Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Today was the official opening of the Elephant Van Play Carriage at the Bluebell Railway. First a bit of background on the vehicle and circus trains:

David R

 

The Play Carriage was pushed in by Captain Baxter, and then formally handed over. It will be open to the public daily from Monday 7th August. That's not me dressing up as an Elephant by the way!

David R

 

Until I read about it today, I hadn't realised that circus' were still travelling around by train into the 1970's. Here is an article about Billy Smarts Circus arriving in Guildford in 1971 with 13 Elephants!

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/archives-billy-smarts-circus-came-12515508

David R

 

I see earlier there was the sad news that Esmond Lewis Evans has passed away. As far as I'm aware he was still owner of the 01 (as well as the Bulleid 4DD that's being restored at Sellindge). I hope he got a chance to see the loco in steam one last time before his passing.

 

The Bluebell wasn't the only place to see Circus trains.

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/11840998.Finding_the_circus_in_a_Darlington_siding/

 

Article here has pictures of Billy Smart's Circus arriving in Guildford in 1971. Picture 5 shows a scenery van in the background - could it be our very own 4601?

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/gallery/billy-smarts-circus-came-guildford-12515480

David R

 

I have seen a film clip of a circus train being unloaded at York Holgate dock.
But can't remember where I saw it and if it is on Youtube or not.

 

From the Bullied 4DD EMUs facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203351742550567&set=gm.1430243273679120&type=3&theater

David R

 

Something of a milestone for the Horsted Keynes carriage shed, with the first track laid, using that recovered from Freshfield Bank in June. Pictures on the "What's New" page - http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html

Tom

 

First a few pictures of tracklaying in the new shed and of the preparation for laying the trammed in track in the Maintenance road - this is so that bogies can be overhauled on this bit of track. I assume that the blockwork at this stage is just to retain the concrete in the tramming in, but will eventually form part of the fire break wall. A few weeks ago contractors were busy installing fire alarm equipment.

David R

 

I believe the O1 was donated to the Bluebell Railway Trust (Note this is a completely separate legal entity to the PLC or the Society) a while ago in preparation for this eventuality.

I'm not sure about the ownership of the4DD vehicle though.

 

The Elephant Van is now open every day that trains are running - here are some pictures of the inside showing some of the toys including the wall mounted "educational" units which all have knobs to turn or buttons to push to make various thing happen - these certainly appeared to be a hit today, There is one video screen inside the van, but apart from this there has been a deliberate attempt to offer an alternative to electronic toys - we are after all trying to offer a traditional heritage experience.

David R

 

That slide in the last photo looks like it'd be fun while doing a steady 25mph past Sharpthorne

 

Even at 0 mph in it's static position when full of children it can develop a bit of sideways and up and down movement!

David R

 

Looks good, I wonder if grown up people trying recapture their youth would be allowed in.

 

Yes it has also appealed to some of the older C&W Voulnteers ( they claim only to have been testing them) , but the rules are no unacompannied children and no unaccompanied adults (i.e, persons accompanying children only).

David R

 

Adults must be accompanied by responsible children ...

Tom

 

I am really sorry to hear the news about Esmond Lewis Evans. I met him last year and he was full of life but quite batty, in the nicest possible way. He owned the ex Ashford Council steam roller when he was at the Ashford steam centre. One evening it broke down during a return journey to the centre. He towed it back using an Austin Gipsy. Watching this was very entertaining. At one point the steam roller ran onto the towing chain with the result that the whole ensemble came to a crashing halt. He then decided to free wheel the roller down the hill towards the steam centre. This required a small crowd of us to give him a push start. The roller reached quite a speed down the hill. He even managed to drop his glasses and run over them with the roller. Quite a man.

 

Infrastructure update with photos about track laying in the Horsted Keynes Carriage Shed - http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html for 15 August 2017.

Tom