Bluebell Railway General Discussion

hi spamcan81,

the copper stay problem re S15 still doesnt totally account for the hiring in of the 9F and the GWR prairie tank. 1 loco down, 2 hired in at no doubt not inconsiderable expense - and both are out of service this month

cheers,
julian

 

I agree it's only part of the problem but indicates that plans can often be scuppered by unforeseen events.

 

It's arrived. Tornado at EG network rail sidings.

 

Not the case, there's still a fair bit needs doing on 847!

 

Only relating info received from within the Bluebell itself.

 

The firebox stay issue involved far more than 847, most of the fleet were out of traffic due to this issue, either because of faults or for checking. I'm not certain, but I believe the stay issues are part of the reason 1638 and B473 are out of action, both of which would be covering a lot of the work being done by the hired in engines. Of course, all of this has a knock on effect to any overhaul work, as the fleet has to be kept running as a priority.

Lets hope that 847 proves herself to be reliable again, and that 541 doesn't take too long to get into service along with Camelot. Getting those three into action reliably will make a huge difference.

Daniel

 

I'm not sure that using steam for shunting has had an effect on the current loco shortage. Steam only shunting effectively ended in 2006 when 96 Normandy's ticket ran out, and she was virtually the only loco that did the scheduled weekly shunt as well as engineering trains (particularly the Northern extension)*. It was that year that the first 08 arrived on hire (D3023, the green one) which took over the engineering trains and also much of the shunting.

*I think I should add that despite working passenger trains only extremely rarely, it would be unfair to say she was using up loco dept. resources. She was a very reliable machine and by working most of the weekly shunts, as well as the earlier stages of the extension to EG (before 41312 arrived to run spoil trains) took the strain of the extra mileage and steamings from others locos that could have been used (65, 32473, 672).

 

Thanks for elaborating on my original point re the stays. Like you I'm sure the motive power situation would have been much improved if not for the faulty batch.

 

I'm not sure whether stays are also a reason but both locos need weld repair in the firebox.

 

Popped in to Sheffield Park today, pretty busy for midweek. There was a photo shoot going on for the Harrods Christmas Catalogue with one of the Pullmans and a ton of fake presents.

But most interestingly, I hear a couple arrived today with a lot of luggage-train to London (change at EG), then Eurostar to Venice! Wonder if anybody else has used a preserved line to take them to their holiday destination before... (West Somerset to Butlins doesn't count ;-) )

 

Years ago from Llanfair Caereinion to Spain (I think). It was imagined that a message would be sent back from Shrewsbury to the effect that "the most difficult stage of our journey is now over". Actually, when they got back it seemed the only part of their journey which had run to time was the W&LLR!

Most tourist lines get used for "real" transport purposes now and then. The danger lies in thinking that it will ever be more than "now and then".

Paul H.

 

During the summer, it was possible to have a day trip from Sheffield Park to Paris with enough time for at least a coffee and a quick shopping spree in Paris, and a snifter on the final down Evening Golden Arrow. Not sure too many people tried it though! ...

I think a day trip from Paris to Sheffield Park is slightly more practical A 07:13 departure from Paris will get you to East Grinstead, via St Pancras and London Bridge, in time for the first "down" Bluebell service of the day; and if you catch the last Bluebell "up" train, you will be back at Saint Pancras in enough time to catch the last Eurostar. So plenty of time to see the Gardens, or just ride the trains!

Tom

 

Not quite a "preserved line" as such but a few weeks ago I was on the train from Douglas to Castletown (IoM) which made a request stop at Ronaldsway Halt. Two late teen/early twentysomething girls detrained and dragged their suitcases off in the direction of the Airport. Does that count? Ray.

 

Interestingly it's actually a more lethargic day than the equivalent from Sheffield itself. That would require the 06.25 off Sheffield to make the first train at EG, and taking the 18.17 back would get you to Sheffield at 22.15. Add on a 15 minute walk and you can even start and finish your day in Park Square, Sheffield.

 

WSR from Minehead to Taunton via bus from Bishops Lydeard then sleeper to Glasgow.

 

Not quite to a holiday destination, but I have seen people with their Sainsbury's shopping bags on the Peak Rail platform at Matlock waiting for their train home to Darley Dale or Rowsley.

Christoph

 

I've used the Paignton & Dartmouth, Severn Valley and Ffestiniog as part of my going-on-holiday transport, armed with suitcases and baggage. And very useful they were too.

 

Not quite a holiday destination, but I did return from placement at Thamesmead while at Bible College a few years ago to my then home in Hailsham from Abbey Wood via London Bridge, East Grinstead, bus to Kingscote, train to SP and then special bus to Lewes where my fiancée (now wife) collected me. It was the special 40th anniversary of closure gala in March 1998, and most convenient given the Brighton Main Line was shut that weekend between Three Bridges and Haywards Heath.

I also used the Isle of Wight Steam Railway as part of my journey home from a weekend on the island.

 

I think the question of using railways in the preservation era for their 'true' purpose (i.e.as a means to get from A to B) is an interesting one, something which other debates on this forum have completely overlooked. Mrs DB amd I have an agreement that, if we visit preserved lines, we use them as a means to an end. In other words, we catch a train to somewhere where there is something interesting to do and enjoy - using the railway as a the means to an end (i.e. a transport system), not the end itself (i.e. gawping at steam trains). I find it adds a whole new level of enjoyment, using the ralway for its real purpose, not just travelling up and down all day pointing a camera at stuff.