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Gordon Arrives at Grinstead

 

Mesh fence between Network Rail and the Bluebell Railway Network Rail workers remove the boundary fence

The Bluebell Railway's connection with the national railway network is an extension of Network Rail's Up Siding (though without the conductor rail) as far as Imberhorne Viaduct. The Bluebell Railway's station will actually be alongside the Up Siding, there being a right hand facing point already installed after the viaduct to take Bluebell trains into the new platform roads. There is also a catch point on the Bluebell Line immediately after the boundary.

(above left) The mesh fence between the Bluebell Railway and Network Rail,
and (above right) it being rolled back by Network Rail track workers in expectation of the train shortly about to travel across the boundary (but which was then delayed by about half an hour). Note no ceremonial ribbon to cross!
photographs by Colin Duff

 

3417 about to cross the boundary

Propelled by 73109 on its rear, 3417 is about to cross onto the Bluebell's track from the national railway network, the first train/stock to do so in 45 years.
photograph by Colin Duff

 

Gordon Pettitt nameplate In 2004 3417 was re-painted by South West Trains into BR Blue and named "Gordon Pettitt" to celebrate the Southern Region's gifted and popular General Manager at the time of the introduction of Veps. The nameplate and plaque of explanation could be seen by the public as it passed.
photograph by Colin Duff

 

3417 inching towards the end of the line The unit will be stabled pro-tem on the connection between Bluebell Railway and Network Rail which is only just longer than the four car unit and there are no buffers at the end of the line at Imberhorne Viaduct. Therefore the unit crept extremely slowly towards the end of the line with regular reports back from the train's rear to ensure it was completely on Bluebell property.
photograph by Colin Duff

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This page updated 20th January 2009 by Colin Duff.
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