Bluebell Motive Power

Has anyone worked out your PPM figures, just for fun?

 

PPM?

Tom

 

Steam locos can be virtually silent when moving at times. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you'll always hear them.

 

Parts per million? Planned preventative maintenance? Dunno!! I'm just as stumped.

 

Public Performance Measure. It's how the railway industry measures how many trains arrive 'on time' at every destination. All TOC's have a daily target to meet.

 

Ah, I was thinking parts per million, but then I am a chemist at heart ...

There are internal performance measures for punctuality, compiled I believe from signal box / guards records, but I guess they are tailored for our own use. Arriving on time at EG to ensure connections with mainline trains has the highest priority.

Tom

 

You can also measure CaSL too! (Cancellations and Significant Lateness (I think))!

Have a look at this for some useful info: https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/ea0ad5a2-daca-47ec-a72e-b6e50a36a3f1

 

Neil I was only joking!

 

Hi, im new.

Anyway,
Got The Railway Magazine arrived today by post, and I been read magazine and saw Isle of Wight O2 W24 'Calbourne' will returns to the mainland this autumn. O2 Calbourne will runing on the bluebell railway. Giants of Steam?

Calbourne will remain at the railway for a month - long spell in November, Which will possibly include a themed weekend centered on its visit.

 

I haven't seen a Bluebell announcement but it was mentioned in Island Rail News, and I have no reason to doubt that source, so I assume she is planned to visit.

Not sure quite how we'll use her - I assume she will always have to double head passenger trains with B473 on account of the brakes, unless @gwalkeriow wants to send a few of his babies across at the same time to keep her company!

Tom

 

Tom - news of Calbourne's visit was in the latest issue of P&C.

Regards,

Dan

 

Ooh, I think I'm in the general vicinity during Giants of Steam, depending on if it matches up with my half term, that'll be good...

 

When Calbourne was on the MHR, she was an absolute dream. She should go down a storm on the Bluebell and may be the catalyst for me to make the long awaited visit I've been promising myself for more years than I care to remember.

 

Hello. I'm new but been lurking for a while.
It seems in most discussions about engine working there is a whiff of 'We work our engines hard' or 'Our line is really difficult'.
The fact is a P is pretty much on its boiler limit for the 15 minutes or so as Tom describes.
They've only got a 9 sq/ft grate.
How do I know this?
When I'm driving them you get them going and once you are on the hill they'll settle down to about 18-20 mph and there is not much speed to gained whatever you do.
If you muck about you just hammer your water level.
I prefer to leave the controls set as I believe it makes life easier for the fireman.
Once you set sail from the Park it is all down to your mate.
I think the NG stuff probably is worked nearer the limit for longer but they are much cheaper to overhaul. I am fond of the RHDR and they seem to do some sustained hardish steaming.

Regards Russ.

 

Calbourne's coming over again? *frantically searches for spare change down back of sofa* I haven't been to the Bluebell since I was rather smaller, this is an excellent excuse for a visit.

Can B473 translate air to vacuum, or does she just have a vacuum ejector and a vac/straight air proportional valve for her own brakes? I've always understood that it's only systems developed for diesels and later fitted to steam that have air/vacuum proportional valves. Calbourne hauled the MHR Hampshire unit dead, so maybe you could borrow from LT (instead of vice versa) and give her a 4TC to get her teeth into. Not very authentic, I'll grant you, but then Westinghouse fitted O2s with island bunkers on the Bluebell aren't either.

 

Bit of a long shot, but letting my imagination run riot, an 0-4-4T gala would be nice:-
30053 on two Maunsell coaches. OK not push & pull but that apart, it would look like a 3B-TWW working
Met 1 on the Cheshams
W24 with whatever stock has working air brakes (7598 presumably being one candidate)
263 with whatever pre-grouping corridor stock doesn;t have air brakes
Pity the new-build G5 won't be ready

 

You could always hope that 41298 turns up on the low loader instead

 

Just bring the 4-VEP down!

 

Only if I was very, very unwell.

 

Its worth thinking that had w31 not been scrapped, she may have ended up on the bluebell wasnt that the plan, but the ferry costs and price was just too high.