13th July 2013

Friends of Sheffield Park
Off the Beaten Track

Route :

Notes: 
(1) Loco propelled on a number of legs - confirmation is required as to which legs in table above (see timing tabulation below with notes 'as received', however as Webmaster I have been unable to successfully 'convert' with any level of confidence what I received into the sections detailed above, so have chosen not to put any in rather than get it part right/part wrong).
(2) David Sheppard comments: This was the Bluebell Railway's first 'in house' railtour so as soon as it was advertised I booked as there was some very choice track in the itinerary. My partner and I took the opportunity to use our local train service to East Grinstead to transfer from the new Southern station to the new Bluebell station. The first hint of problems came with the late arrival of the service rain from Sheffield Park hauled by visiting Prairie 5521 masquerading as London transport 'L150'. Arrival at Sheffield Park was in good time, though, and 'Terrier' 55 'Stepney' was waiting a short way down the Pumphouse Siding with te LNWR observation coach. The dock siding was filled with stock including 21C123 'Blackmore Vale' so was only partially traversed after the run to the end of the siding. We then became the 'first passenger train of any type to depart southwards from Sheffield Park since 1958'. After taking water we headed off to Horsted Keynes where all booked moves were accomplished without problem. Heading North through Kingscote we traversed the loop platform, not a rarity but less common since opening of the extension with few crossing moves there. The combination of small loco plus single coach was short enough to fit into the headshunt at East Grinstead, clear of the points, so we ran through the loco run round loop to the end of line before reversing back into the new platform. On departure we were booked to run non-stop back to Sheffield park, however this was not to be. On approaching Kngscote where we should have passed the 16.00 service from Sheffield Park we were waved to a halt in the empty station by the Station Master to pick up two passengers. The reason for this, and the missing service train, became apparent when we arrived into Platform 4 at Horsted Keynes and stopped. It was announced that the loco on the 16.00 Sheffield Park to East Grinstead (L150) had failed and 09018 substituted. That train had left 45 minutes late so the special had to wait. Since class 09 haulage anywhere is rare and especially so on the Bluebell, we abandoned the special at Horsted Keynes in favour of a slow trundle back to East Grinstead behind the shunter.

Source : David Sheppard

Timings (Booked Only)
(from David Sheppard)

Notes :
[1] : Departed from Sheffield Park Platform 2 due to stock stabled in dock. Ran to end of pumphouse Siding (rev) then as far into Dock as possible (rev) and back into Pumphouse Siding (rev) to return to Platform 2 and regain booked route.
[2] : Ran to southern limit of former up line.
[3] : Ran to end of siding closest to running line.
[4] : Unscheduled stop to pick up 2 passengers.
[5] : Ran into Horsted Keynes platform 4/5. Held due to failure of L150 at Sheffield Park. and consequent late running of 16.00 Sheffield Park - East Grinstead.

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