Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Having looked at the website more closely, where ex-BOP weekend is shown as timetable F, I can confirm that it is indeed meant to be five round trips with 33108 and E6040. The Pullmans will be on one set, and the Harvey's Train will continue to operate (33108 I suppose).

I completely agree with the decision to cancel, but it's very upsetting to see it go, as I'd spent so much time planning for it, both on an individual / personal level, and also assisting the railway with some elements of preparation.

 

There was something about the Hastings DEMU coming in early to help run services again ahead of the gala in September. I must come and sample that - fascinated by the fact it was previously main line only but this is now its second year of running services on a heritage line.

 

You are lucky, north of Eastleigh we had a shower of about 5 minutes, just enough to stick the dust to everything. We could see larger clouds further north and the weather radar inferred a decent spell of rain for Winchester and further north in Hampshire.

As other posters have said we need weeks of steady rain to soak into the ground and saturate the dried vegetation. ( Gardeners rain - enough to soak in but not so much to flood .)

Cheers, Neil

 

Absolutely understand the decision to cancel BoP. The main thing I'd been looking forward to was another chance for a Bluebell run with 2999, which I imagine doesn't have much time at the line left? I can see on the website loco roster that it's down for one mid August weekend and one in mid Sept but that's it.

Definitely planning to be at the diesel gala and Giants still but will keep a close eye on the roster and any chat on here to see if there's scope to slip in another visit for the Saint too.

 

I understand 2999 will remain until the early autumn.

I would suggest that the loco roster is unlikely to be reliable for so far into the future.

2999 is one of the worst engines for lineside fires so won't be out anytime soon.

It is currently in a prominent position in the SP Wealden Rambler dock but may be moved.

It is my understanding that there is the intention to use the engine further at the Bluebell.

 

Until I can find any public info (i.e. NR schedule) I don't feel able to give a date, but the Thumper is on its way to the Bluebell very shortly.

 

Realtime Trains | 5Y24 1800 Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf to East Grinstead | 31/07/2026

 

I imagine a day of entrusting the service to 2999 and 65 would currently be a great way of reproducing a Sussex-based lineside Dantes Inferno, but that's a combination that would be wonderful to see later in the year.

 

65 is very rare on standard service trains, usually only in event of short notice failure. It is often seen on the Golden Arrow / Wealden Rambler as these are lower-mileage diagrams. I would hope it will appear on New Years Day 2027, or, if we're lucky, some other Goods Trains which may or may not occur later in 2026. It may well be out next early Spring, as there can't be much point doing loads of winter maintainence with only a few months to go. We must almost be at the stage where a major fault and that'll be curtains for the O1.

2999 is also potentially more likely to be put on dining trains (lower-weight) given its firey tendencies! That said, I feel sure it'll come out to play on the A set in early Autumn.

 

Bluebell suspending all steam services as from 30/07 untill further notice. Hastings unit booked to arrive today.Normal timetable to operate

 

Fenchurch will be doing brake an rides around Sheffield Park station limits from tomorrow (August 1st) until 14th August from 10am - 4pm according to the social media pages.

 

The timetable has been reduced to a one train service. It's possible that's been altered on social media, but I've heard nothing. Everyone at the railway has been working their socks off for the past 48 hours, so I doubt that would be changed.

Most loco crews don't sign diesel. I do not believe there would be the resources to run a full service every day.

 

The brake van rides start on Saturday lunchtime, the reason being the Queen Mary Brake Van is currently at Horsted Keynes. It will be brought to SP on Saturday morning.

The times will be approx 10am until 3pm but this could depend on demand. These will also run at Bluebell on Parade, hopefully for slightly extended hours.

All day rover tickets are valid on the BV but donations are appreciated.

 

Another post on the social media pages, 41313 has been confirmed as the latest guest for Giants of Steam and will be staying on the railway over the winter.

 

Interesting definition of a "Giant"

 

It is compared to half the Bluebell fleet!

 

Will fit quite well with the overall theme though.



Tom

 

The plan is also to open the loco yard at weekends to allow closer access to steam locos, including footplate visits of an out-of-steam loco.

Tom