Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Civil engineers train AND the Golden Arrow?

Get you an engine that can do both.

 

Bryan,
We have "archive" web pages for all locos formerly based at the Bluebell, including 33001/C1:
https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pics/q1.html
If you'd care to send me a photo of it on the day it was handed over to the Bluebell on loan in 1977, that would be a nice addition to the page! There's a link at the bottom of that web page in my name, which has email details for how to submit such a photo.
Richard

 

(deleted)

 

Richard, a high res verison should be with you by now.

Bryan

 

From the SR Coach Group:

Hold the date We are very pleased to announce that Maunsell Brake 3rd No 3687 is rostered to be entering traffic on 31 May and should then be in service on weekends through June. Current plans are that it will be running with our other three operational Maunsell carriages, 1309, 1336 and 6686. We hope that lots of you will want to come and enjoy a ride in our latest completed restoration project.
​

Tom

 

Thanks Tom. They will look rather nice with 31065 hauling them.

Bryan

 

Further to the news about 3687, and I do hope that Dave Clarke will not mind me using a couple of his excellent images, but Maunsell brake 6686 is currently in the paintshop to be brought up to spec with the rest of the set.
This has included attention to corrosion beneath three of the large corridor lights, which has involved the cutting out and welding in of new sections of Steel cladding.

The carriage is now being very carefully top coated, including cutting in around the existing signwriting.

By the end of the month, the Maunsell set will look amazing, and I will certainly be down there to see them together.
A shame that there isn't an appropriately liveried locomotive to haul them, but 32424 would certainly do it for me!

 

The indicative loco roster doesn't go as far out as end of May / June.

However, I suspect it doesn't exactly take Mystic Meg to take an educated guess that 34059, 73082 and 6989 (*) will probably handle the "A" services at the weekends (so modern stock) and 32424, 65 and 80151 (**) will handle "B" and weekend dining services between them. Since 65 is off on a bit of a holiday to foreign climes, my money would be on 32424 and 80151 at various times being used with the Maunsell set through June. If the loco situation gets tight when 65 goes away, I guess plan B would be for 34059 to handle the "A"s and 73082 the "B"s alongside 32424.

My hunch is I'm going to end up with quite a big mileage on Beachy Head this year

(*) 6989 has had a p&v exam over the winter, so as of last weekend was still needing to be put back together
(**) 80151 has had a fairly major bottom end overhaul over the winter, and as of last weekend was still in bits, but I suspect the push will be on to get it ready before 65 goes away.

Tom

 

From the railway's Facebook:

"Maunsell Brake 3rd No. 3687 to enter service!

We’re delighted to announce that Maunsell Brake 3rd No. 3687 will be entering traffic on 31 May (subject to testing and availabilty) and is expected to run on weekends throughout June alongside our other beautifully restored Maunsell coaches — 1309, 1336, and 6686.

This is the latest stunning restoration by the Bluebell Railway Southern Railway Coach Group and the Carriage & Wagon team at Horsted Keynes, and we can’t wait for you to enjoy the craftsmanship up close.

Come and take a ride in a true piece of Southern Railway heritage!"



Tom

 

Not made any plans for the weekend yet, but the Bluebell look to have a busy Saturday and Sunday - three engines in steam perhaps?

I wonder if Tom @Jamessquared has any info on locos/rolling stock please?

Ooh, yes, Stormtroopers at Sheffield Park this weekend. I have asked them to Storm the loco shed carefully when they get going with BR lined black paint and numbering. And to leave the big green loco alone, the one with 34059 on the front.

Bryan

 

Saturday:
Set A - 73082 - Green Mark 1s
Set B - 32424 - Obo / Mets / SECR 100 seater (S to N)
Lunchtime GA - 65 - Pullmans

Sunday:
As Saturday

Monday:
As Saturday, but no lunchtime arrow.

I’m on 32424 on Sunday if you are around.

Tom

 

Many thanks as always Tom. The one I'm still after is 34059 on the GA, but I suspect that loco could now be off the roster for a while.

So, even if I don't come across, I hope others will benefit from your very helpful posting.

Bryan

 

Subject to all the usual caveats, it looks like you have a triple chance on the weekend of 24/25/26 May (the late May bank holiday) when it looks like 34059 will be on Wedding charter Saturday, normal lunchtime GA on Sunday and a Golden Arrow Breakfast on Monday - after which it settles into the A turn for the week which is I think half term.

As per the roster (and again normal caveats) 80151 returns to traffic late May.

Tom

 

Tom, that helps a lot, many thanks. So, fully accepting all the normal caveats, the Bluebell is now my first choice for that holiday weekend.

And getting 80151 back is also very good news.

Thanks again,

Bryan

 

In case anyone was wondering where BT is this month - I'm waiting for it to be published, I was a bit late sending it through yesterday for various reasons.

For those interested, locos and stock this weekend:

A - 73082 / Green Mark 1s
B - 32424 + Obo / Mets / 100 seater
Daytime dining trains - 65 + Wealden set Saturday, Pullmans Sunday
Saturday evening Pullman - 73082.

Tom

 

Thanks Tom. I'm at home today hiding from the hot sun after my KESR visit yesterday.

But your postings re very helpful. And I aim to spend a day at the Bluebell on Sunday 25 May when (subject to all usual caveats of course) 34059 is on the lunctime Golden Arrow.

After which, and fitting in with a hoped for rather busy spell at the Spa Valley Railway, I will be keen to renew my acquaintance with 80151.

And, adding thoughts from my wish list, wouldn't it be nice to see 80078 and 80151 working together on a line where the class worked back in normal steam days . . . . . . . .

Bryan

 

Bluebell C&W news-
With Maunsell BCK 6686 beginning to look zingy in the paintshop, with the first varnish coat going on, Hastings brake 3rd 3687 has already been earning income from filming, still 2 weeks away from entering traffic!
(Dave Clarke)
With 7864, the Maunsell restaurant car now in the thick of its rebuild, and 6575, the other Maunsell BCK almost sitting up as a whac-a-mole for overhaul, giving the set a spare brake, where do you think attention should go after these?
5644, the (i think) now unique CK would provide a lot (48) of bums on seats, but is a potentially major rebuild, with unknown quantities of rot present.
4441, the "Nondescript" brake, would provide a carriage fit for private hire, and potentially adaptable for disabled access. The KESR make good use of theirs, and it is a lovely carriage to travel in.
Now that a complete train of these carriages is getting closer to being realised, does anyone have any thoughts as to the order of further Maunsell rebuilds?

 

1365 55nr seats. With this 7864 and the droplight ( with removable tables added) you could use them for Wealden Rambler Afternoon teas instead of Mark1's

 

Very good point. And a classy alternative, too.

 

I did this document a few years ago - needs updating, but shows what is available:

Given the current Maunsell set:

6686 (brake, 1st, 3rd)
1309 (3rd)
1366 (3rd)
3687 (brake, 3rd)

The obvious omission is wheelchair access. So to me 4441 makes most sense.

Beyond that, 5644 increase the amount of first class in the set. 6575 is a companion to 6686 (brake composite) so I suspect makes most sense if that vehicle needs withdrawal in the future, though as one of the first two Bluebell carriages, there is an obvious emotional draw.

That's an outsider perspective, not informed by inner knowledge of the C&W.

Tom