Bluebell Railway General Discussion

We may think that it is not doing a proper job to use smaller lengths of timber when overhauling vehicles but the LMS, at least, weren't above doing this. When the Middleton Railway overhauled its 1926 built LMS brake van, once the old floor and side planking was removed, it was found that the bottom rails each consisted of two pieces of timber, half jointed together to make up the full length and certainly not one piece, as shown on the drawings. One piece on each side was 15 foot long and the remaining few feet was made up from a second piece. Not only that, but these timbers had mortices cut into them at intervals, these being plugged with timber. I am speculating, but the positions of these mortices would appear to match up with those that would be required if they had been cut for a compartment coach and it appears likely that surplus coach bottom rails had been used in the building of the van.

 

If you look at this early restoration report for 949 (the Stroudley Brake 3rd) it notes that the bottom rails were made from three pieces of utile (in replacement for mahogany).

https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/cw_news/949.html - see in particular the January 2006 report.

Tom

 

Whitewood (tulip poplar)was certainly the material of choice for panels on horse drawn vehicles- is light weight, it cuts and machines well, takes paint admirably due to its open grain, and is long lasting. Does not like getting wet though. One wonders how it might have stood up to our climate at 70mph. Have many LSWR vehicles survived?

 

Is there a timetable available for Model Railway weekend this coming weekend? Trawled the website and can't find one, but it also doesn't state it's the usual 2 train one.

 

Sat Timetable – Saturday 31 July
Sun Timetable – Sunday 1 August

 

Ta

 

On the Bluebell's blog, nice to see a fleeting mention of a restoration which has consistently flown under the radar, that of Maunsell Hastings brake 3rd 3687, now in its 3rd undercoat, and with the new roof canvas laid out for settling:

 

Just for interest, here, in the foreground, is one in its original environment. The engine is no. 910 Merchant Taylors, getting underway from Tunbridge Wells Central with a Hastings bound train, in the winter of 1939-40:

 

Just as a further note: The "A" service on both timetables (9:30 / 11:45 / 2:30 and 5:15 Saturday Only) is double headed - presumably 263 and 65. "B" and "C" should be 541 and 80151 but I don't know which way round.

Tom

 

Any word on when a timetable will be available for the 60th?

 

Here, for those who are curious, although there's not much there other than the image. There's a page for the restoration which has some detail.

Could people please include links when they make postings like this, to save the rest of us having to go search? (I know there wasn't much there to link to, but I didn't know that when I started!) Thanks!

Noel

 

New PLC board appointments


Experienced railway executive Geoff Mee has been appointed as the new chairman of the board of the Bluebell Railway.

Geoff began his railway career as an engineering student on British Rail’s Southern division in 1971. He was the last graduate engineer taken on in the Southern region. His initial training was at Selhurst and he also worked at Eastleigh Works, Derby and around the country.

His managerial career included commissioning the 4VEP and he was Managing Director for Network South East’s South East Division. He wrote the timetable for the opening of the Channel Tunnel. He later became the privatisation director for the British Railways Board and, after privatisation, was the Managing Director of Connex Rail.

Geoff has also been an adviser to Transport for London, deputy chief executive of Qatar rail and has been a railway management consultant since 2012.

He first visited the Bluebell Railway in 1971 and is now a life member.

Geoff said: “I feel really privileged to be part of the Bluebell Railway and I am grateful to the directors for appointing me. It was as rigorous an appointment as I have had in 50 years of working for the railways or being associated with the railways.”

He added: “I have had 50 years’ experience of running businesses and when this opportunity came up to help all of you and the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society and Bluebell Railway Trust, I jumped at it with both hands. I intend to be here for some time and I look forward to working with you all.

“From my perspective, it is a great railway. It has a superb past and a very, very bright future. But we have a lot to do in order to make sure we continue to meet our operational and maintenance costs.”

He takes over from Graham Flight who has been the interim chairman since January.

Graham said: “We welcome Geoff to the Railway and wish him well. He offers a wealth of experience and I will help him as he settles into the role and assist in any way I can in the transition period.”

The board gave a vote of thanks to Graham Flight for taking on the interim chairmanship. Graham remains Company Secretary and will stay on the board as a director.

And chartered electrical engineer Paul Russell is to join the board of Bluebell Railway Plc as Locomotive Engineering Director.

Paul has worked for more than 30 years on the management of maintenance operations and major construction projects within the cement industry.

He has been volunteering for more than 40 years at the Bluebell Railway working through the grades to Locomotive Driver and has also worked on many locomotive restoration projects such as the North London Tank Adams, E4, Baxter and also the steam crane. He is also the Diesel Traction Engineering Co-ordinator for the Locomotive Department and part owner of the class 09 and class 33 diesel locomotives at the Railway.

Paul said: “The Bluebell has been a major part of my life and through my many years of volunteering I understand the challenges involved in the overhaul, restoration and maintenance of steam locomotives. Coupled with my professional experience in running maintenance operations and projects and working with the Works Manager, I hope to use these skills to further develop the safety, quality and efficiency of the loco works operation.”

He takes over as Locomotive Engineering Director from acting locomotive director Bob Pamment who has been in the role since January. Bob remains on the board as rolling stock director. The board thanked Bob for filling the gap and continuing to help on locomotive matters during the transition.

Both appointments were confirmed at the Bluebell Railway board meeting on 29 July.

 

A few shots from Model Railway Weekend yesterday, more at https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/Bluebellphotosets/Model-Railway-Weekend-July-2021/

 

Wow! Model railways get more realistic all the time.

 

Just basic modelling in 12"-1 foot...

 

Think it’s a bit like this…

 

Bloody expensive too I don't doubt...

 

I get the impression this is just a station event, no trains seem to be running. Or at least that is the impression the Bluebell is giving with no timetable!!!!!!!!

 

The website page for the event says
"Experience intensive steam hauled passenger services along the line and activities at Sheffield Park, Kingscote, East Grinstead and at Horsted Keynes Station."also "All event areas will be open until 9pm or until the last train departs from that Station"
So why would it be a station only event?

 

It's probably not much consolation, but FWIW (1) I haven't seen a timetable yet either but (2) there are definitely loco crew rostered. (So come and say hello on Friday and Sunday for anyone around; or Saturday as Running Foreman).

My hunch is that a combination of two factors has made timetable planning awkward: firstly whether or not Camelot would be ready in any capacity (looks not) and secondly waiting until after the July 19th relaxations were confirmed to work out whether the event would have to have allocated seating / compartments or not.

Tom