Bluebell Northern Extension - so what's occurring then?

As ever Tom, thanks for the information.

I just hope the weather is a little kinder when the opening public services take place.

46118

 

The 9F is running up to East Grinstead on test/training trains this afternoon.

 

Photos from John Sandys here.

9F Through the Cutting! - a set on Flickr

The 9F certainly sounded good coming up towards Imberhorne Lane bridge! Fittingly, Chris White was driving. There should be more trips tomorrow for crew training purposes, but using the U boat.

As far as I am aware, this is the first steam engine at East Grinstead since 1965, and the first arrival from the south since 1964, when (ironically, as it turned out!) the Bluebell leant engines to assist with the demolition of the line north of HK.

Demolition started from Ardingly and worked north. Birch Grove and the NLR tank worked the trains in alternate weeks through August and into September 1964 by which time HK was reached. Just before demolition north of HK started, the spare Dukedog tender was taken to West Hoathly to serve as a water supply. (I think that would mean the tender the Dukedog has now.) The platform at West Hoathly was stacked with coal and once demolition started at Leamland Bridge, the NLR tank and Dukedog tender were thereafter trapped. They eventually reached EG by March 1965, leaving the NLR tank trapped - there is a photo in Klaus Marx' book of the engine, facing south, in a siding just north of the viaduct, about where our new station is.

Tom

 

Any idea of times tomorrow afternoon? Off to the Brighton vs Crystal Palace match at lunchtime but might head over in the afternoon if they are still running!

 

Yes, can some departure times from Kingscote be released for tomorrow's driving training runs please?

 

This was posted by the Bluebell Railway on facebook regarding training runs;

" there will be more over the coming week, but don't know when, since they have to fit around other work to get the line ready for the opening"

 

A couple of photos of 1638 on the driver training this morning that I took

https://picasaweb.google.com/105454327852537837128/Steam2013#5856323643710730114

https://picasaweb.google.com/105454327852537837128/Steam2013#5856323634205763938

Cheers

 

I see they have added a coach to the consist since yesterday!

Tom

 

Yeah I was a bit disappointed to see the Mk1 behind the U boat as the SR Olive Green combination would've looked good. But hey-hoy, hopefully the U or E4 will be hauling that set next week without the Mk1 in tow.

 

I think there was a certain amount of putting a big load in to make the most difficult driving challenge - this was after all a training turn, not a photo charter! As for the slow speed, the 9F came up (and went down) slowly yesterday: I think that is probably understandable on a formation that is still new. I don't think it is a reflection on the capability of the loco.

For the opening day, that set (minus mark 1) will be hauled by B473+323.

Tom

 

Ahhh b$gger don't say that the blue P is gonna be double-heading with the E4 please? It said on the web site the first EG train departure would be B473 with the olive green set which was something I was really looking forward to. 323 on the front would rather ruin an excellent 1930's olive green combination. :-(

 

It is, refer to the loco roster. Tom advised previously that the train would be too heavy for 473 on its own.

 

B473 on its own won't take the load. And for opening to EG, it is fitting that 323, as one of our first two engines, should take a ceremonial role.

With 30 coaches in five sets (including teh pullmans / WR set) in action on the opening day, we need the maximum power available: with 70000 hors de combat, that means 92212; 1638; 323+B473 and 178+263.

Tom

 

Ohh well, there's the 9F to look forward to hopefully on green Bulleid/Mk1 stock and carrying an S&D reporting number with lamps that would make an authentic train combination.

 

Think it's quite nice that 323 will be on the first train actually, as mentioned one of the first locos - and in black and white the blue livery is a pretty close match to SECR anyway!

 

And 178 and 263 double heading - hopefully 178 on front? If i'm able to pop in, would finally see 178 in action, previous times it's been due to run but hasn't

 

Don't care what the combinations are, all thats important is that the trains will be running into East Grinstead. Any idea when the Special with the Founder Members with 55 and 323 is running up to East Grinstead?

 

Last couple of posts from me before I go to New Zealand. Here are the updates from the Bluebell newsletter.

First, the NEP update from Chris White:

Other posts in the gala thread: http://railways.national-preservati...opening-gala-spring-2013-a-16.html#post537988

Tom

 

The only booked runs so far are on Thursday and Friday, this time with 2 sets booked to depart KC roughly every 45 mins from 9.40am.

There will be 8 departures from KC in all these days, and 2 through trains. And subsequently 10 departures from Grinstead.

 

Sorry to rain on the parade with this but the 9F will be on the Mk1/Bulleid set complete with Teak GN Saloon.