Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Sorry, but I don't like the SECR livery, I think it's over elaborate and a bit gaudy, it reminds me of the paint jobs you used to get on fairground wagons, old Atkis, ERFs and Fodens.

prefer BR black and Southern green

 

Colin, the trackbed is anything but clear- immediately beyond the SP headshunt is a missing bridge over an A road- headroom and sighting was always an issue, one of the reasons it was removed as early as 1962. It would not be possible to rebuild, placing a low bridge over a major road would be nixed straight away. The road could not be lowered, as it is already at the water table, and floods periodically.
2 miles further south at Newick, the over bridge carrying the A272 has been demolished, and the deep cutting infilled with (allegedly) toxic waste.
Beyond that, the trackbed has been built over, and more bridges removed.
I used to dream about a southern extension, but have long ago reconciled to the fact it is just not viable in the world we inhabit.
I hope you enjoy visit- the railway is a very different place to the one you'll remember!

 

In principal, it is one of the objectives of the long term plan. That I think is something of a formality though, in that it therefore gives backing to the board to make representations on any planning matters that might further encroach on the trackbed.

In a practical sense I think it is essentially in the “too difficult” camp. The problems start immediately south of Sheffield Park, since the A275 has been realigned and raised where it used to pass under the (now demolished) bridge south of the station. So if you reinstate the bridge to an acceptable height for modern traffic, you either have to regrade in the short section south of SP to a very steep gradient to get the extra clearance, or drop the road and be responsible for pumping to stop it flooding.

The next issue is at Newick, where a cutting has been filled in - so you have the Imberhorne Lane problem again, but with a landfill that outgases methane and all the tax reliefs now gone. I think there has also been some development on the land, so a detour may be the best course there.

After that it is relatively straightforward until the site of Culver Junction, the actual starting point for the Lewes and East Grinstead Railway. But that is in a field 3 miles from Lewes, and the routes into the town have been massively developed since closure.

So the summary is a very expensive extension for six miles to a field in the middle of nowhere, and with the expensive bits starting immediately you tried to move. In essence I think it is a non-starter.

Tom

 

There is an alternative route south, following the line of the proposed Ouse Valley line to Uckfield - I believe some of the earthworks for this abortive scheme still exist, so you at least have a bit of a headstart there. If you are persueing pie in the sky schemes you might as well aim high.

Peter

 

All those things were found a long time ago in the past and their colour schemes show what they were like then; surely the same is true of the SECR colours. QuIte apaRt from that, I believe that least two of the current engines painted in SECR livery were donated to the Bluebell with the stipulation that they would remain in these colours.

 

Thanks, everyone who replied so promptly. I was just interested.
Second question. Which is the best steam Gala event to attend?

 

Of the two big enthusiast galas, Branch Line (in March) tends to have more visitors; a much more entertaining timetable and operational pattern; normally has all the vintage carriages out.

Giants of Steam (in October) will more likely have a big celebrity loco if that is your thing (Sir Nigel Gresley, Clan Line, Britannia, Union of South Africa etc have all visited in recent years). It tends to be busier in numbers.

Horses for courses really.

Tom

 

Talking of galas - the timetable for the New Year's Day steam up has been published: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp...way-New-Years-Day-Steam-Up-2025-Timetable.pdf

Note that because of track relaying work near the tunnel, services are restricted to Sheffield Park - "point of obstruction" which is more or less at the 12 1/2 mile point near Black Hut (just south of the tunnel). There is no service to Kingscote / East Grinstead.

Tom

 

Although the SECR Wainwright lining is elaborate, the basic dark green locomotive colour seems to me to be dignified as well as attractive.

I would be more inclined to apply the adjective "gaudy" to the bright green colour now carried on the Swanage Rly by LSWR T3 No 563.

But of course, my top vote goes to the livery carried in recent times by P-class No 323. I just hope that it doesn't emerge from its next overhaul in plain black!

 

Don't worry!

Tom

 

Our C&W Director has provided the following reply:

"1674 suffered a broken bogie spring in June 2024. Whilst it was stopped waiting attention it was decided to take the opportunity to bring certain body repairs up to the latest standard. The attention is jointly funded by the owner and the Bluebell Railway in accordance with an agreement which is confidential"

I would add "what ex-NRM CCT?" If you actually mean the BG, yes, that project has been put on hold, since it's not needed urgently at all (and there's currently no space for it to be worked on in the Carriage Works anyway). Parts (much bigger/heavier bits of metal than just "steel sheeting") obtained for its repair had already been used on a more urgent repair on another Mk.1 in any case. Many of the structural repairs to the RBR are actually being made using good material recovered from better areas of the ex-Travelling College coach which had served 30 years as the Carriage Shop. Repairs are proceeding swiftly, with the last big bit of structural metal tack-welded into place today, and probably therefore finished tomorrow.
The RBR is of course needed to go back into the Wealden Rambler set, which it's been running in all the time it's been on the Bluebell.
Regards
Richard

 

Many thanks for that fulsome reply, Richard, it all makes a lot more sense, now- so it really was a case of seizing an opportunity.
Yes, I meant the BG doh! The impression I'd gained was that the LMS BGZ was ailing, and its replacement was somewhat urgent, so Im glad it can soldier on for a while yet.
Thanks again.

 

You certainly weren't in a minority 20 years ago. As a teenage back in the 2000s I was lucky enough to do two weeks' work experience at Steam Railway. I remember one of the journalists I worked with there telling me that, even if if a picture showed an engine in pre-nationalistion livery, one should always give the BR number in brackets, because the 1950s/60s generation were their core readership.

I think times are changing and there is now a revival of interest in the pre-grouping and Big Four eras. Personally, I'm all in favour of that. The BR era was historically important but when I was growing up, it often felt like thr entire railway hobby had been reduced to that narrow 20-year period; which was a shame, because we then missed out on so much fascinating history and, yes, so many beautiful liveries! Everyone's entitled to their preferences--there will always be some who prefer BR--but personally, I'm just glad to see the hobby becoming more balanced and open-minded.

Sent from my SM-A125F using Tapatalk

 

It changes over time. In the 70s and 80s a lot of locos were painted in pre-nationalisation liveries as they hadn't been seen in them for 30 years. Then for the next 30 years it was BR liveries, again because they hadn't been seen for several decades. Now it's coming back round again.

I also think available rolling stock has an influence as well. The vast majority of railways operate Mk1s so if they want locos and stock to match, they're limited in liveries. 13065 looked great at the SVR with the LMS set, it looked quite ridiculous paired up with blue and grey Mk1s at the ELR. At least with the Bluebell locos and stock generally match for the time period, if not the original railway companies.

 

On another note: the Bluebell has not one but two nominations for the Steam Railway "readers award" at the annual HRA awards.

• The Bluebell Railway Atlantic Group for the resurrection of LBSCR ‘H2’ No. 32424 Beachy Head.
• The Bluebell Railway for the restoration and conversion of 1923-built Third Class Pullman Car No. 54 as Britain’s first wheelchair-accessible Pullman vehicle.

Voting is open here: https://www.steamrailway.co.uk/read/hra-awards

We'd be very grateful if anyone could vote for either project, both very worthy achievements.

Tom

 

It's a shame you can't vote for both!

 

Yes, it is a bit of a luxury problem to have, but hopefully it doesn't split the vote!

It does show what a good year it has been for the railway - either project in isolation would be very worthy, but we have both this year ...

Tom

 

Oh. I just did

 

So have I.

 

I'm sure you didn't actually mean fulsome- Richard's reply was full and measured, not "complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree".