‘Giants of Steam Gala’ - Bluebell Railway | 16~18/10/26

The middle of October only symbolises one thing in the Chailey Stowe household, and that the Bluebell Railway’s annual Giants of Steam gala and this year would promise to go bigger than ever with arguably Britian’s two strongest current optional steam locomotives. Representing the heavy freight division of steam locomotives, No 92134 would visit the Bluebell from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and would prove to be a very popular inclusion for the gala. Running the weekend before with our goods set, 92134 would run with our own 9Fs tender while 92240 continues her overhaul by the Awake Giant group. Representing mainline steam, BR Standard 8 No 71000 ‘Duke of Gloucester’ would fit this bill nicely. Returning back to steam after a lengthy overhaul in 2025, Duke of Gloucester certainly is a mainline celebrity and sure knows how to draw the crowds. To demonstrate her immense power, 71000 would perform a 12 coach loaded run with 92134 on the rear. The chance was also taken to double the duke alongside her chime whistle counterpart, 73082. The third guest to run alongside the two giants would be Ivatt No 41313. Approaching the end of her boiler ticket, 41313 has been a firm favourite Ivatt for myself and it’s brilliant to see her back at the Bluebell for extended period. Fellow tank engine 4MT 80151 would join the Ivatt in two double header combinations while rubbing shoulders with our own pair of giants, No 73082 ‘Camelot’ & 34059 ‘Sir Archibald Sinclair’. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaileystow... Timestamps: 0:00 41313 - HK Footpath 1:54 80151 & 34059 - HK Footpath 3:20 92134 - Vaux End 4:39 71000 - Nobles 5:45 41313 & 80151 - Three Arch Bridge 7:02 34059 - Freshfield Bank 8:17 92134 - South Field 9:47 73082 & 71000 - HK Footpath 10:36 80151 - HK Footpath 11:56 73082 & 92134 - Freshfield Bank 13:17 73082 & 92134 - Imberhorne Bank 14:52 71000 - Courtland Wood 16:38 41313 - HK Yard 18:21 73092 - Sharpthorne Tunnel 19:19 92134 - Freshfield Bank 21:19 92134 - Vaux End Bridge 22:18 80151 - Freshfield Bank 24:02 71000 - Freshfield Bank 25:32 71000 - Vaux End Bridge 26:37 Horsted Keynes Loco Lineup 29:22 73082 - Paddock Field 31:05 34059 - Paddock Field 33:20 80151 - HK Footpath 34:22 71000 - Holywell 35:51 92134 - Holywell 37:21 41313 & 80151 - Holywell 38:41 73082 & 92134 - Horsted House Farm Bridge 39:58 34059 & 71000 - South Portal 41:14 41313 - Three Arch Bridge 42:33 71000 - Freshfield Bank 44:08 71000 - Imberhorne Bank 45:51 92134 - Mill Place 48:09 71000 - Sheffield Park