If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Bluebell Motive Power

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

  1. RLinkinS

    RLinkinS Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2008
    Messages:
    912
    Likes Received:
    928
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Per annum Australia export more coal from one port, mostly to China, than we used to mine.

    Sent from my SM-A105FN using Tapatalk
     
    jnc likes this.
  2. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    One of the lesser known Bluebell locos is the Avonside 0-6-0T "Stamford". This was acquired at a time of loco shortage in the early 1970s, but fortunes turned round and it never ran at the Bluebell - for more than twenty years it has been on loan to Rocks by Rail. As the locomotive doesn't meet our core collection policy, the Bluebell has decided to sell the locomotive to Rocks By Rail, which is a far more suitable home - "Stamford" is one of only a small handful of quarry steam locomotives that worked in the ironstone quarries in Rutland to survive into railway preservation.

    More information about how to help here: https://www.rocks-by-rail.org/blog/

    Tom
     
  3. MuzTrem

    MuzTrem Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2011
    Messages:
    937
    Likes Received:
    1,225
    Well done to the Bluebell for making a sensible decision. Having a disciplined collections policy is vital for any museum or heritage organisation - getting rid of things which aren't part of your core collection, and which you haven't got a realistic chance of restoring, allows you to focus your resources on the things which are really important. When there is a far more appropriate home which is able and willing to take an item on, then it becomes even more of a no-brainer.
     
  4. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2008
    Messages:
    2,575
    Likes Received:
    545
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Brick Machine Operator
    Location:
    Haywards Heath
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I think something was mentioned in a Bluebell News in 2019 about the railway conducting a review of its rolling stock collection and Stamford always seemed to be a logical choice given it seems to be almost a forgotten loco (or that it's Bluebell owned).
     
    BrightonBaltic and andrewshimmin like this.
  5. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    A few updates.

    Firstly, progress on the boiler overhaul of Fenchurch (this is the reports from the last two issues of Bluebell News):

    https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/loco_news/oh_72_fenchurch_2020.pdf

    And on Camelot, it has been taken into the workshop and the boiler lifted for some attention to the foundation ring. The intention in due course is re-certify the boiler for a new ten yearly ticket, i.e. starting from the out-of-frames test. I guess the feeling is that we will run a lower annual mileage in 2021, so 541, 80151, 263 and 65 with 847 in reserve should be sufficient.

    No. 65 is having winter attention to the tender brake rigging.

    Tom
     
  6. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Update on Facebook about Camelot:

    Latest from the Park is that the boiler inspector was happy with the work carried out so the hydraulic test is scheduled for 12th April. If that is OK there will be an out-of-frames steam test a week or so later. The centre drivers are back in the frames and the leading wheelset is out for similar attention to the hornguides. Hornstays are being refitted following reaming of the holes and manufacture of new bolts.
    Tom
     
  7. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    More from the Camelot Facebook page:

    ** Boiler Update **
    After braving snow on the M25, Peter Gibbs saw Camelot's boiler pass its hydraulic test on Monday 12th April. It held 300psi without any problems.

    The steam test is now scheduled for Tuesday 27th April, and the boiler and firebox cladding have gone off for blasting and priming,
    After Peter and Julian's work on the dragbox, the descaling and priming had been completed so Peter applied some grey undercoat.
    And on Fenchurch:

    No. 672 "Fenchurch" left Sheffield Park this morning (n.b. yesterday - 14/04/2021) bound for Statfold Engineering.
    The frames and wheels will have a mechanical overhaul, as part of the ongoing works to overhaul the locomotive.
    I think the plan is still to do the boiler overhaul in house.

    Tom


     
    240P15, Richard Roper, 30854 and 7 others like this.
  8. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Also on Facebook:

    PARISH COUNCIL GRANT HELPS KEEP STEAM LOCO APPEAL ON TRACK

    The volunteer run museum Rocks by Rail is currently raising funds to purchase the last steam locomotive to haul ironstone in Rutland. Just over 50 years ago the steam locomotive named STAMFORD worked its final shift at Pilton Ironstone Quarry in June 1969 when the quarry finally closed. Initially purchased and preserved at the Bluebell Railway in East Sussex the loco is now back in its old county on loan and on public display at the Museum situated near Cottesmore in Rutland. The owners have now agreed to sell this historic locomotive and the museum has launched a campaign to raise funds to retain the locomotive within Rutland and to conserve it as a museum exhibit on public display. Built by the Avonside Engine Company in Bristol in 1927 STAMFORD is one of only a very few steam locomotives that worked in Rutland’s ironstone quarries to survive into preservation.

    At their January meeting councillors of the Cottesmore Parish Council resolved to provide a £500 Community grant towards the locomotives purchase, thus helping to boost the fund and maintain momentum of the museum’s Stamford Loco Appeal towards the ultimate objective of purchase and retaining the loco within its home county.

    Parish Council Chairman, Mr Chris Donovan, said:

    The ironstone workings are an important part of Rutland's local history and we are pleased to contribute to the campaign fund to retain the 'Stamford' engine in its original home county.​
    Mr David Atkinson, Chair of the Museum’s Trustees commented:

    We are very grateful to receive the support of the Parish Council to help us with this unique project. We are making good and steady progress with the Appeal but there is still some way to go before we can secure the STAMFORD steam locomotive for the volunteer run museum, which is a registered educational charity. The museum would be pleased to receive any other donations, large or small, which would enable us to ensure that this historic 94-year-old steam locomotive can be conserved and stay on public display within the County.​
    The Museum would welcome any assistance and donations in the furtherance of this project. Any donations by way of cheques should marked on rear “Stamford Loco Appeal” and be made out to Rutland Railway Museum and sent to:

    Mr A Salmon, RbR Treasurer, 4 Main Street, Stanford on Soar, Loughborough LE12 5PY
    For donors willing to donate as Gift Aid there is an RbR Gift Aid Form which is available via email from the Curator email: Curator@rocks-by-rail.org
    For donors wanting to make their gift by bank transfer please contact the Treasurer for these details on email andysam@stayfree.co.uk
    Rocks by Rail - The Living Ironstone Museum, Cottesmore Iron Ore Mines Sidings, Ashwell Road, Cottesmore, Rutland LE15 7FF Tel: 01572 868415
    Rocks by Rail is the trading name of Rutland Railway Museum - Registered Charity No 1115462
    Tom
     
  9. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    News from Facebook is that Camelot’s boiler passed its out-of-frames steam test yesterday, so reassembly of the loco can now commence.

    Had my rostered turns through for may’s resumption of services - yay! It’s been too long ..

    Tom
     
    Hampshire Unit, 35B, Dan Hill and 9 others like this.
  10. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2008
    Messages:
    2,575
    Likes Received:
    545
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Brick Machine Operator
    Location:
    Haywards Heath
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Heard a loco out and about earlier today which was nice.
     
  11. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    80151 and by the looks of it 263 were out on test I believe.

    Tom
     
    Dan Hill likes this.
  12. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    849
    Likes Received:
    625
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Croydon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    So the latest Bluebell News states the loco mileages for 2020. For possible interest of others.

    80151 - days in use = 36 with 2,035 miles
    30541 - days in use = 44 with 1,928 miles
    73082 - days in use = 23 with 1,114 miles
    847 - days in use = 20 with 966 miles
    65 - days in use = 22 with 836 miles
    D4106 - days in use = 31 with 650 miles
    263 - days in use = 15 with 524 miles
    178 - days in use = 11 with 445 miles.

    On the average normal year the top locomotive on a mileage chart would've ranged between 7,000-9,000 (Camelot's 11,442 miles in 2016 will very likely not take some beating for a while). The loco roster from opening 20th May and first first couple of weeks in June state 80151 is performing a very good bulk of the services.

    I have produced a (slightly untidy) spreadsheet of Bluebell mileages since 2013 for personal interest should people wish to compare others from previous years?
     
  13. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I’m glad someone reads the mileage figures then - not just me! I started reporting them when I took over doing the loco reports; they are compiled from the daily driver’s tickets.

    For context, the 2020 figures were about a quarter of a “normal” year at the moment (the figures have declined steadily from a peak around 2005, for various reasons). I think it is almost inevitable that 2021 will be well down on normal as well.

    Tom
     
    S.A.C. Martin likes this.
  14. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    849
    Likes Received:
    625
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Croydon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The railway released its loco roster for 19th May-10th June.
    https://www.bluebell-railway.com/locomotive-roster/

    A reminder for those interested this is 263s last season before withdrawal for overhaul and also a possible last for 847 depending whether it can be coaxed till the expiry of its ten-year ticket in 2023 or not.
     
    S.A.C. Martin likes this.
  15. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Just to keep the thread alive - Camelot had its boiler put back in the frames on Monday.

    Tom
     
  16. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Photos ...

    https://www.facebook.com/bluebellrailway/photos/pcb.10158992965370967/10158992965230967

    https://www.facebook.com/bluebellrailway/photos/pcb.10158992965370967/10158992965315967

    Apparently a very smooth job. When we went off shed at 9:30am I spied the ashpan being lifted into place and the boiler still next to the frames. When we came on shed about 1:45pm to empty the O1's ashpan, Camelot's boiler was in situ.

    Tom
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2021
  17. ruddingtonrsh56

    ruddingtonrsh56 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2009
    Messages:
    979
    Likes Received:
    1,470
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Nottinghamshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Does the O1 have a rather small ashpan to necessitate a mid-day emptying, or is this just standard practice at the bluebell regardless of loco?
     
  18. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Yes, it's rather shallow - we have a standing instruction that it gets emptied after not more than fifty miles. So on a three trip day, you need to come in at some point.

    The H came it at the same time for coal, since it will not normally make three trips on a bunker full. It does have a deeper ashpan though. Even though the two locos have the same boiler, they are slightly different in steaming, I think mostly related to the depth of ashpan.

    Tom
     
    35B, Steve and andrewshimmin like this.
  19. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    849
    Likes Received:
    625
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Croydon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Heritage Painting uploaded a further update on Camelot. going late crest for a refreshing change for the first time in preservation.
     
  20. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,101
    Likes Received:
    57,418
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer

Share This Page