Good News from the Bluebell

Makes it sooo frustrating, if it wasn't for that sodding tip we'd be fully connected to E.G. by now.

 

Some may see this as bad news, others as good news but it's news none-the-less a 1968 Sentinel Diesel Shunter has arrived and will be used for 'as needs be' shunting at the carriage and wagon works, with the bulk of shunting done by steam on a Saturday. This of course means the 08 on hire will be sent back to whence it came.

Piccy here http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pic2/wn-2010/sentinel_tonys6104_7may10h.jpg

 

Acquisition has to be the first step in any scheme to re-convert it back into a Sentinel steam loco. Now, who's got a spare boiler and engine unit?

 

I think you'll find that this engine was built as a diesel.

Regards

 

yes you are probably right Orion there were Sentinel diesel locos built as well as the steam ones, in fact 3 of the diesel kind worked on the London underground

 

Quite possibly. I was going by the fact that it was chain driven and had steam style axleboxes. Any idea of its works no?

 

The Bluebell Railway must have been glad that they had the use of an 08 shutter on the 14th May with the failure of C-class 592. Reading there web site the 08 shutter stepped in and took over the 3pm service. According to the web site is was the first time a diesel shutter/loco worked a regular service over the line.


http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html

 

Not very fast at 15mph max!

 

Is Stepney ready to be in steam for tomorrow. Hope she is in steam and hope to be down the line Saturday.

 

Indeed she was ready - see photos on the Bluebell's "What's new" page showing the recreation of events 50 years ago to the day, when Stepney arrived with Maunsell carriage 6575. A credit to all involved in the rapid restoration of Stepney, and the repaint of 6575 against a tight deadline.

Tom

 

Oh cool thanks.

 

Continuing the Bluebell Railway 50th Anniversary celebrations, this coming Saturday & Sunday is the line's Open Day and Stepney's Birthday Special Event.

An opportunity to see behind the scenes in the workshops, Pullmans and other parts of the railway not normally open to the public. Plus celebrate 50 years since Stepney first arrived at the Bluebell Railway.

See: http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/events/index.html

Anyone who desires something out of the ordinary may care to note that in addition to the normal steam hauled trains, there will be Brake Van rides along the Ardingly Siding at Horsted Keynes on both days. The engine to be used for the duty will be ex-SECR "P" class No.178.

Chris

 

Should be there Saturday. Looking at the Bluebell site it was great to see Bernard Holden wave Stepney in to Horsted.

 

I have added some photos of the track laying at East Grinstead and the view from Hill Place Farm Bridge into my collection on the extention on my disused website. The photos are in sequence to show the progress. It was nice to actually watch track being layed before my eyes for a short while on Monday lunchtime!

One photo...

http://disusedrailwayphotosbyashleysmith.fotopic.net/p65053939.html

Collection...

http://disusedrailwayphotosbyashleysmith.fotopic.net/c1639547.html

I also took a not very good video of the C on the service train that day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnnxaVx1xuM

 

Lovely pictures and video. Enjoyed the open weekend the other day. Shame Stepney wasn't working on its own but never mind. I went on the Saturday and the line was full of parents and kids which is good as hopefully the kids will become part of operations.

Anyone know if any other visitors going to the 50th Anniversary Gala. Roy Watts said in a BN last year that they had a list of locos (but some would only have come if the full connection was ready). At the moment it seems like it'll be Tornado, Furness 20,Blue Circle and 7 Typhoon.

 

Car 88 from the Brighton Belle project is coming too and will be posed with Doris at HK. But so far as I know there aren't any other locos confirmed.

 

Been looking at the item on the Bluebell site about the track work through the tunnel.
Is this the first time in the preservation field that a Laser Dozer has been used?

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pway/relaying2010.html

 

Interesting pictures but not the first time a laser dozer has been used on a preserved railway.
On the Mid Norfolk the trackbed was cleared for the Thuxton loop using one - http://www.mnr.org.uk/news/2009/april.html (permanent way reports) and I'm sure I saw a picture of one used on the Swindon and Cricklade's northern extension but can't find it on their website.

 

I was interested to see the track has been welded through the tunnel - is this because fishplate maintenance would be difficult? And is the use of welded rail here also a 'first' for a preserved railway? (Other than those who may have inherited welded track from the previous owner.)

Regards,
John Webb

 

Welded track is also being installed on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire extension with the work being carried out by Carillion Rail as part of training.