Bluebell Railway - Diamond Jubilee Event - Part 1

The Bluebell Railway is back to normal with its delayed Jubilee Celebratory Event marking the lifting of Covid restrictions, aptly referred to as 60 + 1 because as it wasn’t possible to hold the event last year. Once again it is possible to hop on and off trains to visit stations along the way. We start early in the day with a visit to the Sheffield Park Engine shed to see the excellent display of historic locomotives on static display, before passing through the shed to see locomotives being prepared for the busy day ahead, the smell of hot oil and steam hangs in the damp morning air reminiscent of the days when steam ruled the nations rails. There aren’t many people around, the only sounds are the gentle hiss of escaping steam along with a bit of humorous banter between the engine crews and natures tuneful dawn chorus. By now the rain was falling heavily as we cross the footbridge onto platform 2 for a good view of the various shunting operations required to get all the locomotives and rolling stock into position. To mark this special event two rakes of beautifully presented vintage carriages are extracted from to new carriage shed, the Metropolitan set with the GNR Director’s Saloon and a representative rake of LBSCR and SECR vehicles including a Birdcage Carriage. Having watched the first two trains of the day set off towards East Grinstead we join the third. There is nothing quite like sitting back in the comfy seat of a veteran railway carriage, gently rocking and swaying as the pretty Sussex countryside drifts by. The remnants of the old Ardingly line come into view, indicating we will shortly be arriving at the impressive Horsted Keynes station, boasting five platforms it often appears on film and TV with numerous different names applied to the station name boards, I almost expect Poirot to shuffle towards the first class compartment of an approaching train. The restored platform canopies make a welcome addition to the station as the weather remains changeable, one moment the sun shines beckoning people out to the platform ends to get that special photo and then the heavens open sending everyone scurrying back to the relative safety of the platform awnings. The weather isn’t dampening people’s joy at being free to enjoy the railway in a way that hasn’t been possible for close on two years. There is plenty going on at Horsted Keynes with a shunting display featuring the railway’s 09 class locomotive, there are also brake van rides to the station limits and for all the wannabe engine drivers, there is the opportunity to drive the carriage and waggon works resident Sentinel diesel shunter. In the car park and paddock there is a children’s funfair, a display of old tractors, live music and a number of vans and huts selling fresh cooked local produce. I really enjoyed listening to “Orange Sunshine” as they played a selection of songs from my youth. A copyright match prevented me from including their music in this video, although I did upload a test video to YouTube, if you’d like to hear “Orange Sunshine” please click on this link - https://youtu.be/055m3haLyMo
This video covers Part 1 of this memorable day, Part 2 will follow shortly. The real heroes of the day were all the volunteers and staff who steered the railway though the dark days of the pandemic to make this celebration of the railway’s reawakening possible. To everyone who kept the railway alive, I’d like to say a massive thankyou and to those who weren’t able to visit over the weekend, next time you are at a loose end pop on down, because I know you will be welcomed with open arms as the railway seeks to recover. Locomotives featured on the day - SER Stirling 01-class 0-6-0 No.65, SR Maunsell Q-class 0-6-0 No.30541, South Eastern & Chatham Railway H-class 0-4-4T No.263, BR Standard Tank Class 4MT 2-6-4T No.80151, Class 09 diesel shunting locomotive No.D4106/09018, Sentinel 4-w Diesel-Hydraulic loco No.10241. Track gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Some sound effects were taken from Epedemic Sound’s ever increasing Sound effects Library.

Видео Bluebell Railway - Diamond Jubilee Event - Part 1 канала Timsvideochannel1