Bluebell Motive Power

If I remember old Blue Newses correctly, I think I'm right in saying it moved from what is now the PDSR as they had a dispute over running agreements. I seem to remember it moved to Sussex in the early 80s, then went to Buckfastleigh at the end of the ticket as it was felt it would be higher up the overhaul queue there. When it was realised it would take a few years and that Sheffield Park was nearer home for many of the society they moved it back.

I think the 4 that visited temporarily to play the part of 80154 was 80080 from the MRC in the early 90s wasn't it?

 

In the late 1990s yes it was, however the 1980s anniversary was done using 80064. For a line which was so synonymous with the class there've been a lot of hired in examples!

 

Interesting to see that according to the latest loco roster on the Bluebell website that 1638 is now rostered for this Saturday/Sunday.
I assume this means repairs have now been carried out?

 

According to the STN, she will be out, but on the Wealden Rambler (Saturday) and Golden Arrow (Sunday) rather than the service trains, which will be hauled by the 9F (A service) and 592 (B service).

I know a method of repair has been agreed with the boiler inspector, but there is a comment on the website that some welding in the firebox is still required. So I am a bit confused. Certainly last Sunday she was still tucked up in the shed. However, I assume the STN and the loco roster are correct, especially as the latter has been updated today, so presumably an interim repair has been effected.

Tom

 

What has happened to SECR 178? It isn't on the loco roster at all or working with 323.

 

178 is currently undergoing annual boiler inspection and related maintenance. She's sitting over the wash out pit with the fire bars removed.

 

Thank you for answering my question

 

The 33 is out tomorrow and Sunday it would appear, presumably the U has once again gone kaput

 

The U has been stopped again for a full weld repair to her firebox.

 

Not having much luck with her at the moment are they.

 

I don't know the nature of the recent repair, assuming there was one. A couple of weeks ago I had a workshop turn, and at that time she was still tucked up in the running shed, and neither loco in the workshop was easily moveable (the Q was off her wheels, and the S15 could be moved, but only by disrupting the work to finish her off). Then she magically appeared for a week or so in service, but with a note on the website saying that there was still some welding to do in the firebox. And now apparently she is stopped again! So I am a bit in the dark...

Tom

 

So is it a planned repair to the U that has caused the locomotive to be stopped? Have many locomotives had the same firebox problems?

 

My understanding is that the originally-planned weld repair is still needed in the firebox; I'd rather assume that the intention is to do it after 847 leaves the works, but before Christmas, so (touch wood!) we have 1638 available for the Santa season. I'm not sure what was done to return 1638 into traffic a week or so ago, but I assume whatever it was, it was always deemed to be temporary pending the more major planned repair.

Tom

 

I am led to understand that 1638 had been stopped by the workshop and a temporary repair carried out, pending a permanent welded repair. As the workshop had stopped it, they had the power to re-instate it as they did a couple of weekends ago. However, it does require a permanent repair.

 

It would appear from todays Bluebell Newsletter that 45231 will be arriving on the line toward the end of this month and staying until March (when it returns to the main line), while L.150 won't return until after "Santa on the Met" on 8th December.

178 is also due back this week and the repairs to 1638 have been agreed with the insurance company and will be carried out once a contractor is found.

 

Was going to post the same.

45231 is a Black 5 I've yet to see so will pop down to see that at some point as well as L150 (still haven't seen it in LT Red yet). A Black 5 will certainly be an interesting sight and some of them being appropriate to the area via Cross Country trains though not I don't think on the Bluebell although 5690 looked great when she came down (can't believe that was nearly 10 years ago now)

Also L150 will stay on the line in 2014 apart from some more visits back to London Underground

 

I have to confess, (and I have absolutely nothing to base this on), I was half wondering if the BB might be the railway bidding on 44806 at Llangollen-not that there would be any budget for it, just it would be blooming helpful to have for the next couple of years!

 

Indeed, already back - I was on her last Friday on the Autumn Tints service, when she was running very well. Bluebell needs a washout!

Also, on Tuesday we took water from the water column at East Grinstead for the first time, as a test of its operation by the Alf Brown Gang, though it has not yet been officially commissioned into service.

Tom

 

Wouldn't have thought that the Bluebell is a bidder for 44806 - it is imminent need of an overhaul, and they need another loco to overhaul like they do a hole in the head!

It will be interesting to see where 44806 does end up. Probably with Ian Riley would be my guess. My comment about the Bluebell is really applicable to most railways, though few would say no to a private buyer willing to overhaul it off-site.

 

I didn't think 44806 was that far into it's ticket ?.