Bluebell Motive Power

From reading the article, the Beachy group would also like to see the E done but "money and age profile" (to quote) isn't in their favour, so to see something realised in a decent enough turnaround, it'll be a restoration rather than new-build. And I agree with whoever said that it would be "the easiest loco to fundraise for" - possibly why they're thinking of doing it?

 

I would more then tolerate them moving on to do the Radial then the E

 

Pffft! The only obvious answer is Foreland Point followed by Leader...

Good luck to them whichever they do. They will have earned it after finishing the atlantic

 

Where has this information come from? It's the first I've heard of it. I've shunted it about on numerous occasions and as far as I can tell the crank axle and the motion attached to it is quite sound. I've never heard talk of such a defect in the years that I've volunteers at the NRM. That said, I've never heard talk of steaming it either so I guess the question is unlikely to arise.

Peter

 

never heard of these. As far as I know, Midland 0-6-0s were either 4 foot 11 or 5 foot 3.

question for 2968 I think

 

According to JB Radford (page 131) three standard 0-6-0's were rebuilt with 6'-0" wheels and new frames:
2049, June 1906; 2056, September 1906; 3110, July 1906. Later renumbered to 3326, 3333 and 2110 respectively.
They were done as a tryout for the design of the Flatirons (in 1907).
Pat

 

And for completeness, they were (re) converted to 5' 3" wheels in 1922, 1924, and 1918.

 

Try suggesting it's restoration and I guarantee you'll soon find out, the same way I did!

 

Just caught up with the article too, very interesting - about the Atlantic and the possibility of doing the Radial next.

I did hear some time ago that the Atlantic group had been asked to take on the Radial next but hadn’t felt it was right to do it as there’d be too much original material lost - certainly seems not to be the case from what Keith Sturt says in the article.

In terms of fundraising it sounds like an excellent idea, I’m sure I’ve heard more people talk about it being restored than any other loco on the Bluebell…

I do seem to remember it might need new driving wheels as they’re cracked - or am I thinking of Fenchurch a while back?


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Yes I was intrigued by what Keith said in the article myself, specifically pertaining to the debate of originality and the loss of it if such an engine like the Radial is overhauled.

Seems to me though he's much more pragmatic about it, as clearly if you wanted the Radial to steam again it's pointless building a replica as people want to see the original survivor, not to mention the costs involved in building a replica is little to no different then doing the work required to restore the original to steam. Seems from his estimate it's more then likely a good number of parts on 488 can be reused anyway, so it wouldn't be a total loss. I'd say more then likely the work on this engine will be akin to Welsh Pony on the FR. Restoring it to steam clearly meant a lot of it's original material was lost, but as the sole surviving 'Large England' it's a unique survivor and an important part of the railway's history. So they chose to restore it, and now have a useful addition to their fleet.

In my view 488 is much the same. It's a unique locomotive that would make far more an impact and be useful in steam then as a static display as it is now.

No denying too, that if any engine on the Bluebell could make folks most enthused to donate to fund it's return to steam, it's 488.

It could be argued that Stepney would surely attract the funding to restore it to working order too, but 488 has the edge just by being so unique and elegant an machine.

Plus if the Bluebell was to make use of one of it's engines as more of a roving ambassador, rented out to other railways to earn it's keep as well as represent/promote the railway, 488 I think would fit into that kind of role perfectly personally.

 

Rail Advent reporting 30064 has been sold to an undisclosed buyer.

 

And the reports are correct. - Due to leave the Bluebell over the coming weeks for restoration.

 

Indeed. Not the easiest decision, but the right one in my opinion, both for the loco and the railway.

My understanding is that a number of the carriages put up for disposal earlier have also found homes with other preservation groups (but I don't know any more details, before anyone asks where...)

Tom

 

Good news re 30064, hopefully it will be able to be paired up with 30072 one day..

 

And for the pway department as well no doubt.

 

Do we know where it's moving to? The only info I've seen is on RailAdvent.

 

Currently a close-guarded secret. I dare say they will make themselves known when it finally moves in the coming weeks.

 

A difficult choice that gets harder to justify overhauling each passing year.

 

I understand it's the MidHants and they're going to turn it into an imitation Pannier as Awdry's 'Duck' alongside their Percy and Thomas.*

Simon


* completely fabricated

 

Surely Rosie: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/t...sieCGI1.png/revision/latest?cb=20171026021522

I assume SVR had some purple paint left over

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