Brighton Atlantic: 32424 Beachy Head

Lovely standard of workmanship...very impressive.

 

It's a super job. Looking forward to seeing this run

 

Thanks for the update - Everybody must be so pleased at the results so far!

 

Looks lovely!
The cladding sounds as frustrating as trim always is...

[Edit because I should have said this] Thank you for the update

(OTSO Bluebell newbuilds, someone has brought the 2MT build website up-to-date, which is informative and nicely done)

 

Per the Latest News, apparently not a lot going on at the moment; apparently the restart after the COVID shutdown has been slow. It will be great to get this completed!

Noel

 

Indeed, but previously there was nothing since 2018, so a round-up is really good

 

Indeed. I'm an admirer of the Atlantics, Beachy Head (to be), and the Ivatt GNR ones. Striking looking locos, clean lines and very capable by all accounts....best wishes to the team, you are doing sterling work, up there with the A1 outfit.

 

Great to see an update, though that "This is how 84030 will look" photo threw me a bit, as I was expecting rather more conventional coupling arrangements!

Seriously though, if there's a more suitable later design for lighter off-peak (or heavier double-headed) services on the Bluebell, I'm not aware of it. Though some aficionados of earlier schools of design may differ on this point, IMO, it's very fine looking little loco indeed. Can't wait!

 

For Bluebell members, I do always try to put an update on 84030 in the Loco report in Bluebell news. For non-members, back issues of BN are available here: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-news/ (I assume the spring issue will go up in PDF once the summer issue is sent in hard copy to members, probably in the next few days). FWIW, the spring issue said, about 84030:

For nearly a year we have not been able to progress the rebuilding of 84030 due to Covid 19 and the necessary restrictions in closing down the Railway to volunteers.​

But all was not lost, manufacturing drawings are being, or in a number of cases have been, produced for the side tanks, coal bunker and cab. Once we are allowed back to safe working conditions, subject to funds and labour resources being available, we will be in a position to progress quickly.​

This work is being carried out by Vic Short (a volunteer in the Carriage and Wagon Works) Harry Spencer (Locomotive Workshop Employee) and Nick Wren (Bluebell volunteer) together with a lot of investigative work by Brian Turner and Chris Wren of the 84030-working group. ​

As well as the drawing work the webpage for 84030 has been completely updated and is now available on the Bluebell Website.
​

As it is not a project I am very close to, I do rely on my informants in the project for updates, particularly as the working groups seem to be a midweek group, so I very rarely see them. (By contrast, the Atlantic group have a weekend as one of their working days, say I tend to bump into them more often).

Tom

 

It was a good update as it didn't promise anything (which sets up unrealistic pressure), but makes it clear there is A Plan

 

I for one am starting to get pretty excited about this loco .

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

For the boiler cladding, was the use of an English Wheel ever considered? I am thinking about the rear corners.



The lady, Simone Cunningham, resides in Christchurch (UK) and is still active (she also looks too young to be retired!).

https://suite.endole.co.uk/insight/company/04620568-cunningham-aero-ltd

 

People holding sheets of metal without gloves on sets my teeth on edge...

 

Well i suppose the gloves will contain the damaged hands and debris in the event of a mishap....

 

Stops the blood spurting all over the place...

 

Never had a go with an English Wheel yet... Although I will have plenty of panelwork to do on the bus when I get to it...
For the moment I'm working on the timber (Ash) frame, and am busy gearing up for using a bandsaw and an 8" planer / thicknesser come the New Year - Altogether much safer!

Richard.

 

Well in a year or less time heres the U.K. 1st running Atlantic loco in over 60+ years to look forward to for any northern rail enthusiasts to see how the L.B.S.C.R. do a new build Atlantic, despite the 2 H.A. Ivatt C1 and C2 G.N. examples dont run cos of their value to U.K. rail heritage history despite the latter 2 have ran in preservation history but wont ever again. A excellent achievement to all involved on the 32424 beachy head project at Bluebell railway good luck fitting the lagging.
Davo 56F merry Christmas and a happy new year

 

R

"Restore a new Build"?.that's a new one on me....

 

There was an update in the latest issue of Atlantic News to say that, apart from the final costs of paint, the tender is now finished.

Tom

 

How much still remains to be done? (Rough indication of the amount, please, not a detailed list.) And is the rate of progress constrained by manpower, money or both?