Wealden Exclusive ECS trip from Horsted Keynes

The Bluebell Railway's first special diesel hauled train was run today, 7 March 2009. The locomotive was 73136 (E6043) "Perseverance", and the carriages were SR Bulleid Brake third No.2515, SR Bulleid open third No.1482 and BR SO No.4957. The special was run as a fund raising event for the Bluebell's extension to East Grinstead, because, having brought in the 73 to run spoil trains for excavation work in February and March, members wished to have the opportunity to travel behind the locomotive, which of course had its origins thoroughly in the Southern Railway tradition rather than BR Modernisation plan.
It is not the first Diesel to run on the line, some appearances were noted in the early 1950s, before preservation.
The video shows the 11.30am departure of empty coaching stock, on which ticket holders for the later train (which left Sheffield Park at 12.30) were permitted to ride.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Bluebell
• Railway
• Electric
• Locomotive

[dgraw95]

Nice video.

Assuming it is a one off, I don't really mind the train, and it is stated on the site it is one off.

I think it would be a shame if diesel traction ran alongside steam on the Bluebell, as the Bluebell is unique with only steamers, although I don't think diesels will ever (in the close future) run passenger services on the Bluebell.

And I read somewhere that the train wasn't even full so...

Anyway, nice well filmed clip.

[bluebellsalmon]

Thanks for the comments.

Yes, very much a one-off - the Bluebell will still be 100% steam on its scheduled/timetabled services.

I'm afraid it's not that great a clip - just what my stills camera can do in video mode, hand-held - pretty inadequate really, but it's a newsworthy event, which is why I posted it.

[Pwndlolhaxbbq]

how many tons of rubbish is that then

not much

[bluebellsalmon]

Running this train paid for all the fuel it used during its 3 months of hauling the spoil trains, so about 10,000 tons.

[bluebellsalmon]

Yes, the clue is in my description of the shot - Empty Coaching Stock!

[bartonside]

My position is simply this. I do not want, ever, to see regular diesel hauled or powered trains running between East Grinstead and Sheffield Park. If other railways want to do this, fine, but steam is our major selling point. it would, however, be perfectly correct to run electric services into Horsted Keynes as they used to - nothing wrong in that.. It would be good to be able to offer the preserved 2Bil and 4Cor somewhere to run.

[bluebellnutter]

What do you mean "diesel traction never ran on the railway"?

The Oxted - East Grinstead section was run by DEMUs for nigh on forty years. Diesel locomotives were used to shift EMUs and stock stored up the Ardingly branch. Indeed there is a rumour that the two LMS diesels, on hire to the SR in the 1950s, ran over the line on at least one occassion.

Steam won't last forever. I'd rather have a 73 run the passenger service more often if it prevents wear and tear on the C, O1 and E4

[madandbad1]

I remember steam ,electric and diesel traction

running together,each surely has a place .

[metadyneman]

It's a recreation.... in the 1960s they were ALL empty in this part of Sussex that's why most of the lines closed!

[metadyneman]

absolute rubbish bartonside! At the end of the day and technically speaking if what you are saying is right then we should re lay a stretch of third rail and energise it in the western platforms of Horsted Keynes, I'm very happy to see a class 73 on the line.... better that than what was originally planned... i e no trains at all!

[steamybrian]

I disagree with "bartonside".

Many steam locos that run on the Bluebell Rly today never ran on the line prior to its closure in 1958 of which examples are GWR Dukedog, 9F class, USA tanks plus most if not all the ex-SECR classes P,, O1, H,C,plus the LSWR T9,B4 and Adams Radial. Who complains about them ...???? Finally remember that 95% of visitors are the average public only 5% are enthusiasts..