Bluebell Motive Power

It's not a big issue to anyone who doesn't have an obsession for undermining the Bluebell at every possible opportunity.

 

847 rostered for Santas this weekend see http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pti/index.html and http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/loco_roster.html.

 

Martin: I'm sure I read somewhere that --as you say--after some recurring problems, the SVR changed spring supplier.

46118

 

Of course, before the 9F could initially enter service on the Bluebell, certain "work" had to be done, but this is neither the time and place to discuss that, if you know what I mean - though I am sure everyone knows what I am implying about the standard of maintenance at the MHR, nudge nudge, wink wink...

The point is, steam engines, by there very nature, wear out. Work had to be done to the 9F when it was at the Bluebell to repair components that had worn out, and no doubt work will need to be done when it returns to the MHR, and no doubt more work will need to be done between now and the end of its ticket. That's simply what happens; it isn't a slur on the maintenance standards of either organisation. Ultimately, it is down to the owner if they consider any particular railway is an appropriate venue to run their engines.

Maybe if Chris spent as much energy in telling us about positive happenings with the MHR wagon group rather than this endless one-man campaign to do down the Bluebell, things might be a bit more productive.

Tom

 

Just out of interest when was the 9f last weighed?
There have been a great deal of problems from one certain spring supplier over recent years, but I would be interested to know when the loco was last weighed.
Transport by road has been known to affect the distribution of weight on locos and should be factored in when arranging transport but I have found a complete lack of willingness for this to be accepted by all.

 

I am led to believe that SVR weighs all locos visiting the line and its own following work. Weing is however facilitated by having an in track electronic weight measuring system at Bridgnorth. What facilities do other railways have

 

AFAIK, it is routine practice to weigh all visiting rolling stock to the Bluebell to ensure the weights on each wheel are within specification, and also to re-weigh any rolling stock after overhaul or after any work that may have upset the weight distribution.

Tom

 

Routine practice is not always followed and this particular practice is often seen as a nice to have rather than a necessity as it can often take several days to perfect particularly with kelbus gear and a 9f has a lot of wheels!

I know that a lot of locos that are moved around by road for galas are often not weighed if only at railways for a few days.

Another example of the make do and mend culture that is pandemic within the heritage sector I am afraid.

 

By "routine practice" I mean "something that is done as a matter of routine…"

Tom

 

Happy day for Maunsell lovers on the weekend's Santa specials:



(Not my photo - via www.facebook.com/bluebellrailway)

The third train was in the hands of the Black 5.

Tom

 

Now that 847 is back in action. I wonder if anyone at the BB has considered putting on a mini gala in the near future say in Jan/Feb. Could be a well attended event. I would think having the following loco in service would be a good line up. 847,1638,45231,592. There wouldn't be any transport costs which is the biggest cost of running a gala and Jan/Feb is always the quietest months of the year.

 

We'd normally hold our Branch Line Gala on the last weekend of Feb; however, don't see any reason why we shouldn't run a rescheduled Giants of Steam event, while we still have the Black 5. Would be nice to see! January would be out because of the infrastructure works on Freshfield Bank.

Tom

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Has anyone thought of maybe asking someone at the railway? Yahoo group or similar?

 

Just for interest SVR 1501 broke a spring yesterday.

 

Should be an ideal event to run the DMU.

 

MHR lads having a (light hearted) dig in their blog

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/article.php/499/loco-wednesday-gang-18-december-this-wheels-on-fire

 

A light hearted dig eh?, hm what do others think of that?

Chris: