Brighton Atlantic: 32424 Beachy Head

Clearly the marketing team had the same idea ...



(From the Wayback machine for October 2020 ...)

Tom

 

Of course the crews/the Bluebell must be able to choose how their locos run. But it would be nice to see 32424 running without a headboard at times this Autumn.

Bryan B

 

If I get on it again this autumn, I'll try and comply

I think the Bluebell Railway ones in the first few days were fair game, since the loco was going to get a lot of coverage in mainstream and social media, and film of "loco goes through countryside" doesn't have much else to identify where the credit belongs when used out of context!

Tom

 

Many thanks for that.

But Tom, I was quite happy about 32424 with the Bluebell headboard when I was there in the great deluge last Saturday. I saw that as a sort of tribute to the railway and all those involved in getting this loco from just an idea to starting operational use.

Overall I am delighted that the loco is in BR SR livery and numbering - but of course I would say that!

Bryan - oh dear, I am a bit fussy about my photos. - B

PS. And I did take a close up photo of the lovely Atlantic on Saturated Saturday, with my umbrella stuck down my Tee- shirt - as you do!

 

It ran without a headboard on its second working yesterday. Don’t know about the third working as I was on board and didn’t bother to check when I got off at EG.

 

I too got to see her yesterday and what a magnificent sight she is, especially as, like many others, I had only ever seen pictures of her in the past. A big 'hats off' for all of those involved with her, from conception to actually entering service. I enjoyed a great run with her and from the front of the first coach to my untrained ear she sounds healthily spot on, particularly on opening up after the TSRs, with no evidence of slips (second run of the day) Wonderful!!
One question I forgot to ask on the day, does anyone know what the devices are that are attached to the bogie frames almost touching the flanges to the rear of the fore wheels, thanks in advance,

Chris

PS Probably passed you on that run Mr Spamcan

 

They are flange lubricators. A few of our locos have them. The idea is to reduce wear and rolling resistance on constantly curving track.

Tom

 

Thanks for that Tom I did wonder if that was the case.

 

A great achievement and a superb loco. I love it! What's it like to drive and fire btw?

 

Photos from Monday/Tuesday…https://www.flickr.com/gp/alts1985/ToT49mKk68

 

See post 1991 for some initial thoughts about firing. I can't say anything about driving.

Tom

 

thanks Tom, I haven't been able to access NP for a few weeks, so catching up. Very interesting and informative post

 

Finally got to see this magnificent beast yesterday, well worth the trip despite the heat, revived by a pint of Harvey's best in the Bessemer Arms.

 

Lovely photos John. Is it fairly easy to get onto the bridge for the first shot please? Last time I tried, some years back, it was too overgrown between the track up to it and the bridge to be able to get on to it. Since then I have assumed the vegetation would have become a massive obstacle, so haven't been back there.

Bryan B

 

Thanks Bryan, it’s fairly easy from the lane of the west side of the line but it means climbing over a gate, not sure about the other side

 

John, thanks for that.

But with one fairly new hip and the other one that I'm protecting I've had to take 'climbing over closed gates' off my C.V!

Bryan

 

You could try the otherside of the line, I don’t know if there are any gates. I had a new ‘big end’ about 10 years ago but luckily haven’t had any trouble since.

 

I filmed the departure from SP.

 

Quick reminder for those interested that 'Beachy Head' is in traffic the next two weekends at the Bluebell.

• 5/6 October - on the 10:30 / 1.00pm / 3.40pm services ex-Sheffield Park and around an hour later ex-East Grinstead. (5 October is a supporters day for those who helped fund the project, but the loco is running in normal revenue traffic)
• 11/12/13 October - Giants of Steam

I think that is then it for this year, except for some photo charters.

Tom

 

As one of the supporters (Admittedly only on a modest scale), it was really good at last to have the opportunity of a run behind this splendid locomotive last Saturday. With 5 mark 1s and the GNR Director's saloon in tow, 32424 seemed totally up to the job, a couple of short slips north of HK notwithstanding. I also appreciated the complementary and very gooey piece of chocolate cake in the Bessemer Arms on my return to SP!

Rather coincidentally, the corresponding Saturday a year ago saw me enjoying a ride behind a loco to whose restoration I had also made a small contribution - the Swanage Railway's T3 No. 563, which hauled its first public trains on October 7th 2023. Two railways are now blessed with two really stunning pre-grouping designed express locos.