Bluebell railway SECR locos line up

can anyone tell me when or where the supposed line up of the three SECR locos at the Bluebell is supposed to happen?

will any of the 3 locos be double heading over the branch line weekend either?

 

details on the bluebell website

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/blueb ... ine09.html

although both the O1 and the C are both being repaired in the works at the moment... and the recent curse of the visiting engine may strike again (at least from comments made by KESR volunteers)

 

Plan was to triple head the 3 Chathams on Saturday (my train ) but the timetable for Saturday has been sent to me showing 592 out of action, with her potentially running on Sunday if repaired in time. The problem being that the company who makes the springs can't deliver them until Friday earliest, and so I assume that the decision was taken on the basis that our luck is usually bad and they won't have arrived. Of course the other issue was having to roster a crew and some people might not be so pleased if they're rostered to drive a broken engine and have no replacement. So Saturday is down to 5 engines, but with more train-sets to play with!

 

What no spare spring surely with the record as posted on this web site the loco works would have spare springs available
especially as they alredy have a loco crisis, if not why not because if they had this situation would not occur is this bad management or what
Engineer

 

Yes it is bad management and the fact that there is no money.

Regards
Chris Willis

 

All the spare springs were used up as they kept breaking!

 

Actually, it is a failure in the manufacturing of the springs. A different supplier has now been sourced. I also understand that Tornado had been beset by the same problem. Perhaps someone could clarify or disprove that for me!

 

I suggest that before jumping to conclusions you establish the facts. There has been a manufacturing problem with the springs; nothing to do with the Bluebell and outside their control. You may sign yourself as 'Engineer' but you don't give the impression of being one.

 

News on the loco lineup for Branch Line:

592: New springs have yet to arrive - they should arrive tomorrow (Friday) enabling the loco to run on Sunday (we hope).

65 has had 2 new tubes fitted and appears to be OK.

672 has had 5 new tubes fitted.

1638 has had a new brick arch constructed this week to complete its repairs and should be in light steam in case of any problems.

9017, 753 and 80151 all appear to be OK at the moment!

 

Out of interest re: 592s springs, why do we go back to the same company if clearly their product is flawed? Or is it the case that no-one else will make them.

 

I believe that there was a bulk order placed, to reduce costs. There is now a new supplier, as I mentioned above. I will find out more.


In my personal opinion, action to recover costs should be taken against the previous supplier.

 

The problem with the springs could well be due to a number of problems,

As a former materials scientist, I would suspect that the quality of the metal is not as good as it should be. The decline in British industry has limited choice. Cost also seems to take a greater role over quality, so I wonder whether there has been an attempt to cut costs.

It has also been suggested that the design of the new springs has been flawed with a sharp angle rather than a curve cut in them by the manufacturer. This may encourage cracks to form.

None of the above can really be blamed on the management... What could be blamed is the state of the track which may also be a factor. We have been told by at least a couple of experts that the track is safe, I just think that some of the track looks more like a fairground roller coster, and it has done so on certain sections for a very long time.

Glad to hear that all 3 SECR locomotives should running for Sunday, sadly we will will not see a Birdcage set of carriages, as well as a full SECR good train formation. A brief look at the Bluebell stock list, will give some idea what 'could' be possible...

 

Never let the facts get in the way of a good bitching session...

 

I am coming to the Gala tomorrow (Saturday). My pre purchased timetable/loco roster appears now to be of little use.

I have telephoned the Railway, however the member of staff i spoke to appeared to have little idea of what is happening and does not even think there will be an update to the timetable available on the day for people, such as myself, who have purchased this event guide.

My question is therefore is are any of the Bluebell staff who post on this site able to tell me on which which trains I am likely (and I accept things could change further) to find the "P" Class and the O1 either on their own or double headed?

These are the locos I wish to travel behind and as my visit must (due to travelling etc.) be limited to between (approx.) 11.30 and 3.30 it would be really helpful to allow me to make the most of my visit.

With thanks in anticipation

 

Without trying to give too much away...The 01 stays with the 1st train from Horsted all day, with the P joining for its 2nd trip. The P then works the following trips by itself, A half trip using a goods and 2 4 wheeler consist in the afternoon (up dieection only). The mixed only running as far as Horsted. The P and 01 again on a half trip (down direction only) and then the P + 2 4 wheelers on their own being the last Sheffield Park departure full length of the line. (hopefully you can tally that up on your timetable)

 

Thanks1 that makes sense and is a great help.

 

1638 will now replace 672's diagram on Sunday.

 

Just got back home from the gala and have to say it was a most enjoyable day's photting. The weather was sunny, trains seem to be all on time and the P looked magnificant with the mixed train formation. Despite the problems we have down here this shows the Bluebell can still put on a great show. =D>

 

Nice photo David looks like you all had great weather today at the Bluebell. Look forward to seeing some more photos from this weekend.

 

While the Bluebell may not be everyone's cup of tea, it makes a nice change to see a railway that seems to make a point of operating small locos with short formations during special events in addition to the larger locos, rather than trying to hang as much as possible on the drawbar as a lot of other railways seem to.

Variety is the spice of life, as they say.