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Bluebell Railway General Discussion

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

  1. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Certainly busy, but it's the Operating Supervisor who had a really busy time of it. As RF, I just had to worry about what was happening within the loco yard. Still pretty busy all day though - according to my phone I walked almost eight miles for the day without going further south than the cottages or further north than the Operating Supervisor's office in the station building ...

    Tom
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2022
  2. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Yes terriers have slide valves, but as you say for both to fail in this way, something has prevented both valves movement fore and aft, in the slide, and jammed the plates, i would not even like to think about how much damage there has been possibly in the valves themselves, and the engine has only just returned after overhaul, i don't think its the crank extrentic bearings, if its lubrication, possibly the pots have stopped feeding, incorrect oil used? wicks not correctly seated?
     
  3. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Given the late failure of the Hall on the day I booked on line I decided to keep my toys in the pram for the sake of the railway.

    But I was decidedly unimpressed by a recorded message that said the booking office was closed so there was nobody to talk to.

    The day before a gala!! What was the Bluebell thinking of?
     
  4. Musket The Dog

    Musket The Dog New Member

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    I can't say that I think not having the booking office open is an ideal situation, but also I can't say that I know what's going on behind the scenes either. Is it the booking office's working hours that mean it's always closed on that day, or did the person covering for the regular on holiday, call in sick last minute?

    We all get different things out of these railways and I guess I have a hard time wrapping my head around a 'I only went to a Bluebell gala day to see X' train of thought. Obviously it's disappointing if X fails last minute, and if it's a rare oppurtunity to see X even more so (not discounting the fact there are a lot of X's out of action for reasons beyond Bluebell's control). It just seems there's still a lot on offer.

    We are meant to be the proportion of visitors most in the know, I just thought we would offer a little more empathy?
     
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  5. twr12

    twr12 Well-Known Member

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    Is it normal for Terriers to have plain bronze big end bearings without a layer of white metal?

    I’m not really familiar with such old and small locos, I’m aware that some much newer designs such as Hunslet Austerity locos have plain bronze axlebox crowns, but don’t know about their big ends.
     
  6. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    I recently paid a visit to another railway with the specific intention of riding behind a particular loco. The website confirmed that it would be running that day. When I got there I found that it had had a problem (unspecified) the day before so was parked in the shed, with a different loco doing the honours.

    I was disappointed, but I still had a good day out, including a ride on that railway and to and from it by service trains.
     
  7. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    I too am disappointed about the Hall and Poplar, but I'm still looking forward to visiting the Bluebell as I always do and sadly these things can happen to any railway at anytime, just unfortunately they seem to be happening all at once in this instance.
     
  8. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Don't forget, along wi' owt else, there's the best part of two years misfortune to catch up on. There's ne'er been a thing I've seen to suggest Sod's Law is mileage based ..... :(
     
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  9. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    You are correct of course but these days it is also about the money. I had mentally planned this as my first post Covid Gala (still have some health issues that concern me) but had missed the fact it clashed with the first weekend of my wife's art group exhibition that spouse (mine and many others) help is needed at.
    Would I have gone tomorrow if I still lived in West London, yes. Would I have gone from Swanage no, I would have cancelled the hotel (a good reason for always booking flexible) and saved the petrol. I afraid these days you have to choose what you want to do on your own value for money basis.
     
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  10. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Money? Yes, I was surprised about £40 but again, it's not a 'toys and pram' issue just, I guess, the real world.

    I think the Bluebell has had more than its fair share of issues over this Gala.

    Possibly Fenchurch has a greater influence than we know and is expecting something special when it really is 150! :)
     
  11. ady

    ady Well-Known Member

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    Sorry its incredibly frustrating I spent aload of money and not seeing anything I wanted to see. I currently wishing I saved up and maybe waited until the next Branch Line Gala especially 1. I due to start a new job which for the first time I be free all weekends. And 2. Fenchurch and the Mets (plus the 4-wheeled coaches whichni also never seen) would hopefully running. Instead I feel like I shouldn't have bothered.
     
  12. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    The 4 wheelers are not currently allowed North of Horsted Keynes, until the track is relayed at Vaux End .
     
  13. City of truro fan

    City of truro fan Member

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    I am really annoyed with this as it is make everyone forget the real reason is fenchurch birthday. Let all remember and not spoil it for fenchurch it’s not even about the popular engine. Everyone with ticket must still go as that’s the real reasons for going.
     
  14. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

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    Oh for goodness sake, this was nobody's fault, stuff happens all the time in life, get over it. Sorry ady, but there's only so much moaning one can listen to.
    And looking further down the metaphorical track of life, we'll all have far bigger things to worry about, come this autumn and winter.
     
  15. ady

    ady Well-Known Member

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    Maybe if you were in my shoes and constantly suffering from bad luck you wouldn't be saying that!
     
  16. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

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    It's a machine, actually, it doesn't have emotions of any sort!
     
  17. Steve B

    Steve B Well-Known Member

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    Oh no!!
     
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  18. Penrhynfan

    Penrhynfan New Member

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    What's the track problem at Vaux End that prohibits the 4-wheelers? Just interested...
     
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  19. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    I don't know the details, just told by someone from P-way as to why they are not being used at present.
     
  20. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    At a guess, it may be the wheel base that is unstable at this point.
     

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