My first visit to the Bluebell for many years, despite the high Day Rover ching (£42.50) this was an excellent, well run gala on a quality, well established preserved railway. Over 10 miles long with some decent grades and slacks to accelerate away from there was plenty thrash to enjoy. The many punters seemed to enjoy their day there.
The day’s moves
6/9/2025 Sa
730230} 0659 Bletchley – Euston LB-EU
730218}
37800 WM
92018 5M11
12091 Vic
377465}
377114} 0835 Victoria – Portsmouth/Bognor VI-EC
377472}
377159} 0850 Victoria – East Grinstead EC-EG
377459}
33018} 1015 East Grinstead – Horsted Keynes Kingscote EG-KI
3417(Vep)}
25262 1000 Sheffield Park – East Grinstead KI-EG
16012, 4957, 3069, 34556, 3064
25262 1105 East Grinstead – Sheffield Park EG-SP
1001 (Hastings) 1220 Sheffield Park – Horsted Keynes SP-HK
33108 1240 Horsted Keynes – East Grinstead HK-KI
47715 1245 East Grinstead – Sheffield Park KI-HK
21246, 4941, 1818, 4754, 16210, 25728
25262 1310 Sheffield Park – East Grinstead HK-EG
25262 1415 East Grinstead – Sheffield Park EG-SP
1001 (Hastings) 1530 Sheffield Park – Horsted Keynes SP-HK
33108 1545 Horsted Keynes – East Grinstead HK-EG
377113} 1636 East Grinstead – Victoria (50L tree on line – Oxted) EG-VI
377118}
11060 Vic VI-EU
350409} 1856 Euston – Birmingham EU-LB
350106}
M4957 Coaching Piffle
This Wolverton Works 1961 built in 1961 was in the “rats” consist at the Bluebell.
The coach number rang a bell and on checking i had this TSO at least twice on the big railway.
85035 Euston – Maxwelltown “Silver Hammer” Railtour 030885
80553, 7169, 35324, 5007, 4957, 1701, 4894, 18705, 4995, 4827
47599 0005 Plymouth – York 270987
4939, 4957, 7213, 35332, 4986, 4844, 5036, 5033
The superb Chesterfield Observer website has
47364 1Z28 Wadsley Bridge – St Pancras rtn Crystal Palace footex 140583
25989, 25973, 4978, 4954, 16188, 35325, 4957, 4960, 25745
It appears 4957 was withdrawn from BR by 1187, being initially dumped at Old Oak CS. She was then moved to Cardiff Cathays and converted as part of the Travelling College rake in 0489. 4957 then returned to Old Oak before joining the Bluebell in 1193.
Bluebell Phots from the day
Propelled by 33108 VEP 3417 (formerly 7717) arrives at East Grinstead with the 0920 ex Sheffield Park. This unit is in superb condition inside and out,
Hired in from the Severn Valley 33108 looked and sounded the part on departure from East Grinstead with the 1015 to Horsted Keynes
Only my second “rat” of the year and its September! 25262 arrives at the classic rural station of Kingscote with the 1000 Sheffield Park – East Grinstead
The sun shines on 25262 again at Kingscote with the 1105 East Grinstead – Sheffield Park
The superb Hastings unit 1001 rests at Horsted Keynes after a good thump from Sheffield Park on the 1220 service
47715 at Horsted Keynes with the 1245 East Grinstead – Sheffield Park.
33108 at Horsted Keynes with the 1550 to East Grinstead
Thanks to all at the Bluebell for an enjoyable day
end
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