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Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Jamessquared, Feb 16, 2013.

  1. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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    Today was the official opening of the Elephant Van Play Carriage at the Bluebell Railway. First a bit of background on the vehicle and circus trains:

    David R
     

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  2. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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    The Play Carriage was pushed in by Captain Baxter, and then formally handed over. It will be open to the public daily from Monday 7th August. That's not me dressing up as an Elephant by the way!

    David R
     

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  3. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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    Until I read about it today, I hadn't realised that circus' were still travelling around by train into the 1970's. Here is an article about Billy Smarts Circus arriving in Guildford in 1971 with 13 Elephants!

    http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/archives-billy-smarts-circus-came-12515508

    David R
     
  4. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    I see earlier there was the sad news that Esmond Lewis Evans has passed away. As far as I'm aware he was still owner of the 01 (as well as the Bulleid 4DD that's being restored at Sellindge). I hope he got a chance to see the loco in steam one last time before his passing.
     
  5. Ploughman

    Ploughman Part of the furniture

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  6. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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  7. Ploughman

    Ploughman Part of the furniture

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    I have seen a film clip of a circus train being unloaded at York Holgate dock.
    But can't remember where I saw it and if it is on Youtube or not.
     
  8. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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  9. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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  10. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Went to the Nine Elms reunion event at Sheffield Park yesterday and had a nice run down the hill behind (31)263 with Megan ? in charge. That was a first for me - both loco and crew actually.
     
  11. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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    First a few pictures of tracklaying in the new shed and of the preparation for laying the trammed in track in the Maintenance road - this is so that bogies can be overhauled on this bit of track. I assume that the blockwork at this stage is just to retain the concrete in the tramming in, but will eventually form part of the fire break wall. A few weeks ago contractors were busy installing fire alarm equipment.

    David R
     

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  12. Phil-d259

    Phil-d259 Member

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    I believe the O1 was donated to the Bluebell Railway Trust (Note this is a completely separate legal entity to the PLC or the Society) a while ago in preparation for this eventuality.

    I'm not sure about the ownership of the4DD vehicle though.
     
  13. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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    The Elephant Van is now open every day that trains are running - here are some pictures of the inside showing some of the toys including the wall mounted "educational" units which all have knobs to turn or buttons to push to make various thing happen - these certainly appeared to be a hit today, There is one video screen inside the van, but apart from this there has been a deliberate attempt to offer an alternative to electronic toys - we are after all trying to offer a traditional heritage experience.

    David R
     

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  14. 73082

    73082 Member

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    That slide in the last photo looks like it'd be fun while doing a steady 25mph past Sharpthorne ;)
     
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  15. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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    Even at 0 mph in it's static position when full of children it can develop a bit of sideways and up and down movement!

    David R
     
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  16. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

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    Looks good, I wonder if grown up people trying recapture their youth would be allowed in.
     
  17. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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    Yes it has also appealed to some of the older C&W Voulnteers ( they claim only to have been testing them) , but the rules are no unacompannied children and no unaccompanied adults (i.e, persons accompanying children only).

    David R
     
  18. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Adults must be accompanied by responsible children ...

    Tom
     
  19. RLinkinS

    RLinkinS Member

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    I am really sorry to hear the news about Esmond Lewis Evans. I met him last year and he was full of life but quite batty, in the nicest possible way. He owned the ex Ashford Council steam roller when he was at the Ashford steam centre. One evening it broke down during a return journey to the centre. He towed it back using an Austin Gipsy. Watching this was very entertaining. At one point the steam roller ran onto the towing chain with the result that the whole ensemble came to a crashing halt. He then decided to free wheel the roller down the hill towards the steam centre. This required a small crowd of us to give him a push start. The roller reached quite a speed down the hill. He even managed to drop his glasses and run over them with the roller. Quite a man.
     
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  20. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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