Bluebell Motive Power

http://www.bluebell-railway.com/timetable-and-fares/engine-roster/

Just noticed the Loco Roster on the .com website (How long has that been there?). I see that 30541 is listed as operating next week. However on the .co.uk website it isn't listed. Which one is correct?

 

Latest progress of Brighton Atlantic: http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/locos/atlantic/latest.html

 

Good question - I hadn't noticed that page appear.

I asked around a bit last night, and my perception is that the source for both is the same; however, the one on the .com site may end up more accurate if it is updated weekly, on the grounds it is more likely to take into account short-notice operational changes. The .co.uk one stretches a month or more into the future, but may get overtaken by events on the ground.

So I would assume the .com one is likely to be more accurate with regard the Q running next week. It's listed on that page for a lunchtime GA today - if photos of that appear, I'd suggest running during the week is a near certainty. When I spoke to the Loco Workshop manager last weekend he implied that at that point the Q was due back imminently, though we didn't really discuss in any detail.

Edit: Main Loco Roster has now been updated to show the Q in service on a GA today and then in regular service from Monday. Also Baxter on a Goods Train in a couple of weeks.

Tom

 

The Q was indeed running on the GA today.
Cheers,
Jon

 

Thanks Jon. Did you wave when it went past?

Tom

 

The last time I waved at it it broke shortly afterwards, so thought best not to tempt fate again ;-)

 

I think a few photters were out around. Was on my way to my Nans and saw someone packing up at Monteswood Lane then 2 parked cars at the junction just up the road.

 

Three photos (not mine) of the Q in action today, starting here: http://riff-raff.org/photos/v/Mlawrence/2015-05/20150518_152341_019.jpg.html

Tom

 

I paid a visit on Sunday.

A small gallery of the Q can be found Here!

 

I noticed 30541 was removed from the loco roster in favour of 1638 this week.

Nothing too serious I hope?

 

It had a leak in the tender that needs some attention.

Tom

 

Thank you for saving me a wasted journey. I was all geared up to go over to the Bluebell to photograph 30541 on the fish & chip sepcial yesterday then saw the post and rang SP to check. I was told 30541 was not going to be used this weekend. Good to hear from Tom that the problem doesn't sound too bad and I hope it will be back in action soon, also that no more teethng troubles will show up.

 

A leak is a bit of an understatement. It's more like a torrent!

 

Some more photos of "Camelot" coming back together. (On FaceBook, but no login required):

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=579619468846349&id=381518251989806

Text from FaceBook:

"The first picture shows footplate sections in position on fireman's side and the second shows the firebox backhead cladding though complete it still needs to be painted.

The third picture is taken looking through cab floor: stretcher bolted in, firebox feet retainers in place, damper controls fitted.

The grate has also been worked on and the rods for the rocking mechanism are now all in position. In addition, the reverser wheel and gear has been fitted in the cab and the drive shaft bolted back on.

The last two shots show the tender back at Sheffield Park after tyre turning and about to be off-loaded from the transporter.

Pictures courtesy of Peter Gibbs and thanks to the efforts of the Bluebell Railway Workshop Staff and Volunteers."

Tom

 

Tom,

Is there any news about when the Q class's tender will be fixed?

Thanks

 

Sorry John - don't have any news. It's not too problematic at the moment as 847 and 1638 can share the main service train with 592 and 263 sharing the other train at weekends, but I'd imagine that there would be a desire to have the Q back before the summer holiday when we tend to need two big engines daily.

Tom

 

On Bluebell News said: 'It's possible the Q-class will be used next week (starting on Monday).'

 

Also listed on this loco roster http://www.bluebell-railway.com/timetable-and-fares/engine-roster/

 

It's probably been asked before, but why oh why is there nothing on www.bluebell-railway.com about locomotives and rolling stock? There's not even (as far as I can see) a link to www.bluebell-railway.co.uk, where such information is to be found, though there ARE links in the other direction.

 

The .com site is specifically aimed at the general public and not the enthusiast. There is a link the other way in case people have come to the .co.uk site by accident since it usually come before the .com site in searches.