Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Had an absolutely fantastic time yesterday. Finally got to see Beachy Head and had a great time in the compartments of both the Mk1 and the Met carriage. Big shout out to whoever is in charge of the roster webpagw where you can click on the individual carriage and read about the vehicle you are riding on.

My kids loved the inspiration train! Also we enjoyed the signalling display on the LSWR carriage.

The thing we enjoyed the most was the shuttle rides in the observation car with Fenchurch. Possibly the best journey I've enjoyed on a standard gauge heritage line.

A big shout out to all the volunteers, who helped make the day as enjoyable as it was.

Some (not great) photos from yesterday:

 

This weekend very different to usual in terms of what’s running! We have:

Set A (C+C Mk1s) - 66710+73133
Set B (4-Wheels+Mets) - 34059
GAL (Pullmans) - 32424
Horsted Keynes (On Display) - 72

66710 travels down light engine at 9:40 from Horsted Keynes, returning to Horsted Keynes at 5:50 from Sheffield Park.

72 is on display in Horsted Keynes Platform 1 alongside ‘Inspiration’ and 1520 (S+T Display Coach) from approximately 12:10 to 3:20. 72 travels up to HK on the rear of the 11:45 from SP and returns on the front of the 4:05 from HK.

32424 takes over the B set for 4:45 from SP and 5:45 from EG on the Saturday.

 

the online timetable shows the 17.45 ex EG as only going to HK. Is that accurate or does it actually continue to SP either in service or as ECS movement?

Was there an operational issue today, as when I looked on the rail cams it seemed the later trains were running late. Infact Set B has only just arrived at SP and it’s nearly 19.00!

 

Maybe late running due to a surplus of diesels today?

When I checked the Horsted Keynes webcam earlier today, the Hastings demu was in a siding (lovely units), 32636 was in platform 2 totally dwarfed by a diesel loco behind it, and in platforms 4/5 what looked to be a garden shed on wheels was presumably being pushed by an Electro diesel as it departed to S Park on a service train.

Bryan - I never knew garden sheds had wheels that were 4 feet 8 and a half inches apart - B

 

A minor issue releasing the brakes on Car 54 meant the lunchtime Arrow left late. I'm not sure what happened in the afternoon, but we did seem to run quite late, the last trip for set B got to HK and we sat for a while waiting for the diesels to come south, I'm not sure what had delayed them unless it was residual delays from the GA.

I think the 66 was hauling with the 73 as brake translator, but I could be wrong?

Andy (Beachy Head fireman today)

 

The 17:45 from EG does go all the way to the Park on Timetable E (which is also running today).

We seemed to have dropped 10 minutes from nearly the start of the day, and the dragging brake on Car 54 didn’t help matters.

The 73 was indeed a translator for the 66. Hope the brakes came off at some point before Freshfield Bank! Looked like it was giving you some trouble from what I saw.

 

I was under the impression the DEMU was here as part of the stuff for the Inspiration train, but it doesn't seem to have left it's siding bar one occasion since it arrived over a month ago, is it just here in case of emergencies for fire risk (a risk which appears to be receding)?

 

It will be part of the diesel gala in September.

 

I am aware of that, but I thought it was mentioned that there were plans to use it before then, the 33 for example is also there for the gala but has seen multiple uses

 

The only thing I know is that there aren’t enough staff trained on it to be able to run a regular service.

 

That does seem to be a VERY long layover. 2 months?

 

It was only an issue at the very start, we didn't even fully leave SP platform until it was sorted

 

Very enjoyable day at the railway yesterday for the 'Rail 200' Inspiration Train. My eldest son (and all of us really!) particularly enjoyed the GTR driving simulator (along our local stretch of line from Hatfield to Stevenage!) and the interactive bits in Wonderlab on Wheels, moving the sand around to create the railway and allow the trains to run was the favourite. The whole event was very well thought out, our slot at 12.30 was actaually fairly busy and me and my wife shared looking after our youngest so my eldest went on mostly with my Mum, but it thinned out again later so we got to go again and do the bits we missed. My video from the day which is a mix of the busy services with 34059, 32424, 72 & 33108 and clips from the various activites going on.

 

How come Fenchurch and the Obo were operating like a motor train? I didn't think that propelling a loaded train was permitted.
Looked great tho'- a throwback to Edwardian times!

 

Our rules allow propelling one carriage, subject to certain conditions. We’ve done it with the Obo and the GNR Saloon; a couple of years ago we did it with both (i.e. propelling both ways with the loco sandwiched in the middle).

For shuttles, by avoiding the run round, it enables the turn round to be quicker, fitting a gap in the timetable.

Tom

 

Superb! Is that a fairly recent amendment to the rules, Tom?

 

No, we’ve done it all the time I’ve been there. I remember doing Autumn Tints back in the Kingscote days when we just used to propel up with the Obo and haul back, and go straight on shed still coupled to the carriage - made for an easy week of coupling and uncoupling!

Tom

 

Most enjoyable day at the BLUEBELL yesterday. Haulage behind three locos - 72, 32424 and 34059 - Plus the chance to ride in some of the four wheelers and the LNWR observation saloon. A couple of pints of Harveys in the lunchtime break added to the enjoyment.
Edit : As a bonus 73082 was running up and down the shed yard at Sheffield Park.

 

Some years ago it would seem that propelling two coaches was permitted, at least as far as Horsted House Farm. In the very early days of the Extension in April 1990 here is Stepney doing the honours.
The second view shows the extent of operation looking south from Horsted House Farm Bridge. This is the view looking north from the same spot on the same day.


Peter

 

I think that carriage had been modified to act as some form of driving trailer whereas the GN saloon and the Obo haven’t.