Bluebell Railway Extension Appeal 2012 - Funding for the Finish

[@BluebellRail]

Indeed, the current wet weather is putting us behind, but with some contingency built into the schedule, we still should be able to open the extension next Easter. The most important thing was that the weather was perfect for us in November and December last year, enabling us to clear the rubbish from the tip earlier than expected!

[@BluebellRail]

We certainly have not!!!! "Stepney" was up at Railfest in York earlier in June, and is now back at the Bluebell.

[@BluebellRail]

Entirely understand your position! I contributed, in a small way, when I was a student, to the purchase of Kingscote Station and Pullman Car 64... many years ago now. Every little helps, and the easiest ways to contribute from the US are by PayPal (or if you are a US tax-payer) through the American Fund for Charities. Details on the appeal "Donations" page linked from the video description.

[@BluebellRail]

Of course, the first task is to complete the line back into East Grinstead. Regarding the locos, my guess is that either 80151 or 80064 will be high on the list for an overhaul once the current works programme (H, Q, S15, O1 and Camelot), have returned to service. Both standard 4 tanks need major overhauls and 80151 needs new tyres, 80064 needs work on its wheels as well, and extensive copper-welding in the firebox.

[@railwaysthatarefun4531]

Are we gonna see 80064 run soon??

[@BluebellRail]

The Network Rail station does not have space for our own platform and run-round, so we've built our own adjacent. We still hope in the long term to have some sort of shared station building, but that will be some years away! The extension has cost in the region of £9 Million, pretty-much all raised through our own fund-raising over the last 25 years. If you have another £5 Million available, we could rebuild it exactly as it was. We don't have that £5 Million, so have had to compromise.

[@BluebellRail]

Actually, even £5m would not enable us to rebuild it exactly as it was, since we can't have double track on the viaduct (even through there was originally; the regulations for "new work" have changed), and there are other sections where we don't own enough land to re-instate double track either, quite appart from the extra cost, a few million more on top of the £5m that you'd spend on the cutting! But no-matter; we are opening to East Grinstead next spring, with a fortnight-long Festival.

[@bluebellModelrailway]

Nicely made video I hope you guys can make it in time, I guess the wet weather isn't helping too much, will be watching the progress and hoping to make a visit to the railway in next couple of months.

[@BluebellRail]

Much of the video was shot a month and a half ago, so the levels have changed further since then; the actual change in height is now nearer 2m than the 1.5m which was mentionned in the video. The changes to the north are much easier because of the overall gradient though the cutting.

[@BluebellRail]

That's a very good question. The answer is that this platform is new work, so has to be built to modern standards. Crazy, isn't it.

[@BramGroatFilms]

I really want to donate, but I'm a bit short on cash, being a college student. I live in the United States and have never visited England, but I really want to, and see its heritage railways; the Bluebell above all, thanks to that engine at 8:52 appearing in Thomas the Tank Engine, the show responsible for my love of British steam locomotives, though I never have been near one.

[@BluebellRail]

Many thanks - all donations are appreciated, and will help us achieve our target.

[@Fons1958]

I'm following this and love what you people do. I'm from The Netherlands and support the local SHM steamtram line (which is BEAUTIFUL too :) Go donate this work, because your children and children's children will love you for it

[@thumpergriddle123]

will stranded 4 tank 80151 ever run into east gristed because 80151 is my Favorited and you can renumber it 80154 to do the last train so will 80151 be done soon

[@TehGodLord]

guys thumbs this video up to bump it up youtube!!!

[@Lemontyre]

please tell me that you did not scrap stepney!

[@Lemontyre]

:D i like that train!

[@Lemontyre]

ok!

[@nathan83699]

briilant

[@bluebellModelrailway]

Thats good news, I see from the video, obviously you have re profiled the run up to the bridge to what will be the new cutting, I see that the current level of the tip is higher than the new lead up, are you looking to bring down the level within the tip, to match the new run up? I guess you will have to do a similar thing from the other road bridge leading down to the original track level... and then put the clay over the top. Its good to see progress though! Hope the weather changes!