Bluebell Railway: April 25th 2009.

The good weather of the 24th was forecast to continue, and with 34059 now in regular service, (along with C class 31592), it seemed the Bluebell Railway was the place to be for the Sunday. next

First shot of the day was 34059 on the 11.00 from Sheffield Park. Photographed on the approach to Horsted Keyens in sunny, but quite windy weather. next

I needed to get to the side of the line where both wind and sun were coming from. So headed down to Freshfield bank, and watched the lovely C class 0-6-0 on the 12.00 from Sheffield Park to Kingscote.

next I have a very soft spot for the C class. One of my very earliest memories was being taken as a very young child to the footbridge at Bromley North. To watch what I later found out was a C class shunting the coal sidings there. next

I decided to travel on the 13.00 from Sheffield Park. And arrived in time to watch engineman Tony Leaver "oiling up". next

These days Tony is limited to driving the pacific at the National Museum line limit of 25 mph. Ideal for such lines, but a bit different from the Bulleid pacific 100 mph plus runs we timed together in the 1960s! next 34059 waiting at the head of the 13.00 from Sheffield Park to Kingscote. next The run to KIngscote and back was great: my first behind 34059 since 27th July 1964! I had time to get to the Keysford Lane bridge to see Tony heading the pacific onto the 1/75 up grade to Horsted Keynes on the 15.00 from Sheffield Park. next Plenty of steam for the climb to Horsted Keynes. next A short drive and the chance to see the pacific heading along just after leaving Sharpthorne tunnel. next The afternoon cloud was fading away as the clean pacific headed past Keysford Lane on the 16.47 from Sheffield Park. next There was an 18.30 special running from Sheffield Park. And Keysford Lane seemed the best place to see the loco working hard in the low Spring sunshsine. next A last look at the immaculately turned out pacific heading into Horsted Keynes. top  Earlier 2009 Photos   Index