Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Loads in the back corners and thin everywhere else seems to work for me. Just watch out for it burning out in a strip about 1/3 way down the box.

I’d live to know how they were fired back in the day. If you get it right you can get to East Grinstead with what you start with at Sheffield Park in the back corners, just feeding the rest. But Newhaven is two to three times longer in time, so they must have fed the back on the move. You get the sense there must have been a big culture shock for a fireman ca. 1910 who hitherto had been on Gladstones and Billinton 4-4-0s.

I’d take a day on it over a Bulleid any day.

Tom

 

Yes, but don't forget they probably had regular crews, I think you'd adapt pretty quickly if you had it each day. I'd be interested to know what the longest non stop run was, presumably they stopped between London and the coast?
I'd agree, I'd probably rather take than than Archie

 

Saw something on Facebook about Wightwick Hall leaving the Bluebell Railway temporarily to go and film a TV Series. I can only assume if true this is for the new Harry Potter tv series does anyone know any information? Thanks.

 

Does anyone know why the loco roster has four locos supposedly in steam for the 12th-13th? I’m guessing a double header on a service train while 65 does a WR or something? Assuming this roster is correct anyhow

 

Looks like according to the website, footplate rides on Fenchurch

Sent from my SM-A556B using Tapatalk

 

According to the crew rosters, it says for Fenchurch “double heading with B turn”. No idea why but does look like four in steam that weekend.

Tom

 

Does it say that? Or are you just basing it because the generic “footplate experience” photo shows Fenchurch?

The reason for being curious is the size of the loco doesn’t make it ideal for four people!

Tom

 

My assumption, but looking deeper could be anything but guess it would account for 4 in steam coupled with the double header.

 

Ah wicked, might be my plan of attack for that weekend. Nice southern line up if all goes to plan

 

I don't know if it's for the same reason, but we tied a Terrier to a larger engine for the day to run a service where the larger engine had an issue with vac braking. The Terrier effectively spent the day as a brake tender. Just a thought....

 

There's loads of room on a Terrier for a couple of extra passengers. Assuming they stand outside the cab and the loco doesn't need firing at any point!

 

Thanks for the heads up on that.

31065, 32636, 34059 and 80151 looks to be rather good and no sign of a WR loco .

Even better if 80151 is hauling the four Maunsells without anything else on the back, or on the front as the BR 4MT is chimney first coming south! I do have a photo of 80145 south of Hurst Green on such a train. Working a Victoria to Tunbridge Wells West via Oxted and East Grinstead train in 1962.

Notice how the gricer in the carriage roster department had nicely matched the number of that Maunsell set to the loco!

The only problem for me that weekend is the temperature forecast. . . .

Bryan

 

I've just noticed that the diesel gala is no longer on the website.

 

They are still busy announcing guests for it on Facebook.

 

What's this then?
https://www.bluebell-railway.com/special/diesel-gala/

 

It wasn't on there yesterday for some reason, maybe the page was being updated.

 

Interestingly the page states 3417 is owned by SETG. Have Bluebell transferred the 4-VEP's ownership?

 

Not as far as I know, and not according to the Bluebell web page for the unit. I suspect just imprecise drafting.

Tom

 

Yes, looks like it has been publicly announced now by Buckinghamshire Railway Centre.

https://www.facebook.com/1000635037...JeV5GonBK7gH6M3Ln22zLvG6cqqCcWgkXsbl/?app=fbl

Edit to add: the wibble in the comments of that post is something to behold: “Oh no, it’s going to be plinthed / oh no it’s going to be painted red / why not use Olton Hall / it’s not a Castle / it’s not the same as Olton Hall, the frame extensions are different” etc etc

Tom

 

I have seen that previously. I was just checking the website for both the giants of steam and diesel gala so I could update my calendar and noticed it was suddenly gone.

Good to see it back up.