Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Don't you mean "P"?

Now that would be something to see travelling up the line, in fact, that would be a potential loco to represent the Bluebell at NON-Southern railways, like 9017 was.

 

See
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/steam-railway-uk/20200110/28199896938308

 

You serious? You ACTUALLY serious?
A NEW SECR ENGINE???!!!!
OH MY GOSH!!! A NEW EDWARDIAN ENGINE!!!

 

No ... I certainly do not. Patience, grasshopper!

2MT 84030 is a conversion from 2-6-0 (78059). Unlike the tender version (the tender was missing from 78059), the tank version were regular performers on ex-Southern metals, having, along with Fairburn and standard 4MTs, displaced the native Wealden Tanks (I1x), I3, D3 and Pacific Tanks, all thoroughly shagged out, post WWII.

Updates have been slightly absent over the past three years. It seems that, for some odd reason, the group doing the conversion consider actually getting on with the job a higher priority to satiating the curiosity of us lot .... but happening it most certainly is.
https://www.bluebell-railway.com/brps/2mt-project/

 

I know, but it also says here that they were also based on the Midland and North Eastern region, as well, hence the "Non-Southern Bluebell representation".
https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/2mt-84000-84029-2-6-2t-br-standard-class-2-tank/

 

Some nearly made it to the IoW and but for the lack of suitable replacements for pre-grouping carriages, likely would have .... but that's another thread!

 

Well I'm sure if the Bluebell have the funds to do it (and the IOWSR don't mind chipping in), they could dual-brake the 3 Tank so it could visit the IOWSR.
Then maybe, with the 2 Ivatts, have a British Railway event?

 

There is a December 2021 update on their website

 

To break up the talk of 488 etc - tickets for February are available to book on the website. I suppose 12th and 13th Feb is likely 263s final working weekend before its ticket succumbs on the 15th (15th according to HRM)

 

Here's a not completely OT aside. Did you know that, other than the O2s ultimately chosen, Adams Radials (then being rendered redundant by electrification) were a serious conteneder for the IoW gig, immediately post grouping? The more compact wheelbase of the O2s seems to have been the deciding factor, but learning the newly formed SR even considered the 0415s surprised me, as in IWCR days, a couple of outside cylindered LSWR designs were ruled out as possible purchases, due to cylinders fouling the none too generous loading gauge.

 

Now that the Christmas and New Year festivities are over it's time to get down to some serious photo and video editing again. And where better to start than another short clip from the Bluebell Railway's 2021 Giants of Steam gala:



TTFN,

Ron.

 

I don’t know how far down the overhaul queue 9017 is but I’ve always looked at it as a nice engine on the wrong railway. It would be nice to see it sent to somewhere else for overhaul in exchange for a running agreement.

 

The agreement on which it was preserved requires that it remains based at the Bluebell.

It is also a very useful loco, and surprisingly it is mid-size locos that we are most short of; really only five to fill ideally three in service at any time.

Tom

 

It was stated that it was the next medium sized loco to be overhauled about 3-4 years ago, but I suspect that was based on it being started before the H came out of ticket. I think it is more likely to be the Dukedog after the H rather than either the C or Birch Grove.

 

I see that the Jewel In The Crown appeal has reached it's initial £500,000 target.

 

The recent revision of the Bradley book seems to hold it unlikely this idea was ever seriously considered. Were extractum digitum. ever applied to 488 it would be an entertaining piece of WIBN to see how she rated against W24. Dream on!

 

So what you are saying is you'd like to see a Victorian era head to head race between 488 and W24 from Ryde Pier Head to Smallbrook Junction?

 

Possibly better that way than the other

 

Hardly that! It would be of interest to compare the running cost and haulage capacity of the two

 

Is the Dukedog significantly more powerful than the Adams?