The Annual Giants of Steam event was expanded to cover a full weekend, and although a visiting locomotive couldn't be arranged, the combination of generally excellent weather ( for October ! ) and a new addition to the Bluebell's locomotive fleet made for a memorable weekend !
Saturday
The 10.50 train from Sheffield Park was hauled by 9F No.92240, and with just the Vintage Branchline Set and Observation Car attached, it was not surprising that the locomotive was coasting up to Horsted Keynes.
This photo copyright © Jon Bowers
After a cloudy spell, the sun returned to light No.75027, seen making light work of the 12.5
0 at Holywell.
This photo copyright © Jon Bowers
The 4.08 from Kingscote was worked by the recently restored British Railway 4MT No.80151. The 2-6-4T was completed at Brighton Works in January 1957, and was originally allocated to the same town’s shed, from where it worked over the route that is now the Bluebell Railway. No.80151 also worked from Redhill, Salisbury and Eastleigh, unti
l it was withdrawn in May 1967 after sustaining minor damage whilst working a freight train near Basingstoke.
After spending seven and a half years in Barry Scrapyard, it moved first to Chappel in March 1975, where it remained for 10 years with no work being undertaken. Work was then started, but the Chappel site did not have the facilities for the restoration to be completed. The locomotive was moved to the Bluebell, where the amount of work already undertaken by the owning group made it a suit
able project to get priority into Sheffield Park works. Photos of the restoration are available on the Loco Works Photo News pages of the Bluebell Website. No.80151 underwent a loaded test run before entering traffic a week before the Giants of Steam event.
Seen from the viewing area at Horsted Keynes, the 9F has no trouble in
restarting the 4.10.
The 4.50 from Sheffield Park was worked by West Country Class No.21C123 'Blackmoor Vale', seen here catching the setting sun just south of Horsted Keynes.
Sunday
Unfortunately, No.80151 was failed on the Saturday evening with a leak between one of the superheater flues and t
he firebox tubeplate. As a result, it was unable to take part in the Sunday timetable. Thus the 12.10, scheduled to be hauled by No.75027, was given to No. 21C123, seen here charging through Lindfield Wood.
No.73082 drifts through the beautiful Autumn colours near Birchstone Bridge with the 1.30 from Sheffield Park.
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Smokebox first out of Kingscote ! Nos. 672 and 75027 heading the 2.08, seen raising the echoes approaching Mill Place Bridge.
This photo copyright © Jon Bowers
Beautiful late afternoon light strikes 'Blackmoor Vale' as she gets away from Horsted Keynes with the 2.50 Pullman service.
No
s. 672 and 75027 turn to gold as they approach Horsted Keynes with the 3.30 from Sheffield Park.
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