Bluebell Railway General Discussion

It is quite possible that by the time Bluebell get the line up and running battery power technology will have advanced to make it quite feasible. With the spread and drive for electric cars it is likely to advance quite quickly.

 

As i see it, if you want to recreate an earlier emu type, operation , and why not, its a part of most of our history, especially in the South east, then the only option is battery powered, with suitable charging stations, Ardingly to Horstead Keynes, would be if run as shuttle type service using makes good sence, as recharging can take place during layover, either by having a specially adapted vehicle with battery packs, or even an additional generator set, to provide additional power, if needed on the move, either a driving trailer, or a vehicle that can be fitted into a two car EMU, Such an vehicle would have operational advantages, as it could be used anywhere on the line, even operate to East Grinstead,where if fitted with an onboard gen set, power up to recharge, or operate as a self powered unit,

 

The DLR uses bottom contact third rail, where the top is essentially shielded, as I understand it the restrictions apply to unshielded/ top contact third rail only. The alternative would be to use a micro-switching arrangement where only the rail underneath the unit would be live at any time, some French tram systems use this allowing ground level 'third rail' even in pedestrian areas.

On another note I was in a meeting with one of the mainline ROSCOs and they were confident that they could deploy battery based trains on routes far longer than the Bluebell. The Sheffield Park layovers in the current timetable would easily allow for fast charging sufficient for several trips to Grinstead!

 

Just seen on the Bluebell's Facebook page that LYR Pug No.19 is to visit the Bluebell for the return of the Branch Line Weekend between 21st-23rd April 2023.

 

Latest Bluebell Times makes for interesting reading. Possibly a 207 and 73 on the way

 

A Pug and a Terrier.

Better get 9017 rebuilt as a Bulldog.

 

Thats a rather nice visitor, wonder if she will be let loose on full line trips double headed, or with the observation coach on her own?

Are they expecting any other visitors?

Chris

 

Since the acquisition of the Class 33, I have been wondering if the Bluebell would look at a Thumper. I'm sure I remember one of the Railway Magazines suggesting they were considering it around the time they were being withdrawn.

A 73 would be interesting as I'm sure when the 33 was bought, they considered a 73, but felt it wouldn't be able to keep time on passenger services.

 

Another is being negotiated according to the website.
Branch Line Gala Weekend 2023 - Bluebell Railway in Sussex (bluebell-railway.com)

 

If accepted the 207 will no doubt have it's detractors, however my view is exactly the same as when the Class 33 was acquired. A tightly themed modest diesel fleet that offers a small collection with strong SR pedigree is a great addition to the line.

To be frank, I thought it a lost opportunity that the Bluebell didn't get a 207 back in 2004, and the Mid Hants has since gained my custom over the Bluebell as a result (disclaimer, I know my custom makes no difference to the core business model of either railways!!)

Sent from my moto g(8) power using Tapatalk

 

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

In this issue:

• Board Changes: We Welcome Two New Directors To The Railway
• Jewel In The Crown Report For October
• Goodbye BROOSS- Hello HOPS
• Volunteer Find Out More Days
• New Bluebell Museum Acquisitions
• And much much more.

The Bluebell Times is published monthly on the second Friday of every month. The next issue is due out on Friday, December 9th.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/issue-39.pdf

Tom

 

Interesting to see the condensing pannier.

What I want to know though is that as it has a feed pump instead of an injector how on earth were you supposed to start it when the loco's moving?

There are valves and drains to open then you have to shove a bar into it to get them to go

 

I remember the furore that ensued when the first diesel came to the Bluebell - a class 08 on hire. To try and pacify people (who were threatening to rip up their membership cards in protest ) they insisted it was just an ‘item of plant’ on temporary hire to help build the extension.

I thought at the time it wouldn’t be temporary, and that as they got used to the usefulness of having diesels, they would never be without.

And so I’ve been proved right, they now have 3 diesels permanently based there and 2 more potentially on the way.

 

You should be able to simply open the steam valve and away it goes. Weir pumps were quite common on industrial boilers in times past. Certainly the ones I've used have started with no problem but, if the valves aren't set properly, they could require some persuading to start.

 

I had hoped that it wouldn't be necessary, as Bluebell was unique in being entirely steam based with all the challenges that accompany that.

Now that it has accepted diesels, I am glad to see it being done properly rather than grudgingly.

 

Perhaps 2890 from Spa Valley?

 

Are the Bluebell being paid to store 76017?
Pat

 

Once you have diesel fleet though you do tend to think, ‘How did we do without them?’
In my youth at the SVR I remember 12099 failed on the points to the yard at Kiddy after using the turntable, we’d had 50044 up and running earlier that day, so we had a 44 rescue move to move the Jocko out the way and put it back in its place in the headshunt, we were then asked if we’d mind help shunting the stock from that days last arrival from Bridgo, (I was a very proud 14 year old trainee second man that day doing my best to look all nonchalant! )
But from firing up 44 to to putting it back on the in the yard it was something like 20 minutes to half an hours work?
How long would it have taken if we’d had to sort out a movement to and from Bewdley?

 

The other issue as has been pointed put is fire risk and the way things are going it is quite likley that its either Diesels or accepting that the line might have -unplanned closures in high summer in the future