Brighton Atlantic: 32424 Beachy Head

Yes. I like that. Everyday workhorses, commonly seen on the old line. I'm just so glad that 473 survived, as the E4s were classic "Green Lanes" engines, too. Apart from the usual late lamented, an E5 Radial would have been a very useful piece of motive power to have around, as well.

 

Klaus Marx' book shows just how diverse the motive power situation on the Bluebell was - he records over 50 different classes of locos seen on the line before closure. The obvious types, ranging from a cross section of former LBSCR and SECR (and SER) locos through to BR standards, but some oddities too: at one point in the late 1940s, a War department 2-8-0 had a regular passenger working on the line ...

The Atlantics, of course, were regular visitors

Tom

 

This photo on the last update shows how tight the space is. No room for 150' of trailer and ramp between the end of the temporary rails and the inspection pit. You've then got to bounce a trailer with a loco sitting on top across the shed yard - I think a crane would be easier and safer all round.

 

Quite. bear in mind as well that the right-most road within the concrete apron is also a pit, just adding to the complexity. Crane looks like the obvious way to me to do it.

It's interesting to look back at some of the very early reports. It looks like the boiler and tender frames were positioned, and Atlantic House was then constructed around them in situ. See https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/locos/atlantic/latest_dec05.html

Tom

 

I was surprised how tight the door is, and the fact they needed to remove the dome lifting bracket before wheeling the loco back inside. Still, at least the next loco to use the shed should be a bit smaller!

 

The other way would be with manual traversing jacks. Though I guess today this would be frowned on by the powers that be. 44123 came out of Barry with a liberal use of such jacks. Brings on backache just thinking about it. The 3F at Buxton was also moved across, but that was between parallel roads. I kept my head down when that was done. You tend to learn after the first time!

 

Also brings to mind the old joke of "the train now standing at platforms 3, 4, 5 & 6 has come in sideways"

 

Gold

 

45337 did too, and I was on that job!

 

A few photos from Saturday at the Branch Line Gala showing progress:

Beachy Head by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr

Beachy Head by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr

Beachy Head by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr

Beachy Head by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr

Regards,

Dan

 

I think it is probably just that the colour reproduction under indoor artificial lights isn’t very true.

Tom

 

That looks like a new Detroit lubricator in the third image. Does anyone have any background on how this was manufactured, e.g. from drawings, reverse engineering etc?

 

Not improved engine red then?

 

Whilst I don't want to ask for a timeframe (cos that'll jinx it), surely Beachy Head can't be Far Away? How much work is left before it starts testing?

 

It’s a refurbished original obtained via the Maunsell Locomotive Society. They in turn had obtained it, in poor condition, about 30 years ago from either India or Africa. It has been completely overhauled by the project.

As originally built, the locos had mechanical lubrication, but that was changed to a Detroit Luby probably in SR days. It should be a three feed one, but they are unobtainable, hence using a four feed model.

Tom

 

Do I give a toss what colour that buffer beam is? Do I Chuff! Fingers crossed it’s not too long before there’s a new toy we can play with!
Fair play to those who’ve put the hard yards in, nice one!

 

Yeah, my point and shoot doesn't cope too well with LED lighting! Speaking to one of the team they are still looking at in steam Spring 2024, with a move into the shed to use the pit road to finish off the pipework etc. later this year.

Regards,

Dan

 

Thanks.

 

They still have to fit the vertical take-off to help get it out of the shed and turn it around into the yard, don't forget