Bluebell track laying South from EG?

Excllent news. So close to the break through now.

 

Wonderful breakthrough and yet again I will congratulate everyone on this project. Wish you all the best for the ongoing work

 

So can someone clarify, does this mean that when they complete WBR5, the job will be essentially done ? Or do I misunderstand ?

 

I'm confused to.

 

Me too. Their extension web page (26 July update) refers to the "partial excavation strategy now being adopted" but does not explain what that strategy is; whether some of the waste will remain permanently; and whether such a strategy has been agreed with the relevant authorities. The latest news sounds good though!

 

I don't know if any of the WBR project team read these pages (if you do, well done for a superb job so far!) but I have a question. Re any partial excavation strategy, in geological and biological terms there must come a point when domestic waste becomes benign - ie it ceases to break down producing gases and liquids as a by product, and does not present a hazard to subsurface water or surface land above, and ceases to alter in volume or density. This waste seems to have gone well past the point where it presents a health hazard, once scrap metal, tyres etc are separated. With this in mind, could any residaul post WBR5 waste be moved within BLuebell boundaries to another site (eg behind Kingscote or adjacent to the Ardingly triangle, where it could be dumped and recapped while it completes its decomposition process?

 

Its clear looking at whats being removed that the only place for it is another tip - it hasnt fully decomposed and while you can recover larger items for recycling, its impractical to remove all metal and especially all the plastic.

Chris

 

I noticed from Robert Philpot's recent photos that a ramp is being established at the south end of the tip in what may be preparation for removal of surplus capping material southwards by rail to sites elsewhere on the Bluebell. Can anyone confirm whether this is the plan? It seems eminently sensible to distribute non hazardous material elsewhere on BLuebell land if it can't be sold off locally. On the same subject why has some of the track been removed south of Imberhorne Lane bridge?

 

I believe the plan is to start moving surplus capping down to rail level, for temporary storage, south of the tip. The track that was there needs moving to the other side of the alignment anyway, so no harm in removing some of it to allow easy access for the diggers and tippers. At some point in the future, this material will be moved (I'm guessing by rail), for use elsewhere on the Bluebell (rumours indicate that this is likely to be for rebuilding / extending the embankments at Sherriff Mill Viaduct on the Ardingly branch, to allow it to be rebuilt using two bridge sections already owned).

 

When the Bluebell are connected to the network, they'll have to facilitate turning locos. I wonder if the capping material will be used for triangle earthworks somewhere.
Didn't they sell a turntable recently?

 

The turntable that was at the Bluebell went many years ago and is now installed at Kidderminster on the SVR.

 

I remember seeing a Steam Railway recently saying that the Bluebell were looking into buying a turntable (Hither Green's I think) to install at West Hoathly or to install a triangle at Horsted Keynes.

If a turntable was to be installed then it would be nice for it to be somewhere more public so they could do what the WSR have done at Minehead but there isn't much space at either Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes or Kingscote for one which maybe why they sold the one your on about.

 

The positioning of the one at the WSR was an inspired idea, something a few others should consider doing if they have the space.

 

Next week sees the start of the next phase of waste by rail. How is the funding going for the final phase? The Bluebell website seems quiet on this front, no doubt lots of work going on behind the scenes.

 

This appeared on the Bluebell's website today:

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

Richard

 

Sounds good but, does the £1m to complete the extention start from now, or is the £1m price tag from a date in the past which has been reduced with donations?
I assume in order to get trains to EG, the section north of Kingscote will be one train in section with no signals etc?
This coming later on.

Regards
Great Western.

 

Without giving the sort of thought that such a project would most certainly need, I have often wonderd if a triangle at Hortsed Keynes would be possible. Two parts of it are sort of in place now. Just that third bit to add!

 

Its an idea, but i would wonder if a sufficient radius could be made to allow the larger locos to traverse it, i.e Sinclair, 9F, Blackmoor Vale or any visiting locos etc

 

Half a million quid to fund the remaining five weeks of excavation next year such that the two railheads can be connected, plus another half a million quid for related infrastructure work (e.g. remodelling the track layout north of Kingscote station I believe...) before public trains can run. Do tell if you know otherwise!

 

I must confess that I haven't trawled through every post in this thread, so if I'm raising a previously discussed matter, please ignore me. I live a fair way from the Bluebell, but visit a few times a year and contribute to such appeals as 'tenner' etc. I really love the ambition of this brilliant railway, but I do wonder whether it will be able to cope with the enormous demands of this extension?
I worry about the motive power in particular. To my uninformed eyes, as a casual punter, the Bluebell appears to struggle for loco availability. The loco roster is often out of date.
There are still no details of the Autumn Gala on the special events page (a recent news update has changed it from SECR to Vintage). I have limited time off my caring duties and had to commit several weeks ago to my weekends off up to Christmas. in the absence of any info on the website, I decided not to ask for that weekend off, so won't be adding my dosh to the Bluebell's premier enthusiast orientated event.
As I say, I'm not criticising, just worried.