Bluebell Railway General Discussion

I remember it going to the NYMR and then the Bluebell, I can't remember the exact reason beyond needing to use a wheeldrop. I certainly remember seeing 34028 making some surprise movements at Sheffield Park during Giants of Steam in 2006.

 

"Eddystone" came in late 2006 to use the wheel drop. As I recall, one (or more) of the driving wheel sets was swapped for those from "Sidmouth" using the Bluebell's wheel drop; the loco then remained through into 2007 on loan. From reading the SLL website, it seems to imply the swap was temporary, with the "Sidmouth" wheels now under "Sir Keith Park" and "Sir Keith Park"'s wheels earmarked for Sidmouth - which presumably means "Eddystone" is back on its own wheels.

The wheelsets in the yard at Sheffield Park are not driving wheels though, but carrying wheels. I'm not sure of the source but I seem to recall they were at West Hoathly for a long while before moving to Sheffield Park.

Tom

 

My photos from 'Road meets Rail' last Saturday... https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/albums/72177720332726054

 

News of two vehicles carrying out vital missionary work to the heathens:

There’s video on Facebook showing that 1520 (the LSW brake 3rd) has arrived in Darlington on loan for the summer.

(As an aside - it’s a lovely carriage, but feels a surprising hire to me, given a fairly low seating capacity. But maybe it was what was available).

Also (not sure it has been reported here) 32424 is currently at Didcot.

Tom

 

Assuming it had to be a brake coach, I can't personally see what other vehicle would have been available. 21246 is obviously needed on the A set, with 2526 in reserve. 6686, 3687, 387, and 114 are all needed on B sets. 35207 and 34556 for the Rambler. 3363 has been dead for a couple of years. So I reckon 1520 is all there was - given its low capacity, it sees very little use on the Bluebell, last in passenger service in Spring 2024 I believe. I wish it was run more.

 

Yes, agree from our stock - but there are other railways out there as well!

Like you, I wish it ran more.

Tom

 

I’m sure there’s reasons for it but it does seem odd that a carriage from halfway across the country is being used instead of one from a local railway. Perhaps it’s linked to Giants of Steam last year, or that’s simply all that was available for the time period required.

 

The LNERCA might have a few carriages knocking about under-used!

Tom

 

What makes you think that?

 

Trigger's Bulleid