Bluebell Motive Power

5619 was the loco rumoured to coming to the Bluebell, at the M7 photo charters at Swanage last week.

 

5619 would be pretty good if that visited and would certainly look nice paired with the blood & custard set. Although looking at the Flour Mill page it says the loco is contracted to the NNR until the end of 2014. http://theflourmill.com/locomotives_5619.html

 

I was not making the assumption that all the SER was "maintained" to one structure gauge but that it is most likely that it built its lines to one structure gauge. Even the Hastings line was built to the standard SER structure gauge, it was as you point out the scandal of the substandard build which caused the problem. I believe it was two rings of tunnel lining rather than the 5 specified. The pragmatic solution of adding two rings of brick inside that existing giving rise to the narrower bores. This was not initially a problem as locos and coaches were usually narrower and flat sided. E, L and D classes fitted within the narrow bores.

Regarding maintaining structual clearance you cam adjust cylinder to platform clearance and you can drop the track under bridges to improve clearance but this would only have been done when larger locos became required. perhaps someone has a reference book which gives the structure gauge on this line in BR days

 

The Floor Mill connection again. 5521/L150 on hire, and the spare H Class boiler for the O1 is to be overhauled there.

 

there isn't much of a story at the moment. It was supposed to be getting 4115's boiler, but since then not a whisper. The Severn Valley on-line form thread for this engine http://forum.svra.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1217&start=60 has only gained 4 new entries in the last 3 years, two of which are asking exactly the same question.

 

The statement in the SVR website is "In store at Bridgnorth pending resumption of overhaul"
http://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=477

 

Only so much the SVR can do to it without a boiler to stick on.

 

I have heard that 92212's arrival on the MHR is imminent, and the low loader bringing it in will be used to turn the Blood and Custard BG being refitted for use as the generator car on the Watercress Belle. Anyone on the Bluebell know when the 9F is actually leaving?

Steve

 

Last I heard was that it was due to go last Monday, so I rather assumed it had already gone. Maybe something delayed that plan.

Tom

 

Has there also been any news on an S15 test run?

 

Took place today. Still a bit of work to do before she is in traffic, but getting closer. She had a few trips up and down the loco yard headshunt, but hasn't yet had a trip onto the main line.

1638 also had a steam test today so I believe, and the plan is that she will be back in traffic this weekend. Watch this space for confirmation of the loco roster (probably on Friday).

Tom

 

Great news, Tom. Funny how absence makes the heart grow fonder in the case of 1638. It will be nice to see her in steam again. Excited for the return of 847, I was in short trousers when she was sold-short in her last ticket.

 

A video on the 928 Stowe Facebook group (shared by the Bluebell page)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1410270729209864

Also seems to show the 9F in the background split from her tender, so presumably will be off shortly if not already gone.

 

Lookin' good!


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Plan for this weekend is 45231 on the A service (Mark 1s / Bulleids); 592 on the B service (Mets / 4 wheelers); 1638 on the WR (Sat) / GA (Sun); 323 shed pilot.

Tom

 

Hope all goes well with 1638, be a very useful addition to have her back

 

I read earlier today on the Bluebell's facebook page that 1638's firebox is very tired (nothing we didn't know) but that it will require a new inner firebox at her next overhaul. I was wondering if this means 1618 will get her chance to run again after 541 and 928?

 

Possibly - but not now.

If you think about the current situation - we have 847 likely to be in service within weeks; 541 and 73082 probable / possible next year; 34059 possible in 2015 and 928 and 80151 in the mix after that (with the current focus on funding the boiler overhauls of 73082, 34059 and then 928 and 80151), as well as 32424 under construction. So within maybe three years we'll have four large engines in service (even ignoring 1638) and maybe another three in the pipeline over the decade to come on stream as 847 and 541 get to the end of their tickets.

Which to my eyes doesn't leave an obvious need for either of the moguls within, say, the next ten years. A bit sad as 1638 is a lovely engine and just right for the line, but - touch wood - we are about to go from rags to riches in large engines.

Tom