The ever popular 'Branch Line Gala Weekend' at the Bluebell Railway, this year held over the weekend of May 10th-12th, would see something of a Great Western takeover as four western region locomotives would be in action for the event; among a total of 7 locomotives in steam.
On long-term hire from the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, 6989 "Wightwick Hall" would be joined by 1369 from the South Devon Railway. The Severn Valley Railway provided two locomotives in the form of 7714 and 7812 "Erlestoke Manor", completing the western region quartet. They would be joined by the archaic home-fleet duo of 72 "Fenchurch" and O1 Class - 65. Completing the line up would be 4MT Tank - 80151, masquerading as classmate 80100 for the event. 80100 is also based on the Bluebell Railway but has not yet operated in preservation.
On the Sunday of the event there would be two heavy loaded runs taking place. The first would see 80100 take two coach sets on a return trip. The second would see 7812 double-head with 6989 at the helm of two coach sets, providing spectacular acoustics as they battled up Freshfield Bank and out of Sharpthorne Tunnel respectively.
Locomotives:
BR(W) 6959 'Modified Hall' Class - 6989 "Wightwick Hall"
Ex-GWR 5700 'Pannier Tank' Class - 7714
Ex-GWR 7800 'Manor' Class - 7812 "Erlestoke Manor"
GWR 1366 'Pannier Tank' Class - 1369
SE&CR O1 Class - 65
LB&SCR A1X 'Terrier' Class - 72 "Fenchurch"
BR Standard Class 4MT Tank - 80100 (80151)
00:00 - 6989 Horsted Keynes south field
00:50 - 7714 Horsted Keynes south field
01:53 - 7812 Horsted Keynes footpath
03:07 - 1369 Horsted Keynes footpath
04:16 - 65 Horsted Keynes
06:11 - 65 Leamland Bridge
06:40 - 6989 Hosted Keynes
08:24 - 1369 West Hoathly
09:37 - 7714 Sharpthorne Tunnel
10:31 - 7812 Horsted Keynes south field
11:34 - 72 Horsted Keynes south field
12:30 - 1369 Freshfield Bank
13:18 - 65 & 72 Freshfield Bank
14:03 - 7714 Freshfield Bank
14:49 - 80100 Freshfield Bank
16:13 - 7812 & 6989 Freshfield Bank
18:12 - 7812 & 6898 Sharpthorne Tunnel
19:16 - 80100 West Hoathly
All footage filmed on Sunday the 12th of May 2024.
30 май 2024
