When the theme for the Bluebell Railways 2007 "Giants of Steam" weekend was announced I had good reason to be grateful for my re-kindled interest in such steam operations! It was to be a celebration of 40 years since the end of steam on the Southern Region of BR, and as well as using the current operational ex SR locos the Railway were also going to arrange for unrebuilt Bulleid pacifics 34007 and 34081 to visit the three day event. Giving four Bulleid pacifics operating together, with three of them in "original" form.
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18 Oct. With a need to be near home during parts of the weekend I started my visits on the Thursday. next
18 Oct. As well as seeing two Bulleids at Sheffield Park, I saw the C class 31592 at Horsted Keynes. next
19 Oct. Friday morning saw a lot of steamy activity at Sheffield Park!.
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19 Oct 2007. Late running saw two light engine movements to Horsted Keynes replaced by a doubleheader hauling the observation car! next
19 Oct. And then, on a cold Autumn morning, 34007 "Wadebridge" started the action with the 10.10 from Horsted Keynes to Kingscote. next
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19 Oct. A short walk North from Horsted Keynes and 34081 passed with an engineers' train. next
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19 Oct. Followed by 34028 on the 11.00 from Sheffield Park. next
19 Oct. A pause as cloud gathered, then 34028 and 34081 stormed out of Horsted Keynes on the 13.25 from Sheffield Park, with 34007 heading back in the distance. next
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19 Oct. A brief spell at Sharpthorne tunnel saw the 14.37 from Sheffield Park, followed by the 15.10 engineers' train. next
19 Oct. But by late afternoon superb low Autumn sunshine had returned, highlighting 34028 and 34081 leaving Horsted Keynes on the 15.45 from Sheffield Park.
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19 Oct 2007. next
20 Oct. Saturday started sunny and at the crossing North of Horsted Keynes I just stood and watched a succession of Bulleids pass by: starting with 34081 on the 9.15 from HK. next
20 Oct. Then 34023 on the 9.50. next
20 Oct. Followed by 34007 on the engineers' train, (10.20 from HK). next
20 Oct. And finally 34081 doubleheading 34028 on the 11.36. next
20 Oct. Cloud cover didn't spoil the fun as 34007 and 34023 left HK with the 12.29 to Kingscote. next
21 Oct. I had to leave the event Saturday lunchtime returning later Sunday afternoon in time to catch doubleheaded Bulleids and then U class 31638 on a rather unlikely train! next
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21 Oct. I had rather hoped that 34081 leaving HK on the 16.35 to Kingscote in superb Autum evening light would be my last shot of the event. But no, the pacific was replaced by 80151! next
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21 Oct. So I waited until the sun had lost it's strength to ensure my last photo of the superb long weekend was of a Bulleid: 34007 heading to Kingscote on the 17.14 from HK. next
The finale is my favourite sequence of the event: 34028 and 34081 departing HK on the 19th. top next Index