Bluebell Motive Power

They did not have sufficient money to clear the cutting to the full depth and width by the required time, without it costing a lot more.In my opinion the addtional monies it would have cost are better spent overhauling locomotives, rolling stock and repairing the existing infrastructure.

 

Getting back to topic the lastest Maunsell News states that Stowes boiler is likely to go to Crewe for overhaul before Camelot's returns in May.
Once Stowe is finished the next ( MLS) loco to be overhauled will be 1618.

 

One is capital, the other revenue. In this case an increase in capital spend would have saved future revenue expenditure, which, unless they can emulate the Talyllyn and shave off the top, is there for ever.
P.H.

 

'twas ever thus! How many railways in the 19th century were built with gradients steeper than ideal, so as to reduce capital expenditure, at the expense of future revenue cost? I seem to recall one of the main termini in Scotland was still worked by rope haulage well into the twentieth century! Sadly, capital is not available in inexhaustible supplies... In this particular case, getting on and doing it, even with steeper than ideal gradients, was financially preferable to forever remaining at Kingscote - or worse. I think (I'm going back into dusty recesses of memory) that the saving on digging out waste was somewhere in the order of 20,000 tons; that was about £500k at 2012 prices, but would be over £2million at current prices with landfill tax added, quite apart from the disruption that would be caused by "shaving off the top". So it won't happen.

In actual practical terms, it has made less difference than might be thought in terms of which locos can take which trains. Allowable weight of trains for each loco has gone down, but that doesn't always translate into an actual reduction in coaches - it depends exactly where the boundary between train weight of n and n+1 coaches lies, relative to the actual weight limit set. And for locos of class 4 or above, train length is limited by platform length, not haulage capacity, even with 1:55 gradients.

We have moved to needing large engines (class 4+) for a greater proportion of the annual service, but that is due to an increase in traffic, not specifically the gradient. We spent a lot of last year runing two trains of >300 seats each (i.e. equivalent to six modern coaches), rather than, say, one of 250+ and one of around 200 (i.e. one of five coaches and one equivalent to four).

Fingall has come out of the C&W works to form the Kitchen car in the Pullman train, which is back up to three Pullmans + Pup; I think that might be marginal for the H class now, unless a slight adjustment in limit is made (it would be very close to the limit, whereas the Mark 1 kitchen car was probably two or three tons lighter than a Pullman).

Tom

 

Tom,
Acording to Bluebell website Fingall is 40 ton. My train weight records show BR Mk 1 Kitchens at 39 ton so not a lot in it

Dave

 

Anyone know when 45231 is likely to head back to London? I assume via the main line and with her facing the right way I fancy a photo if I can head out of work, usually with these engine movements I find out a few days after they run however!

 

I believe she is due to go shortly, probably next week, as her photo charter was yesterday (26/02/2014) which was also her last running day with us. your best bet would be to check Realtime Trains, and UK Steam Info for times, etc. If using RTT, you'll need to search East Grinstead Siding as opposed to the station, and use WCRC as the operator.

Could someone confirm this for me please. According to the rumor mill, 323 is heading off to the Battlefield line in April for their Spring gala over 11-13th... Could this be in conjunction with the departure of 08 13236?

Nathan...

 

Update (with photos) from the Bulleid Society on the firebox repairs to 34059:

http://www.bulleidsociety.org/News/Latest_News.html

Tom

 

Can I ask why the ability to turn a loco is as important as getting out of service locos back into steam?

 

I believe there are plans for a turning triangle at Horsted Keynes that will utilise the Ardingly branch as one of the chords. Much of the clay topping from Imberhorne cutting was tipped here for the south chord.

Cheers

Alan

 

A turning triangle is no longer an option due to insufficient room. A turntable is in the long term plan, but will be expensive since the Horsted Keynes Station site is made up ground.

 

I doubt the cost of the turntable would be covered by charter work.

It not just the loco situation, the railway needs to provide more covered accomodation for locomotives and rolling stock, overhaul/restore coaches amd wagons, upgrade the permanent way, replace of roofs to platform canopies platforms 3, 4, & 5 at Horsted Keynes, build a permanent station building at East Grinstead and then there is Ardingly!

On Sundays the Bluebell currently uses 3 of the 4 possible paths when the Golden Arrow operates so I doubt they would want a charter on a Sunday.They declined a Saturday one this year in July which clashed with an event, and now it is on a weekday in October. I suspect charters will be limited to outside the peak season so they do not interfere with the railways services.

 

Much as I love the idea, Horsted Keynes isn't Stratford-upon Avon. The station is in the middle of nowhere, and there's nothing to do except enjoy the atmosphere. Perhaps a Victoria-Sheffield Park service to visit the gardens might work in the Autumn, although the platforms would have to be extended.

 

The money that would need to be spent to putting in either a triangle or turntable would be better put towards installing an RO plant, this alone will improove the motivepower issues longer term, tubes last longer, and boilers tend to not need so much in heavy repairs ,whilst a triangle would be usefull for turning engines and coaches to eaven out flange wear etc, its not urgent, but improovements to your worksshops are, you can only work on one engine at a time in reality in your workshop , how much more could you do if you had more room, ? an overhead crane capable of lifting boilers and frames off wheels,

 

This seems to be a similar situation as the Mid Hants had, they even had the turntable bits! However the decision was made to swop it with Barry Island Council for the remaining scrap yard condition 80150; in my opinion a wise move!

 

Just on the topic of railtours, I've been surprised that both of the last two tours have gone to Sheffield Park and then straight back out when I'd have thought (logistically) stabling at Horsted Keynes would be the preferred option