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Bluebell Railway General Discussion

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

  1. lostlogin

    lostlogin Member

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    Good film

    I liked the fact that both the drivers state that firing is more enjoyable than driving. I could not agree more! I may never have made it as a driver but I got to the point that I did not really want to be offered the regulator. It was very difficult to politely say no when offered part way through a day or a trip as it was always seen as the path we all want to follow and you get drawn into that. Drivers are also potentially being generous offering to let you drive. I therefore started to say at the start of the day to the drivers who I knew well and who generally would offer the regulator that I was more than happy to drive if it helped them out, they needed to assess me etc. but if they were offering because they thought I would like to drive then I would much rather just fire. I was surprised how many they could totally relate to that and word quickly spread so that it became a case of drivers saying "still not bothered about driving?"

    Now maybe if I was somebody who spent much of my spare time on the footplate I might have a different view but firing and tutoring cleaners gives me far more pleasure than driving ever did and it is nice, that unlike the day job, not to have the ultimate level of responsibility on your shoulders when there are problems
     
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  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I can think of a driver/fireman on the main line who is excellent at both but prefers to fire. There is a greater sense of achievement if you manage the fire, steam and water well - which he does. Driving on the main line can sometimes be frustrating with the management of your progress being controlled by others where the network is busy plus, of course, the vagaries of the paths that are given. And that takes you back to the skill of the fireman in knowing how to manage all this.
     
  3. Cosmo Bonsor

    Cosmo Bonsor Member

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    The enjoyment of firing as a Driver for me rather depends on who is driving.

    If the Fireman is driving there is always an element of you doing both jobs, ie doing the mental work of driving. I have really enjoyed firing to another driver, because it was just like old times.
    I was just swinging the shovel and could relax because the driving was very nearly none of my concern. The point about Driver firing on the network reiterates this.
    Some Fireman nearing a test are good to fire to as well because you know they have enough skill.
    I had twenty years on the shovel and almost never fire these days, if you have a Cleaner with you, it’s a bit unfair on them to fire on one of their ‘goes’.
    I fired for long enough that I had encountered most situations on the footplate which was good for my driving.
    I prefer to pass on knowledge from my side of the cab.
    FWIW both are skilled jobs but obviously one has more responsibility than the other. Some decide they don’t want the extra responsibility of being a Driver.
     
  4. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Part 3 of the volunteering video series:



    Tom
     
  5. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Issue 11 of The Bluebell Times is now available for downloading from https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-times

    Issue 11 of The Bluebell Times is a special edition in more ways than one.

    It is the first official publication by the Bluebell Railway since reopening. It also focuses almost entirely on the events to mark the resumption of services and the celebrations for our 60th birthday.

    There are extensive reports and photos of the Grand Reopening at Sheffield Park station as well as the sight of steam trains on the line once again.

    The view from the platforms and from the footplate are covered in depth alongside the Virtual Gala for those who couldn’t be there for the anniversary weekend.

    In order to provide highlights of the reopening weekend, some of the regular features and puzzles have been held over to later issues – and this edition has news of the future of The Bluebell Times which was originally intended to fill the gap while the railway was shut.

    Tom
     
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  6. 73082

    73082 Member

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    A few photos and my video from Sunday afternoon at the Bluebell. Great to see the railway back open, having not visited since December. My congratulations on 60 years and thanks to all involved in the re-opening!




    80151 Freshfield Bank 9.8.2020.jpg
    65 Kingscote 9.8.2020.jpg
    80151 Gravetye 9.8.2020.jpg
     
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  7. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Flying visit today to sample the line as a visitor rather than footplate crew. The main service set has been strengthened with the 100 seater, adding another ten compartments. That has cascaded 80151 onto the service train and 73082 out on the dining set.

    Incidentally, for single travellers, the dining trains look a good bet, with single tickets available - it’s not widely promoted as such it seems, but is a better bet financially for one or two travelling together. Breakfast, ploughman’s and cream tea options are available, depending on time of day.

    4FDD70B1-E1C8-44FE-9DED-1D721A58FCBE.jpeg

    Tom
     
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  8. A1X 32670

    A1X 32670 New Member

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    Evening Folks. Last week on the Bluebell website, I found the public train timetables which were put online by Tony Hayllar. try as I might today, I can't find them anywhere!! Does anyone know the link to these, or where in the website they are. many thanks
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2020
  9. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pti/1B_2020.html
     
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  10. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    How are the Bluebell's finances now? Did the appeal early in lockdown bring in enough?
     
  11. Wagoniester

    Wagoniester Member

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    Would quite like to try a Fish and Chip train, but they seem to all be on Fridays!
     
  12. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Nothing wrong with Frydays......
     
  13. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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  14. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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  15. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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  16. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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  17. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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  18. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Three things from the e-newsletter: most notable is that, subject to availability, single tickets will now be available "on the day" for use in any unbooked compartments.

    REDUCED COMPARTMENT PRICES
    We have dropped our prices for autumn!

    Travel on The Pioneer and enjoy the beauty of the Sussex countryside in the luxury of your own compartment from Sheffield Park to Kingscote.

    Third class compartments are now priced at £75.00 for up to 10 people, while first class compartments are £115.00 for up to 8 people.

    Tickets can be purchased online.

    “ON THE DAY” TRAVEL AND PLATFORM TICKETS
    We advise visitors to book tickets in advance as availability cannot be guaranteed on the day. If we have compartments available, passengers can purchase tickets on the day for £18 per adult and £9 per child. These tickets are subject to availability from Sheffield Park Station for The Pioneer Service.

    We are also pleased to offer platform only tickets at Sheffield Park. These tickets are available on Saturday and Sundays. Visitors can explore SteamWorks!, the Museum and see our steam trains. Platform tickets are £3.00 for adults and £1.50 for children.

    THE BESSEMER ARMS WILL BE OPEN THIS SATURDAY
    The bar at The Bessemer Arms at Sheffield Park will be open from 5pm – 11pm this Saturday 12 September for table service.

    You don't need a platform ticket to visit – so come and support the railway with a drink or two.​

    Tom
     
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  19. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

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    Personally I would have thought it made more sense to offer platform tickets at Horsted, given it's not going to be as busy as a start point and has more space for people to spread out, but then that's just me...
     
  20. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    More to see at SP, i.e. the platform ticket gives access to the museum and SteamWorks.

    Tom
     

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