Bluebell Motive Power

Having next Saturday (10th Oct) free (due to my wife spending it with some girlie friends in Brighton) I thought I may pop down to the Bluebell with my son. The first time for him and my first visit since the mid '70's.

Any idea what locos will be most likely be operating?

 

Should be (usual caveats etc) 847 and 263 on the service trains, and 592 on a morning goods / afternoon Wealden Rambler.

847 will be the "A" engine (9.45 / 12.15 / 14.45 / 17.15 ex-SP) and 263 the "B" engine (11.00 / 13.30 / 16.00 ex-SP).

Tom

 

I think you need to pack 80100 off to the East Somerset for a bit...

 

Thanks Tom.

 

Out of interest, I'm trying to work out which resident engines on the Bluebell have been out of traffic the longest, and it can best be summarised by how for north up the line they have worked. This is based on my memories and may not be totally accurate. I've put in question marks where I'm not sure, so please correct anything which is wrong.

Worked through to East Grinstead:-
178, 323, 263, 592, B473, 847, 1638, 30541. Soon to be joined by 73082 (And 2650 worked to EG on demolition trains in the 1960s) 3?? (or only to KC??)
Worked as far as Kingscote or the Southern end of the tip:-
65, 55, (6)72, 96, 9017, 1618, 21C123, 34059, 75027, 80151, 92240
Worked north of Horsted Keynes to Hortsted House Farm/New Coombe Bridge but not to Kingscote:-
2650?? 80064??
Only worked between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes:-
27. 488, 928, 30064
Never steamed yet on the Bluebell:-
32424, 80100, 84030, Sharpthorn

Don't think I've missed any engines off, but I have not included guest engines nor former residents such as Blue Circle, C1 and 35027.

 

55 has steamed to East Grinstead during the opening gala weekend (while I was un-blocking the loco yard drains in the snow!) -

https://abouteg.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/sam_4800.jpg

No 3 has been to East Grinstead on 4(?) fund raising (evening) trips recently.

 

Stamford? No longer on site, but still nominally part of the fleet. I can't remember whether she was ever steamed on the Bluebell or not, although I'm sure she never worked a passenger train.

 

I don't think that Stamford has ever steamed in preservation - it was stripped down at the Bluebell, but never finished.

Steve B

 

Have a video of 55 going through to East Grinstead and back...

 

How far did 58850 manage? I wonder when she might make a return?
Chris

 

The website says she was last operational in 1993, so was probably used on some of the works trains on the extension north of HK. I would have thought she would be quite a handy loco to have steaming again, can easily perform the shunting/pilot duties that Baxter and Bluebell do now, but is also powerful enough to pull the 2nd train on 2 service days, or the dining trains. But I have been told by a colleague who was a footplate regular in the 80s and 90s that she was difficult to drive and fire. The work required to get her running again is not insignificant either.

 

Ah yes. I recalled seeing a photo of the engine in steam in an old stock book, but on reflection it was almost certainly taken at Pilton.

Incidentally while the Bluebell website says that Stamford is to be restored to working order, the RbR website only talks about cosmetic work.

 

There were photos in the Beano at the time of the NLR tank working on the extension. I dare say that it was a point of honour to put the engine which had helped lift the track to work on relaying it.

 

1054 to visit in March next year for two weekends including the Branch Line event http://www.bluebell-railway.me.uk/news/Visit_of_LNWR_coal_tank.pdf

 

I thought it was only a matter of time before this lovely little loco arrived at SP. Dates are in my diary .

 

Excellent news, is 'O2' 'CALBOURNE' still likely to visit?

 

Same here. I'm sure 1054 will be a popular visitor. With the Obo likely to be in use. the Bluebell will be able to offer the unusual feature of an LNWR loco hauling an LNWR carriage in depest Sussex. Pity the Semi-Royal saloon isn't still on the line as it would have made an even longer all-LNWR train - albeit not quite comprising the sort of carriages a humble 0-6-2T is likely to have hauled!

 

This is really cool. I've been visiting the Bluebell for 40ish years, but never seen Camelot running (there have been some big gaps between visits!). Must arrange to go once she's properly up and running.

Simon

 

We're still owed a visit by Met 1 at some point as I recall (as a thanks for the loan of the Cheshams). Really pleased to see a Branch Line event back in the calendar, for me this is much more enjoyable than even a Giants event. Can't beat a smaller engines on a smaller train on a rural branch line.

Besides, tank engines are way more fun. They just are.