Bluebell Northern Extension - so what's occurring then?

Some seeds can stay dormant underground for decades until disturbed, so you might see a good crop of poppies and the like this year. In the meantime you've got a cutting which is strongly reminiscent of the east Midlands ironstone lines, so it's something of a shame that "Stamford" isn't around.

 

I thought I read somewhere in the distant past that the black geotex material will be sprayed with a sort of glue/growing medium that contains grass seed. As far as I recall it was utilised on the Glos-Warks to finish one of their several embankment repairs.

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Edit: I think the spray-on growing medium is called "hydraseed".

 

Interesting profile and some skilful boiler management needed. If it was me in charge, I'd want the locos facing smokebox south.

 

First passenger train has just left from East Grinstead heading south. A remarkable achievement against the odds. Well done to all concerned.
Daniel

 

Why is that? My understanding was that you would want to be chimney first for the steepest/longest uphill gradients, and that's still when heading North.

 

Interesting - I had no idea the Bluebell was so 'mountainous'. Must venture down there this year - are passports required ?

 

Used Hydraseed a number of years back. Near Guiseley in W Yorks.
Very quick to apply using a high power sprayer from a vehicle. Quick to establish as well.

 

Surely you are less likely to uncover the firebox crown if the engine is facing uphill?

Don

 

If you get to the end of a long climb smokebox first and then immediately start going steeply downhill (as on the approach to East Grinstead) there is a much greater likelihood of uncovering the crown than if you are going firebox first. Long climbs often tend to 'wind' locos and it is quite common to mortgage the water to keep the pressure up. Running firebox first uphill means that you can allow the water level to fall safe in the knowledge that, when you start going downhill, the water level will rise. The initial rise followed by a fall when leaving East Grinstead is unlikely to be a problem because it is a short distance and no sensible driver would start his journey without sufficient water to cater for the change of gradient only a few hundred yards away. It isn't simply gradients that lead to an uncovered crown, it is change of gradient and the bigger the change, the bigger the problem.

 

In reply to Sheff's query above, yes, passports are required south of the river. What's more, you will have to deposit a cash bond at the border which will be returned to you as you leave.

 

Some bits from the BBC News
BBC News - Sussex sees first steam train on extended Bluebell Railway
and in Pictures
BBC News - In Pictures: How the Sussex Bluebell Railway grew

 

From the BBC News website:

"Now the heritage line has a connection to the national railway it is possible to drive a steam train anywhere on the network providing it has enough water and coal on board, Mr Watts said."

Oh if it were that easy!

I doubt Roy watts "did" say that, some over simplification by the Beeb reporter no doubt!

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Nocturnal outings through the gate? "Captain Baxter" on the ECML? The mind boggles.

 

Pah - Bluebell on HS1 with the 4 wheelers!

 

I love that mental imagery!

Visualize a sheepish-looking Thomas (OK, I know, but it's the one I think of when I want to think of a loco with a face!) sneaking through the gate, like a teenager climbing out their bedroom window.... :wink:

Noel

 

Not unheard of elsewhere in the past though.

shhsh!!

 

Steve has it right. Even on the original, pre-extension line, the change of gradient (and water level) coming out of the tunnel was really noticeable. The south facing locos - B473, 323, 80151 - were much easier to fire. It was particularly noticeable with 323, where you had 178 (north facing) as a direct comparison: 323 is an easier proposition than 178. The extension will have made that even more extreme, particularly because the "saw tooth" at Imberhorne (1:55 going to 1:60 with only about 100 feet of flat) is even more extreme than that coming out of Sharpthorne Tunnel.

Tom

 

No, but you have to write out 100 times: "Oop north does not have a monopoly on big hills..."

Tom

 

And then again at the Medway.

 

Thomas the Goth Engine