Question re SWT's 3417

That Lee is because the Bluebells, (where this picture was taken),policy at the moment is priority to catering vehicles and the extension which is costing them an arm and a leg.

This is where your core business suffers, the "Bums on seats" thingy, ignore this folfs at your peril.

Regards
Chris

 

That Lee is because the Bluebells, (where this picture was taken),policy at the moment is priority to catering vehicles and the extension which is costing them an arm and a leg.

This is where your core business suffers, the "Bums on seats" thingy, ignore this folfs at your peril.

Regards
Chris[/quote:18jfs0r1]
I think the best thing to do would be to abandon the extension and spend the money on coaches and loco's then.
:-k :-k :-k :-k

 

They cant abandon the extension - putting aside all the work they've done themselves and with the council to secure permission, it was a stipulation of the line re-opening to Kingscote that they have to continue to East Grinstead - Kingscote is simply not practical for a permanent terminus and what would save money in the short term would cause greater expense in the future as well as both damage to the line's reputation locally and among its members.

Chris

 

You are right of course Chris , they cannot abandon the extension now even if they wanted to and of course costs have spiralled in the last few years. An example of this was late last year when one of Gordon,s stealth taxes came in with waste disposal rising from £3 a ton to £10 a ton, no need to add further I think folks,do we all get the picture?.

But I do think that money would be wisely spent on the service stock other than catering vehicles at the moment as a "stitch in time" would save them a lot os money later with expensive repairs, someone has their priorities crossed to say the least.

Regards
Chris Willis

 

Whats wrong with it other than the paintwork then?

 

It is a shame that the paintwork on a restored carriage is blistering, probably due to the primer not being thoroughly mixed or some other adhesion problem. The Bluebell (like all?) has to get money in its coffers and, at the moment anyway, it has a highly profitable "fine dining" product to offer. Compared to pure "bums on seats", on train catering is generating more profit so it is making sure that this is where its main attention in routine maintenance lies. In spite of its magnificent C&W facilities, there is still a queue easily 1/2 a mile long of vehicles waiting their turn.

BB have been criticised by East Grinstead concil for not having much of a presence there. So - for minimal cost suddenly something tangible will appear and allow EG to feel part of a preserved railway - and hopefully throw money at it. Ok - BB could put Stepney up there when out of ticket, but with an offer of a unit PLUS the infrastructure to get it there who could ignore it?

I do agree it is unfortunate for the VEP (and its loving carers, who have done a spectacular job), but as nowhere else was able to take it... Surely it is better than being cut up?

I'm no longer a regular volunteer at Bluebell, having moved closer to Swanage, but the purchase and move of the unit was confirmed at the BB AGM. Might it be possible to arrange a shore supply from NR at EG? After all, they are going to provide the infrastructure to get it there.

 

I was going to suggest running a bit of third rail track over the viaduct so that the VEP could give shuttle rides - thus forming a very solid presence for the railway at East Grinstead while the tip is cleared. But after all the problems that have been brought up in the other thread about 3rd rail preservation - I don't think it will happen.

Regards,

Dan

 

The Golden Arrow is NOT making the profit that it says it is. Aging stock requiring expensive maintenance, using agency staff instead of volunteers , plus the figures going into the "Black Hole" accounts does not give me confidence. Couple that with perhaps one of the worst recessions in years when luxury items are the first to go does not inspire me.

The best thing that the Bluebell and other Railways can do is lookafter the service stock and people tighten their reins forfeiting a foreign holiday for a home grown one.

Chris Willis

 

The Golden Arrow is NOT making the profit that it says it is. Aging stock requiring expensive maintenance, using agency staff instead of volunteers , plus the figures going into the "Black Hole" accounts does not give me confidence. Couple that with perhaps one of the worst recessions in years when luxury items are the first to go does not inspire me.

The best thing that the Bluebell and other Railways can do is lookafter the service stock and people tighten their reins forfeiting a foreign holiday for a home grown one.

Chris Willis

 

Back to the VEP Why not lock/bolt most of the doors up and just use the outer end doors of each coach and then put central locking on the set. So it can be used on the Lymington branch then at least we can all see it run again.
:-k :-k :-k :-k

 

That plan was in the pipeline at one stage, but unfortunately never came about. It would've been handy when the 3CIG's were sent to Ashford for C4 last year. Also we're supposed to be repainting them at Wimbledon sometime soon (in the same liveries they're already in) so 3417 would've been a useful backup.

 

If the extension into EG is abandoned the railway will also have to give up it's Kingscote terminus due to the planning restrictions (it shouldn't have been a terminus for anything like this long), thus setting the railway all the way back to Horsted Keynes and creating one very, very long siding. Perhaps we could stick the VEP in that...

 

Well all I hope is that the story of 3417 has a happy ending...... \/

 

(Don't worry folks - it's gone quiet for a reason....)

 

A very tempting comment! So...

 

And now folks, some of the promised news:

Regretably I cannot go into particulars, but I can now say that a deal is being discussed that could see 3417 retained for mainline running, with the possibility of her being joined by more classic Southern traction.

It's not confirmed, but progress is being made.

Watch this space!

 

Excellent news!!

Please post details if there is to be a fund or support group set up - this is something I'd willingly contribute to. I live in Glasgow now but was born at Sway, next to the railway, and spent my formative years in Lymington. Many fond memories of blue & grey units in the area.

 

Mainline running? U sure?

 

As I said, "Could see..."

Watch this space, my old flowers...

 

Hooray for the King Arthur!