BR Southern Region 'Oxted' DeMU No.1305 has arrived at the Bluebell Railway today (19th January 2023). The DeMU has been purchased by the Bluebell and is likely to be used for early and late trains as well as being useful cover for failed steam locos or during periods of high fire risk.
Class 73/1 No.73133 'Bluebell Railway' is also expected to arrive at the Bluebell later this year on a ten year hire agreement with the loco's owner. No.73133 will also be useful as cover for steam locos (as above) and is also expected to take on more of the shunting turns at Horsted Keynes in place of the 'ageing' Sentinal diesel No.10241.
These two arrivals will join the Bluebell's current diesel fleet which comprises Sentinal 0-4-0DH No.10241 (affectionately known as 'Skippy'), BR class 09 0-6-0DE No.D4106 & BR class 33/0 No.33052 'Ashford'.
As a result of this year's influx of diesels (in part at least), a diesel gala is being pencilled in to the Bluebell's calender of events for October.
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Tony