Bluebell 2009 "Modernisation"

Slightly off topic, but on the subject of diesel locos and EMU stock being used together, is there any modern EMU stock that can be connected to a diesel and then continue its journey along non electrified lines? With projects like crossrail in the pipeline (no pun intended) would it be possible for a new emu train to be connected to a diesel loco at Reading (or wherever the juice finishes) and then continue to Oxford, Wales or Bristol?

 

Pendolino's are the only ones that come to mind, as the 57/3's have a proper coupling head rather than an emergency one for hauling trains around the WCML works (and services to Holyhead as it turned out).

Chris

 

ECML Mark 4s can be loco hauled in event of failure - I recently was on a Newcastle to Kings Cross that appeared to be being hauled all the way by a Class 67 and have been hauled by Class 47s on Mark 4s during engineering diversions before they became too difficult and buses were used instead.

Obviously, loco hauled Mark 3s can be hauled by diesel or electric and there were generator vans built so HST trailers could be loco hauled.

The Class 442s were designed for loco haulage by a number of common types in the sort of circumstances envisaged in the question.

However, only the Pendolinos are scheduled to be hauled and that has or shortly will finish. The main purpose of the Class 57s were hauling during engineering work but I understand that this is now too hard and Virgin mainly uses buses instead - after all, when you have paid through the nose for a train ticket, you will be perfectly happy with a bus ride instead, won't you! Don't let the passenger get in the way of the engineers; it is their railway!

 

... but could the Bluebell's new emu be pulled by any of their chuffing things?

Richard

 

No buckeyes on a pram ? That must be it...

 

Is that the pram with the management in it?

 

Can't be easy with it bucking and bouncing off the sleepers and ballast, neither... ;-)

 

Oh yes, no problem at all.

Well not until the time comes to stopping.:smt023

 

no its the one the toys get thrown out of...

 

I don't know if this has been mentioned

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/blueb ... usive.html

 

This is very disappointing

Regards

 

Why?

 

Bluebell's last taboo broken...

 

Well role on the 8th March when people will wake up to find the world is still turning, the railway is still there; but has several thousand pounds more in its coffers and will have been visited by a number of people who would not normally have gone there, some of whom will come back for more.

 

Certainly will at the cost of those tickets!! I see it as a good thing for the line - For too long the Bluebell has been known as a steam only line... This is the 21st Century after all!!! ;-)

 

Why not remove the rubbish from Imberhorne tip and replace with the rubbish rolling stock? As minky said, one the Bluebell's last taboos broken.

 

Because, as we all know, running the first diesel trains at the NYMR, SVR, WSR etc has permanently destroyed their atmospheres, passenger numbers, revenues etc. ](*,)

 

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that? Are you suggesting that if the Bluebell runs a 73 everything they have is immediately worthless?

 

I must admit I wouldn't like to see the Bluebell have _regular_ diesel services - its one of the few lines that can give off a genuine pre-BR atmosphere when it chooses. And the idea of trying to do everything with steam (under normal circs) is actually the sort of thing that gets people's enthusiasm going (obviously not if they are diesel fans!)

But since the loco is there and its a one-off, why not? It should, as said, get people to the Bluebell who wouldn't otherwise go, and who might discover a liking for the line regardless of what's hauling. And why not repeat it occasionally when opportunity presents?

It also proves the management are a tad more flexible than some seem to like to portray.

 

Is the EMU still at East Grinstead? Theres some pictures on the Bluebell site which suggest its been taken away already