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Bluebell Railway
Giants of
Steam Weekend - 2005
The annual 'Giants of Steam' weekend
was greeted with un-seasonal mild weather and pleasant sunshine at times
which helped to swell the visitor numbers.
Visiting locomotive for this weekend
only was Canadian Pacific No. 35005, Built in 1941 at Eastleigh, the Merchant
Navy class were seen on passenger services departing from Waterloo to to Dorset
and the West Country. Those of you who visit the Mid Hants Line will be familiar
with her, and the older amongst us would remember such names as The Atlantic
Coast Express and the Devon Belle Pullman.
The six other locomotives in steam
where Blackmoor Vale No. 21C123, Standard Class 4 No. 75027, Class 4 Tank No.
80151, Earl of Berkeley No. 9017 E4 Class No. 32473 and Visiting Locomotive
Ivatt Tank No.41312. Making an early return home was the North London Dock
Tank which was greeting visitors on Sunday morning whilst it waited delivery on
the Low loader at Sheffield Park station.
The Gala also saw Special
carriages on show which had been made available to 1st Class ticket holders.
Great Northern Railways Directors Saloon No. 43909, London and North Western
Railway Semi Royal Saloon and Pullman Car Lilian.
Also nice to see was the Early
Morning Milk train hauled by Ivatt No. 41312 and a display from the
Mechanical Horse Club at Sheffield Park station. There was also a vintage bus
service operating from East Grinstead station to Kingscote.
(Click on picture to enlarge)
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