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 Railway General Discussion

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

  1. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2017
    Messages:
    12,172
    Likes Received:
    11,493
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Brighton&Hove
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    A few possibilities occur, only one of which is that one of the team is better employed in doing their damndest to buck the odds and get the loco ready, rather than fannying about pronouncing doom and gloom online.
     
  2. ady

    ady Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2006
    Messages:
    2,369
    Likes Received:
    281
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Post office
    Location:
    South
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Yeah maybe but sure someone said the boiler not even in the frames yet. She might not be in one piece in two weeks time, let alone running.
     
    H Cloutt likes this.
  3. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    850
    Likes Received:
    627
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Croydon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Having seen a contact on Instagram upload a photo this morning. The boiler still isn't in the frames yet.
     
    H Cloutt likes this.
  4. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2011
    Messages:
    1,158
    Likes Received:
    1,158
    Occupation:
    Insurance
    Location:
    Good Old Sussex by the Sea
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
  5. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2006
    Messages:
    8,031
    Likes Received:
    7,605
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Train Maintainer for GTR at Hornsey
    Location:
    Letchworth
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    D4106 booked to run all three services on Sunday - Tuesday due to the hot weather.
     
    H Cloutt likes this.
  6. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2008
    Messages:
    2,576
    Likes Received:
    545
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Brick Machine Operator
    Location:
    Haywards Heath
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Whilst diesels aren't of much interest to me, this does raise a point for diesel use on the railway going forward.

    The 33 was bought, in part, to deal with fire risks such as now, as well as being a thunderbird loco and the introduction of the diesel services at the start and end of operating days. However Bluebell News arrived today and the editor mentions not knowing when these services will begin or what will haul them, due to the 33 still being worked on and while the 09 has been used before and again shortly, presumably longer term it's perhaps not the best diesel loco to cover if the 33 is unavailable.
     
    H Cloutt likes this.
  7. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2006
    Messages:
    8,031
    Likes Received:
    7,605
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Train Maintainer for GTR at Hornsey
    Location:
    Letchworth
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I did see it mentioned (can't remember where now sadly) that various diesel loco owners have been approached about hiring a loco to the line but no one has agreed.
     
    Dan Hill and H Cloutt like this.
  8. desperado

    desperado Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2006
    Messages:
    214
    Likes Received:
    81
    Location:
    Brussels
    Class 33s have a very well known reputation for rust. The joke is that BRCW stands for Birmingham Rust and Corrosion Works. Anyone doing work on a class 33 should expect to find far, far more rust than they expected. I'm sure the owners of 33052 had been expecting to find plenty of rust but they probably found more than they could have possibly imagined :(
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 16, 2022
    weltrol, Dan Hill and H Cloutt like this.
  9. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,328
    Likes Received:
    11,666
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Seriously? I’m really surprised that someone like the DTG or 50 Alliance wouldn’t have the resources to send something down to Sussex for a few months.
    Something like the Clayton or the Warship could be a big draw if marketed properly
     
    H Cloutt likes this.
  10. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2006
    Messages:
    8,031
    Likes Received:
    7,605
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Train Maintainer for GTR at Hornsey
    Location:
    Letchworth
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Clayton is at CPRR, Warship is having a repaint and other work. A couple of 50s out of action long term, another pair on mainline duties. 33 being overhauled. Class 46 failed yesterday with a battery fire. Doesn't leave many locos for the SVR's normal services, let alone a full diesel service.
     
    H Cloutt likes this.
  11. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    6,078
    Likes Received:
    4,892
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    How long would it take enough crews to pass out on whatever type of diesel that may be sent down to be able top operate a reliable service?
    I have no idea but it is not just like sending a random steam loco down is it.
     
    H Cloutt likes this.
  12. weltrol

    weltrol Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2008
    Messages:
    2,784
    Likes Received:
    658
    Same goes for Class 104 DMUs..
     
    H Cloutt likes this.
  13. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,328
    Likes Received:
    11,666
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It’s not that difficult, have a driver on that signs the traction and someone who can act as conductor.
    As an example how many crews on the Bluebell were passed for Deltics before 9 and 19 visited a few years ago? :)
     
    H Cloutt likes this.
  14. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,103
    Likes Received:
    57,427
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I think a gala is easier than regular running. You can always find a conductor for a few turns over a weekend, but what about on a Wednesday mid week? You start putting a disproportionate load on a very small number of people, even more than normal. Don’t forget midweek running involves, for many people, taking time off work, i.e. using up precious and limited leave.

    Tom
     
    Bluenosejohn, Chris86 and H Cloutt like this.
  15. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2006
    Messages:
    11,930
    Likes Received:
    10,088
    Occupation:
    Gentleman of leisure, nowadays
    Location:
    Near Leeds
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Probably a day in the classroom and around the loco to learn about it followed by a few training runs under close personal supervision of someone competent to drive the loco. This then followed up by a theoretical exam and a practical exam when the candidate feels competent to undertake them. This assumes that the candidate is already a qualified driver on another form of traction.
     
    H Cloutt likes this.
  16. Cosmo Bonsor

    Cosmo Bonsor Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2014
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    500
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Our diesel training starts from the candidate being already a Driver as Steve says. This always means qualified for steam because that is what we are trained and competent in. Also diesel driving is always an individual choice reflecting our previous steam only practice.
    With the Gronk there was no classroom element, they are pretty simple and easy to learn to drive. I had an Inspector sit in the cab with me for a day's rostered shunt, then I was good to go. Anything else you need to know is in a manual in the cab.
    Up til now all our mainline diesels have been hired in so the traction conversion was the briefest it could be consistent with safe and efficient operation. That is a walk round, then practical experience of handling the loco under the eye of a qualified Inspector and awareness of documentation about the engine.
    I was passed for the visiting 33, Swordfish and drove it on spoil trains and also stood in for a failed steamer. Great fun.
    Our Loco Superintendent who is also part of the owning group for Ashford is keen to have a more thorough training plan with more focus on faults and failures. I expect it will draw on existing BR traction training. This will help protect the group's asset and operate the engine in the best way.
    I'm looking forward to it myself. I'm sure I can pass on any insights to Mr James.
    Edit: missing word
     
    Matt37401 likes this.
  17. Wagoniester

    Wagoniester Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2017
    Messages:
    583
    Likes Received:
    939
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Essex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The Bluebell has officially said on it's Facebook page that Fenchurch will not be completed in time for the gala, though it will be on display in the running shed.

    Timetable is due to be available shortly.
     
    Paul42, Johnme101 and Mark Thompson like this.
  18. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2017
    Messages:
    1,429
    Likes Received:
    3,559
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    E sussex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It sounds as though this was well outside the Railway's sphere of control. "Difficulties obtaining raw materials and parts" suggests that this was a knock-on from the current global supply chain problems. As others have said "It's ready when it's ready", and Fenchurch does have a historical penchant for turning up late to his own birthdays!
    Presumably the prerogative of being the most senior Terrier?;)
     
    green five, Johnb, 30854 and 3 others like this.
  19. Wagoniester

    Wagoniester Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2017
    Messages:
    583
    Likes Received:
    939
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Essex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    They've also just announce no trains beyond Horsted Keynes tomorrow - SP to HK only.
     
  20. ady

    ady Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2006
    Messages:
    2,369
    Likes Received:
    281
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Post office
    Location:
    South
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I feel they should made that announcement earlier it look very misleading.
     

Share This Page