Good News from the Bluebell

Whilst it is a shame, the P is the side show compared to the Fairburn

 

The problem is apparently that the reverser doesn't go full stroke so the valves can't be set as well as the trailing axlebox wedges are tight, for this weekend she will be left in the works but visitors will be allowed in, she will run next weekend with 672. Speaking of 672, she is to run the goods train each morning, will she run these newly advertised brake van rides afterwards?

 

Just to breathe life into this old thread, happy birthday to President Bernard Holden who is 102 years old

 

please let this thread die, and start a new one. It is plenty big enough already.

Pil

 

Well done Bernard, a sterling knock so far. Out of interest, which locomotives at the Bluebell does this make him older than? I've got a feeling that may be surprising...

 

There is much good news now up on the Bluebell news page, including the re-assembling of Baxter and bits going back on 847 http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html

Edit. Bernard is older than all 5 of the Maunsell Loco Society's engines, the 3 P's, the Dukedog, both Bulleid Pacifics, the USA and all 7 BR Standards.

 

its a good thing bernard is at the bluebell, if he was anywhere else he would probably be older than all the locos, then how would he feel.

 

42085 is running next weekend on service trains along the full length of the line

 

34059 has been moved onto the viaduct for publicity purposes and will haul the first spoil train from Imberhorne to EG.......:wink:

 

Uhh oh. 1st April strikes again me thinks! Good ole photo shop...

 

So how far across is the track now? And how much of the front platform wall has been built?

 

Some updates on the Bluebell are very interesting.
*Stepney is close to being finished and has been painted in black and looks likely to make its anniversary of arrival.
*Baxter is also nearing completion and bolier cladding has been lined and painted.
*178 has been painted in SECR liviery and officilly launched today.
*Trackbed between north end of the tip and viaduct cleared. Viaduct also has track laid.

 

Photos (not mine) of 178 here: http://robert300.fotopic.net/c1406236_152.html

Stepney looked very smart in the works today - all over black (keep calm, Mr Haggar!) with thin red lining and "55" on the bunker in cream and "STEPNEY" on the tanks.

5 engines out today on a normal Saturday; on some lines that would be a gala ;-)

Tom

 

Excellent news of progress! Am I alone in thinking that the SE&CR locomotive livery is one of the most complicated (albeit very attractive) there is/was? I find it hard to believe that these locomotives in their very ornate livery are still in service but thanks to some amazing people they are!

 

Surely me and my Dad haven't gained a reputation for wanting to see locos in BR livery have we? lol:smile:

 

I'm already loving the decision to move the bulk of the shunting to a Saturday and using steam. Even more reason just to sit at HK and watch the trains go by.


(btw, is it safe to talk about the diesel shunter or will the bluebell bashers jump onto this thread and say "it's a slippery slope")

 

It must certainly be one of the most complicated - though the Stroudley improved engine green is pretty complex when you see it up close as well. What's impressive is the amount of work on parts you wouldn't normally see very easily; for example lining out of the frames. In the C class, the inside of the cab is scumbled and the lining extends to the to the boxes over the rear wheels inside the cab, despite the fact that realistically teh public would never see them (see http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/locos/work_gp/seat_robf_27may07h.jpg for a photo of rather faded paintwork during the recent overhaul). I guess there was a late Victorian / Edwadian aesthetic that saw objects as more than purely functional.

Incidentally, the Bluebell - despite being former LBSC territory - must be pretty much the unofficial SECR preservation society - 6 out of 8 preserved SECR locos are based there! It'll be nice to get a rake of maroon coaches to go with them.

Tom

 

Well, it's almost a genuine BR livery anyway I think BR themselves painted it into that livery before delivering to the Bluebell - though I believe it just had the number when first delivered, and the Bluebell added the name.

Tom

 

I hope to go down to the line on either 22nd or 23rd for the anniversary of Stepneys arrival event. 178 does look very smart.

 

As if by magic, Mr Hayward obliges with photos:

Stepney: http://train.fotopic.net/stepneyoverhaul. http://train.fotopic.net/p64588911.html shows the livery to good effect.

178 relaunch: http://train.fotopic.net/178

Tom