Bluebell Motive Power

By 2015 she'll be looking for a new home too, she's only here until the end of this year IIRC (same with 5643). By then the locomotive situation should also be looking better (541 for sure, maybe Camelot and Archie soon to follow)

 

Not from me, I'm a bit of a fan (anything's better than BR or GWR livery if possible), although the low-profile cab does look out of place. Just think she's encountered several problems while on the line and it's a bit of a risk, especially considering if we must steam a hired in tank we have 5643 waiting in the wings, about which I've heard nothing but positive comments.

 

Have seen 5643 a couple of times now, and I don't care what colour they paint it, it sounds magnificent! Will always have a soft spot for L150 and 92212 for visiting last year as they both made it into my wedding photos...


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After an experience at the Westerham Branch weekend a couple of years back, Ugly is definitely worth getting behind!

 

'Ugly' can make a lot of noise when stuck on the stop, it certainly gives the opportunity to demonstrate her sheer power without any hesitation.

 

Back in the early/mid 70s had a damn good run behind one on the KWVR. Sounded like an 8F on steroids.

 

She goes very well indeed, and improves with the more weight she has! So far she's had 5 MK1s and a 37 on the back which equates to circa 8/9 bogies. She has also "walked" up Foxfield Bank with 18 mineral wagons and two banking locos. Reports suggest the coupling between the brake van and the banking locos suggested they were not pushing but being taken for a ride by 'Ugly'.

 

I remember what felt like a very spirited run behind 62 and 69023 on the NYMR in 1984.

 

The short stretch is also used for storing 4 car 377s which are added to trains at peak times and rush hour. So this is needed.


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I've just scanned a couple of old 6x4 prints I took back in 1989/90. The first is 80064 at S.P in 89 and the other is of 92240 on it's very first day in service in 1990.

 

A real collectors item in the pic of the 9f there-the Obo in the middle of a train rather than the end!


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Anyone know what's working over Easter, please? Trains for the Coming Week and the loco roster haven;t been updated for a while.

Thanks

 

Yes, that went through my mind too. Would be very rare today - our operating instructions state that, unless operationally unavoidable, the Obo should always be on the south end of the train. (I think the same goes for the GN saloon as well).

In autumn 2012, I was on the Autumn Tints service when the Kingscote north-end points were being relaid in preparation for the extension, preventing run-rounds. We ran the service propelling the coach in one direction, which happened to be propel northbound and haul southbound, thus giving a rare opportunity for people to see the track disappearing from the other end of the coach to normal! (As well as a motor-train style view of the line through the front windows when travelling northbound).

Tom

 

I'll update if I find out (funnily enough I was at the railway over the weekend, but didn't study the roster in any detail!) I believe 1638 will be back in service, but on the Lunchtime Arrow rather than a service train. That rather suggests 263 at least going for a washout.

Tom

 

An interesting consist in general that, with a maroon Mk.1 and the 100 seater sandwiching it!

 

Thanks Tom.

 

Is there a particular reason why it's usually on the southern end or is it a convenience thing?


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As I recall, the specific instruction is that the Obo (and I think the GN Saloon) shouldn't be coupled immediately behind an engine when working northbound through the tunnel, unless operationally unavoidable. Because those coaches will always go at one end or the other of a train, in practical terms that means those coaches will always go at the south end of a train, though the rule isn't exactly phrased that way.

I'm not sure of the rationale, but I suspect it is to do with keeping the end windows clean, since a northbound train working hard through the tunnel tends to dislodge soot etc. Going south, the engine is just drifting downhill.

Tom

 

The GN saloon was always kept on the southend of the consist because of its wooden underframe and it meant that it wasn't overly stressed going up the predominant gradients up to Kingscote with 5 other coaches behind it