Bluebell Motive Power

Photos courtesy of J. Sandys of L150's arrival this morning:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebellrailway/sets/72157634491481981/

 

The 33 will be running one of the two service trains this weekend as the U has been withdrawn with firebox issues, the H being on annual service and 323 being out of traffic as well

http://www.bluebell-railway.com/event/5-class-73-special/

 

Swordfish is getting run out again this weekend with 92212, due to 1638 having firebox problems and 263 also being out.

Edit: A1X just beat me to it.

 

33103 running the set B diagram - 11, 1.30 and 4.30 ex-SP. 12, 2.30 and 5.30 ex-EG

 

I've seen (probably unmerited) concerns expressed about the Bluebell losing its USP, and again I'm not altogether sure why "Stepney" or even "Baxter" can't be hung off the front of the Crompton in order to at least give the impression of steam haulage.

 

Good point though Stepney is knackered , and I suspect that Baxter would be too if that happened too often.

Lets just hope that the 9F does not have anymore firebox and springs problems.

Chris:

 

Why can't 5521 be put in to service his weekend now it's arrived at the BB?

 

It is being checked for "fitness to run" Lee

Chris:

 

As well as FTR needs to be gauged as well, won't be around until next weekend most likely.

 

Shame about the 'U' class again. Does anyone know if its the same firebox problem as before or has it generated another.
Dont like diesels too much but by george it was packed with no standing room at all on the 29th when I came down.
The 'U' was hissing like a scolded cat but still gave us a nice smooth round trip. I hope its not side lined for too long.

 

Looking on WNXX forum today there's a call for the BlueBell to have a diesel gala now they have broken their golden rule about only running steam locos on service trains. This is also made easier by having a main line connection. I know this wouldn't be very popular with the BB membership but this type of event could bring in a considerable amount of revenue. If a good selection of diesel locos could be hired in . You only have to look at the Swanage Railway and see how well attend their diesel gala is. I know there would be a big outcry from the BB membership if this was ever considered by the BB management but it would only be one weekend a year.

 

Slightly different issue but not one generated specifically by the engine or the railway!!

 

Presumably people might notice the diesel hiding behind the tiny loco and question whether it was indeed steam hauled or just a fig leaf?

On another note that LT red is starting to grow on me!

 

the LT livery is much overlooked... it is a beautiful deep chocolately maroon that to me is a wonderful colour, framed perfectly by the bright yellow lining and the Frank Pick/Edward Johnston lettering and numbering. the LT ex-GWR Pannier tanks looked superb in it and i see no reason why the Prairee should also not look splendid in it too!
cheers,
julian

 

To my eyes at least the Prairie's livery looks much brighter than the LT livery you describe, certainly when compared to images of LT Panniers. This could all be down to freshness of the paint and angle of light of course.

 

ive a large tin of the genuine stuff from Neasden Works. i would be surprised (and disappointed) if the shade of maroon on the Prairee wasnt LT maroon. however it is a difficult colour to photograph.

 

You put the diesel on the back, assuming the Bluebell Rule Book permits assisting in the rear. Many years ago, I recall the NYMR's then GM Bill Carr telling me his growing surprise when Joem appeared around the corner approaching Goathland (i.e. very much still on the 1 in 49), going well, with first 1, then 2, 3 4 and 5 coaches visible behind her - then a Class 24 diesel appeared pushing and explained the whole thing!

As a demonstration of the method, Lambton No.29 and a diesel will be operating by that method today and I suspect much of this week.

Steven

 

From the latest Bluebell news received today : -

" Thanks to support from its owners work is planned to start soon on Standard 4 tank no 80151, with replacement of the life expired tyres. However a lack of space within the loco yard for the loco when it is dismantled is contraining when this can start".

Also mentions about trageted fund raising for popular locos and states " 488 is indeed a possiblility".

 

I'd imagine it's a lot easier to run a fundraising campaign for a locomotive like the Adams Tank where there will surely be a large number of people prepared to dig deep to get it steaming compared to many of the other inactive engines on the line, most of which (not owned by groups already) aren't unique (4MT tanks abound pretty much everywhere). It's also an ideal size compliment to the H and E4 (if they can get it working again soon after the S15 and Q are turned round by Easter).

 

The Adams tank is rather less powerful than the H, and certainly less than the E4. And yes, I know people have photos of her pulling five coaches up Freshfield bank from days gone by, but you need to look at what those coaches were! I suspect it would probably have a limit of around 120 tons over the whole line, probably three mark 1s or 4 vintage bogie carriages. But by all accounts she was very frugal on coal!

But yes, it probably is the one Bluebell-owned loco that, with a carefully run fundraising campaign, could be financed entirely from a "double donation dash" type appeal with minimal recourse to PLC funds. But - assuming we raised the money - then what? The big problem is still a lack of workshop space (especially for a loco with a number of "unknowns" that make estimating overhaul time difficult before it is stripped down, by which time you are past the point of no return), and, being brutal, it would be hard to justify restoring the Adams tank at the expense of space needed to restore a 4MT. So in the short term we need locos - any locos - but the medium term plan has to encompass an increase in space, not just a wish list of which goodies we'd like to see restored next.

Tom