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Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Jamessquared, Feb 16, 2013.

  1. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    There are various pros and cons to whether particular locomotives in the National Collection should or shouldn't be kept operable, but I really struggle with the idea that those factors should include either age or beauty. Personally, when I've seen C1 in the NRM, I've thought the modernity and difference are an important reminder that the story of the railways in the UK was not just about beauty.
     
  2. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    It's the only wartime loco in the museum as well I believe, and I like that it's still a bit grotty after finishing at the Bluebell. Makes it stand out a bit from all the shiny blue, green and red locos!

    That said, it'd be nice to see it in steam again! ;)
     
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  3. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Perhaps you should be reminded Al that the Q1 is just about 80 years old, and rather older than some others in the NRM - a couple of Bulleid Pacifics, for a start ...

    A frequent complaint about the NRM is that the collection has too much glamour and not enough of the everyday equipment that comprised the bulk of what the railways actually consisted of. In that regard, an 0-6-0 goods is rather an important part of telling the whole story of the railways, to which you can add on a whole additional story about the railways' response to wartime pressures. I think if you wanted to start questioning the balance of the collection, I'd be asking just how many Pacifics were needed to tell the story of front line passenger traffic ...

    Tom
     
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  4. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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  5. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    As we're on balance of the collection do we also get to ask how many tiny tank engines the Bluebell needs as well ;)

    Get rid of a few of those and you'd have space for the Q1. (thin it down to sensible levels and you'd have room for the 3H and a steam tamper too)

    *NB - before any one has a fit of apoplexy this is not a serious suggestion
     
  6. City of truro fan

    City of truro fan Member

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    Was there ever a steam driven tampor
     
  7. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    You'd need to throw a lot of GSSTEs (Generic Small Southern Tank Engines: the unit measurement for Bluebell siding length) away to fit a 3H...
     
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  8. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Should have mentioned it last Thursday :)
     
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  9. goldfish

    goldfish Nat Pres stalwart

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    A quick google suggests that the first tamping machine was built in 1953 by Plasser and Theurer, and I doubt that it or any of the newer machines were steam operated. Before this machine it was all largely done manually.

    Someone who knows more about these things might be able to tell you more, but I think I'm probably right in saying that there's never been a steam tamper.

    Simon
     
  10. Ploughman

    Ploughman Part of the furniture

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    There are some that produce a lot of steam from the operators.
     
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  11. D7076

    D7076 Well-Known Member

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    A couple of tanks could make space for a 33 (not 33001).
     
  12. City of truro fan

    City of truro fan Member

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    I think the money should be spent on making it nicer for visitors not on buying other engines
     
  13. Paulthehitch

    Paulthehitch Well-Known Member

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    Don't want to be specific about the Bluebell. However, @City of truro fan does have a point about the need for tourist railways to ensure their attractiveness in relation to other entertainments.
     
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  14. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    What’s not nice about the Bluebell?
     
  15. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    He didn’t say it’s not nice. He did suggest money could be spent on making it nicer and there is always room for improvement, even in the best run places.
     
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  16. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    The April issue of The Bluebell Times (issue 19) is now available for downloading from https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-times/

    It’s a good news issue of The Bluebell Times newsletter in April with details of the plans for reopening the Bluebell Railway after lockdown and the first tickets going on sale.

    Issue 19 also contains information on the latest successful grant application and how the money will be spent in the coming months.

    Also in Issue 19:
    • More virtual tours coming soon
    • A new addition to SteamWorks!
    • A special Easter message from the Railway’s chaplain
    • An in-depth look at ‘Camelot’
    • And much, much more
    The Bluebell Times is published monthly on the second Friday of each month. The May issue is due out on Friday 14 May. Contributions to editor Tom James bluebelltimes@bluebell-railway.com

    PS - after the 9F last month, normal service is resumed and we have more SE&CR finery on the front cover this month :)

    Tom
     
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  17. Steve B

    Steve B Well-Known Member

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    As ever, a very good read - thanks Tom

    Steve B
     
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  18. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Top job, once again Tom .... but please tell me Baxter isn't now entombed in that building! :)
     
  19. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    No, the building remains shuntable (is that a word?) There are some intermediate buffer stops to separate the "running" part from the "display" part but they can be removed to ring the changes.

    Tom
     
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  20. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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