Bluebell Railway General Discussion

On Radio 4 tonight.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00101lk

Miss Bessemer Saves the Train

Read by Penelope Keith, inspired by a true story.

 

I'm not sure where Richard is (who does the "What's new" page, and is also the best bet for C&W news. Hopefully normal service is resumed soon.

Meanwhile, watch out for two issues of Bluebell Times - the normal issue on October 8, but also a "special issue" planned for October 1.

Tom

 

Many thanks for this, Glen. Something redolent of a much older and gentler BBC has somehow slipped through the net into todays strident, preachy world. Perfect casting, Penelope Keith as Madge Bessemer. I shall follow this with pleasure.

 

2 of Alex Morley's excellent photographs from last week, showing progress on Maunsell Hastings brake 3rd 3687.
The roof canvas is now trimmed to size, and tacked down at the edges. The corridor (east) side is now taking on its first olive green topcoat:
The west side already has its first full topcoat.

Meantime, the compartments are ever more complete. The SR Green "Jazz" moquette looks sumptuous:

 

On the loco front: 6046 returned today from repairs; 80151 departed for the Mid Hants; 73082 was moving around following its rapid overhaul; one of the Chatham engines did the useful work of hauling passengers

Tom

 

I saw this coach close up on a carriage and wagon works tour during the 60+1 event and it is very impressive.If they are running tours during Giants of Steam I would recommend anyone attending to go on one just to see this coach.

 

After a light engine test run earlier this morning, 73082 Camelot was hauling passengers on the 11:00 service (displacing one of the Chatham engines!). Seen here at Three Arch passing the Wednesday Lineside Gang, a bit depleted this week with some members out of petrol.

 

The windmill on the smokebox dart is interesting - trying a new way to power the coach lighting?

 

Apparently it improves the draft(ing)...

 

Two-part update today. Firstly ...

We have a special issue of The Bluebell Times to launch the Railway’s diamond anniversary appeal in support of Horsted Keynes Station.

The station is at the very heart of our line, and with this appeal we aim to put the sparkle back into the station, which is truly the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ on our Railway.

In this issue:

• The Grand Plan for Horsted Keynes
• The condition of the station – and how you can help restore it to its former glory
• A history of the station, in words and pictures
• Behind the scenes photos from some of the many films and TV productions shot at the station
• A story of the life – and death – of an Edwardian railway worker at the station.

The Bluebell Times is published monthly on the second Friday of every month. The next issue is due out on Friday 8 October.

You can download the latest edition using the link below.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-times/

Tom

 

... and the associated news article, launching the Railway's Diamond Anniversary appeal to restore "the Jewel in the Crown" of Horsted Keynes.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/news/horsted-keynes-station-appeal/

Tom

 

A very impressive newsletter and appeal launch. Clear aims, cost breakdowns, realistic timescales. Been getting tips from Minehead?!

 

Thank you! I can’t claim much credit except for collating the newsletter, and being like a kid in a sweet shop in the photo archive!

Tom

 

Excellent edition, Tom, and a really good choice of photographs to illustrate the changing life and times of the station. I shall definitely bung a gift-aided wad to this appeal, but what about Waffler's legacy?! Incredible. He truely was a diamond chap, and he's given the appeal a really solid foundation to build on.
At some point in the future, I'd love to see the water tower at least cosmetically restored, but essentials first, and not a moment too soon!

 

The water tower would look better with a tank but this raises the question of how useful it would be and what water supply and what quality of water there might be.

Could - there is a fair area of roofs at Sheffield Park - the rainwater be used and supply at least some of the water columns? I’m not sure the well gave particularly good water, if it could be reopened or what the experience has been with capturing rainfall at East Grinstead or Sheffield Park. Locos apart it would be fine for watering the flower beds and flushing the WCs.

There is the parachute tank handy to the shunting neck by the carriage works and the water could be pumped around by the electricity from solar panels - discretely possible,if not too heavy, on the inner slopes of the carriage shed roofs.

 

For those that didn't know him, Roger Williams was a long standing volunteer in the C&W workshop, where he was particularly involved in restoration of Bulleid carriages (and owned a quarter share in Bulleid Open Third No. 1464, which share has also been left to the Trust). According to the latest Trust accounts, his legacy is to be split equally between Horsted Keynes Station and the restoration and overhaul of Bulleid carriages.

Tom

 

On several visits, I've noted little shortage of water at north end of Sharpthorne Tunnel (equally true for the nearby Balcombe Tunnel on the Brighton Mainline). Quite what the quality is like, I don't know.

 

My understanding is that the water table has receded under HK, such that the well is essentially non viable - the water is too deep, and of poor quality for locomotive use. (It was never great even "back in the day", hence the injunction on the water columns only to take water when absolutely necessary, and as the water level has receded, you are down into the dregs). I too would love to see the water tower renovated, but I suspect if it happened, it would have to be for some other use, or at least obtain its water from elsewhere on the site.

Many years ago I remember someone in Blue News postulating a scheme to collect water from the tunnel for storage in a large pond to be constructed between the Sheffield Park and Ardingly lines at Horsted Keynes. (It's downhill all the way, with drainage ditches). It didn't come to anything, and I don't suppose it will now since that area has found another use. I don't know how suitable the chemistry would be without extensive treatment.

My hunch is that water supply - both security and quality - is going to creep up the agenda: not immediately but over the next few years.

Tom

 

There was some talk a while back, on the Bluebell's .io group about the feasibility of piping spring water by gravity from Sharpthorne to HK. I can't really recall what the outcome was, but there were technical and legal (whose water is it anyway?) issues. This may be what Tom has just posted, but I don't recall the pond bit, so maybe a different discussion. But yes, the well is a non-starter now, the growth of trees on the western boundary behind the tower also contributing to the loss of water table.