Bluebell Railway General Discussion

I was at Horsted Keynes today for what, at times, seemed like a Gala day! 32636 (Fenchurch) with 31065, until the A1X took a break, leaving 31065 heading the 14.15 Sheffield Park alone; 73082 on a normal serivce train; then on what looked like a sold out Wealden Rambler; and of course the star of the day, 34059 in service after dedication. Lovely to photograph that at HK, making it my tenth different operating Bulleid photographed in the last eight days. Couple of very low-res quick edits of the Bulleid below.

Bryan B

 

Is it just me, or do the numbers on 34059's can side look thinner than on other Bulleids?

 

They appear to me, having just compared an image from Monday as the same as those on BIL.
I believe it was said these are an early BR size on a different thread.

 

Im glad someone else noticed this. Most Bulleids seem to have these smaller numbers. Compared to the later style where the number fills the panel more pleasingly.

 

Pre-repainting

 

Do they?
Of the 7 at Swanage for the gala (92 Squadron being in a different livery) only BIL hade the smaller numbers.

 

A few things I picked up yesterday.

Part 1 - around the railway

"Blackmoor Vale" beginning to be stripped down in the loco yard.



In "Atlantic House", work has started to strip down Adams B4 "Normandy" - looked like the cab had been removed, and some of the backhead fittings.

The maintenance shed wasn't open because a washout of 80151 was under way. Final painting on "Beachy Head" had just been completed, and the varnish was still drying, but the loco unfortunately wasn't on show.

Car 54 was open to view.



Sir Archie coupling the two Bulleid carriages to the service train after the naming ceremony.



Four engines were in use: 34059, Nos. 65 and 72 on the other service train; and 73082 on the Wealden Rambler. Fenchurch seems to have had a bad lot of coal which caused some upset to the timetable, since it was put in the down siding at Kingscote on its second trip to allow the fire to be thoroughly cleaned.

Part 2 - BRPS AGM

The AGM was in a marquee at Sheffield Park, which was somewhat rattled by a very strong wind! It was pretty full: from the voting numbers for trustees, I'd suggest somewhat over 200 attendees.

Roy Watts, in his remarks, mentioned that trade was up this year - I think he said (unaudited, of course) that year to date, we were about 15% up in income and approx 5,000 visitors relative to 2023. The first half of the year is I guess quieter - most of the big events tend to be second half (summer holidays, santas, steam lights etc) but even so it is very positive. The "Southern at War" event was said to be particularly successful. (As an aside from me, the second half of 2023 had the Flying Scotsman event; this year the same point in the year will have the Beachy Head relaunch). But in general, the "family" strategy seems to be paying off.

The railway has purchased a strip of land in the "narrows" north of Kingscote. Regular visitors will know that there is a section of a few hundred yards where the railway only owns half the width of the trackbed. In that narrow section, approximately half the outstanding length has now been purchased, just the flat section at the top, not the whole embankment side. The benefit to the railway will be to allow some improvement of signal sighting on the approach to Kingscote, and also incrementally makes detraining passengers in that section easier, were it to have to happen.

I understand that next winter's major track relay will be in the Horsted Keynes - Kingscote section.

There was an election for BRPS trustees - 5 candidates for 3 vacancies. Two incumbents and one new person were (re)-elected.

Roy also announced that Neil Glaskin will take over as the interim plc Chairman pending a permanent replacement. Roy will continue as BRPS chairman (though I think is looking to stand down next year).

Tom

 

Tickets for the first public trains featuring Beachy Head are now on sale, 23 August - 1 September:

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/beachy-head-2024/

As far as I can see, this is being run like a gala, i.e. all day rover tickets are available, but it isn't like (e.g. Flying Scotsman) with tickets on specific trains.

Tom

 

Thanks Tom. With a fun fair at Horsted Keynes it looks like being a busy week at the location I drive to and base myself when visiting the Bluebell. Not that I am complaining, it is very obvious that broadening the range of many events at heritage railways is vital for their continued success as the boiler certificates of us older, pure steam enthusiasts continue to tick away!

So I will certainly support the incredible Beachy Head element of the event. And maybe the general notes at the bottom of the Beachy Head page suggesting the car park at HK will be available, means I can still enjoy another full day in the very pleasant company of all the Bluebell staff and volunteers (including those manning the refreshment room) as I do on my fairly frequent visits to that station.

As for me having a go on the bouncy castle - hmmmm - probably not - one large bounce from height could see the first owl visiting the International Space Station!

Bryan B