Bluebell Railway General Discussion

As Tom says Lywood Tunnel's lease is probably the reason for action (especially after another Bluebell related structure just recently avoided a concrete fate by, I think, Highways England).

Presumably the Bluebell have an idea for the Extension beyond Ardingly and we may get some answers through the consultation as to what that may be.

I believe the Stone workings are usually in the morning, either side of peak time, I think between 6 and 9, but regular passenger services use Platform 1, primarily Ore and Littlehampton services that split there

 

Do we know where the boundary between the Hanson site and NR lies?

I confess to being surprised to hear workings are daily, having rather assumed we's have been talking 'trips per month'.

We ought to be thankful goods has guaranteed the formation over the past 60 years, or I doubt we'd be having this discussion. You need look no further than the erstwhile Steyning line, a few miles west, to see what happened after Beeding Cement Works* gave up the ghost back in the 80s, taking the last realistic chance or reopening with it.

*Over three decades later, the derelict carcass of the works still stands. Not so the embankment which lifted the line towards the junction with the West Coastway

 

It is.

https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/60/102/

 

Major update on the website, detailing Beachy Head's boiler lift on the 16th August:

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/brps/whats_new/

 

I missed news of that one. Which and where, please?

 

I'm guessing it's this one:
https://sussexbylines.co.uk/infilling-at-barcombe-a-bridge-too-far/

 

If so, that whole HRE treatment of railway structures (see also Queensbury Tunnel and bridges at Great Musgrave and Toller Porcorum) also highlights the twin roles of changes to policy and personnel (there are strong rumours that HRE's addiction to concrete was down to the influence of one individual within the organisation).

 

I probably should have worded it better, but Mark above is correct, that I was referring to Barcombe Bridge on the former section from Culver Junction to Sheffield Park.

 

Well that's simple, start the Ore services from Brighton and bring back the Horsted Keynes to Seaford service. Job's a good 'un.

 

The latest issue of The Bluebell Times is now available to view for September

In this issue:

• Loco No. 65 goes mainline for the first time in 60 years!
• Beachy Head’ and ‘Fenchurch’ both have their boilers refitted
• The next locomotive overhauls are planned in the workshop and Atlantic House
• The first glimpse of Bulleid wagon 12058
• Solar panels planned for locomotive workshop roof - but we all need to “put that light out” as electricity bills soar
• More work at Horsted Keynes, including a deep clean of the subway - and a new floral arrangement

The Bluebell Times is published monthly on the second Friday of every month. The next issue is due out on Friday, October 14.

You can download the latest edition by clicking the link below.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-times/

Tom

 

I think that the Beachy Head group have made a wise decision to concentrate their future efforts on restoring one of the Bluebell's long o.o.u. locos rather than another new-build.
Ray.

 

Sad we lose the prospect of a Maunsell Wainwright E for the foreseeable future. On the fip-side, glad we'll get to see something cold come back to life.

 

Maunsell??

Tom

 

Correction forthwith. Confusing E class with the later rebuilds.

 

They could've at least put beer in the glass, not boiler washout water...

 

You haven’t seen our Berry Sour yet have you…?

 

Um... I'll pass, thanks. Any scotch?

 

Yes, but as washout water goes, it comes straight from a Wainwright boiler so it is finest quality ...

Tom

 

My word, a livery debate about beer now...

Steve B

 

Dribble Wibble?