Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Anecdotally it definitely generates interest. Whether that translates into sales I don't know (and I am not even sure if you could easily measure).

Tom

 

Ketches relay - update on the last bit of that project:

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/ketches-relay-progress/

Meanwhile, I'm told that the relay before Christmas at Black Hut was 520 yards; another 360 yards south of the tunnel is planned for next winter.

Tom

 

I was on it today, and we had a twenty something couple briefly visit the footplate, the lady was very thrilled to be on "the Harry Potter train". Other than that I've not heard anything!

 

Have you dried out yet?

Tom

 

In regards to Harry Potter effect, one issue with gauging a popularity increase is that the TV series is still filming I believe (I'm sure I saw somewhere recently that 6989 has another filming block coming up soon) and it isn't due to air until 2027, plus I don't think any filming for it has taken place on the Bluebell itself.

Plus the possible confusion with 5972 from the original films, with a general audience most likely failing to differentiate between 5972 and 6989, more so with 6989 being renumbered as 5977 for the TV Series, whereas 5972 got to keep it's actual number.

 

Looking forward to a first ever visit to the Bluebell on Saturday with 3 year old and dog in tow. The motive power isn't a huge draw either way for this passenger (any of the pre-nationalisation southern locos would be most appealling to me for novelty value, as a midlander living in the north). The youngster isn't old enough for Harry Potter yet and is much more likely to equate the big red engine to James!

 

You should get No. 65 (and the LNWR Obo) next Saturday. 80151 on a mixed Maunsell / Mark 1 set, and 6989 somewhat incongruously on the Mets / 4 wheelers.

Plus Lego for the young one https://www.bluebell-railway.com/special/bluebell-brickworks/ Hopefully the weather is rather better than today!

Tom

 

Thanks Tom. I'm excited to experience some new pre MK1 rolling stock. Kiddo is excited to experience some new Lego.

 

I do like the faux-retro livery of the tamper.
Pat

 

It says something when a member of the crew had to go and put dry clothes on half way through a turn

 

No storm sheet?

 

Seemingly that loco doesn't have one, but I think it was doing the ground frame that started him off

 

On another note, SETG has just announced that they have acquired and preserved Class 455 Unit 455871 from Porterbrook. The unit was unveiled at Strawberry Hill (alongside 4-VEP 3417) and has been named "Roy Watts MBE" after the BRPS Chairman.



Tom

 

My latest upload from the railway highlighting the three locos out and about this half term of that interests anyone. The railway returning for another season also brought the sun back out for a couple days. Also would like the highlight the amazing work that the lineside clearance team has put in over the down period. From Sheffield to East Grinstead, the lineside veg certainly has been massacred!

 

Just back home after our first visit to the Bluebell and wow, what a railway! We had a fantastic day. Good timetable with plenty of services at good intervals which enabled us to see everything we wanted to see, stop off at the intermediate stations and have a trip behind each of the 3 locos running. And 3 in steam in February - what a dream!

The Lego takeover on set A was great for James (and, let's be honest, for me) and through the course of the day we were able to travel in MK1, maunsell, metropolitan, LNWR and LCDR rolling stock, all beautifully restored and turned out.

The small children's play area in the CCT at horsted Keynes is a great idea - great effort has clearly been made on it and it was greatly appreciated. For the grown up child, the access to c&w and the MPD via steamworks were fantastic too.

But the best thing about the whole day was the friendliness of everyone we encountered. From the chap in the booking office to the lady in the museum at Sheffield Park who offered to hold onto the dog whilst we had a look around, to the footplate crews who absolutely made James' day by inviting him up onto not one but two locos and then chatting with us. Memories that will last him a life time were made today - thanks Bluebell (and especially to any of today's crews if you're on here)!

 

Good to hear this as we're planning to visit tomorrow for the first time for a few years.