Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Tom - do you have details of the planned memorial to Dr McIndoe, his work was truly inspirational and ground breaking; although it does go to show the sacrifice made by the young boys of the RAF defending the country.

 

Lots of information here: http://www.mcindoememorial.com

Tom

 

Congratulations to BRPS Chairman Roy Watts, who has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for services to railway heritage and preservation.

Edit: more info here - http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/soc/notices/mbe_for_chairman.html

Tom

 

Ditto, excellent news that reflects the importance of heritage and preservation to our economy and culture

 

There's information available on the official website now about the Summer Festival, including Tornado's visit

 

Indeed. Details and timetables here: http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/events/2014/festival.html, including the vintage transport weekend at the end of the festival.

Tornado is due to be running daily from Monday 28 July - Sunday 3rd August. Generally on the "A" service (09:45 / 12:15 / 14:45 / 17:15 ex SP and 10:40 / 13:15 / 15:45 / 18:15 ex EG). The last round trip is on the Friday and Saturday only.

Tom

 

The idiotic Mid-Sussex Council proposal for a new traveller site close to the line at Imberhorne Lane must be going down like a cup of cold sick at the Bluebell.

 

<double post>

 

For anyone who is worried we are turning into a "Mark 1" railway, this was the relief train run on Saturday afternoon - SECR P class and two SECR carriages. The relief ran because there was a concern about sufficient seating capacity on the second service train - which was the Mets and four wheelers...

Ps - that's the Jamessquared left arm in view in the cab ...



(Obviously not my photo! Source: www.derekhayward.co.uk / http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html)

Tom

 

Some photos (from John Sandys) showing further progress on installation of the Westinghouse "L" frame (ex-Clapham Junction B) at Kingscote (N).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebellrailway/14651667004/in/set-72157645635098916 and subsequent photos.

There is some more information about the frame here:

http://www.wbsframe.mste.co.uk/public/Clapham_Junction_B.html

Ultimately, I believe the plan is for the frame to control the signals at Kingscote, allowing the existing south box to be decommissioned, but with the capability to control points and signals at East Grinstead if that ever becomes necessary.

Tom

 

I seem to remember the Kingscote 'new' Box had a traditional lever frame installed. what's happened to that?

 

It has been dismantled and securely stored.

Tom

 

Great pic - must have been a cold day though as the crew are actually insde the cab than hanging on the outside which seems common on small tanks

 

We had the doors shut. Me because it is easier to fire a P with the door shut (it tends to get in the way when open). The driver because he wanted his seat

(Terriers don't have doors, leading to the well-known medical condition in cold weather of "Stroudley shoulder" ...)

Tom

 

It's a nice photo but the track looks pretty ropey! Probably a telephoto lens making it look worse than it is, but even so...

 

I have seen worse on the mainline. The levels off the bridge, the bridge being virtually a fixed point, show the track has probably settled a bit and there is probably some change in cant for the curve. The dipped joint just in front of the loco is probably better than it looks - all IMHO

 

Couple of photos from Monday...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/14469382010/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/14653825414/in/photostream/

 

Does anyone know how and on what date Tornado arrives at the Bluebell? Unless its already there and I have missed it in which case scrap that question!

 

Possibly on Wednesday as part of the move to get diesel loco(s) to the Bluebell for towing the Chesham set to Ruislip that night.

Regards,

Dan

 

Any news available on the likely loco's for the Vintage Transport Weekend on August 9th and 10th?
The railway website indicates it's Service Two timetable..