Bluebell Motive Power

It has been stated many times in the past that 80100 is unlikely to be done until 84030 is completed. A separate area outside the main works will be required and with space being taken by Beachy Head, 27,and 84030 I think it unlikely until these projects have been completed. There is also question of funding the restoration.

 

There's only so many projects you can work on at once, for reasons of space, people and fundraising capacity. Better to have two or three projects making solid progress than a large number each dribbling along at a very low pace. We have been bitten before by locos being disassembled and then activity coming to a standstill, so quite correctly in my view there is now a requirement that projects only start when they can meet certain criteria of having funding and manpower lined up to support them to the finish.

If you look at how we overhaul and restore locos, there tends to be a split between main workshop activity (primarily overhauls, with as far as possible work proceeding to a schedule to keep the operational fleet at a viable size); and restorations (which tend to be more volunteer led, and proceed at the pace of available resources). So 9017, 80151 etc. are in the former group, progressing (or soon to progress); 84030, 27 etc. are in the latter group. The difference being that there will be a long-range availability prediction that will be factoring in the overhaul queue so that we can see, within reason, the motive power situation for several years ahead; whereas locos like 84030 and 27 will be ready when they are ready, and are unlikely to figure much into long-term planning, at least not until the end point starts to become fairly predictable.

80100 will be a huge job when it is tackled, so best fits the latter model: my understanding is that the team currently working on 84030 are likely to take it on, but only when that latter loco is finished.

Tom

 

@Paul42 and @Jamessquared Thanks for the clarification. I was just wondering, as there'd been a few comments suggesting 80100's turn was imminent. My visits to the Bluebell over decades have invariably managed to coincide with 21C123 being OOT (dammit!), but I've always been able to console myself with plenty of images of the loco in traffic, whereas poor old 80100 just seems to sit around eternally, rusting quietly to itself.

As a full-on scrapyard restoration, I'd actually be shocked to find out it was expected to be straightforward, but could anyone confirm reports I recall that the boiler is in fair order, all things considered?

So far as funding is concerned, 99% of the time it'd be easier to name projects where money isn't an overriding issue! Is there currently any ball-park figure (or even guestimate) for the sums and duration likely for 80100's eventual restoration? All a bit "chicken and egg" I appreciate, but fundraising (or simply getting folk interested) is never easier without targets.

 

I'm not quite sure where. I tend to disregard any news not in one or the other official channel (and no, this thread isn't one of them!) i.e. Bluebell News, eNewsletter or the website in the main; or else some other source quoting a named director etc.

I'm not sure it is especially helpful to even try to quote a figure unless you know when and how you want to do the project. (For example, an all-volunteer effort will be cheaper than doing in the workshop, but will take longer etc etc). I seem to recall that there was a comment from the previous loco director several years ago in BN that the boiler and tyres were in comparatively good condition. That still leaves an awful lot to do!

Tom

 

@Jamessquared Absolutely fair point regarding sources Tom and thanks for your reply on the boiler query (Wow! A rumour which actually appears to hold up!). With the cost of retyring, it's good to know at least one expensive job may prove less resource hungry down the line. In the meantime I guess we'll all just have to await some official announcement on when and how 80100 fits into future plans.

 

Meantime, since this is the Bluebell Motive Power thread:

Progress on new fireboxes for 34059 and 21c123:

https://www.facebook.com/Bulleid/posts/1810796865611015

New frames for 27 have arrived from Tata steel:

http://wainrightsfinestsecr27.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/the-frames-have-arrived.html

Gratuitous photo (not mine) of a very shiny thing last Sunday. First train of the day was all SECR in consist, before we swapped to the Golden Arrow set for the lunchtime train.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1511284418992819&set=p.1511284418992819&type=3&theater

Tom

 

The O1 is a thing of beauty, although we're downright spoilt for choice for a "best looking pre-grouping 0-6-0 tender loco" right now, as SECR No. 65, GER No. 564 and Caley No. 828 each look absolutely stunning in their respective plumage. Have I forgotten any other candidates?

 

Please remember WHY the Bluebell bought 80100 in the first place - namely to ensure it would still have an example of the Standard 4MT tank locos if the owners of 80064 (and the owners of 80151 who bought their loco to the Bluebell later on) decided to up sticks and move to another Heritage Railway.

If 80064 / 80151 ever came into ownership of the Bluebell then the 'need' to keep 80100 vanishes and it could be sold on in its unrestored state as per one of the ex Barry S15s we used to have. Alternatively if 80064 / 80151 left the railway then 80100 would definitely be retained.

As things stand however 80064 / 80151 are much easier candidates to return to steam than 80100 - which is why the works is overhauling 80151 and 80100 is being talked about as a volunteer led restoration project after the Atlantic and Standard 2MT projects are completed

 

In other word(s) "Yes"

PH

 

From memory 80097/100/150 have never steamed in preservation. 80097 at the East Lanc’s and 80150 at the MId Hants. With any luck all three will steam again one day.

 

52322?

 

Not quite. 100 was bought because at the time the Bluebell didn't have a 4MT 2-6-4T. 64 came to the line several years later as a result of a dispute between its owners and its previous host railway, and it was as a result of 64's arrival that 100 dropped down the queue.

 

That's interesting as on my last visit I was categorically told that the firebox shown standing outside was for 34101. The one having the foundation ring offered up was for 34059 according to the person showing me them.

 

I could swear I saw 80064 being worked on at the Dart Valley line as it was called at the time, could be mistaken though, many moons ago.

 

80064 was previously at the Dart Valley.

 

I remember seeing it in the shed at Buckfastleigh and it was being prepared to move back to the Bluebell this would have been about 20 years ago now in 1996/97.

 

Its been stated by the team restoring/converting the Standard 2 tank that they will take up 80100 when that project is done. My understanding is that parts continue to be collected for the eventual rebuilding.

 

2516...

 

If only we could see it in steam! Seems unlikely though. Ditto the NER 'long boiler' 1275 and NBR 673 'Maude'

 

Steve you are quite correct. The photo of the foundation channel being offered up is for the box destined for 34059, the box is due for completion around Christmas/New Year. I think Tom meant that to be a comment about 21C123, as at this moment in time construction of the box for her has not commenced. It will in fact be the last box to be constructed of the batch. Anyway I am sure Tom will put me right otherwise!