The Bluebell Explorer 09/11/2013

Even in steam days the "effective junction" station was Oxted which retains a bay platform, Uckfield shuttle, crossovers and turn round facilities. Hurst green, whilst the physical junction has the air of a wayside station

 

As an ex-signalman at Oxted (1971 - 1974....not steam days!), Oxted then retained a down bay platform, a down and up siding, two crossovers (for the class 33's to run round their trains....,or train, it was once a day on weekdays).
It also had an intermediate block section (Limeworks siding) and a calling on signal for when up trains attached.
Good days really, we still had 4 loco hauled commuter trains each peak period, morning and evening, plus the light engine moves (to / from Norwood depot).
Whilst most of our train crews were based at Tunbridge Wells depot, a few were ex steam men, I remember two in particular, Aubrey (surname unknown), he was an ex Salisbury fireman. And Tony (again, I can't remember his surname, but remember he had a bent nose .......), another ex Salisbury man. I'm assuming they relocated after steam finished there.

The last steam to be seen at Oxted in BR days was a Bulleid, 34102 Lapford on a railtour in early 1967.(or so I believe, having read that and seen a photo in a book I had "The Oxted Line".......by G Kitchener?? )
Unfortunately I'm not on this tour but I will catch it on my old line during the afternoon.

 

OK, an update:

The "down" charter is non-stop through KC but stops for two minutes at HK. On arrival at SP, it runs through platform two to stop with the front of the train in the pumphouse siding and the back inside the platform starter. The front engine (34046) takes water by hose from the pumphouse; the rear engine (the Black 5) uncouples, runs into platform 1 and takes water before rejoining the train in platform 2.

The "up" charter stops for two minutes at HK and is then non-stop through Kingscote to EG.

The Bluebell service trains are:
- 92212 on the "A" set (first train off SP); Mark 1s and Bulleid rake.
- 592 on the "B" set (Mets / 4 wheelers)
- 263 on the Wealden Rambler.

The same locos are out on Sunday, but with 263 taking the lunchtime GA and 178 acting as station pilot. Cry God for Harry(*) and the SECR!

Tom

(*) Wainwright....

 

Well, that's what the working timetable says. No idea about validity of charter tickets on Bluebell services! As for size of train: Mets + 4 wheelers is pretty big capacity, I guess.

I'd assume they are not expecting many people to do that, not least because the charter is 11 vehicles long (9 coaches + two engines) but the HK platforms are only 7 coaches long. With two minutes stop, there isn't much time to shuffle through the train if you happen to be "off the back".

Tom

 

To quote RTC's web site

The train will be stabled at Horsted Keynes and train tickets are valid for use on a Bluebell Railway train between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes.

 

I'm sure you are right re ticket validity. With regard stabling, it stays at SP - scheduled to arrive at 11am and depart again at 12:20. There is one Bluebell departure from SP between those times - the 11:15 - which will need to be in Platform 1 ready to depart before the charter arrives. Once the Bluebell service train is gone, the Black 5 will be free to take water from Platform 1. I suspect the exact plan may have changed between publication and final confirmation.

Tom

 

Not for the first time ;0) I'm just glad it is running as (almost) planned

 

I suspect it has changed due to water supplies for locos at Horsted being for emergency use only.

 

Thanks very much Tom. Any times at KC and HK ? I would like to update times at www.uksteam.info/tours/t13/t1109b.htm

David at www.uksteam.info

 

EG (NR Siding) d 10.03
EG (Bluebell) d 10.10
KC 10/20
HK a 10.38
HK d 10.40
SP a 11.00

SP d 12.20
HK a 12.40
HK d 12.42
KC 1/00
EG (Bluebell) a 1.10
EG (NR Siding) a 1.20

The down charter train crosses the up Bluebell "A" train at Kingscote (9F / Mark 1s / Bulleids) and the up Bluebell "B" train (C class / Mets / 4 wheelers) when it arrives at SP.

The up charter train crosses the down Bluebell "B" train again at Kingscote.

Tom

 

So will 44932 lead the train into Victoria (with Braunton at the rear) when this charter first arrives at Victoria at 0813 tomorrow? Obviously before setting off (Braunton leading / 44932 at the rear) with passengers at 0843? Or will it be diesel led into Victoria with 44932 tucked in behind - the diesel then remaining in the station for a while after the 0843 departure? Just thinking of photo options for the initial arrival.

Edited to add: Into Victoria around 0814. Steam top and tail.

 

0815 and to quote some individuals in the news..."the chicken is in the pot"

 

Made easy work of the departure, for once the box on the back giving a shove is most welcome

 

Slow trundle around the burbs,were stuck behind a local to Caterham..-5 late

 

Was there for both the arrival and the magnificent departure. The first of my photos:

The Blue Bell Explorer Grosvenor Bank Departure 1

 

Were on our way back, 44932 made heavy weather of the trip to HK, quite a bit of slipping, Braunton remained silent,

 

How did it fare on the rest of the line - up through the tunnel, and over Holden Summit?

Tom

 

Actually Holden summit it did ok, but it's been a pretty slippy journey upto Kingscote, were waiting on the viaduct now.
Suspect from the whistling up front and the sudden shove that Braunton kicked in, but the noise of 44932 drowned that out.