60163 to the Bluebell with Steam Dreams - Tuesday 10th September

It is a credit to the design team who I think built her to what was Railtrack then NR's allowances.

 

The "Bluebell" part of the timetable is here.

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pic2/wn/2013c/tues_11sep13.gif

SPL1 refers to Tornado / class 67 on Bluebell metals
SPL2 is an extra train on the timetable to allow passengers on the charter to have a trip on the line during the layover.
A is the regular Bluebell service train.

Edit: In the light of previous conversation, it does look like the timings of the first up service train have been slightly amended, with a longer layover at Kingscote and reduced run-round time at East Grinstead, to fit in with crossing the incoming charter.

Tom

 

Provisional times are now available at http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t13/t0910a.htm

 

Seems like my idea came true. A picture on the A1 Trust Facebook page shows Tornado with the Cathedrals Express headboard in the usual position and also on the middle lamp iron The Blue Belle headboard. They say its the original headboard.

 

Through Clapham Junction around 3 down at 1006. Looking fine in the London sunshine. Photos later.

 

I have the luxury of spotting from my office chair (my office in Selhurst depot has a good view of the lines).

 

Safely onto Bluebell metals, sounded fantastic as she pulled away up to Imberhorne cutting, it would appear that the no whistle rule has been suspended today

 

Photos from a sunny Clapham Junction as promised:

The Blue Belle 1

The Blue Belle 2

The Blue Belle 3

 

The Blue Belle headboard used today is described on the A1 Trust Facebook page as "the original re-opening headboard". So does that mean / imply it dates back to the temporary re-opening of the Bluebell line in 1956, the re-opening of the first preserved section in 1960 or another time? And excuse my ignorance, but what are the details of the last mainline steam engine / passenger train to run into the Bluebell? I've seen quotes of it being 55 years / over half a century ago but can't find the info. Thanks in advance from a humble snapper!

 

The headboard was from the Blue Belle railtour on 15 September 1963 - this was the last through working from London to the Bluebell until the diesel railtour earlier this year (behind T9 120 and the Caley single; it came via Haywards Heath and Ardingly) .

http://mikemorant.smugmug.com/Train...tours/23526050_jVhW27#!i=2048348434&k=7b9rprb
http://mikemorant.smugmug.com/Train...tours/23526050_jVhW27#!i=1935757343&k=XRbG7Dh

(Not my photos).

I believe there was a later trip to Brighton and back behind Birch Grove and Stepney.

I think the very last train before this year to come onto the Bluebell from the national network was probably Fenchurch and the LBSCR Milk Van, which arrived in May 1964, by which time the Ardingly branch was already nominally closed. That of course wasn't a public service.

Tom

 

Is this the same headboard?
http://mikemorant.smugmug.com/Train...tours/23526050_jVhW27#!i=2474528023&k=K2JHwGC

 

Thanks Jamessquared. Much appreciated.

 

14mins late leaving Sheffield Park-signalman said that Tornado's driver had got the wrong timings for leaving and had been stuck in a taxi from Hoo Junction...

 

DBS again? Surely not. <BJ>

 

The headboard arrived with Tornado but was later put on 592 for the 15:30 up to East Grinstead then it was removed and didn't reappear on Tornado on the return from Sheffield Park. Plenty of whistling even heard it quite a while before she arrived at Sheffield Park.

After Tornado arrived, the yard was opened up so people could get up close to the loco and a set of steps to allow cab access. There also seemed to be a film crew before they let us near the loco which it seems according to the Bluebell twitter account is BBC South East.

I wonder if it was also the same headboard from 1247 in 1962. Seems likely as it was only used on a few trips.

 

Plenty of photo and video coverage on the Bluebell "what's new" page (none of it mine!)

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html

Tom

 

Yes, I think so.

The very last trip I think was this one with Stepney and Birch Grove, from Brighton via Haywards Heath and Ardingly to Horsted Keynes. Stepney at some speed in this clip!



Tom

 

My photos from the historic day including the arrival at Sheffield Park and return through Horsted Keynes.

http://s818.photobucket.com/user/DanHill1991/library/#/user/DanHill1991/library/60163 Tornado Bluebell Cathedrals?sort=3&page=1&_suid=1378839476554018595531122713166

The trains seemed well loaded the 2 trips up to East Grinstead I had with 592/323 I had to stand and the special for the tour passengers filled out their train.

 

Some photos of the day and a video from me:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spinner673/sets/72157635471489584/