Bluebell Motive Power

Interesting question, but you could also ask what incentive is there to change? Leather is known to work in the environment encountered (oil / steam /heat / pressure etc); isn't particularly expensive; can be easily obtained in the small quantities needed; can be worked with very simple tools to the shape required (e.g. a Stanley knife or similar). If you changed material, you would have to find one that met all those conditions and may after extensive trials prove not to be much of an advantage.

Tom

 

Stowe update on facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/V-Class-928-Stowe-541470399255215/

Electric rivet heater, very interesting

 

Electric rivet heaters are great. I acquired one about 25 years ago and had it transported to the NYMR. Unknown to me, their so-called electrical engineer condemned it on site because it had water cooled anvils and he considered that mixed water and electricity and threw it into the scrap skip. To say I was a trifle annoyed when I found out is an understatement. Never seen another one since.

 

Is leather to be replaced to avoid complaints from Hindu and Vegan passengers?

 

Some time ago when I was volunteering at the MHR the Urie group were using one of these electric rivet heaters. I've copied the photo below from their web site.

 

Not sure that this is the same thing. The type I'm referring to basically passed a current through the rivet, a bit like an electric welder, which heated it up to a nice white heat, depending on the current passing through it. Like this:

 

Looks like a shopping trip to India is needed!

 

There's a description and more detailed pictures of the MHR heater in action here, looks like it's current through the rivet to me.

 

It sure does. It also looks fairly modern. I wonder who supplied it?

 

Would you like me to find out?

 

That would be worth doing. I'm sure that there are others on here who, at least, would be interested. Thanks.

 

There is some info from the other side of the pond (Trumpton) on the following link - note the comments on problems in heating the rivets up too quick I assume leading to an uneven temperature distribution? . . . Any comments from those that have used the things?

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29310

 

Any idea how long until the 01 is out? Or is it planned for Branch Line?

 

Ready when it's ready!!

 

CAMELOT TO WORK THE MINEHEAD BRANCH IN OCTOBER

West Somerset Railway Plc have announced:

It has just been confirmed that BR Standard Class 5 no 73082 Camelot will be visiting us for the Autumn Steam Gala! It is very rare for the Bluebell Railway to let their home-based locomotives visit other railways so we thank both the railway and the locomotive's owners (73082 Camelot Locomotive Society) for this exciting opportunity.

FROM WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY NEWSLETTER.

 

Apart from 323 to the Churnet Valley and Battlefield Line, 30541 to the Great Central and Nene Valley, 178 to the Tanfield Railway, Captain Baxter to the SVR, Tanfield, Talyllyn and WSR and 9017 to the South Devon Railway. That's just going back to about 2011-ish (and just the ones I can remember).

Edit. And 592 spent a week or so on holiday at Bounds Green depot for filming work at Kings Cross.

Oh and just one more thing, as Columbo would say 30541 also went to the Mid Hants last year.

 

That first time CAMELOT away bluebell railway home?

And don't forget 9017 been visits this llangollen railway , Severn Valley railway and Tyseley.

 

As did Stepney and Normandy in 2006 and 9017 in 2011.

 

And it's only really been since 2011 that the Bluebell has had enough locomotives to send away. Also I think the E4 has been to the IoW in that time as well.

 

The O1 to the KESR; E4 to SVR, MHR, IoWSR ...

Tom