Bluebell Railway General Discussion

Stuck at PRH in Haywards Heath for five fruitless hours (don't ask!) and distinctly peckish, I checked the Bluebell's website for opening times for the Bessemer Arms. Deep joy turned to utter despondency when it transpired that even those hardy folks at SP had thrown in the towel. Best laid plans of mice ..... and all that!

Whilst there, I did overhear the reason for tomorrow's truncated service ..... buckled rail up by Sharpthorne Tunnel.

 

Makes sense, given the short notice.
In addition, there may be more, after tomorrow's blast.

 

You say all that as if any excuse is actually needed for a gathering of Terriers!

 

How many operational Terriers are there at the moment? 2 at KESR, 2 at IOW, Martello at Bressingham... No chance of getting them all together this year?!

 

One missing from the total list there. Add static displays Boxhill and Waddon to the Bluebell's pair .... got it .... 32650 Sutton/ Whitechapel at Spa Valley

 

If I recall rightly, Martello needs tyres turning for any serious-distance running? Was that not what restricted it to yard-only work when it visited the Nene Valley a few years back? Otherwise a gathering of all operational Terriers would be most welcome!

 

I thought I'd heard it was something to do with braking/compatibility but I might be getting mixed up with another loco at another event!

 

W8 Freshwater is currently undergoing its 10 yearly overhaul, it is at quite an advanced stage, so only W11 Newport for the moment.

 

And Knowle isn't in the best of health currently either

 

Actually, and I hate to say this, given that Fenchurch has been known as such for most of the time for the last 58 years (albeit numbered either 72 or 672) I would venture to suggest that it is that identity that is best known to those currently alive...

Steve B

 

We do know it's O.V.S. Bulleid once a year!

 

Also on the subject of the Terrier Gala, I take it W11 will have to run another loco (possibly Poplar/Bodiam) due to its air brakes? I know it ran double headed with 2678 back in 2000

 

Fenchurch was sold while still 72 (IIRC) directly by the LBSCR to the Newhaven Harbour Company, when she came back into Southern Railway stock the number 2672 had been taken on by something else so she was reverted to the next nearest number which was 2636. At least those are the bare bones of it, there's probably a few mistakes in there.

 

Indeed and I took your point, although I couldn't stop myself making the comment that you have to be somewhat "mature and grown up" to remember Fenchurch under it's BR number. As has already been noted, Fenchurch's numbering historically has been somewhat unusual even for a terrier, and even it's most recent LBSCR (Bluebell) numbering - 672 - could be described as fanciful as it never lasted long enough on the LBSCR to be renumbered as such.
As you say, Terrier numbering is quite something. Add in the NRM's terrier and you have another level of complication. To say nothing of the GWR's aquisition of one, although that didn't get preserved.

Steve B

 

I've just had a boogie through the SR renumberings from the Brighton duplicate lists (on https://sremg.org.uk/photoind.shtml ) and can't find anything else which wore B672 or 2672 or anything remotely like it.

Though I can see no logical connection, literally the only possibility which occurs is that contractor Pauling & Co. (Whence came the first W1, ex-FY&N MW 0-6-0st) had a substantial fleet of purpose built industrial and ex-mainline locos, including from the SR and constituents, the number sequence of which was in the 70s by the 1920s, when Fenchurch (re)joined the Southern fold.

We have a mystery!

 

2672 wasn’t taken, the latter bit is largely correct (B636 being the lowest Terrier number available). I doubt the SR were that sentimental. See latest Bluebell Times for details.

Tom

 

Some LSW examples:
488, 0488, EKR 5, SR 3488, BR 30583.
LBSC 46, 646, LSW 734, FYN 2, SR W2, W8, 32646, W8.
For those who have difficulty going to sleep digging through all these probably works better than counting sheep!
Pat