Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Views from last week of S2531S - sides are now completely removed and we have made a start on removing the roof (as can been seen in the photos). This week more roof boards have been removed.

David R

 

Another p/way update and photos on the winter relaying work. Because the work at Holywell is ahead of schedule, a start has been made lifting the track through Horsted Keynes platform 3.

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html for 2nd February.

Tom

 

Hi David,
Is that the van that came from the Gwili ?

 

No - that was a different Van which is currently being used for storage

2531 came to the Bluebell in 1981, more details here:

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pic2/2531.html

David R

 

Hi James,

The Gwili Van is stored on B road outside the shed and is being used to store, predominantly, the steel work from scrapped van No. 442. It is the nearest vehicle in the following photo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/extension3363/27555856902/in/album-72157659146847649/

Dave C

 

Away from all the excitement about the Flying Scotsman visit in April, does anyone have any idea which loco(s) will be in use over the half term running period beginning tomorrow? Nothing up as yet on the Bluebell website.

Thanks

 

847 according to the loco roster, with 263 handling the various dining train duties. A modified service 1 applies, with SP departures at 11.00. 1.30 and 3.45; and EG departures at 12.00, 2.35 and 4.45.

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/loco_roster.html

Tom

 

Thanks Tom.

 

Latest update and photos on the winter track renewal work, showing the finished formation at Holywell and work in progress through platform 3 at Horsted Keynes:

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html for 10 February.

Tom

 

Some pictures of CCT S2531S from today.

The West Side
Some of the timber that Richard has routed the tongue and groove for the new doors
Inside of the Van
New piece of roof hoop prepared today, ready for painting and final fitting
Inside (again)

David R

 

From the e-Newsletter:

S&T Update: Sheffield Park Signals Are Go

Looking north from Sheffield Park Station the casual observer may not notice a subtle change that has taken place over the January period. While our infrastructure colleagues were busy relaying track at Holywell, we took advantage to commission two replacement wooden signal posts, it is unusual for the Signals & Telecommunications guys not to get involved in major Permanent Way work, but this was one of those occasions.

At the beginning of last year, the conditions of the existing posts was starting to give us concern. In the past, traditional wooden posts had been buried in the ground, and as a consequence, rot was occurring at ground level. Experience on traditional methods of wooden signal post construction was a bit lacking among the current volunteers, Charles Hudson being the only team member who could give us advice.

We therefore started by looking for wider guidance and made contact with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which has a lovely collection of wooden signals. Their advice helped to make some important decisions. It was also important to balance between maintaining Victorian style and using modern construction techniques to ensure a future long life.

We also wanted to keep expenditure to a minimum, and luckily we had sufficient replacement parts in stock to dress the posts and provide operating cranks, so refurbishment on these items got underway immediately. We then spent considerable time on finding a timber supplier who could provide the correct wood at the right price and had the facilities to cut the subtle taper required.

The Railway now has a policy to not bury wooden posts straight into the ground. Therefore we developed an interface between the concrete foundation to the wooden post that is safe, long-lasting, and does not conflict with the heritage style of the finished article.

The solution may seem ironic: we used standard Network Rail design for the bottom 18 inches of a modern colour light signal. This solution fulfilled all our needs, the supply contractor had all the prepared material in stock, and these had been approved for the mechanical loadings that we expected. The cross section was the same as the wooden post, and when painted it is impossible to tell the difference between this steel boot and the post.

Matt Crawford installed concrete bases in the revised position, and the boundaries of the track circuits were moved to their new positions, thus allowing future platform extensions to take place. The wooden posts were prepared by Andy Palmer, who cut the rabbets and chamfers. Dave Phillips followed up with his paint brush.

We borrowed the KGT (road rail crane) to erect the posts in their steel boots, and the Friends of Sheffield Park loaned us their scaffold tower to allow us to dress the posts with the pre-prepared fittings and arms. The signal wires were extended and cables rerouted in preparation for commissioning, the date of which was published to ensure our operating colleagues were aware of the changes.

Once the new signals had been tested and brought into work, we used the KGT to remove the old signals, one of which was donated to the Museum. After restoration, it is hoped to connect it to the Withyham signal box.

Finally, work is continuing on finishing the Down Home bracket signal, and progress should soon be apparent.

By Brian Hymas

 

Another infrastructure update with progress on relaying the track through platform 3 at Horsted Keynes, with photos:

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html for 24 February.

There is some tricky juggling of levels going on, caused by the fact that the platforms at HK are low by modern standards; and further complicated by the subway roof, which is scarcely any depth at all under the formation.

Tom

 

Thanks for the update Tom; it's really useful to see the sharp end of things and how you all make it happen in the background, really looking forward to a trip up to EG tomorrow as always!

 

Nice day to be out on the railway yesterday; here's a shot of 847 from an unusual vantage point whilst walking from HK to SP before taking the next service back up

 

For those of you who have an interest in 4VEP No. 3417....

http://setg.org.uk

And for those of you who are interested in assisting the support group in their efforts...

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/4VEP3417

 

Timetable for the Flying Scotsman event here:

http://www.bluebell-railway.com/file/298/timetable-for-website.pdf

(Same basic service all days, though there are morning or evening dining trains not shown on the timetable on some days).

Tom

 

Can you pass on a bit of HSE info:- the use of Petroleum Jelly...Vaseline is now a no no on batteries due to it being a fire hazard.

Batteries are better off being topped up with de ionised water.



Nick

 

There is also a lot of Wordpress codeing
visible in the News section....
N

 

Bugger; I thought I'd solved that.
If anyone wants me, I'm hitting Wordpress with sticks...

 

Another report, with photos, of the ongoing work to relay the track through platforms 2 and 3 at Horsted Keynes, and the steps being taken to provide an adequate formation over the subway.

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html for March 2nd.

Tom