6989 returns & 80151 pulls a demonstration freight set | 07/06/25

Описание: A rather unexpected video today as I wasn’t planning on filming anything railway related today at all but due to some last minute changes, I decided to head to out to capture 6989 ‘Wightwick Halls’ return to service and 80151 pulling a rare demonstration freight train on the Bluebell Railway.

After returning from a lengthy P&V exam, 6989 ‘Wightwick Hall’ would make a welcome return to bluebell metals and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Originally 6989 wasn’t scheduled to haul any train however to the unexpected failure of new build 32424 ‘Beachy Head’, it was decided that it would have to go out to cover for the now failed 32424 & 73082. Nevertheless, it was brilliant to see 6989 returning to traffic.

Also running today was a rare glimpse at the Bluebell’s good set, usually the goods set only comes out during special events but in order to get more crew members signed off to haul goods trains in the future. The Bluebell would run the set on a normal running day as a training session. The plan was to capture a third shot of the goods returning from East Grinstead however, when arriving at Rock Cutting to take the shot: a squall line raced across southern England with embedded storms along it’s line so it absolutely hammered down whilst claps of thunder rumbled across the sky. The decision was taken not to get the camera out even though I was already there and practically set up. 34059 would make up the rest of today’s loco running hauling the main A set and also the Golden Arrow.

Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/chaileystow...

Locomotives Featured:

BR Standard 4MT 80151
Rebuilt Battle of Britain Class No 34059 ‘Sir Archibald Sinclair’
BR(W) Modified Hall No 6989 ‘Wightwick Hall’

Timestamps:
0:00 6989 - Freshfield
1:22 34059 - Horsted Keynes Footpath
2:36 80151 - Leamland Bridge
3:26 6989 - Horsted Keynes Footpath
5:00 6989 - West Hoathly
6:20 34059 - Sharpthorne Tunnel
7:21 80151 - Horsted Keynes Footpath
8:29 34059 - Three Arch Bridge
9:46 80151 - South Field