Bluebell Railway General Discussion

S160 6046 is in use 21st-27th August according to https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pti/index.html

 

The loco roster on the website states 65 is on A set next week and not 263 as per the PTI page
Locomotive Roster - Bluebell Railway in Sussex (bluebell-railway.com)

 

Been to the line today to sample the Yank and what an engine. 263 was also on the other set. 65 on the Wealden Rambler and even a fourth in steam as it seems that the S15 was under steam test following maintenance work.

 

The loco roster for the week has been updated....S15 No. 847 returns to traffic following maintenance work tomorrow.

 

The H class on the first train today passing the Wednesday Lineside Gang, taking a pause in their labours at Leamland.

Apparently the visiting S160 disgraced itself at the weekend, part of the brake rigging breaking and causing some damage to the infrastructure. It will reportedly go back to the Churnet Valley for repair but then return to the Bluebell Railway.

 

The best way to fix the S160 is to take the 0 off the end then subtract 1 from the remaining number. Problem solved.

 

Where would we have been without the H class over the last ten years (or the Mets over the last 18 months)?

Tom

 

It's been on the "other set" this week

 

There’s a focus on people in the September issue of The Bluebell Times, with busy scenes at Kingscote and a call-out for more volunteers from the company chairman.

• A reminder about the upcoming Bluebell Railway Preservation Society AGM, including all the candidates standing for election
• The latest news from the volunteer co-ordinator
• A selection of new dining trains for the autumn
• Information about this weekend's Beer Festival
• Uprated power supply installed at Horsted Keynes
• An update from the team raising money for locomotive No. 92240
• A round-up of the 60+1 anniversary weekend in words and photos
• Historic railway scenes from the Bluebell Railway Museum Archive, taken on 10 September past

The Bluebell Times is published monthly on the second Friday of every month. The next issue is due out on Friday 8 October.
https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-times/

Tom

 

It's surreal to think of the Bluebell without the H class working, to be honest! I am looking forward to seeing her when we visit with '28 next month.

 

80151 has been announced as the second guest for the Mid Hants Railway Autumn Steam Gala at the end of the month. This is the first preservarion-era trip away from the Bluebell since its arrival in 1998.

 

Not without historical precedence either, I believe there is a picture of 80151 passing through Ropley in BR days, as does, I think, a similar picture of 34059.

 

Happy to be corrected, but I have a feeling that except for the 7F all the other locos at the gala will have worked the line pre-preservation as well? Someone will correct me I am sure.

 

I'd imagine the Hunslet didn't...

 

I wanted to give a huge shoutout to the Bluebell for their recently updated Volunteer page (https://www.bluebell-railway.com/volunteer-at-bluebell-railway/) - it is fantastically clear about all the opportunities to volunteer at the railway (emphasising the point that it's not just driving steam trains!), any prior experience or skills required and a rough idea of time commitment requirements. There's an easy contact address encouraging people to email with enquiries, and a clear indication of how to get from being interested to actually involved. The only bit of information potentially missing is whether there is a lower age limit. However, that's a minor blot on what is an excellent addition to the railway website, massively reduces the bar for getting involved and is something that in my opinon all other heritage railways should look to emulate. Well done Graham and the team!

 

Just absorbing the latest set of accounts and AGM info just landed on my doormat, but one interesting snippet is that the Bluebell Railway Trust received in a legacy 30% of the shares in the company that owns No. 80151, taking their shareholding in the loco to 40%.

Also, for BRPS members, a reminder that the Society AGM is Saturday 2 October, starting at 7pm. There are contested elections for Society Chairman (2 candidates) and Trustee (10 candidates for six vacancies); and also the EGM to convert the society from an unincorporated to an incorporated body, so lots of importance to cover.

Tom

 

The AGM starts ar 7am? Expecting a lot of debate?

 

Oops! Corrected …

Tom

 

One to keep Tom happy. Here's the 01 passing some of my colleagues from the Wednesday (Northern) Lineside Gang this morning, approaching New Road Bridge.

 

Seems to be very little news coming from the railway of late. "What's New" last updated over a month ago, now. If it wasn't for Tom's occasional posts on here, plus, of course, the monthly Bluebell Times, there would be very little. I guess I'm getting C&W withdrawl symptoms. Updates from that department used to be very regular, but have become increasingly rare, of late.