Bluebell Branch Line Weekend 14-16 March

Guessing they are only running 5 this year.
Suppose that balances out the 7 they ran last year.

Certainly looking forward to it though, definitely hoping for some [replica] J94 mileage!

 

41313 has arrived this morning

 

Aaah, one of the Southern Region batch of locos.

Here's one I saw earlier. They are a really lovely looking small tank loco. I travelled behind them: Exeter Central-Exmouth; Brockenhurst-Lymington; Wareham-Swanage; and Bournemouth Central to Bournemouth West. And possibly on the Bournemouth Central shunt when the portion from the West was pulled back prior to being shunted onto the back of the Weymouth part after that had arrived.

Looking forward to meeting the next in the number series of the one below, plenty of '3's to be copied and used where deemed essential by just one (idiot) forum member. Whoever that may be.

Bryan B

 

The bucket's bust...

From Bluebell's Facebook page.

"We regret to announce that due to locomotive failure, Hudswell Clarke No. 68067 will no longer be taking part in our Branch Line Gala this weekend. 34059 'Sir Archibald Sinclair' will replace 68067 on our gala timetable.

We understand this may be disappointing, and we sincerely apologise. Our team is currently working on adjustments to the gala timetable, and we’ll share updates as soon as we can.'

 

There goes loco 31 on my life list

Tom

 

Very sad.
Ironically having planned to visit but some very large bills (with another potential £6k or so made me decide to give it a miss, especially as the Ivatt is coming to Swanage). Then this loco was announced so I thought a long day on trains via Barnham for Saturday, quite a cheap fare.
Then the wife breaks her arm so no chance, and to top it up she came back with a cold she has now passed on, so feel lousy.

Not a silver lining but feel less disappointed.

 

Sad about 68067 as I missed out on a run and better pictures of it at the GCR, but sure I'll get another chance. Still planning to attend on Saturday regardless.

Also for those interested, 41313 is facing South (towards Sheffield Park) for the event.

 

Sad for those who wanted that loco, including you Dan. I just hope it doesn't cost too much in lost revenue.

And, in my narrowly focussed world, I very much hope the SR (LMR) tank still does a few runs with the green MKIIs/Bulleids on the Friday and Saturday as currently booked. So far as the SR is concerned it is a true Branch Line Loco, as that class did work the Lymington and Swanage branches in the BR era as I mentioned in an earlier post.

If not, well I shall just consider my two advance purchased tickets as a donation - but without the Gift Aid addition!

Bryan

 

Clearly should have booked something a bit more rugged and sturdy!

 

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp.../Branch-Line-Gala-2025-Timetables-Amended.pdf

Updated timetable

 

This will be the second gala visitor that I had a booked turn on and then didn't manage - though it is the other one that really irks. (the Taff Vale Tank engine back in 2020, which spent six months in the shed without ever turning a wheel, or hardly even being seen )

Tom

 

Very helpful indeed, many thanks. Both in getting the update so quickly and in seeing that 41313 on the authentic branch line train remains as originally planned.

It is a real shame that for this Branch Line event the Bulleid has to be used. I guess 80151 is under maintenance at present, as that of course was another true branch line loco.

But such is running steam locos well into the 21st century, nothing can ever be guaranteed and that is all part and parcel of our hobby.

Bryan

 

Are you booked on any other locos Tom? Be nice to say hello.

Bryan

 

Only the Bulleid on Sunday afternoon...

Tom

 

Shame, I can't make Sunday.

Bryan

 

I know how you feel Tom. I had a slightly different disappointment on the Moors a few years ago. We had a visiting main line loco, 60009 I think, booked to visit at the start 2019 season. Knowing that it was coming to the end of its active life and having been on it on several occasions I told the roster clerk to to put me on one of our engines to let someone who hadn't been on it have a go. In the event it had failed and City of Wells came in its place, but by then the roster was already published. Would have loved to have added Wells to the tally of Bulleids that I've fired.

Peter

 

The event went very well for me today as I based myself at Horsted Keynes as usual. I got the ok selection of SR (LM) 41313 photos I wanted; enjoyed the other locos; and chatted on and off for hours with a lot of other gricers, most from my generation. One of whom, later in the day, summed up so well what a hard day's gricing does to us oldies: "you don't get warned about getting old". Or words to that effect!!

The Bluebell have laid on a great event as always; very many thanks to you one and all. I'm sure some visitors will miss the J94 look-alike, but no one I spoke to seemed that bothered.

I've rushed through a few edits, photos below.

Bryan

 

Some phone camera photos from today. Busy not not heaving.Nice to get some more mileage behind Archie.
View attachment 90093

 

I agree! It's nice not being shoved about like a rowing boat at sea! Wish more events were like it!

Despite the display only appearance of 68067, which I was a bit unhappy about, it really was a good day!
41313 was clearly the star and it knew it! Very impressed with 32424 Beachy Head performance and though I'm not keen on Bulleids, Archie didn't look out of place one bit.

I did hear it was the only engine avaliable as 80151 was having an exam of some sort and Camelot was having winter maintenance, but, you know, they did work on branch lines, so I'm told.

 

Chilly but highly enjoyable event, a shame about 68067 but there we go, as others have said thought 41313 gave an excellent account of herself (even if she did nearly slip to a stand in the rather icy tunnel on the first train on Friday!), and that most unusual of things for a Bluebell gala in actually having sunshine

Photos now up at https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/Bluebellphotosets/Branch-Line-Weekend-March-2025