Bluebell Railway General Discussion

According to WNXX forum I see 1498 unit is now up for sale. I don't think there is a big following for these units. Most people want to ride behind steam or diesel traction.

 

There's not a huge following, but it's more a case of the following not being big enough to overcome the practical obstacles (lack of third rail on preserved lines, shortage of air-braked locos, lack of ETH, needing a 3-4 coach space to store them). DMUs don't have a very big following compared to locos either, but because of practicality, they're everywhere. And by their quiet, functional nature, EMUs inspire fondness rather than the sort of passion something louder and more elegant can attract. But they're also a big part of UK railway heritage, and I'd still far rather be travelling in a CEP, EPB, VEP or CIG than any modern EMU.

I think the fate of so many preserved EMUs is one of the saddest stories of UK railway preservation, and am glad that there's still a fair chance that one of each of the major classes has a degree of longer-term security. 'One of each' will probably do, and if they're based at railways with suitable diesel collections, then that's ideal.

It was clear that those who worked on 3417 in its latter years on the national network put a lot of time and energy into its future and upkeep, so some of the language used in this discussion is pretty sad. I wouldn't be wishing a toaster/razor-blade-based fate for anyone else's project.

And if I do ever get a massive lottery win, I'd certainly be up for rescuing a few under-threat EMUs (starting with the double-decker).

 

Absolutely right, and those muttering toaster/razor-blade are probably the first to decry the term 'Kettle'.

 

I think the other bit of the equation, at least as far as the Bluebell is concerned, is the Hanson site.

I think a non-electrified branch to Ardingly is relatively doable. Adding an end-on connection, with occasional through trains doesn't disturb Hanson too much either. But all the time that they want that area as a depot, I can't see them bring especially chuffed to have a third rail running through - and third rail would certainly have to start at the NR end, I can't see us having a short two mile section entirely isolated from the mainline. So whatever the other issues, I can't see third rail reaching HK until such time as Hanson vacate the Ardingly site.

3rd rail is an important part of the railway history of Southern England. But I just think it is a step too far for the Bluebell - at least in my lifetime.

Tom

 

What's 1498?

Tom

 

More likely to be a couple of decades at the earliest.

Remembering the facilities that are likely to be available to the Bluebell at HH, it would be far more practical to follow the example set by the Spa Valley Railway and operate a HK to HH service using a top'n'tail formation.

Another reason for this could be that if and when the ARC Depot at Ardingly is vacated, most of the real estate is likely to be procured for industrial development. This may well leave Bluebell with only room for a single line and single platform within the site of the current ARC Depot.

Chris

 

A 3CIG, one of the two used on the Lymington branch when it was the last outpost of 'Slammers'. It's on the Epping Ongar now but is being disposed of for miscellaneous reasons. A chap on WNXX who's instrumental in the modern traction side of the EOR fleet underlined that the railway owner would like to see the CIG survive.

 

Thanks!

 

Hi Tom,

According to a post on WNXX the unit has the usual MK1 coaching stock issues. At the end of the day all this stuff is fixable with money and that's the crunch of it. Is anyone going to dig deep and put money in to a CIG?

 

I see EMU preservation as something that will appeal almost exclusively to enthusiasts. I just don't see it exciting Joe Public unfortunately.

 

And nor can I. Maybe the NRM should save a trailer car for future generations to see.

 

Talking of the NRM, where's the 2-BIL?

 

I'm sure it was at Shildon when I visited some years ago - has it moved?

Tom

 

From memory someone on another thread said the 2Bil is still at Shildon only a few weeks ago.

 

I was there a couple if weeks back but to busy drooling over the A4 lineup to notice. Happy memories of childhood journeys on those units.

 

It has! (or were you being ironic and knew that...?) There's a 4VEP driving trailer at York, I believe, still Connex-use-fresh in appearance.

 

It's money, skill, and undercover workshop and then undercover storage - all of which are in short supply nationally, and at least on the Bluebell, I can't see anyone wanting to house an EMU when there are still steam-hauled coaches outside. We need a million-odd just for the HK carriage works extension just to provide more storage for the current restoration queue, without taking on anything else. Sometimes you have to take hard-headed decisions that you can't save everything - or at least, you shouldn't jeopardise what you have to save something new...

Tom

 

I used to regularly travel on 4VEPs on the Reading - Waterloo line when I was growing up. No desire to recreate the experience!

Tom

 

Cheers forgot all about the 4VEP driving trailer at York.

 

More comfortable than the current 450 & 458s though (albeit I guess we'd miss the aircon).