Bluebell Railway General Discussion

In good LBSCR tradition!

I've often wondered about how they fired the loco that day, because every photo you see has that mound of coal in pristine condition and it never seems to collapse down in the way you'd expect if they were continually feeding the fire. I wonder if they filled the bunker with the coal door shut, but stacked up loads of coal in the cab to use during the day?

Tom

 

False top in bunker and coal piled on top? If it was still there nearly 300 miles away a few days after the event as @Mark Thompson says, then that might've been the easiest solution.

 

That’s the usual way to do it, using boards to cover the bunker. It’s not unknown to glue coal to the timber so it can be easily lifted out to allow it to be coaled. And reused.

 

Admittedly it's a static loco, but it's been announced that Stepney is attending South Eastern's Ashford Depot Open Day this Sunday.

 

And now add 34059 to the MHR too

 

Southall Eastern seem to think they are getting Fenchurch.

 

The link to the event page the Bluebell posted has Stepney listed, along with pictures of the loco being prepared for it's low loader.

 

The irony of sending a Brighton loco to an Ashford works event because about the only Ashford loco not currently in bits has gone off to Didcot!

Tom

 

Oh the Bluebell locos like their holidays !!!! You'll soon need to introduce a rule about how many go on holiday at a time !!

Sent from my SM-A556B using Tapatalk

 

In fairness, it's not the only Terrier to find it's way to Ashford, that being said the one that did is currently in Canada!

 

Had a cracking couple of days at the Bluebell last week with some friends on their footplate week. Always find this one of the most charming heritage railways out there. Horsted is looking an absolute picture of perfection now, so lovely to see P1 all done up. Also the first time I’d seen the 100 seater coach, which is a brilliant vehicle.

Was great to see the place really busy on both days. Diesel substitute for steam on the B turn not putting anyone off, and the Thumper a welcomed bonus. Looking forward to returning next year already

 

Er, we have a perfectly good - and complete - one here in York, but I don't think it was asked for.

Peter

 

I think if you back i time there were a few more that found there way to Ashford.

 

Ah yes, I was being more parochial!

Closer to home, 1638 is Ashford as well, but I suspect Stepney was logistically simpler to move.

Tom

 

I think in SR days, a lot of Brighton locos ended up having their main overhauls done at Ashford, as Brighton works was run down.

There's a story - told originally by Steven Townroe I think - that when that decision was made, Ashford asked Brighton for drawings so they could start to prepare a stock of spare parts - at which point it was discovered that not only were many of the drawings non-existent, but where they did exist, they bore little resemblance to the actual state of the locomotives!

Tom

 

So presumably Brighton 'Knew' what was needed, they just never drew it?

 

Right into the SR period, Brighton worked by having a loco for overhaul placed in an overhaul bay and one gang completing the whole job - strip down, refurbishing or repairing parts, and building back up. So I suspect there was a strong ethos of “made to fit”, and in any case, generally parts removed went back on the same loco rather than into a pool of spares. It was a much more artisan process than Ashford or Eastleigh, which were laid out in a more modern way.

AC Perryman’s book “When Steam was King at Brighton” is a very good account of those times.

Tom

 

The plan is to visit the Bluebell on Friday 29th

What is on the A & B trains - the Hastings is obvious! and what is the catering on offer on one train?

Sadly the website does not elaborate

 

https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pti/index.html

Says 73082 and 80151

 

https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pti/index.html will give you the loco and coaching stock allocations.