Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Certainly busy, but it's the Operating Supervisor who had a really busy time of it. As RF, I just had to worry about what was happening within the loco yard. Still pretty busy all day though - according to my phone I walked almost eight miles for the day without going further south than the cottages or further north than the Operating Supervisor's office in the station building ...

Tom

 

Yes terriers have slide valves, but as you say for both to fail in this way, something has prevented both valves movement fore and aft, in the slide, and jammed the plates, i would not even like to think about how much damage there has been possibly in the valves themselves, and the engine has only just returned after overhaul, i don't think its the crank extrentic bearings, if its lubrication, possibly the pots have stopped feeding, incorrect oil used? wicks not correctly seated?

 

I can't say that I think not having the booking office open is an ideal situation, but also I can't say that I know what's going on behind the scenes either. Is it the booking office's working hours that mean it's always closed on that day, or did the person covering for the regular on holiday, call in sick last minute?

We all get different things out of these railways and I guess I have a hard time wrapping my head around a 'I only went to a Bluebell gala day to see X' train of thought. Obviously it's disappointing if X fails last minute, and if it's a rare oppurtunity to see X even more so (not discounting the fact there are a lot of X's out of action for reasons beyond Bluebell's control). It just seems there's still a lot on offer.

We are meant to be the proportion of visitors most in the know, I just thought we would offer a little more empathy?

 

Is it normal for Terriers to have plain bronze big end bearings without a layer of white metal?

I’m not really familiar with such old and small locos, I’m aware that some much newer designs such as Hunslet Austerity locos have plain bronze axlebox crowns, but don’t know about their big ends.

 

I recently paid a visit to another railway with the specific intention of riding behind a particular loco. The website confirmed that it would be running that day. When I got there I found that it had had a problem (unspecified) the day before so was parked in the shed, with a different loco doing the honours.

I was disappointed, but I still had a good day out, including a ride on that railway and to and from it by service trains.

 

I too am disappointed about the Hall and Poplar, but I'm still looking forward to visiting the Bluebell as I always do and sadly these things can happen to any railway at anytime, just unfortunately they seem to be happening all at once in this instance.

 

Don't forget, along wi' owt else, there's the best part of two years misfortune to catch up on. There's ne'er been a thing I've seen to suggest Sod's Law is mileage based .....

 

You are correct of course but these days it is also about the money. I had mentally planned this as my first post Covid Gala (still have some health issues that concern me) but had missed the fact it clashed with the first weekend of my wife's art group exhibition that spouse (mine and many others) help is needed at.
Would I have gone tomorrow if I still lived in West London, yes. Would I have gone from Swanage no, I would have cancelled the hotel (a good reason for always booking flexible) and saved the petrol. I afraid these days you have to choose what you want to do on your own value for money basis.

 

Sorry its incredibly frustrating I spent aload of money and not seeing anything I wanted to see. I currently wishing I saved up and maybe waited until the next Branch Line Gala especially 1. I due to start a new job which for the first time I be free all weekends. And 2. Fenchurch and the Mets (plus the 4-wheeled coaches whichni also never seen) would hopefully running. Instead I feel like I shouldn't have bothered.

 

The 4 wheelers are not currently allowed North of Horsted Keynes, until the track is relayed at Vaux End .

 

I am really annoyed with this as it is make everyone forget the real reason is fenchurch birthday. Let all remember and not spoil it for fenchurch it’s not even about the popular engine. Everyone with ticket must still go as that’s the real reasons for going.

 

Oh for goodness sake, this was nobody's fault, stuff happens all the time in life, get over it. Sorry ady, but there's only so much moaning one can listen to.
And looking further down the metaphorical track of life, we'll all have far bigger things to worry about, come this autumn and winter.

 

Maybe if you were in my shoes and constantly suffering from bad luck you wouldn't be saying that!

 

It's a machine, actually, it doesn't have emotions of any sort!

 

Oh no!!

 

What's the track problem at Vaux End that prohibits the 4-wheelers? Just interested...

 

I don't know the details, just told by someone from P-way as to why they are not being used at present.