Bluebell Railway General Discussion

If this level of detail can be made public, was the Bluebell Railway Trust's stake increase from 40.3% to 90.6% achieved by share donations, share sales, or both? (Just curious; I did see the "remarkable generosity of its majority shareholders", which would seemingly indicate a donation, but that could be read as 'allowing ownership to pass out of their hands via a sale'.)

Noel

 

I don't know I'm afraid.

Tom

 

Following on from the announcement of the visitors for the Spring Steam Gala, the Bluebell posted are making a visitor announcement for Giants of Steam tomorrow, saying you want to miss this one.

 

An interesting tactic there.

What hasn't visited for GoS that could be a real Must (Not) Miss Event?

 

60532?

Tom (No inside knowledge).

 

Can I drive it please, mister?

 

Beyond my pay grade!

Tom

 

I was racking my brain and I can only place this, 71000 and 4079 as contenders.

 

If anyone wants to play guess the loco from the sound clip:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSniUzYiCc2/?igsh=MWF5ajR3OHBlMHk0Zg==

Sent from my SM-A166B using Tapatalk

 

60532 and 71000 feel like the most likely candidates to me.

5029 and 4079 could be possibilities, but recent events have seen quite a few GWR visitors (7714, 1369 and 7812 for the 2024 Branch Line Weekend, 2999 and 6880 for Giants this year, with 2999 also doing the Spring Gala).

Only other options would be one of the Carnforth based locos making a rare trip to the South.

 

My money is on 35005.

 

71000 Duke of Gloucester has been announced as the first Giants visitor.

 

For anyone visiting this week (27 - 31 December) trains are:

A - 73082 - SteamLights set (Mark 1s)
B - 6989 - 10 coach vintage set.

Departures from SP are 10:30 (A); 11:45 (B); 1:00 (A) and 2:15 (B); and an hour later from East Grinstead.

January 1st is the New Year’s Day Gala (https://www.bluebell-railway.com/special/new-years-day-gala-2026/ - 34059, 73082, 6989, 72 in traffic). After that, I believe there are no public services until February half term.

Tom

 

Pro

Probably not in 2026. It cannot leave the railway for the first two years of its ticket.

 

I’m assuming the steamlights fuel train will run later tomorrow and Saturday than has happened so far this year so not to affect the times of the last service train on its return journey?

 

Yes, it will depart Sheffield Park at 2:55 instead of 2:45 for today’s and tomorrow’s services. The 73 is allocated for both days.

 

Quick correction to this - the A set is 73082 tomorrow (Sunday) but swaps to 34059 for Monday - Wednesday.

Tom

 

Finishing up the infrastructure report on the relay at Black Hut - anyone who has been on the line since Christmas will know that the line is now complete again through to East Grinstead, and the TSR south of the tunnel is removed. (The one over New Coombe Bridge, just north of the tunnel, remains). I got to drive over it on Sunday on Hogwarts Castle Wightwick Hall - very nice it is too.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/black-hut-relay-finishing-the-job/

Also, the latest newsletter from the 84030 project: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/newsletter-from-the-2mt-tank-84030-project/

Finally - reminder of the New Year's Day Gala - four locos in steam. Normal fares apply and kids for a quid.

Details here: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/special/new-years-day-gala-2026/

Tom

 

I see from Trackside latest front cover, suggesting the Dukedog may be overhauled in the not too distant future, be interesting to see where?

 

It's been on the higher end of the Bluebell's overhaul list for a few years now, I think it was in contention as a project for the Atlantic Group after they completed Beachy Head, but they decided to do Normandy and Adams Radial. I think it only went on a 2 or 3 year loan to the Vale of Rheidol's museum with that in mind.

It could possibly take the place of 541 when it's own overhaul is completed?