Bluebell Railway General Discussion

If that is an accurate report from the person who went to the event I have to say I am astonished.

The only people who should ever be seen on the tracks of any operational railway are those who are very clearly staff/volunteers carrying out the duties needed to run the railway's everyday operations. The exception being those crossing tracks at an authorised crossing and doing so after making sure it is safe to do so - or mobility impaired visitors at such as the Bluebell being guided across one of the staff crossing points by an authorised member of staff/volunteer.

Bryan

 

The Bluebell Times for November.

In This Month's Edition:

• Fenchurch goes to St Paul’s Cathedral
• Four new-build locomotives deliver a Giant success
• Wightwick Hall turns red
• Can you help the Railway with Funding for the Future?
• BRPS Trustee vacancy - to lead the Preservation Standards Committee
• Restoration updates for Q class 541 and Schools Class 928 ’Stowe

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/issue-75.pdf

Tom

 

Thanks for that Tom.

Highlights for me were photos of 30541 and 30583 - but sadly in a way, as I doubt I will ever see either of them in that wonderful, but so often decried BR 1960s condition again.

I didn't get to the Bluebell in the Autumn, the re-emergence of 30506 on the Mid-Hants was an incredible draw for me of course.

I just wonder if there are any loco 're-livery' plans at the Bluebell in 2026? And I do not mean such as painting another loco all over in red!

Bryan - once a dinosaur always a dinosaur - B

 

Just announced on Facebook (but not in Bluebell Times) - the Bluebell Railway Trust has increased its ownership of 80151 Ltd from 40% to 90%.

https://www.facebook.com/1000880013...nnPwCZ3chWgFc6axHBDCmZfD5keq8aiSTHHl/?app=fbl

Tom

 

I'm very surprised the Giants event this year had a lower turnout than last year, although maybe that's purely a perception issue having joined the scrum for the line-up while avoiding the trains hauled by 60007 last year due to the crush! Still a positive to see the financial situation much improved as a result of the autumn events.

 

I suspect some of it was that on the Saturday, everyone ended up at Horsted Keynes at 3pm for the line up, so it felt very busy. I heard a figure of 1800 people which, if true, must have meant more or less no-one anywhere else. At other times on Saturday, it felt busy but not rammed; I got a seat on all the trains I rode on.

Anecdotal, but interesting, is that it feels like on three-day galas, Fridays are steadily gaining in popularity, and Sundays declining. I think that also mirrors what we see on regular days, when Saturdays are busier than Sundays.

Tom

 

I went on the Sunday and apart from the Tornado services, the trains weren't too busy. It certainly felt quieter than usual for a Giants.

 

I'd agree with these observations.I was there on the Saturday and the trains were well loaded but I had no problem finding a seat.

By contrast, I also visited this autumn's Mid Hants gala whcih, like last year's Bluebell Giants, featured 60007 as a visitor and the trains there were packed - and not just those hauled by "Gresley". My return trip from Medstead to Alresford (behind 35005) must be the most overcrowded gala train I have ever travelled on.

 

During the recent gala season, I seem to recall at least one railway (possibly the WSR?) had cheaper prices for attendance on Sunday.

 

From memory the Sunday WSR Gala services were less intense

 

Some WSR galas have offered a Sunday only kids for a quid to attract families when the die hard gala fraternity have already been on the previous two or three days. I understand that helped with the numbers.

 

Sundays of course are full of Engineering works, RRB's to keep those away by rail, and any road journey is best avoided after about 14:00. So I guess it pushes people to Friday or Saturday and hence me (although I have not made any non Swanage Gala this year at all) to a Sunday. Although even here Sunday is the "riding day" to avoid crowds and with my health issues to reduce the risk of picking up something dangerous to my lungs.

 

I think Sunday visitor numbers have been slowly dwindling on most railways ever since the Sunday trading laws changed. It’s not been a sudden drop but has become very noticeable over time.

 

People’s habits have changed. I suspect that the shift might have as much to do with greater numbers of people who would visit a gala now being retired and thus able to be there on a Friday. With that ageing demographic comes also the avoidance of travel on Sunday afternoon. These in addition to the other factors mentioned above

 

Meanwhile, I chose the Sunday over the other two days for Giants precisely because I felt it was odds on to be the least busy, weather potentially helping that case as well (that and the double-headed GWR run being on the Sunday anyway...)

I don't think that suggests much merit to having a less busy day as opposed to trying to encourage any and all through the gates though. Crowd size or getting a seat probably isn't the highest priority for the average gala attendee, although a more casual one maybe appreciate it.

 

Sunday public transport is off putting and expensive, bad enough on normal operating days, that only leaves car travel that can be just as stressful!

 

Depends on age I suspect, since Covid a seat is a very high priority to me, as is not having to do too many platform changes using a bridge or a subway.

 

Took the family to the dress rehearsal of Steamlights tonight - and pleasantly surprised to find that Bluebell have secured a seventh Chatham loco. Feel like [mention]Jamessquared [/mention] will approve of the paint job…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Would look better in BR Black

 

How do you know it was blue? Wasn't everything in black and white back then?