Bluebell Motive Power

Update on the Bluebell Standard 2 project: there is a lot in there about the pattern for the rear pony truck frame, which will be shared with the 82045 project.

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/loco_news/oh_84030.html (follow link to Newsletter No. 16)

and photo here:

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/locos/84030/84030-pics/84030_hind_truck_pattern.jpg

Tom

 

Is anyone wondering whether they should have built a tender instead of converting it, what with the line extension?

 

But an 84xxx is a vernacular southern region loco, and will also be unique, while a 78xxx is neither. The 84xxx will have enough water capacity for a round trip and - given it is not dragging tender round - may actually have a slightly higher load limit.

Also, given what needed to be done (frame extensions + pony truck + one new set of wheels + side tanks vs tender frames + three sets of wheels + tender tank), I doubt there is much in it in complexity.

Tom

 

On the other hand what is the likelihood of the other 3 std 2 moguls all in use and requiring tenders at the same time? Could have loaned one whilst slowly constructing a new one if nec?

 

Read the first paragraph of what I wrote! An 84xxx meets the objectives of our long term plan (specifically, being a BR(S) loco). A 78xxx doesn't.

Tom

 

Fair enough, point made. It's academic anyhow as the 84xxx project is well advanced.
Did you mean vernacular or indigenous btw?

 

Indigenous Was thinking "vernacular architecture" and applying to motive power...

Tom

 

Na, its not indigenous either... Sort of equivalent to Polish migrant workers really... Might naturalised be a good word?

 

Bearing in mind their general usefulness for branch line working, not nearly enough Ivatt or Riddles 2-6-2 tank engines were preserved; it will be good to see the 84xxx project come to fruition. It will 'belong to be' on the Bluebell.

 

Ironically with them now regularly running load 6 and the gradients around Imberhorne, is a class 2 not underpowered for Bluebell requirements now ?.

Might have been an ideal branch line loco in 1960, but many preserved line loadings today would make a class 3/4 more desirable.

 

Who knows what traffic will be like by time 84030 is finished? We might have slipped back from 2013 levels (which are quite likely a peak caused by opening of the extension). Or we might have extended the platforms to seven coaches and have seen a continued long-term rise in passenger numbers.

But, that said: the Golden Arrow and Wealden Rambler trains are about 140 tons and 110 tons in their current configuration, and would clearly be bread and butter for a Std 2 (and, if times became more prosperous, could probably be stretched by a coach and still be within the limit - at least the WR could). Plus during peak times, we ran 6 + 6 coaches last year, but for quite a lot of the year, we might run 6 + 5 or 6 + 4. And of course, some of our sets enable passenger loadings equivalent to six Mark 1s in a train weight equivalent to about four or five.

So my guess is that, even if we carry on being busy, there will still be plenty of work for a reliable class 2 loco. Essentially, our weekend loadings went from needing Big + Medium + Medium locos each weekend, to Big + Big + Medium. So even if nothing changes, a Medium (class 2) loco will still be useful.

Tom

 

Hmmm, we need to be careful not to slip into an "New General Chat" type discussion... (Heard at the back of the engine shed, two Chatham engines having a gripe: "Those naturalised locos. They come over 'ere and steal our trains. Grumble grumble...")

Tom

 

Do you mean the "Germans" (SECR joke)

 

Don't mention ze var! Or, for that matter, ze L1 (SR version)...

Tom

 

Never mind the Chatham engines grumbling, you've got 80064 and 1618 asking when it will be their turn!

 

Highly likely I'd say. I don't know what the plans are for '22 but '18 is coming along and '19 is likely to be overhauled again fairly quickly I would think. I wouldn't be at all surprised if all 3 end up in steam together in the next 10 years.

 

The Tkp at Wansford's still on the market if they're after Polish labour.

 

Some photos (not mine) of Stowe in the works, with the stripdown ready for the boiler lift progressing - the chimney, smokebox and superheater header have now all been removed.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/V-Class-928-Stowe/541470399255215 (You don't need a Facebook account to see the photos).

Also, in unrelated news, 5643 arrived at the railway on Friday. See https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3908087238795&set=o.37982240966&type=1&theater for a photo.

Tom

 

Is there any progress on the E4 class?

 

I doubt it because the whole loco will have to be dismantled to be able to do the repairs


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