If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Sheffield Park Loco Works News

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by tom92240, Mar 12, 2009.

  1. poser500

    poser500 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2009
    Messages:
    66
    Likes Received:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West Hoathly
    Got the tanks off the H yesterday and the radial truck went back under the E4. Don't know what it was but there was a real buzz in the works yesterday that I hadn't felt for a while, (not that I get down as much as I use to) maybe that spring was in the air has lifted everyone’s spirits, but it was a really busy place what with the S15s boiler being worked on and the wheels sets ready to be reunited with the frame (April I believe), machining of Beachy Head spring hangers and the E4 boilers making great strides. A very enjoyable day was had by all.

    Dave G.
     
  2. dhic001

    dhic001 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2008
    Messages:
    312
    Likes Received:
    35
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Thanks for that update. Positive progress obviously creates a positive vibe, which is great. The team in the works can be congratulated for the great job they are doing, and while much is still to be done, its good to see so much good work being done. 34059 had been a work in progress for so long, that having out of the works for awhile must let a little fresh air in. Please keep us up to date with progress.
    Daniel
     
  3. David

    David Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2006
    Messages:
    818
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    water meter reader
    Location:
    Eastbourne
    Latest loco news on the H Class 263. http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/blueb ... h_263.html

    So what a massive surprise, not!! It's to be outshopped yet again in the same old SECR livery, yawn. I guess we can look forward to the non-authentic loco/carriage set pairings of our SECR liveried H Class hauling BR Mk1's, Bulleid's and Maunsells yet again, yawn yawn sorrry not again lol.

    Oh well at least it does say that SR or BR livery will remain options for the future but I guess we'll have to wait about 9 or 10 years for that to happen. The phrase "have they no savvy" comes to mind. #-o
     
  4. horace

    horace Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2006
    Messages:
    524
    Likes Received:
    164
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Somerset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    It is good to see that progress is being made with the H class.
    As this loco is owned by the Bluebell Trust would it not be possible for the membership to vote on what livery they would like it returned to ?
     
  5. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2005
    Messages:
    2,839
    Likes Received:
    558
    Location:
    Isle of Wight
    Makes perfect sense to me. Colourful liveries appeal much more to casual visitors, pre-grouping liveries are rare on heritage railways (and are something which helps the Bluebell to stand out), and there is the helpful option of running lucrative photo charters in BR black when extra money is needed.

    Chris
     
  6. williamfj2

    williamfj2 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2007
    Messages:
    637
    Likes Received:
    55
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    50A
    I think its better to have locos in suitible pre grouping liveries. I can only agree that the liveries like SECR, LNER apple green etc are more appealing to your average punter. Besides it not as if it will HAVE to run in SECR livery for 10 years is it?
     
  7. Dan Hamblin

    Dan Hamblin Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2006
    Messages:
    2,544
    Likes Received:
    181
    Occupation:
    Rolling Stock Engineer
    Location:
    Kent
    Logic suggests that it would be good to have the C and H class in SE&CR livery while the C class is still in ticket. The H Class can then go into SR green or BR black later in its ticket.

    Regards,

    Dan
     
  8. David

    David Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2006
    Messages:
    818
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    water meter reader
    Location:
    Eastbourne
    True, but the H did run in SECR livery for the whole if it's last ticket without any change. It may look nice in SECR livery but the thing is, apart from a few wagons, there's absolutely zero carriages that can authentically be matched with it as the 100 Seaters and Birdcage Brake will be in olive green. The H would have been far more marketable in lined black or olive green and at a time when the railway desperately needs money it ignores this fact. It just seems that the powers that be have taken all of about 2 seconds to decide it should come straight back out in exactly the same old livery without thinking about the bigger picture and financial gain they could have got if the H was outshopped in lined black or olive green.
     
  9. LN850

    LN850 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    Messages:
    559
    Likes Received:
    1
    I think that it makes sense not to have every engine in BR livery, railway preservation isnt a recreation of BR. Neither does it have to periodical.
     
  10. spindizzy

    spindizzy Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2009
    Messages:
    899
    Likes Received:
    44
    At least all you photters that stand in the fields around Freshfield Bank will have a Green E4 to photograph.
     
  11. stepney60

    stepney60 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2005
    Messages:
    14,400
    Likes Received:
    0
    The problem is the perennial one. What works for the average punter doesn't please the photographers, and vice versa. Most "normals" would regard the H class as being far more attractive in SECR livery than in green or black, whereas photters want it in those liveries. And, I'm afraid to say, general punters put more money in the coffers than a lot of photographers do (note, not all, before you all start, as some of you do a lot, but others don't). Besides, it's good to see something that's NOT painted BR black for a change.
     
  12. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2005
    Messages:
    4,736
    Likes Received:
    1,107
    Location:
    Oxford
    It's not just the "normals", either. I'm very happy to see her in SECR livery. Pre-grouping liveries are a feature of the Bluebell, and long may it continue. SR olive green would be a good alternative, but not BR black, if you please!
     
  13. ady

    ady Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2006
    Messages:
    2,369
    Likes Received:
    281
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Post office
    Location:
    South
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    The H class livery

    Does it really matter!

    At least it certain the engine will be running in a few years time
     
  14. 80154

    80154 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2009
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Good morning,

    I'm slightly saddened to hear that the H is going to be re-painted in SECR green and not any of the other many liveries that the loco carried in her long working life.

    Is there an opportunity being missed again here?

    Let's think about the official bluebell policy aim of trying to match appropriately liveried locos and rolling stock. It's not always possible for operational / repair reasons we know. However, I do sense a certain degree of disappointment that this fine looking loco is not?going to be seen in any other livery.

    All liveries have their merit both aesthetically and historically. The Bluebell should recognise this. I see disappointment that the loco maybe will not be seen in BR black or Southern Olive Green, maybe first world war grey or whatever.

    There are times when during the 10 year ticket of a loco, the paintwork gets to be very tatty. The 01 has been showing undercoat in places for quite a while. So why not set the enthusiast / photter world alight by saying to them, stump up the money and the hard graft and we'll change the livery towards then end of the loco's ticket and keep generating interest / publicity in the railay press and have a nice clean fresh looking loco for Joe public to enjoy.

    It has to be recognised that 99% of travellers on preserved railways probably don't care what colour a loco is as long as ther's a steamer at the front.

    However going back to Bluebell's stated policy of correct loco / coach type / liveries. It is they that are trying to get over the correct interpretation message to the general public as part of their other aims of "museum interpretaion" etc . The enthusiast / photter fraternity are only in a way echoing those ideals.

    Come on Bluebell Trust, please think outside the box sometimes, we know it's hard to please all of the people all of the time but different liveries on locos at various times through the peroiod of their boiler ticket could be an inspired policy.

    Again remember that Aesops fable of the wind / sun / traveller. It would keep the moaners at bay and prompt more constructive thoughts rather than open and sometimes needless vociferous criticism.

    Kind regards.

    80154
     
  15. David

    David Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2006
    Messages:
    818
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    water meter reader
    Location:
    Eastbourne
    I'd agree the Bluebell's forte is Pre-Grouping and Pre-Nationalisation steam era. But in terms of the H class for me personally I've, seen it, rode behind it, and photted it about a million and one times, well maybe not that many lol, when it ran for the whole of it's last boiler ticket in SECR livery during the 90's. And yes by far the most important thing is for the loco to be back running again and in good health, but why oh why does it have to be outshopped in exactly the same old livery once again?

    Change is good, well documented by the E4 and Dukedog repaints, it's just a shame the powers that be didn't put much thought process in when they decided to bring 263 back out in exactly the same old livery when it could carry 2 other idenities. Then again these are the same persons that have decided that the SECR P Class 1178 is to come out in a "mickey mouse" livery i.e. Bluebell Blue. ](*,)
     
  16. dhic001

    dhic001 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2008
    Messages:
    312
    Likes Received:
    35
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Excellent news that it will be back in SECR livery, hopefully 178 can be repainted in the same before too long. Then we can have 3 SECR liveried locos, a lovely sight. BR liveries are not the only option, and the Bluebell is doing well in showing the variety of liveries carried by locos through their working lives. As for the complaints about matching coaching stock, there is at least one carriage that matches the early SECR liveried locomotives, the LCDR second. That carriage may well have run in LCDR livery with an SECR liveried loco.

    Well done to the Bluebell for showing a variety of liveries and not bowing totally to the BR black brigade. Long may it continue.

    Daniel
     
  17. David

    David Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2006
    Messages:
    818
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    water meter reader
    Location:
    Eastbourne
    Yes spot-on 80154, =D> =D> The Bluebell Trust have missed a massive trick by outshopping the H in exactly the same livery once again.
     
  18. 80154

    80154 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2009
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Dear All,

    I don't think that the above statement is really an answer to the views being expressed regarding liveries.

    The issue of liveries and having enough loco's running is not the same.

    Surely the train of thought on this should be (and please I'm not trying to belittle or score points):- Bluebell have a shortage of steam, The H is being repaired and fast tracked alongside the E4 to address that issue. The livery issue is a separate one surely?

    Kind regards,

    80154
     
  19. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2008
    Messages:
    2,576
    Likes Received:
    545
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Brick Machine Operator
    Location:
    Haywards Heath
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I'm on the lines of:
    It don't matter what livery (As long as it's Authentic unlike what 178 will be) just as long as shes in steam.
     
  20. Columbine

    Columbine Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2008
    Messages:
    266
    Likes Received:
    0
    Personally I find the Wainright livery to be totally flamboyantly fabulous and I'm content if another loco is to be painted so. My personal preference however is for Maunsell olive green, partly because, for me, it is one of the best greens ever,but also it would fit completely with the SECR 100 seaters when they're back again.

    I have noted that Bluebell News has said 'Birch Grove' is to be painted in olive green next time out and indeed the wheel sets have already been painted thus, but ... why hasn't LBSC 'goods green' been considered for this engine? AFAIK 'Birch Grove' is the only engine in preservation which is entitled to carry this livery, it's absolutely unique and it would fit with the pre-group goods train. And yet the only time it is possible to see 'goods green' is when one of the modelling fraternity does the biz.If you click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-Q7Wl-miMg&feature=channel_page you will catch a flavour of the livery, but I hasten to add that the models aren't mine, I should be that clever and industrious.

    Regards
     

Share This Page