Bluebell Northern Extension - so what's occurring then?

Yes. If they aren't travelling in the course of their duties, people are passengers. Full stop.

 

Looking on philpot web site tonight I see there has been a large amount of clay falling back in the cutting. Quoting the web site about seven wagon loads. Looks like some work will be needed to stabilise the side of the cutting.

 

Welcome. And I agree that it would be great for 55 Stepney to haul the first train although she is in fragile condition. Maybe 323 being the 2nd Bluebell loco. A shame also that 80151, 80064 and 80100 will not be running as it would also be appropriate that the last train to leave and the first train back be hauled by a Standard 4 Tank.

 

Ah, now this is a very interesting subject in itself, which engine should have the honor to pull the first train on a new extension...? For some it's not that big of a deal, but for others it's a big matter, as, as such, it is a historic moment, one that will be remembered for generations to come...

So in some cases, choosing a locomotive for this grand role is at times a daunting and difficult one (certainly in my opinion anyway), because how do you choose? For most railways it might be difficult because nearly every engine probably has a good reason to be selected, but the Bluebell Railway...? Now that's a whole different matter...!

The Bluebell Railway has such a large, diverse and unique collection of locomotives that it would be hard to figure out where to start.

Personally, my bet's favouring Stepney also, with it's historical significance to the railway, not to mention it's popularity, it's a strong contender...

But I wonder whether there's any other good candidates for the role, has anyone got any suggestions? Please, let your opinions on a candidate be heard, be interesting to hear the reasons why, whatever they might be.

 

I would think a triple header of 55, 323 and 34059 if she's running again by then. The railway's 3 flagship locos. Perhaps pulling the Golden Arrow and Wealden Rambler sets together for invited guests and whoever else gets the privilege of being on the first train.

 

If it's at all possible, it has to be Stepney on the first train, surely, or if not, at least running up and back light engine as the symbolic first loco. I can't think of any loco so strongly associated with one particular heritage line among the wider public.

 

I think it should be a class 66. (oh alright I'm joking).

 

We know that a 66 (or maybe a pair of 73s) is going to be hired in, for clay capping material to be moved efficiently down to Horsted. However, before that, track laying must take place. What motive power will be used on the engineering trains? The 08 for most, but perhaps steam for the train delivering the last track panel? Once that last panel is laid, wasn't there going to be some kind od "golden spike" ceremony? I'm guessing that the engineering train delivering the last panel will be the first train to make it to EG, even though it won't be carrying passengers.

 

I couldn't agree more! It would be really great to see Stepney and/or Bluebell involved at the opening, even if only as a symbolic gesture if the loads presenting are too large. One other Loco that I would like to see used on the day is the North London Tank, as it was hired to the contractors that dismantled the line back in the 1960's and hauled the demolition trains - but I suspect, given the amount of work needed to return it to service, that I will be disappointed there.

Steve B

 

I would expect that stepney will have a role to play in the celibrations, but she is very tired mechanically, so it would most likily be just hauling the directors saloon for invited guests, but wont that be a day to savour, clearing the tip is probally the first mission impossible to be actually compleated or soon will be , 10 years ago it was just a dream

 

Dream on, I'm afraid. Though I believe Birch Grove was used on some of those trains as well, and that will be running for the celebrations.

As for Stepney - yes she's knackered. But nothing to stop her double heading with another engine to provide oomph. (She could also do an officer's special with the Directors' Saloon, which is - just - inside her current load limit).

As for "first train" I'd imagine there will be numerous firsts:

1) There will have to be an engineers' train to rebuild the line. Once the last rail is in place, that would I'm sure venture up to EG to prove the whole line. That would be the genuine first train. Once it is known when that will be, whether it will be hauled by steam as a ceremonial special / "golden spike" type ceremony I don't know, but it would be a shame not to.

2) The remaining clay has to be removed - almost certainly that will be a class 66 arriving from the mainline with suitable wagons: that would be the first through train from the north to points south of Imberhorne.

3) There will have to be crew training / route learning turns for footplate crew and guards. Depending on (1), these may or may not be the first steam hauled through trains from the south to EG.

4) Before the opening proper, there may be various specials to reward key donors, volunteers and staff who have made major contributions etc. At a guess, I'd suggest if nothing else, there would be a desire to run a special for Bernard Holden (possibly in the wheelchair accessible LCDR saloon with the LCDR brake to provide a brake) before the full opening. Those would be the first passenger trains. They would be eminently suitable for Stepney or Bluebell.

5) At a guess, I'd imagine on opening day the first passenger train would likely be pre-sold at a premium, as a fundraising effort. (Interesting side question: what is the biggest capacity train incorporating 1st, 3rd, wheelchair and brake facilities that can fit within the available platform length made up of current operational stock. Hint - think about the Mets, SECR 100 seater and LCDR four wheelers and build up from there...)

6) At some point on opening day, there will be a first train available for passengers turning up on the day (e.g. not pre-booked).

7) At some point after, there will be a first charter train running in from the mainline.

So plenty of scope for "first" trains!

Tom

 

Looking on Philpot web site today. Work has recommenced again on the Imberhorne cutting. Is this the Start of the last big push to finish off the extension?

 

Another update on Philpot web site today showing large earth removal equipment now on site.

 

How nice that the project team have informed the Bluebell webmaster in advance so that he was able to inform the membership about this new activity. They just don't learn anything do they (sigh).

 

As i've said before there's nothing unusual about the way its being reported, especially when its just day after day of earthmoving in a location they dont want to encourage people to visit due to access issues. Even with the WHR restoration, perhaps the best covered of any railway project, if you wanted day-to-day news, progress updates and conjecture you relied much more on unnoficial websites and e-groups.

Chris

 

To be fair to the Bluebell webmaster, it was clearly stated on the latest extension updated that, "Work on the ground will recommence in earnest in the last week of March, at Kingscote and Imberhorne Road Bridge." See Bluebell Railway - East Grinstead Extension Progress

The legend that is Robert Philpot has updated his photo blog with more photos taken today - Imberhorne Cutting Removal - Page 5

There are also photos of the work on the realignment at Kingscote here - A photographic tour of the Bluebell Railway - Kingscote Station and signal boxes - Derek Hayward's Photos | SmugMug - taken earlier this week.

Regards,

David

 

Reading Rail magazine yesterday . I see there is still 30000 tons of spoil and wast to be removed from the cutting. On another note the BB are to apply for permission to replace the double arc bridge between Horsted Keynes and Ardindly which was demolished in 1963.

 

They don't learn at the Bluebell do they ? Today there is a news update on their website with half a dozen stories of passing importance. Not a dicky bird about the work restarting, not even a single sentance. Oh, there is a bit about fundraising for it, but they didn't mention that work restarted this week. They should be shouting it in very large headlines, probably as a separate story and there should be a press release.

I run a web product for a job and my boss would kick my backside from here to India if I missed the biggest story of the week like that. I just don't get it, I know the webmasters are not paid for doing that sort of thing, but the enthusiasts and members who are dobbing out chunky money on this massive project want to read about this kind of big news, as it means they have reached a vitally important project stagegate. Instead we get news items about a wet day at the bluebell and the foundations of the new workshop.........

Its almost as if they don't care or perhaps more charitably don't know how to prioritise their communications.

 

What is the point of the official website reporting 'in very large headlines' every time they move earth about at Imberhorne? The best way to attract attention is to report meaningful progress when its been made and news when its been officially confirmed, not to shout as loudly as possible everytime a contractor starts moving clay about. Of course a lot of people do want regular updates, me included, but as this and several other forums, the e-group and Roberts website show the resumption of work is hardly a secret.

While you may not be interested in whats happening elsewhere on the railway, it makes sense to promote it - its never going to attract the wider publicity the extension gets, even when its just as important and in need of people "dobbing out chunky money".

While a new wash out pit and facilities may not be as exciting as the cutting they are just as crucial to the future of the line, especially when the extension opens, and it would be foolhardy to forget that while complaining that the official website doesnt waste volunteer time replicating progress updates that are freely available elsewhere on the internet.

Chris