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Bluebell Gala closes out the Terrier YearThis has been some year as far as the survivors of the Terriers are concerned and to all intents and purposes this was closed out with the Terrier Gala staged on Bluebell over the weekend of 10-13 November; a two-day event that eventually expanded to four. The combination of 32678 with P-class 753 on some December 2005 Santa workings proved to be an admiral advent to an extraordinary year. Excluding the two K&ESR Terriers on routine workings on their home patch; the first occasion since 1985, the following were observed in 2006:- 662 on the North Norfolk Railway 55, 672 and 662 with 3 and 32678 at atgas06 on the K&ESR 662 on the Spa Valley Railway (unfortunately missed on the Lavender Line) 3 and 32678 on the K&ESR for the Branch Line Weekend W8 on the Isle of Wight Railway 55, 672, 662, 32678 and W8 on the Bluebell Railway The circumstances concerning the non-appearance of “Bodiam” have been recorded elsewhere; perhaps it is appropriate in such an auspicious year that two of the principal railways concerned with Terrier operation share the record at five Terriers each. Bluebell did not update its plans for the weekend too often in the lead up once four days had been confirmed; no blame can be attributed to this bearing in mind the fragility of Victorian tank engines now into the second quarter of their second centuries. Doubts concerning the certainty of 32678’s tubes cast some doubt, although in the end it was No.3’s cylinder problem that eventually let the side down. How ironic that the K&ESR also lost an intended loco prior to atgas06 in the shape of P-class 753. Rebecca and I attended the event on Friday and Monday. The first day was essentially a preview day with all five Terriers in steam and SECR 01 No.65 providing shunting assistance at Sheffield Park in the afternoon. The service was framed around the standard hourly departure from 1100 with the odd departures worked by 55 only as far as Horsted Keynes and 32678 on light duty with the LNWR Observation Car No.1503 working a second shuttle onto Kingscote. Even departures were in the care of 662 and 672 whilst W8 worked a demonstration goods train throughout the day. After 32678 and 672 had worked light engine from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes, 55 was formed with a superb two coach train that rapidly filled. Bearing in mind the time of year, the service could have started 30 or even 60 minutes earlier; having the first through working leaving Sheffield Park at 1200 was quite simply too late and we were sure some fare revenue was missed as a consequence. There then followed one of those delightfully unplanned moments that life occasionally throws up. Teamed with the LBSCR first class No.661, which shares a birthday with 32678, was LCDR No.114 making its first public run. This fact was not immediately known, having not fully read the excellent souvenir timetable for the event. Having asked if we could share the guards van, it was explained the compartment included a dog box. Too good an opportunity to miss, a posed picture of Lucy-the-Westie and Mia was duly set up. For real, and just before the appointed advertised departure time of 11 o’clock, our two little bitches were unceremoniously stuffed back in the dog box. So there you have it. The most famous Terrier of them all hauling a magnificent two coach train, one of which that hadn’t run in public service for almost a lifetime genuinely conveying two impeccably behaved little terriers. Surely heritage doesn’t come better than that.Perhaps we should
come clean and admit they were technically stowaways. When I had tried to book two adults and two
terriers earlier in the morning I’d had rather a funny
look from the booking clerk so I just compromised at two adults
with the dogs going free. With the shuttle northwards getting rather full we decided to give the dogs a bit of a walk and have a coffee. Interest then turned to the freight behind W8; why it was routed via Platforms 4 and 5 rather than Platform 2 which would have provided opportunity for a photograph is one of those unsolved mysteries. |
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Genuine coal fires helped pass the time until the 1200 from Sheffield Park arrived, a little late and top-and-tailed rather than double-headed. The engines were also the wrong way round. It later transpired the reason for this was coupling difficulties between 662 and 672. Space wasn’t exactly at a premium; nevertheless we squeezed into a compartment not exactly built for comfort. I don’t know why but barely had we drawn to a halt at Kingscote than the goods train behind W8 set off south, causing a bit of disgruntlement from the travelling press gently teasing their way off the train. Accepted the 1200 Up service had been a little late on arrival, but it would have done wonders for public relations if the goods had waited just a couple of minutes; more so since this the only such working to Kingscote the whole weekend. One photographer was overheard to have remarked that “they (pluristically) don’t think about the photographer at these events!” I have heard it said in another place that it impossible to get a good picture at a gala; this is not true in my experience, but I do think that where timetabling and layout allows, consideration should be made to the passengers who are, after all, contributing handsomely, to help obtain worthwhile pictures; not make it downright impossible. We returned to Sheffield Park on the 1255 departure; the sun already starting to dip noticeably – duly getting back just after 1330. By the time we had victualled the dogs and wandered back the 1400 train was about to depart with 662 leading and 672 at the back; the right way round this time. Unfortunately there was no time to get over to the other side for a photograph; interestingly, and in any case, the staff routinely close a barrier across the door to prevent any last minute passengers diving for the train. Perhaps on a relatively quite day it had undertones of overkill.55 duly returned half-an-hour later which afforded another photographic opportunity although by this time the sun was rapidly sinking. SECR No.65 was engaged in shunting; at one time it ran up to the water crane at the south end of the station, looking lovely in the winter sunshine. By the time three o’clock came and time for 55’s last shuttle of the day, it had become very dark, so after a visit to the excellent souvenir shop, we set off for home. A 35-minute service ran on Saturday and Sunday; pictures may be seen on the Bluebell Railway website, with No.65 substituting for the absent No.3 “Bodiam”. Monday saw 32678 have its own moment of glory working the LNWR Observation Coach from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes as an Officers Special conveying Bluebell Officials, Guests including His Worship the Mayor of Brighton and representatives of the railways and owning groups of the various Terrier groups. The five Terriers were then arranged in an arc at and just to the north of Horsted Keynes for about an hour for photography but with the sun refusing to cooperate. The Officers Special then continued to Kingscote with W8 attached as pilot engine. Dignitaries and guests were then posed with the engines for photographs in belated glorious winter sunshine; the High Weald at long last exhibiting a few touches of autumn colours and looking lovely as we drifted south once more. An afternoon service over the whole length of line was worked by the other Terriers ably supported by 32473 “Birch Grove”. Like Friday, by the time three o’clock came it was getting dark quite quickly and became distinctly chilly. And so ended a wonderful weekend on Bluebell. It remains to be seen what treats the little Stroudley Terriers will serve up next! HN-14/11/2006 |