Bluebell Railway - Operational Disel Locos

[Jan Mayen]

Can anyone confirm if the Bluebell has only one operational disel loco? They have a steam ban in place from today, and I was wondering if they will still be able to operate The Golden Arrow lunch time service on Saturday as well as the regular trains.

 

[Meole]

Will use 33108 and E6040 during ban.

 

[158760]

Can anyone confirm if the Bluebell has only one operational disel loco? They have a steam ban in place from today, and I was wondering if they will still be able to operate The Golden Arrow lunch time service on Saturday as well as the regular trains.

The service will be reduced to 1 train running plus dining trains where applicable during this steam ban. As mentioned above, 33108 will be on the main service trains, with E6040 on dining services.

 

[43096]

Will use 33108 and E6040 during ban.

It might be advantageous to use the Hastings unit that is arriving for the gala more during the kettle ban, if they can. It's more comfortable than their regular stock, too!

 

[Jan Mayen]

The service will be reduced to 1 train running plus dining trains where applicable during this steam ban. As mentioned above, 33108 will be on the main service trains, with E6040 on dining services.

Isn't 33108 at The Severn Valley?

Edit: No, it isn't! I see that it is alrerady running, although the website says's it is away.

Operational Locomotives - The Bluebell Railway in Sussex

www.bluebell-railway.com

Class 33/1 33108​

• Class: Class 33/1
• Designer: Birmingham Railway Wagon & Carriage Company
• Wheel Arrangement: Bo-Bo
• Type: Class 33
• Built: 1960
• Numbers Carried: D6521/33108
• Withdrawn: 24/05/1993
• Returned To Service: 1999
• Arrived On Bluebell Railway: 14 July 2026
• Previously Operational: on the Bluebell - Summer 2025
• Current Status: Operational
• Present Location: The Severn Valley Railway
• Owned By: The Class 33/1 Preservation Company Ltd

 

[gazthomas]

Isn't 33108 at The Severn Valley?

Edit: No, it isn't! I see that it is alrerady running, although the website says's it is away.

Operational Locomotives - The Bluebell Railway in Sussex

www.bluebell-railway.com

Class 33/1 33108​

• Class: Class 33/1
• Designer: Birmingham Railway Wagon & Carriage Company
• Wheel Arrangement: Bo-Bo
• Type: Class 33
• Built: 1960
• Numbers Carried: D6521/33108
• Withdrawn: 24/05/1993
• Returned To Service: 1999
• Arrived On Bluebell Railway: 14 July 2026
• Previously Operational: on the Bluebell - Summer 2025
• Current Status: Operational
• Present Location: The Severn Valley Railway
• Owned By: The Class 33/1 Preservation Company Ltd

It's a guest loco at the Bluebell Railways' Network South East anniversary gala in September

 

[SECR 65]

When I was there a few hours ago 33108 was indeed there!

1001 will be fasttracked to the Bluebell in the next couple of weeks I understand.

D4106 is not in service.

 

[Rail_Sussex]

When I was there a few hours ago 33108 was indeed there!

1001 will be fasttracked to the Bluebell in the next couple of weeks I understand.

D4106 is not in service.

There seems to be a path on the 19th Aug, could 1001 be moved before this date?

 

[SECR 65]

There seems to be a path on the 19th Aug, could 1001 be moved before this date?

The 19th Aug is the planned move date.

It has been suggested to me by a variety of people that they will bring it earlier, which seems likely, but I am yet to identify a reputable source or an actual date.

A friend has found 5Y23 in the data for tomorrow - is this to do with 1001?

 

[Rail_Sussex]

The 19th Aug is the planned move date.

It has been suggested to me by a variety of people that they will bring it earlier, which seems likely, but I am yet to identify a reputable source or an actual date.

A friend has found 5Y23 in the data for tomorrow - is this to do with 1001?

That’s fair.

I’m not sure 5Y23 is, but I could be wrong as it’s only a path to Tonbridge. Maybe someone else can confirm?

 

[fgwrich]

The 19th Aug is the planned move date.

It has been suggested to me by a variety of people that they will bring it earlier, which seems likely, but I am yet to identify a reputable source or an actual date.

A friend has found 5Y23 in the data for tomorrow - is this to do with 1001?

Unlikely. 1001 has a booked charter to do next week (although they may only need half the unit) prior to being free for the Bluebell.

 

[Rail_Sussex]

Unlikely. 1001 has a booked charter to do next week (although they may only need half the unit) prior to being free for the Bluebell.

True, the 4 car set might be free as it looks like a private charter?

 

[SECR 65]

It's the 4 car coming to the Bluebell - afraid not sure of the number.

 

[Rail_Sussex]

It's the 4 car coming to the Bluebell - afraid not sure of the number.

1001/201001 - please correct me if I’m wrong

 

[Class73Electro]

Will both sets of 1001 (ie 1001 and 1013) be working independently at Bluebell?

 

[Rail_Sussex]

That’s fair.

I’m not sure 5Y23 is, but I could be wrong as it’s only a path to Tonbridge. Maybe someone else can confirm?

Apologies if I’m wrong 5Y23 could well be the Hastings Unit as there there is a second path from Tonbridge to the Bluebell!

 

[SECR 65]

Until I can find any public info (i.e. NR schedule) I don't feel able to give a date, but the Thumper is on its way to the Bluebell very shortly.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Jul 2026 ==

Apologies if I’m wrong 5Y23 could well be the Hastings Unit as there there is a second path from Tonbridge to the Bluebell!

What's the Train ID for the second one please? The obvious example is not bringing anything up.

Will both sets of 1001 (ie 1001 and 1013) be working independently at Bluebell?

It's just a single four coach set coming, and they will stay together as a 4-car.

 

[Rail_Sussex]

Until I can find any public info (i.e. NR schedule) I don't feel able to give a date, but the Thumper is on its way to the Bluebell very shortly.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Jul 2026 ==


What's the Train ID for the second one please? The obvious example is not bringing anything up.


It's just a single four coach set coming, and they will stay together as a 4-car.

5Y23 St Leonards Eng.Ltd (Gbrf) to Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf (1001)​

5Y24 Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf to East Grinstead both paths for today.​

 

[SECR 65]

5Y23 St Leonards Eng.Ltd (Gbrf) to Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf (1001)​

5Y24 Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf to East Grinstead both paths for today.​

Thanks.

It must wait at East Grinstead NR for about an hour because of the Bluebell's Golden Arrow Evening Dining train. It will then proceed to Horsted Keynes.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Jul 2026 ==

Bluebell Railway

A huge thank you to Hastings Diesels Limited! Our sincere thanks go to our friends at Hastings Diesels Limited, whose 4-car heritage diesel unit will be on its way to the Bluebell Railway to...

www.facebook.com

A huge thank you to Hastings Diesels Limited!

Our sincere thanks go to our friends at Hastings Diesels Limited, whose 4-car heritage diesel unit will be on its way to the Bluebell Railway to support us during this challenging period.
The unit will help supplement our own and visiting diesel fleet while steam locomotive operations remain temporarily suspended, and we're delighted that it will also be taking part in our 2026 Diesel Gala, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Network SouthEast.
The move is taking place this evening as follows:

5Y23 – 15:33 St Leonards Engineering to Tonbridge West Yard
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/.../2026-07-31/detailed

5Y24 – 18:00 Tonbridge West Yard to East Grinstead
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/.../2026-07-31/detailed
We're incredibly grateful to everyone at Hastings Diesels Limited for stepping in to help at short notice. It's another wonderful example of the support and collaboration that exists across the heritage railway movement.
Further details of operating days for the unit will be announced in due course. Please join us in thanking Hastings Diesels Limited for their fantastic support!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Jul 2026 ==

I doubt the thumper will be used immediately due to the lack of Bluebell diesel crews trained on it right now.

 

[fgwrich]

Well I take that back then and well done to Hastings Diesels and Bluebell Railway!

Just thinking about the irony - you’d never see such a thing 10 years ago!

 

[SECR 65]

1001 has made it onto the Bluebell.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2026 ==

The Hastings Thumper will run this weekend - 8th-9th August.

Special Weekend Timetable - The Bluebell Railway in Sussex

www.bluebell-railway.com