Bluebell Railway Giants of Steam 11th-13th October 2024

Fantastic first day at the Bluebell. Great weather and a big turnout so I hope the event will be a big success. Everything seemed to work like clockwork - timekeeping almost perfect with a simple but effective timetable which seemed to be the same as used at the Beachy Head launch gala in August. Didn't get a ride behind 60007 as I preferred to photograph it. I've been out with it on the main line so I know what it can do. Double headers were fun with contrast between 34059's "chatter" and 73082's bark. 73082 has always been my favourite Bluebell engine and was on form today, although it's chime whistle sounded a bit strange for some reason. Overall most enjoyable and many thanks to all the loco crews and other staff and volunteers for putting on another great show.

 

Put on there by the chief engineer, as he's a local. Not the first time he's done it.

 

Many thanks.

 

I fully endorse your words, a really outstanding first day. A good and varied selection of quality photos from you too, many thanks. I'll post some from my rather less varied collection tomorrow!

And of course, very grateful thanks to all those who are making this event happen - your hard work is very much appreciated.

Bryan B

 

Some more photos from a very enjoyable day.

 

More to the point, why was as LNER loco running yesterday with an LB&SCR-style route indicator disc above the smokebox numberplate? Did one of the loco crew have a funny turn?

 

Because it was a BR loco. BR means all the same, dull and boring. Rejoice in the standardisation.

 

I’ll be visiting tomorrow and I won’t be worrying about shed plates and headcode discs. I’ll just be rejoicing in the fact that such a display of steam power is still possible in this day and age.

 

But to some of us, headcode discs in the same place I saw on the same SR loco I photographed in BR days is rather nice. Photo to follow. .

 

You are right of course on the last point, but some of us like a degree of authenticity. I'm too young to remember the days of steam (even though I'm over 60 now!) but like to see re-creations of what things used to be like. From a photography point of view I'd much rather have seen the A4 with a suitable headboard than a headcode disc that was clearly inappropriate. Just a minor gripe though - it didn't ruin my day!

 

I visited today, and had a cracking day out. Dad and I realised it must have been our first Giants of Steam in decades, for reasons I can’t fathom - I guess my shifts never aligned!

it was however very busy! SNGs first train was already standing room only 20-25 mins before departure! But she (he?) put on a cracking show on the climb all the way to East Grinstead. It’s definitely still a very vocal A4.

We mainly spent our day dodging the rain and running up and down between HK and EG, and managed to catch every loco doing so.

However our highlight was definitely 34059. If SNG is the loudest of tbe A4s, I think Archie ranks as the loudest bullied I’ve ever travelled behind. The noise lifting out of HK, and out of the speed restrictions was something else.

Unfortunately our run was brought to a premature end on the last trip of her day by the quick thinking platform staff who got our train stopped by the outer signal after they spotted a dragging brake. Unfortunately the set had to return to HK and we detrained.

I believe it was the Maunsell brake that was the offending vehicle. I hope it’s easily rectified and not too much damage caused - that set of coaches is an absolute joy. More immediately I hope it can be marshalled and they’re not down a set tomorrow.

thank you Bluebell for a fantastic day!

oh - 1 question. Why were down trains using platform 2 at HK today? I theorised it was due to the number of people and the difficulties of both sides to dispatch?

 

Possibly gauging. 6989 can’t run through 4/5 and on a busy day, probably easier to just make all down trains go through platform 2 rather than swap things around and confuse everyone.

Tom

 

Thanks Tom! I knew there’d be a reason and I’m not surprised to hear a hall doesn’t fit 4/5!

Did mean dad had more stairs than he bargained for all day but he coped ok

 

The defective coach was removed after 6989s departure and the set departed as ECS to Sheffield Park a good two hours late. I'm sure something will be done for tomorrow.

 

Good work by everyone. Will be a late night for some so kudos to everyone working to get everything back together!

 

My visit was Friday and it was a truly wonderful day, photos below. An enormous amount of effort must be going on by Bluebell staff and volunteers to plan and run the event, and I thank you all very much for that. And hope that the issue with the Maunsell coach reported above doesn't impact too much on your workoad for Sunday.

Bryan B

 

Great photos

 

32424 has failed at the moment with a problem with its air pump. Hopefully fixable for later.

 

The loco is running with it's regular 34A plate today. On it's first train now and looks like it's going to be standing room only.

 

We should be on our rostered 12:45 train.

Tom