:

• Branch Line Gala: 14-15-16 March
• Model Railway Weekend: 28-29 June
• Southern at War: 18-19 July
• 65th Anniversary weekend: 8-9-10 August
• Beer Festival: 19-20-21 September
• Giants of Steam: 10-11-12 October

More to be announced apparently - not least I guess events in connection with Rail 200.

Tom

 

The latest issue of Bluebell Times is now available:

• Bringing the 4-VEP to the Bluebell
• Beachy Head is reunited with its original name and number plates
• Overhaul updates for 541 and 92240
• The Bicester Military Railway carriage enters traffic

You can download from https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/issue-62.pdf

Tom

 

Cheeky, I know, but I just wanted to repost this, in case it got missed from the very tail end of the latest Bluebell Times, because it is such a good picture!
32424 in March 1952, heading north out of Cliftonville tunnel into Preston Park. The Pullman works are just off camera to the left

 

Tom. As ever, latest Bluebell Times, is a good read, thanks.

I empathise with your “ How old is 32424” passenger query. I found with the Grange
“ It’s a modern recreation “ seemed to work. Describing what it consisted of brought
about glazed eyes.

I note the RCTS visit article states it’s the “oldest British Railway Society” . Not wishing
to nitpick but I believe it was founded in 1928. The SLS was founded in 1909 and
the no longer Railway Club in 1899.

I suspect I am not the first to observe this but just in case, Michael Rowe



,

 

Whilst at the railway today, I noticed a small group of volunteers doing some work and oiling on Sharpthorn, presumably in readiness for cosmetic restoration, which has been mooted previously?

 

I believe a move down to Sheffield Park is on the cards fairly soon. I don't know the precise plan for a cosmetic overhaul, but I know someone who is interested in making it happen, so presumably the stars are starting to align.

Tom

 

I think I recall the previous Chairman saying there was a plan for Sharpthorn to eventually go on display in Steamworks, around the time plans were made for the same thing for the NL Tank.

There was also the rare clear sight of 80100 without a tarpaulin over it. First time I've seen it like that since the Bluebell's 50th Anniversary Gala.

Something I also noticed at the Beachy Head launch and yesterday, is that the foot crossing at Tremaines seems to have more modern looking whistle boards now, as well as a modern looking 10mph sign at the Southern portal of Sharpthorne Tunnel. Is the latter (or indeed both) temporary or permanent features, I know there's the restriction on the approach and through the tunnel.

 

The 10mph through Sharpthorne Tunnel is temporary; I believe the plan is to relay through there this winter. So the 10mph warning will go when that is relaid.

The modern-looking whistle boards: I believe at some point they should be replaced with something more in keeping, but quite when I don;t know.

Tom

 

For those that missed Sir Nigel Gresley last weekend, I believe it should be hauling the "A" service this coming Saturday. Normal fares apply. (Also the lunchtime Arrow on Sunday). The other rostered locos are 80151 on the "B" service and 65 on the Wealden Rambler on Saturday; and 80151 and 65 on the service trains on Sunday with SNG on the Arrow.

Tom

 

The Sussex Ghostbusters Ecto 1 car is due to be at Sheffield Park this weekend. We were going to visit this weekend for the Ghostbusters event but unfortunately we cannot make it now.

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

… also looks like it will haul the 3.50pm service on Sunday as well, presumably immediately after returning with the lunchtime Arrow - I guess 80151 will shunt the stock.

Tom

 

I'm guessing 80151 will also haul the 10:30 on Saturday prior to working the WR?