Three Stroudley terriers, No.32678 (Knowle) from the Kent & East Sussex Railway, W8 Freshwater from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, and No.662 (Martello) from Bressingham Steam and Gardens are visiting us for the four-day Terrier Weekend Gala in November, when they will be joining Bluebell residents No.672 Fenchurch and No.55 Stepney. Freshwater will remain at the Bluebell (on hire by Footplate Days and Ways) until March 2007.
Locomotive Number 3 "Bodiam"
We regret that due to a serious crack on the cylinder cover of the above locomotive, it has not been possible to repair in time for its planned visit to the Bluebell Railway.
The Kent and East Sussex Railway have undertaken many hours trying to rectify a repair on the locomotive, but regret time has overtaken events.
We are very sorry "Bodiam" is unable to appear but hope this will not spoil your visit to the Bluebell Railway where five other Terriers are still in operation over the Terrier Gala
Also visiting the Bluebell is No.34028 "Eddystone". This modified West Country locomotive is owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd, and is normally resident at the Swanage Railway. This locomotive currently has loose driving wheel tyres. With a long lead time for obtaining new tyres, the owners will replace the driving wheels with those from another loco, which will be done using the Bluebell's wheeldrop facility.
The replacement wheels arrived at Sheffield Park on 25 August. The Locomotive arrived on 4th September, preceeded by its tender. Work will commence almost immediately on the wheel replacement, with SLL staff using the Bluebell's loco works.
In return for using the Bluebell's facilities for the repair job,
the Bluebell will use of the loco for this year's Santa Special
trains. It was nearly repaired in time for use at the Giants of Steam Gala in October, but only appeared in light steam at Sheffield Park. It is in service on the Bluebell as from Saturday 18 November. During the period from January to December 2007, the Bluebell will be
hiring the locomotive.
GWR 4-4-0 No.3440 City of Truro visited the Bluebell Railway between the 30th September and 22nd October 2006, courtesy of the National Railway Museum, York. Full reports of the programme of events, including its participation in our Giants of Steam special event, and City Limited Pullman Trains, are available on a separate page.