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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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    A big day for Project 27 yesterday - the new frames were erected and bolted together. Next step is to make the final adjustments to alignment so that the stretchers can be riveted into place. Meanwhile, machining of the new cylinders is carrying on at Statfold Barn.

    You can follow the project on Facebook, Blogspot or indeed as a Bluebell Railway member through the pages of Bluebell News. As always, continued progress is reliant on maintaining a regular income - you can donate to the project at https://mydonate.bt.com/events/27/438970

    [​IMG]

    Tom
     
    Richard Roper, 30854, CH 19 and 9 others like this.
  2. S.A.C. Martin

    S.A.C. Martin Part of the furniture

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    Fantastic to see. I must come down soon and see for myself. I enjoyed clearing out the ash pits a few weeks back - better dig the overalls out again!
     
  3. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    From the e-Newsletter:

    Locomotive Update: Getting Work Done Before Santa Arrives

    The daily running season recently ended, and there's a small window during November before our Santa Season starts. This small window gives us the opportunity to catch up on some maintenance to the running fleet as well as tackle some of those heavier items.

    One such "heavy" item is attention to the crank axle of Q class No. 30541. Recently the loco has been "knocking" under steam, so immediately after our "Giants of Steam" event, No. 30541 entered the Loco Works for some attention and maintenance to the crank axle, big ends, small ends, eccentric straps, and axle boxes.

    As I write, the crank axle has been removed and the journals are being machined, using a specialist company, to remove the 12 thousands of an inch taper across the length of the journal. Once complete, this work will ensure there is no twist under steam on the connecting rod putting pressure on the small ends.

    Other items we're attending to are new spring hanger pins, new bushes to the small ends, and re-metaling the axleboxes. The work will be complete this month in time for the Santa Season, and in the new year, the loco will re-enter the Works for attention to the leading and trailing driving wheelsets.

    Alongside No. 30541, work has been progressing on No. 80151. The first phase of painting is complete, and once the boiler is installed and the loco fully assembled, the second phase of painting--including final top coat, lining, and varnish--will take place.

    Work on the boiler has focused on the replacement of 60 no. crown stays, with all the old stays now drilled out and each hole tapped ready to receive the new stays. The palm stays have been riveted and screwed in place and some final riveting to the clack pads on the boiler barrel has been done. Once the crown stays have been installed, the boiler will be rolled upright and installation of flues and tubes will commence.

    Measuring work also has been undertaken on No. 34059's boiler to determine the length of stays required and the first order for stays has been placed along with orders for the specialist drills, taps, and reamers required.

    Schools class No. 928 "Stowe" reached a significant milestone in October when the chassis was re-wheeled for the final time. The crank axle is yet to be installed as this also needs the same specialist machining, and once complete it will be fitted using our wheel drop. In the meantime, work continues on the chassis with the finer items while the inner firebox is stored awaiting fitting.

    The running fleet has performed well over the daily operating season while the usual round of boiler inspections and minor maintenance items have taken place. These performances set us up well for our Santa Season--I hope you've booked your tickets as they are almost sold out!

    By Chris Hunford, Locomotive Director
     
    S.A.C. Martin and Bluenosejohn like this.
  4. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

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  5. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

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  6. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    30854, S.A.C. Martin, 240P15 and 2 others like this.
  7. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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  8. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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  9. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Going great guns! I wonder ..... with the welcome level of expertise needed to perform this rebuild (surely, it's way beyond just an 'overhaul') and what with the work needed on 'Fenchurch's' wheels ..... what's current Bluebell thinking on dear old 488/30583 ?
     
    nine elms fan likes this.
  10. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    I believe that the Adams Radial tank will appear at the Branch Line gala in March in BR black. Sadly not in working order. It seems such a shame for this now unique loco to be sidelined for so long.
     
  11. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Sad, but given it's unique status, understandable. Call me weird, but the idea of the sight of it in it's BR guise is rather appealing.
     
    CH 19, Johnme101, paullad1984 and 2 others like this.
  12. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    Yes, that is how people these days remember her as a regular performer on the Lyme Regis branch.
     
  13. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    There is no definitive plan that I know of, but she's a popular loco with a lot of sentiment behind her. Given the complexity and likely cost, probably what an overhaul requires is (1) a dedicated group with the expertise and a fundraising structure in place (2) space, preferably covered, away from the main workshop (to avoid "bed blocking"). Who knows, maybe those things will come together sometime ...

    Incidentally, there was an entertaining piece on driving her in the latest e-newsletter. https://files.constantcontact.com/e0ef1eef101/e87af54e-c62f-4822-8871-a75479f76d56.pdf Meanwhile, as has been alluded to on the Branch Line Gala thread, there should be an opportunity during the gala to see four LSWR locos together, lined up for photographers. Bring black and white film...

    Tom
     
  14. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    In which case, the photo feature in the March Backtrack may appeal.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  15. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    More Project 27 goodies.

    This was on Facebook:

    Engineering Update late Winter 2018/ Early 2019;
    It's been a little while since our last engineering update but despite the weather we have slowly been moving forwards on many fronts! Work has focused on setting up the frames and getting them square ready for riveting! Also whilst the weather has been against us we have been busy making a start on re-furbishing various parts of the motion cleaning, inspecting & re-machining where necessary. Off site the cylinder block is progressing well and should be ready for collection with'in the next month or to!
    After a successful 2018, keeping to our predicted time line, with the initial erection of the main frames we hope to achieve the following for the coming year!

    2019
    Current Plan
    Setup & square off frames.
    Ream & rivet up new frames.
    Setup & fit new cylinder block to frames.
    Machine & fit horn guides
    Build up rear Drag-box.
    continue with painting up wheels and new frame.
    re-metal axle boxes and machine with view to rolling chassis!
    Water cut,cast & machine new valves,horn wedges,slide bars & leading horn liners.
    Drill and fit running plates,side valances, etc.
    work towards a rolling chassis & re-wheeling.

    18 month plans
    Re-Wheeling.
    New side tanks & bunker.
    look into SECR bottle buffers.
    start on pipe work (Vac/Steam heat).
    Motion work/spring etc.
    Could YOU help us? Donate today to help keep up the good work and see 27 run again!

    Link below:
    https://mydonate.bt.com/events/27

    See https://www.facebook.com/littlelocogroup for photos of the newly machined cylinders, machined eccentrics and the emotion parts, aligning the frames etc.

    Tom
     
    S.A.C. Martin and weltrol like this.
  16. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    I see on the Bluebell Facebook page that 323 has been withdrawn from service with immediate effect. Supposedly Outer Wrapper Thin.
     
  17. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Unfortunately correct - I understand revised timetables are being drawn up for Branch Line Gala.

    Tom
     
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  18. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    Its a shame I've always had a soft spot for 323 especially in its current livery and sadly means none of the original carriages and locos from 1960 will be in service for the 60th Anniversary next year and by the looks of it the foreseeable future.
     
  19. S.A.C. Martin

    S.A.C. Martin Part of the furniture

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    Absolutely gutted to read this today. Bluebell is such a brilliant loco and has been wonderful for the railway's profile.
     
  20. Hermod

    Hermod Member

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    How do the outher wrapper get thinner?
    Bad water or dissolved air?
     

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