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Bluebell Motive Power

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

  1. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    What would Sainsburys do why it was being built?

    Sainsburys tried to buy the Bluebell Station site from Network Rail for addtional carparking.
     
  2. JMJR1000

    JMJR1000 Member

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    Fair enough Tom, Paul, I know when I've made an error in judgement and should admit I had it wrong. Clearly, to sum up the EG future issue, the station itself doesn't neccasarily need expanding (i.e. have two platforms) to cover more space, what is needed bettering the facilities themselves, such as a permanent station building and covered protection from the weather.

    Though another notable issue, pointed out by Big Al earlier, is the fact that East Grinstead's platform is quite a narrow one, which must be potentially very problematic since from what I hear, it's the one that appears to have the most passengers traversing it.

    While I'm aware that can't be helped much, what with such limited space available, I've noticed that there is notable space between the platform and NR's rails. Perhaps to give them all the space available for the platform, they could make it wider, to the point it's right by the NR's track and essentially made into a double sided platform.

    Now I know that with the 3rd rail on that section, plus the fact that stretch of track is not really there to serve the Bluebell Railway's passengers, it would not be permissable for it to be actually a double sided platform. But surely then you could just retain the fencing you have on the platform now, just that it would be closer to the adjacent track, which I'm sure would be allowed. I'm just thinking of getting all the width and capacity out of that platform and overall space they have available, thats all, as it does look as though it could get rather cramped on that platform on the more hectic peak days.
     
  3. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    The Bluebell obtained the absolute maximum amount of space that was available. NR had various restrictions, for example, they require road access to their siding which further limits the space (and I suspect explains why their siding is effectively laid down the centre of a two track formation, rather than being pushed to one side.

    I don't suppose we will alter anything now with the platform: it has been built (with a 125 year design life) and provision has been made for canopy supports, so I guess the platform at least is fixed in position and the size it is.

    Incidentally, just to correct a small point on passenger numbers: can't remember the exact figures, but the amount of traffic starting at EG is about a quarter of the total - SP is still the dominant station for ticket sales. But while waiting for a train, the significant fact is that SP has far more space for passengers to disperse, whereas at EG the platform is pretty much it, the buffet coach aside.

    Tom
     
  4. JMJR1000

    JMJR1000 Member

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    Well if the Bluebell did as much as they could with the platform's (and station as a whole) overall size, then not much else can be said om the matter, at the end of the day we must all be thankful the railway has a station in East Grinstead at all, considering all the obstacles that stood in it's way...

    Have to say I'm most interested in the rough passenger numbers at EG you give us Tom. From what everyone had been saying before I had got the impression that, ever since the extension had opened, EG was receiving the most passengers on the line, with a large portion of people starting from EG.

    If what you say is indeed the case, then I can see why attention is increasingly turning to develop SP further, as it would seem to take on the most passengers.
     
  5. JMJR1000

    JMJR1000 Member

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    Just a thought though, does anyone have any idea what the Bluebell would aim for in building a permament station building at EG? I know they want to see how things pan out first, passenger numbers wise, but is there any rough ideas? I know they'll certainly be short for space to work with, whatever the plans...
     
  6. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    We had something like 35% increase in passenger numbers last year - in other words, for every three passengers we had before, we had about four last year. The broad brush picture is that those new passengers essentially started and finished their journies at EG. But that still means in effect that three passengers are starting elsewhere (mostly SP) for every one passenger starting at EG. In other words, EG has been a sizeable and welcome boost to our traffic, but the majority of passengers still arrive at the railway by car, at Sheffield Park.

    The picture is slightly distorted in that the vast majority of dining passengers, and all the Santas, start at SP - so if you exclude them, the relative contribution of EG is rather greater, (i.e. counting regular passengers on normal operating days getting the service trains), but even then, SP is still the major station.

    Tom
     
  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I would have thought that as time moves on you will get proportionately more people coming to the line via East Grinstead especially if you choose to promote the Railway in that way to the whole of south London. One billboard at Victoria would do it especially if it were combined with a promotion through Southern. Unless you are local, and know how to avoid the traffic, it's not as if any Bluebell station is all that easy to access by road. Time will tell.
     
  8. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

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    There is a precedent for having a mainline connection where there isn't much to "do" and which gets crowded at busy times. Anyone who has ever been to Alton on a gala Saturday will testify that.

    See also: Smallbrook Junction
     
  9. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    A couple of loco updates: "Bluebell" was last spotted on the M25 (no, not on her own, in company with a lorry…) heading for the Battlefield line for their April Gala. The Dukedog's tender has been hired to the Dinmore Manor group for an initial period of 12 months. At the weekend, the tender was still on the Bluebell, though separated from the loco and waiting on the tram road for a lorry.

    The 33 and the 08 are both scheduled to leave the railway after the diesel gala.

    Tom
     
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  10. Drewry Car

    Drewry Car Member

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    As the online roster does not appear to be updated, can anyone confirm what is running on Saturday and Sunday this coming weekend (15/16th March) please? I'm in the area and may call in - to ride rather than photograph - if the numbers are right! Any help appreciated, particularly after L150, 30847, 31178 & 592 - thanks.
     
  11. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    What's with the BR numbers? :)

    Anyway, if I find out I'll post them but it probably won't be until Friday, if at all.

    But at a guess: I'd suggest 178 is almost a definite, as it will be involved in the shunt (with 323 away, we don't really have another suitable loco. So not on a service train, but in steam.

    Highly likely 592 and 263 will both be in traffic, one on the "B" set and one on the GA (prob 263 on the service train and 592 on the Arrow). Incidentally, the B train is likely to be the LSWR brake 3rd, LBSCR bogie first, SECR 100 searter and SECR birdcage brake.

    Highly unlikely 847 will be in traffic - she's being held until the official launch event the following weekend.

    That suggests one of 1638, L150 (or conceivably 5643) on the other service train. Last weekend it was 1638.

    Tom
     
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  12. Drewry Car

    Drewry Car Member

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    Thanks Tom, My spreadsheet is in BR sequence - apologies for any distress caused! ;-) I don't often get south of the river (Trent) so I will make an effort if I can!
     
  13. andrewtoplis

    andrewtoplis Well-Known Member

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    This has come out of the blue for me, is this change temporary or permanent? Presumably the C&W will keep the small green diesel?
     
  14. Bramblewick

    Bramblewick Member

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    The Crompton and the 08 were both on hire, IIRC from Nemesis Rail and the Battlefield Line respectively. It's the 09 which is Bluebell based. I don't think that the 08 has been used since the 09 arrived.
     
  15. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    The green C&W shunter ("Skippy") is staying, as is the 09 (which is owned by a group of Bluebell members, and apart from anything else, is seen as an essential safety net to rescue any failed incoming charters, being both "meaty" and dual-braked).

    As Bramblewick says, the 08 and 33 were taken on hire for specific roles which have now ended, so they are returning to their owners. I think the 09 is seen as sufficient to meet the infrastructure, mid-week shunt when no steam engine is available and thunderbird roles, and the green shunter will continue its role at HK.

    Tom
     
  16. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    OK, you may be in luck with the locos you want to see. The loco roster has been updated as follows:

    A - 847
    B - L150
    GA - 592 (Sunday only)
    Shunt - 178

    Must admit I'm (pleasantly) surprised to see 847 out.

    Tom
     
  17. andrewtoplis

    andrewtoplis Well-Known Member

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    Thanks both, I have to admit I did not know there was both an 08 and an 09 on the line and had assumed they were one and the same hence the question!
     
  18. Grashopper

    Grashopper Member

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    No mistaking the 09, it's in bright orange Harry Needle livery!
     
  19. andrewtoplis

    andrewtoplis Well-Known Member

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    Is it still the original 08, or did that swap from a blue one to a black one, then suddenly there was an orange one? I think I lost the plot sometime around then...not that I was paying much attention!
     
  20. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    There was a swap of 08's fairly early on, around 2008. The current one (about to leave) is 13236, normally based on the Battlefield line. Previous to that there was a green one, D3023, which came in 2006.

    The 09 (09018 / D4106) came about a year ago. It is owned by a consortium of Bluebell members, so although it is also under a hire agreement, it is better having the owning group based at the railway rather than remotely. As a dual-braked loco, it is available if an incoming charter train was failed in section and needed rescuing.

    Tom
     

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