Bluebell Motive Power

Hi all

My latest video looks back at Fenchurch's first year back in steam on this boiler ticket. Although this year will be exciting with some new projects starting, it's good to look back at last year.

The video features clips from the Bluebell and from Fenchurch's trip to the Mid Hants

Hope you enjoy it

 

No longer, it seems, definitively rejected ...

From the Rapido newsletter:

Brambles on the line.
Shortly after the New Year, we put out a post on our Social Media pages. It was meant to be a bit of fun, but suffice it to say, it got a bit more attention than we expected. As a homage to the absolutely stunning blue livery that the Bluebell Railway has painted on SECR P Class 323 Bluebell, we thought we would have a crack at replicating it onto our upcoming O1, and in keeping with the railway's fleet of flora and fauna-based loco names we would pick an appropriate shrubbery (cue a few moments of Monty Python quotes in the office) to name it. With the various extensions the railway has seen over the years, we are sure the staff are very familiar with brambles.


The community reaction to this was unexpected: you absolutely loved it! We mulled it over and had a word with the folks at the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society to ensure we could reproduce their crest on the side of the loco. We are pleased to say they agreed, and we are excited to announce that SECR O1 No.65 Bramble in ‘what if’ Bluebell Railway blue livery is now available to pre-order.


This livery will be a conditional release and will be only possible if we are able to achieve sufficient pre-orders. So, if you are keen to add Bramble to your collection, get your pre-order in now!
​

How long until we see a Cadburys Purple 4MT in 4mm form, I wonder?

Tom

 

I'd rather see a blue O1 in 304.8mm/ft scale...

 

I've got a 5" gauge Maunsell L1 here, perhaps I'll take a leaf from their book (with a suitable shrub name)

Edit: leaf, groan......

 

So tempted!!

 

Is anyone able to advise which loco will be in use on the February half-term trains?

 

Likely to be out of 72, 65 and 6989

 

The O1 and Fenchurch on the service trains.

Tom

 

Interesting comment posted by Sittingbourne and Kemsley Railway a few minutes ago on Facebook, regarding "Leader" going to Margate for undercover storage. The last paragraph states -

 

Both recent Steam Railway and Heritage Railway magazines have reported 178 going on loan to Margate. I think Heritage Railway suggested it's display could help act as an ambassador for the Bluebell and towards raising funds for its overhaul.

 

I'd like to know how that works, when it's in a locked warehouse with no public access at present!

 

Very true although I thought I had read they have had open days .

 

No idea myself, but I'm sure it said something along those lines in the article.

 

As it will open as a museum at some point in the not too distant future, I think it's more a case of getting a space in there while you can.

 

Not sure how this would raise funds? Isn’t there a storage fee for keeping things at Margate? I may be wrong, but had assumed that was how it worked.

 

Is there a date where Bulleid 34059 will be deployed on regular services? He's not mentioned for the Branchline Gala in May afaik and there's not a lot suggestive in the Calendar for March or April?

 

Dukedog to move to Aberystwyth. On loan to The Vale of Rheidol Railway for static display in the new Museum & Display Space at Aberystwyth.

As seen on Bluebell Railways official Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/CHe2e93pxDUACoVd/

 

Just seen some pictures on Facebook from a post a few days ago on a Sittingbourne and Kemsley Group showing, not only pictures of their loco Leader being moved into position at the One:One Collection in Margate, but also shows that 178 has already been moved there.

 

Yes, 178 moved there last Tuesday. On long term loan

 

Pictures on the Bluebell socials of 9017 departing for Aberystwyth today.

Given the GWR themed Branch line Gala coming up, I'd have thought it wouldn't have gone until after that, but at least it's going on display undercover somewhere appropriate.