Bluebell East Grinstead Open Weekend

Suprise this hasnt been mentioned before.....

http://www.bluebell-railway.com/event/east-grinstead-open-weekend/

 

I will be there on the Saturday, will be nice to see it finished, I have popped in every so often over the last few months and abit more has been done. Looked good a couple of weeks ago...

http://disusedrailwayphotosbyashleysmith.fotopic.net/p66669689.html

 

Silly me.......not mentioned before because its a Diesel on the Bluebell.......should have know better.....

 

More info....

http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/preservation/bluebell_eg2010open.html

 

Does anyone know when the 4VEP will arrive back at East Grinstead?

 

I thought it was being lined up for shuttles on the open days.

 

It is, but it was at Eastleigh, I am not sure if it has returned yet, or if it has not when it does!

 

Still at Eastleigh. Shoe gear to be removed this week and also awaiting UAT/FTR etc

 

Apologies - don't understand these train things! Is the shoe gear used to pick up current from the third rail? Will it be removed permanently? Does the 4-VEP get its power from then on from the electro-diesel to run the lights, heat etc? I'm guessing that FTR is "fitness to run" but what is UAT?

Thanks.

 

Its quite complex when it comes to all the various combinations of southern region rolling stock, but in this case the VEP's werent wired for ETH (heating) although i believe they can be modified - however in common with all the mk1 based EMU's they can work in multiple with 73's and 33's, which provide light and power.

Regarding 3rd rail shoegear, they do indeed pick up the 'juice' however they can be knocked off, especially if moving onto a 3rd rail which hasnt got a ramp - as they wont be needed they may as well be removed while she's away from Eastleigh.

Finally, UAT is 'Ultrasonic Axle Test'.

Chris

 

The Bluebell site has updated with a link to some images of 3417 arriving back yesterday with its Class 73 escort. The station just needs a few more fence panels and the station sign needs wording but otherwise its ready for tomorrow and Sunday.

 

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html

Good to see that the BB are not getting crap flung at them.

Well done BB for moving foward...

 

Here's the lovely Kirsten and Gordon awaiting the big day on Friday (Clicky for a big picture)

 

Here are a few of my pictures from this morning...

 

As an aside, the superb quality of that new trackwork at the Bluebell East Grinstead station would put to shame trackwork in some places on a certain big railway....

Lets hope a benefactor with deep pockets comes along and helps out with the tip removal costs.

 

A selction of my photo's can be found at http://paul-simpson.fotopic.net/c1892053.html

 

Very nice pictures and the station looks lovely. As has been said just need someone with deep pockets who can complete the project.

 

My photos can be found here...

http://ashleysmith355.fotopic.net/c1868998_48.html

These include some I took lineside in the afternoon between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes. Some of the above can also be found here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/

 

I filmed the ride from the West side of the train. I must say the ride is exceptionally smooth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zH8cPwkze4

 

I was fortunate enough to have been a member of the train crew on both days, and my photos are here: http://gallery74781.fotopic.net/c1893320.html

I also have two videos on Youtube:

(a) East Grinstead platform to Imberhorne (North) recorded on the west side.....
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLkjIH46vq0

(b) Imberhorne (North) to East Grinstead platform recorded on the east side.....
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgIKIej9kOc

Chris