- Jack Lamb’s photo shows the arrival at Horsted Keynes of BR Class 37 D6851 ‘Flopsie’ leading BR Class 423 4VEP No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’, which it had collected from Strawberry Hill on its way down from Crewe, in torrential rain on Thursday.
- Video which was live-streamed from 4Vep 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ during its journey down from Strawberry Hill last Thursday. This was a UK first, to livestream from a train on Network Rail, achieved using multiple sim cards to ensure the best possible continuity of connection.
- Also see this video at Strawberry Hill station from Claire Twine.
- Below we see E6040 ‘The Bluebell Railway’ passing the VEP at Kingscote on Friday (Jack Lamb).
This was the first service use of the Class 73 on the Bluebell, having been passed fit for traffic on Thursday. It was also the first time passengers have been able to travel in Bluebell-owned 3417 since 2013, following its restoration by the SETG (Southern Electric Traction Group), which is on-going with the aim of eventually being able to carry passengers again on the main line – fundraising for which is also on-going – donate via the Bluebell Railway Trust, to enable Gift Aid to be claimed – you can make a single or a regular donation here – and then select “Other Funds” from the drop-down menu and enter “VEP 3417” in the comments box.
- The Bluebell Diesel Gala concludes today – full details here.
- Photos and videos so far from the Diesel Gala:
- Saturday from John Sandys;
- YouTube video from TheModster, including Friday morning’s goods train, E6040’s first passenger service on the Bluebell, and the VEP’s first passenger services in 11 years, working Push-pull with 33111;
- Keith Duke’s photos from Friday;
- YouTube video from Friday from Matthew Sell;
- YouTube Video from Saturday from Joe Light Railway.
