Bluebell Motive Power

And be left with a loco with no brakes?

 

The problem may have been less serious with time as the number of unfitted wagons began to drop after the mid 50s

 

That's good. I intend to see it this year and the Bluebell Railway in general since the last time I was there was 2005. I hoping to be there in July tying in with a first visit to the Spa Valley Railway during their 30th Closure. Might be a very 'southern' week for me.

Of course... I realise there is a good chance that 30541 won't be in traffic that week obvs!

 

Well there are ways of solving that, plus I'm sure a locomotive's braking ability is of particular high importance on the NYMR, perhaps more so then other railways at any rate. Not that it isn't equally important mind you.

 

I'm sure if they were offered more appropriate alternatives they'd at least have some interest in the idea.

 

I know, looking back at the comment now, not exactly my finest hour...

Oh well, better luck next time as they say.

 

Peerhaps I should have expanded a little. The S15 is vac braked and virtually all out others are steam braked. As steam travels down a pipe at about twice the speed of sound and only needs a relatively small pipe they are pretty much instantaneous in application whereas a vacuum brake relies on air meandering down a 2" pipe before leaning on the piston and, when you want a brake in a hurry, you don't get that. I've had to make an urgent brake application with the S15 (light engine) twice in my life and the time to stop can be frightening. You also end up making a full application to minimise the time and, if the wheels should lock up, then you can be in the proverbial. A steam brake is much quicker and more controllable.
Interestingly, 60007 is also vac only but the brakes seem to come on much more quickly. However, the loco has a very high brake force so you don't need to drop the vacuum far. It is dead easy to lock the wheels so you need great care when applying the brake.

 

While crewing on the S15 847, the driver commented to me that the (loco) vac brake was perhaps slow to come on by design to avoid the wheels locking up when on express freight duties for which the S15s were designed.

 

From the Bluebell e-Newsletter, a rare opportunity to travel behind Baxter on a passenger train over the whole line, using the Victorian 4-wheeled stock. I think - might be wrong - that this will be the first trip for Baxter beyond Kingscote.

"NO. 3 TO HELP FUNDRAISE FOR NO. 27

On 3 May, 2015 the Fenchurch Fund will be raising funds for Project 27 by offering a ride on a special test train hauled by No. 3 "Baxter."

For a fare of £18, passengers are entitled to a meal in the Bessemer Arms plus one return trip from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead with a choice of 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. departures.

For more information, contact Clive Emsley at thefenchurchfund@gmail.com. Please note that this test train may be subject to last minute re-scheduling.

Click here for more details."

 

Tom, (or anyone else),

Is there any news on the Q class? I've looked at the loco roster which has now been updated to cover the period up to the week after Easter and no mention of it as yet.

Thanks

 

John - AFAIK, 541 hasn't yet made a loaded test run over the whole line, though it has been to Horsted and back. I think the reason is probably because there have been midweek possessions of the line between Kingscote and East Grinstead in connection with work to construct a platform canopy at EG: therefore there hasn't been an opportunity to make a loaded test run over the whole line, and the loco won't be released to traffic until it has completed such a run. The desire is certainly to have the loco available for traffic before the trains start to get heavier.

Tom

 

Thank you for the update, Tom.

 

According to the Bluebell's facebook page 30541 has been on a successful light enigine test run and there is a picture at Kingscote see https://www.facebook.com/bluebellrailway

 

It appears that on its way back, it picked up the 9F from HK and bought it back to SP. 80100 has apparently gone in the opposite direction. No idea why!

Tom

 

Tom,

I recall it being mentioned in one of the dept meetings that there was a plan to relocate the 9F to SP. I guess the time had finally come. It makes sense to have 80100 tucked out of the way at HK rather than in full view in the dock road. At least the 9F can finally have the cosmetic work finished if nothing else.

 

One for @Steve B: latest update on the overhaul of P class 27: http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/loco_news/oh_27.html#latest

Tom

 

Quick note to say that the Q class completed three loaded round trips to EG yesterday, initially with the four coach Wealden Rambler set, and then with the Obo and GN Saloon added to increase the load to six. Apparently all went well.

Photo (not mine) here:

https://www.facebook.com/PaulBoothR...411592318495/1110411502318504/?type=1&theater

No official word on when it is due in traffic - keep an eye on the loco roster and / or the PTI page.

Tom

 

And footage (not mine) here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paul_booth/16892419228/

What a lovely sound she makes.

 

Also on the loco front, a blog for the overhaul of P class 27, with an update about work last weekend:

http://wainrightsfinestsecr27.blogspot.co.uk

Tom