If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Bluebell Railway General Discussion

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

  1. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,103
    Likes Received:
    57,427
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    A couple of updates from Facebook. Firstly, ahem ...

    We delighted to announce that the Bluebell Railway has been shortlisted for two prestigious Heritage Railway Association awards!
    The Bluebell Times newsletter has been recognised in the communications category, and our reopening video 'Steam returns to Bluebell Railway' is on the shortlist for the most innovative fundraising project or scheme during the Covid crisis.

    Bluebell Railway chairman Chris Hunford said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for these two prestigious awards. It recognises the significant work and dedication by the staff of the Bluebell Railway during what has been a difficult year.”

    Read our news story here: http://ow.ly/f0GX50Cy6kT

    Tom
     
    3ABescot, ilvaporista, ghost and 5 others like this.
  2. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,103
    Likes Received:
    57,427
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    And a report from our Infrastructure department details the work involved in the lineside clearance. This took place ahead of our reopening in August.

    Tom
     
    30854 and Bluenosejohn like this.
  3. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,440
    Likes Received:
    17,941
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Congratulations Tom! :)
     
    Bluenosejohn, A1X, 30854 and 7 others like this.
  4. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2017
    Messages:
    1,429
    Likes Received:
    3,559
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    E sussex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Really well done, Tom- a thoroughly deserved feather in yer cap!
    Persoally, I reckon the "How it all began" feature should be up for an award, too. Some truely uncanny likenesses in there:
     
    ilvaporista likes this.
  5. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2008
    Messages:
    2,576
    Likes Received:
    545
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Brick Machine Operator
    Location:
    Haywards Heath
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Congratulations Tom. Bluebell Times has been a great little addition during these times and is always interesting to read.

    Great to see the reopening video has been recognised as well as that was well done but the video for the 60th Anniversary was so good you would think was was genuinely made in 1960 and the likenesses of the actors playing the leading men were uncanny.
     
    Mark Thompson, 30854 and Jamessquared like this.
  6. TheModster

    TheModster Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2019
    Messages:
    751
    Likes Received:
    1,238
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    London
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Took a trip to the Bluebell yesterday. A grand start to their Santa Specials and what a sight the SteamLights are!
     
  7. baldbof

    baldbof Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2015
    Messages:
    1,828
    Likes Received:
    2,968
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired, ex-RAF
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    There's an absolutely stunning photograph of the train on the Blubell's web-page. Brilliant!!!
     
  8. ruddingtonrsh56

    ruddingtonrsh56 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2009
    Messages:
    979
    Likes Received:
    1,470
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Nottinghamshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Can anybody explain to me how the 'Steam in Lights' events are actually being allowed? The screenshot of the above video shows both red and green lights on the coaches - how are the crew supposed to spot something like a red or green light from the guard amongst all that dazzling light?
     
    Paulthehitch likes this.
  9. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,103
    Likes Received:
    57,427
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Covered by notices - radios.

    Tom
     
    torgormaig and Steve like this.
  10. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2017
    Messages:
    1,429
    Likes Received:
    3,559
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    E sussex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    129959468_758362164889142_3919218020072594184_n-768x512.jpg Pimp my ride!:Finger:
     
  11. Cosmo Bonsor

    Cosmo Bonsor Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2014
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    500
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    As Tom said, radio communication with the Guard, for which there are long standing instructions, the engine has blue lights on it, so no confusion there and the displays are on the Fireman's side of the line so they don't ruin your night vision. There are markers for the Driver.
    I was driving Sunday night's one, it's quite impressive. It was a test of line knowledge in the fog though.
    I must say I enjoyed it although when we were parked at Horsted it was the first time in nine months I had smelt pub beer.
     
    Matt37401 likes this.
  12. Flying Phil

    Flying Phil Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Messages:
    2,696
    Likes Received:
    5,501
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Leicestershire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
  13. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,103
    Likes Received:
    57,427
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
  14. Hampshire Unit

    Hampshire Unit Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2012
    Messages:
    1,511
    Likes Received:
    2,838
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Carer, Gardener
    Location:
    Alresford
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    On the MHR, the lights are programmed with the locations of all signals, using GPS pinpoint the position of the train the sequence is changed to exclude red, orange and green lights when in the vicinity of signals or stations. In addition there is a "kill switch" on the locos used that will cut the lights if needed, plus radio comms with the lighting engineers in the generator vehicles (a Mid Hants PMV and the S and D CCT)
     
  15. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,103
    Likes Received:
    57,427
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    An end-of-year message and reflections on 2020 from senior Bluebell Railway personnel are in the December issue of The Bluebell Times which is out now.

    Issue 15 also contains a special Christmas greeting from the Railway’s chaplain as well as a report and photos on the start of the SteamLights service with illuminated trains and lineside displays.

    In Issue 15:
    • Reasons to feel positive about 2020
    • News of sponsorship deals for equipment for the locomotive department
    • How the filming generator van was prepared for SteamLights
    • An update on the appeal to return the 9F to traffic
    • A festive Spot the Difference competition
    • And much, much more.
    The Bluebell Times is published monthly on the second Friday of each month. The January issue is due out on Friday 8 January.

    You can download the latest edition using the link below.

    https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-times/

    Tom
     
  16. ruddingtonrsh56

    ruddingtonrsh56 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2009
    Messages:
    979
    Likes Received:
    1,470
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Nottinghamshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I'm intrigued (and interested, as a practicing Christian myself) - how did the Bluebell go about securing itself a chaplain? Is he full time with the railway or is it a bonus on top of Parish ministry? Is his salary paid by the railway, or by the local diocese? And is the Bluebell unique among preserved railways in having a chaplain, or is it more common than I was aware?
     
  17. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,103
    Likes Received:
    57,427
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    He is the Rector of St Giles, Horsted Keynes - I think his railway position is honorary, but it seems to have been (for as long as I can remember) that the Rector of St Giles has been involved with the railway.

    Tom
     
  18. Zoomeg

    Zoomeg New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2010
    Messages:
    129
    Likes Received:
    23
    Steamlights might have sounded like a good idea but it looks hideous sorry! I like the idea of illuminated scenes in the woods but to turn a vintage train into something out of Thorpe Park / Blackpool what are you thinking?

    I enjoyed a more traditional seasonal view of the trains on my walk near Kingscote yesterday
     
  19. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,328
    Likes Received:
    11,666
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    So what would you suggest instead then? Anything that brings in the cash has to be applauded.
    Being able to think outside the box is something that’s needed at the moment. Those Radial tanks won’t overhaul themselves you know.
     
  20. Zoomeg

    Zoomeg New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2010
    Messages:
    129
    Likes Received:
    23
    As I said; having watched the promo video the illuminated deer etc in the woods looked fantastic just not the train which is IMHO completely out of character. That's where I would have put the lights. My understanding is that the idea was for November / January but was moved due to Covid. If it brings in cash fine.
     
    Paulthehitch likes this.

Share This Page