Bluebell Motive Power

I mentioned the Dukedog in mine above, but last I remember was it was meant to be one of the next to be overhauled along with Fenchurch, but as I said that was pre COVID and plans may have changed since then. I think it may also have a loco that the Atlantic group may look at in the last issue of Trackside, so it seems hopeful that it'll return at some point.

With Stamford and now the USA Tank being sold, are they the only loco's moving on to pastures new or are there others facing a similar future? I know Bluebell News mentioned in recent years about the Railway assessing it's stock and making difficult decisions (although understandable in regards to the 2 locomotives mentioned above and some of the other rolling stock offered for sale).

 

Sorry, I missed it. (Just woke up!). Thanks for that

 

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I'm sure 9017 will follow the 9F in the workshop. That's what I been hearing as a possibility

 

I still hope they will let 9017 go to a suitable new home. It’s a lovely engine on the wrong railway.

 

*Beckons in general direction of Toddington*

 

Llangollen would be better

 

*Beckons in general direction of the terms of the bequest that saw it in Sussex in the first place*

Tom

 

No, it's going to be the new works shunter at Crewe for LSL*

*Totally fabricated in the workshop of my mind.

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

Please sir, it was @Johnb who started it, and sometimes playing fantasy loco allocations is just too irresistible! But I would love to see it on our revived GWR goods train...

 

Just remember that it has been in Sussex for nearly sixty years now - that's twice as long as it was in GWR/BR(W) service. I think it is entitled to call Bluebell home these days.

Peter

 

Just wondering how set in stone such sentiments truly are. I mean .... if someone actually goes and finds Lew, ......

 

Correct Peter.

…perhaps they should just paint everything else in GWR livery so that it blends in better!

 

Whats to stop the Bluebell railway placing 9017 on long term loan to the GWSR under an overhaul and run agreement ? with agreement for the loco to appear at the Bluebell for a couple of gala's during its next active ticket? that would seem an workable solution, ownership doesn't change, just location.

 

That would leave the Bluebell short of one medium size loco.

The Dukedog is likely to be the next one to be overhauled after the H, and it not likely to be as extensive as the E4 or the C. This would given the railway more time to overhaul one of these before they are required.

 

Tom already answered that. There’s more info on the BB website https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pic2/gwr/dukedog.html

 

I know it won’t move, when I said the wrong railway I meant there is nothing remotely Great Western about the Bluebell so it just doesn’t fit in.

 

The terms of the bequest under which it came to the Bluebell are specific about the location; it is not just about ownership. Remember, back in 1961 / 62, the Bluebell was pretty much the only place such a loco could be based and run: had we not existed then, the loco would likely have been scrapped. The Great Western Society hadn't at that point even had its foundational meeting, much less have an operating base.

Tom

 

There’s an interesting piece in the Beano about it from about 2 years ago regarding it and it’s ownership, haven’t got it to hand but I recall one of the conditions of its donation to the Bluebell is something along the lines of it no long term loans elsewhere.
My own opinion FWIW is it is a little out of place in Sussex but you could argue the same for say 600 Gordon at the SVR.
But then those visits 3217/9017 made to the likes of the SVR, Llangollen and the South Devon in its last period of operation reminded us of what a special machine it is.

 

And the Schools and the S15 on the NYMR.