Bluebell Railway General Discussion

I believe the answer is HK in the short term, and watch this space in the slightly longer term.

Tom

 

Does anyone know whether Beachy Head is operable? I've spent all week reloading to see if the locos for tomorrow will change but they haven't as of yet.

A couple of sources have suggested that it might be rather broken - I'm told the rear pony truck is missaligned????

 

34059 (A), 73082 (B), 65 (WR/GAL)

 

34059 was rather warm yesterday evening!

 

Any chance that might get pulled from the Roster next week? Bullieds are known for being particular bad in the heat and it's getting warmer next week.

 

And yesterday daytime…


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After a day on it, that would be ideal! But i'm not sure there's much to replace it with.

2999 had a warming fire in it so I can see that being used. You have 73082 too; Beachy Head is meant to be out but the last few weeks, it's been swapped out so not sure the state of play on that.

34059 was exceptionally warm today but it can be managed with care (and relief when available!) - I've heard the Spamcans were a lot nastier, thanks to the casing.

 

2999, 34059, 72 and 32424 is rostered.

32424 had to have some minor work carried out in the works but AFAIK is now sitting in the yard presumably waiting testing. I suppose 73082 or 80151 can replace 34059 if required.

 

I would imagine (hope!) that Archie would be swapped out for something else - with temperatures set to reach above 35C in the South East next week, crew welfare becomes a big issue.

In addition to the normal midweek services, Fenchurch is out on Wednesday for a filming charter with the Great Northern Saloon.

 

Agreed. The crews welfare is very important and as much as I was looking forward to seeing Archie next weekend I totally would totally understand if it got replaced with another locomotive for the sake of the crew.

 

Bellerephon and most Manning Wardles should be in high demand for spot hire

 

I was on Camelot today, and it was fairly hot, though not unbearable - though next week will be worse.

An interesting point about open-cabbed locos, particularly 65, but I suspect the same applies to 2999 (I haven't been on it). When it is very sunny, with the line basically being north / south, you simply can't get out of the sun: you have the full power of the sun behind you. The only time I've been completely beaten by a loco and had to get off before the end of a turn was on Covid reopening day in 2020. It was (as I recall) 38C; we were on No. 65; no 3rd man (for covid reasons) and the relentless natured of the sun did for me.

Tom

 

The loco situation is tight in the short term:
34059, 2999, 72 are available with not conditions to my knowledge.
65 clearly works but was (as of my latest info from a while back) due a washout yesterday. Therefore, it may be close to 28 days as it has recently done four more than it was booked for.
80151 was due to have had a wahsout last weekend - not sure if this happened. It works I suspect.
I had heard of a serious fault on 32424. No official info on this. Frustratingly the HOPS roster seems to be being updated with very little notice.
73082 is booked a washout next weekend (MRW). It has been the 'main engine' for a number of weeks so must be almost at 28.

2999 and 72 should be able to work their booked diagrams.
80151 should be available to take the diagram of (potentially unavailable) 32424, or in turn sub for 34059.
65 might be available but as discussed may need washing out. It is also a dying engine on limited mileage.
It may be that 34059 is the only option.

Archie is booked as A engine mid-week next week last time I checked. Hopefully 80151 or 2999 can cover this.