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Bluebell Motive Power

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Orion, Nov 14, 2011.

  1. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    For those people keeping track, 3650 left the railway yesterday, after a month or so of stretching her legs on our Santa trains. Not sure where she is off to but I assume back to Didcot.

    Tom
     
  2. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    She was a feisty little performer - I hope that Didcot will let her out again. She'd look great on the Gwili Railway for example.

    John
     
  3. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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  4. tom92240

    tom92240 Part of the furniture

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    3650 arrived back at Didcot safely, she did very well on my set on her last day, though I'm not sure many of our crews quite got the hang of her!

    Now looking forward to 2 bigger visitors booked for March.
     
  5. Matt35027

    Matt35027 Well-Known Member

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    Updates from the Maunsell society on all their machinery posted on the 8th January - What we are up to presently - Very much looking forward to seeing the S15 and Q running again!

    Also, from the Bluebell email newsletter: "Work has been progressing on No. 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair", with removal of fittings to enable the boiler to be removed from the loco. No. 34059 will very shortly be swapped with 21C123, so that work can continue in the loco shed, giving access to the west side. The principal work on the firebox is planned to commence once No. 847 has been reassembled, which is expected to happen by April."
     
  6. SE&CR_red_snow

    SE&CR_red_snow New Member

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    Some did, some didn't.

    The only duff trip I had was the SP-HK section of our very first go, which was basically getting used to the thing. Lessons learned by Horsted: build the fire up a bit earlier, have the front damper half open when it's working hard, and (for the Driver) if it starts to lag, give it more stick not less.

    Lesson learned on the way back: half close the back damper when running bunker first, or it sticks its tongue out at you!!
     
  7. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    I have been informed that 9F 92212 is out of action at this moment of time on the Bluebell?

    Would someone be kind enough to confirm of deny this so either way this rumor can be put to bed?

    Kind regards
    Chris:
     
  8. SE&CR_red_snow

    SE&CR_red_snow New Member

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    I've no idea at present, but will be there at the weekend to see what's what.

    TBH it's almost certainly out of action at this very moment, as there isn't a timetabled mid-week service running. From that point of view the rumour is most likely 100% accurate, but I suspect that's not what you meant? Even the weekend service is pretty sleepy at this time of year, so it may be that we're avoiding paying the steaming fees if we don't have to use it. That's not to say it's presence isn't required as a spare loco to cover for failures, washouts etc., but I wouldn't expect to see it running as a matter of course until Easter even if it is still fully operational.
     
  9. CDR Class 5

    CDR Class 5 New Member

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    92212 has been withdrawn from traffic for repairs according to a friend of mine at the MHR
     
  10. SE&CR_red_snow

    SE&CR_red_snow New Member

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    Yep: I had a look at the weekend and it's in the shed with the back section of grate removed and an old duvet in the ashpan to give a comfier working position! So some form of firebox exam / repair going on.
     
  11. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    1638 passed it's hydraulic test (after work to replace some firebox stays) yesterday, so hopefully should be back in traffic in time for the opening to East Grinstead.

    92212, as I understand, has a crack in the firebox that will need specialist welding.

    Tom
     
  12. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    An update on the restoration of P class 27. This is being carried out by the "Villas" team (so called because their home is in a shed commonly known as "Wainwright Villas"; they were basically the group responsible for the earlier restorations of Baxter and before that Fenchurch).

    Bluebell Railway - Locomotive Works News - SECR No.27

    In other news, the U Boat was dragged out of the loco works today and all being well should have a steam test tomorrow. If that goes well, then final reassembly can take place ready for her to take her place on trains for the EG opening festival.

    Tom
     
  13. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    The Bluebell Railway will announce today that it plans to reconstruct new build "Duke" and "Bulldog" locos, using the existing "Dukedog" as a source of parts.

    The need arises from the published locomotive policy, which requires four "medium" engines to be in service at any time. Currently, only seven such engines are available (the SECR trio of 65, 263 and 592; LSWR 488; LBSCR 473; GWR 9017 and BR 84030). With 84030 still not constructed and 488 in very poor condition, that means that ideally four of the remaining five engines should be in service at any time, which puts unsustainable pressure on the fleet. Thus a new class 2 engine is desperately needed.

    It is expected that it will take about 15 years to achieve the project, which will occur in a series of phases as follows:

    Phase 1 (estimated completion by 2017): Construction of a new "Bulldog" pattern boiler and cab. These will be mated to the existing frames - which are still in good condition following the early withdrawal of 9017 from service. With the identity of a locomotive commonly considered to be associated with the frames, this will technically be a restoration rather than a new build, and will accordingly run as No. 3715 / 3425, a "Bulldog" originally built in 1906 and renumbered in 1912.

    Phase 2 (estimated duration 2017 - 2025): Construction of new "Duke" pattern frames, wheels and restoration of the existing Duke pattern boiler and cab. It is currently undecided whether this will be considered a new build, with a new number, or take the original number and name of the loco that carried the existing boiler - 3314 "Chepstow Castle", later renumbered 3284. It is expected that this phase will be approaching completion around the time when 3715 will reach the end of its boiler certificate, allowing the tender to be swapped between locos.

    Phase 3 (estimated duration 2025 - 2027): Construction of a new 2000 gallon tender suitable for the new "Duke" and quick overhaul of the "Bulldog", reunited with its original tender.

    Thus, by around 2027, the Bluebell should have both locomotives available for traffic.

    The Great Western Society have already promised help with drawings and components, cementing the existing strong relationship between the BRPS and the GWS. Recently, the Bluebell were able to provide drawings of a Dean pattern bogie to the GWS for a proposed new build Dean single.

    The project is expected to cost in the same order as other new builds of similar size; however, the financial return will come more quickly because as soon as the first boiler is constructed, there will be an engine in service giving a return on the investment - unlike a conventional new build project, where the return only comes when all of the money has been raised.

    Bluebell spokesman Avril Poisson said that the railway did not rule out using the various components to allow reconstruction of the Dukedog "Earl of Berkely" at some future date.

    Tom
     
  14. Jimc

    Jimc Part of the furniture

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    Why do they need a new boiler for phase 1? Are there no Std 2 boilers available from unrestored 41xx locomotives? Is 4113's boiler available?
     
  15. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    That option was considered but it was felt that the long trm sustainability of the fleet meant that sooner or later a new boiler would be a better long term option, even if initially more expensive.

    Tom
     
  16. Fireline

    Fireline Well-Known Member

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    Hang on, just let me check the date again....
     
  17. 46118

    46118 Part of the furniture

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    And the NYMR have replaced steam loco numbers with barcodes....see the NYMR thread.
     
  18. David-Haggar

    David-Haggar Member

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  19. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    OK, I admit, the Dukedog one was a poisson d'Avril. But this one is 100% legit. From the Bluebell newsletter, 31 March:

    Tom
     
  20. Unlikely

    Unlikely New Member

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    Quick question: when I was there for the East Grinstead opening week, I took a picture of three boilers among various loco parts in a gap between the Atlantic workshop and where the frames of P No.27 are. Would anybody be able to tell me which engines these boilers belong to? Many thanks in advance.
     

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