B473 (Birch Grove)

There is another argument to be had on the issue of historical accuracy. It is an historical truth that neither the the LNWR obo or the GNR Directors Saloon actually ran on the Southern or on any of its constituents; but ... it is also an historical truth that the northern companies did run carriages to the south coast. Indeed the LNW, Midland, LMS, GWR and LNER ran complete trains to the south coast resorts from the northern and midlands cities during the summer periods and some of those trains ran all year round. Other companies, the LYR for example, ran through coaches to the south coast from the east Lancashire cotton towns.

Part of the problem here is the contemporary perception that the current railway, with its penchant for fixed formations, is run as the railway was pre-group, pre-nationalisation and pre-Beeching. Not so; the historical railway was much more interesting than that and although the actual types of non-Southern coach the Bluebell has are non-prototypical, it was not at all unusual to find Southern olive green with teak or plum and spilt milk running behind a Southern engine. There are numerous photos which show this to be true.

In running these two coaches the Bluebell, it could be argued, is following the 'spirit' if not the letter of the historical railway.

Sorry of this proves to be controversial, it's not intended as such.

Regards

 

I'm afraid the GNR Obo did run on the Southern (or at least the Southern Region) for a time, during the Bournemouth electrification it was added to the rear of a Bomo service for certain people to inspect the ongoing work; I have a photo (not mine, so I can't publish it) of the Obo sat at Winchester during this time.

 

Can't you publish with an attribution?

Regards

 

Equally rakes of SR stock would find themselves way off of SR metals through reciprocal workings. IIRC there was at least one working in BR days that saw green Southern Region stock work at least as far as Leicester on the GC behind a GW 4-6-0. The steam railway wasn't all uniform rakes behind matching locos as you rightly point out.

 

The stock went beyond Leicester - the service was Bournmouth - York. Leicester was simply the point at which the engine was usually changed.

One of the GC books has a photo of a class 37 diesel hauling a rake of Bulleid coaches through Catesby tunnel, if memory serves correctly.

This is getting a bit off topic for this thread though...

Phil

 

An example of this would be Bulleid SO S1482S, which ended its career as Sc1482S from 1966 to 1969 and then became a mess facility at Bellahouston Carriage sheds, Glasgow. As a result, upon arrival on the Bluebell in March 1973 it ran in its Maroon livery and Scottish number!

On a side note, if we had the time and money i'm sure a couple of people wouldn't mind painting GN Saloon 43909 into BR Maroon to help it blend in abit better

 

Not I would imagine members of 'The Howlden Trust'.

The last train departure from Manchester Central station before it closed in 1967 seems to have been made up of green Southern Region stock.

'pmh_74' is right though, we are way off the thread!

Regards

 

Well back on topic, there's been no news on the Bluebell website on the subject of B473. However there are updates for the overhauls of 323, 263, 178 and 55 http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/whats_new.html

 

You might want to check Tom's signature ;-)

Pil

 

Well I can't contribute much but at the park on Saturday I heard that it is something under the dome that is the only real problem and she is due one more brake test and is then away set for a re - launch to traffic on the 16th, and that the day is purely a one train service plus the relaunch to traffic.
Hope this can help.

 

I'm aware of 'Tom92240's role in 'The Howlden Trust'.

Regards

 

Official notice from the Bluebell Website:
In view of the uncertainty about the weather next weekend, it has been decided to put the re-launch of B473 (LBSCR E4 "Birch Grove") back to 30th January. Consequent update to the Loco Roster.

 

A photo from her steam test on the 30th of December http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pic2/wn-2010/b473_davec3644_30dec09h.jpg

 

Sleeping beauty has awoken!

 

Just to let you all know, that birch grove has been undergoing loaded test runs this week. My grandpa said he saw is stop in West Hoathly station site (no photos as he didnt have time to get it) for a while. An engineer got out and examined the front wheelset. Dome cover still isnt on.

But he said the aintwork looks good.

All looking good
James

 

For her re-launch this weekend she will be hauling the three Maunsell Coaches and the SECR Hundred Seater

 

yes it says on the website. Shame the luggage vans not being used.

 

Stop Press - B473 Launch - Saturday 30th January
Our newly overhauled LBSCR E4-class loco will be relaunched into service on Saturday, with a ceremony at 2pm at Horsted Keynes.

The special train that afternoon will be formed of four coaches in matching Southern Railway livery, and is principally intended for the volunteers and staff who have worked on the project, and our invited guests. However, 80 seats in ex-SECR carriage No.1098 will be available to the public on a first-come - first-served basis. The train will leave Horsted Keynes at 2.45pm for a round trip of the line, and tickets (at normal all-line return fare) can be booked by ringing our Sales and Information office on 01825 720800.

The special train will then leave Sheffield Park at 3.30 for Kingscote, leaving there at 4.30, returning to Horsted Keynes at 4.45 and then back to Sheffield Park. A special evening train for all working members (i.e. Volunteers and Staff) will also run.

B473 will also haul these matching coaches in public service on Sunday 31st January. Timetable service 2 will be in operation for the public services.

 

Here's the webpage for this current overhaul and at the top is a photo of her in her full glory, looks mighty lovely. I look forward to seeing the photos of her with the Maunsells http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/loco_news/oh_2473.html

 

Here she is on Maunsells (not my photo, I wasn't there) http://train.fotopic.net/p63117917.html