Bluebell Railway

Giants of Steam Gala - 2007

This is the annual gala event where the larger engines are displayed on an intensive train service. This was the first time in 40 years that three air-smoothed SR Pacifics had been in steam together! The event was themed around the end of Southern Steam and featured the following impressive line up of locomotives:

• West Country Class, 21C123  'Blackmoor Vale', Bulleid Pacific , built Brighton Locomotive Works, February 1946, withdrawn from service1967.

• Battle of Britain Class, 34081 '92 Squadron' Bulleid Pacific (Visiting engine), built Brighton Locomotive Works 1948, withdrawn from service 1964.

• West Country Class, 34007 'Wadebridge', Bulleid Pacific  (Visiting engine), built Brighton Locomotive Works 1945, withdrawn from service 1965.

• West Country Class, 34028 'Eddystone', Bulleid Pacific, built Brighton Locomotive Works, May 1946 rebuilt at Eastleigh 1958 withdrawn from service 1962.

• 1638 SR U-class 2-6-0, Built at Ashford Locomotive Works in 1931 and design by Oliver Bulleid's predecessor Richard Maunsell.

• 32473 ex-LBSCR E4 0-6-2T, Built Brighton Locomotive Works, 1898.

• Terrier 55 ex-LBSCR A1X 0-6-0T, Built Brighton Locomotive Works, 1872.

• No. 80151 BR 4MT 2-6-4T - Built Brighton Locomotive Works, 1957 and withdrawn in 1967, which stood in for 32473 on Saturday and Sunday .

This weekend saw the  final occasion  when 55 'Stepney'  ran as the "Brighton Works" shunter before withdrawal for its ten-year boiler overhaul.  Also used over the weekend,  Four sets of carriages were be used, The fine Bulleid carriages, along-side Mk.1s, Maunsell and the Metropolitan set. Special Saloons and Pullman Cars were also a feature in the trains along goods stock on special trains.

 (Click on picture to enlarge)
 

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