Bluebell Railway General Discussion

That Van C looks gorgeous.

Sorry for my ignorance - there seem to be a few SR 4-wheel vans collectively referred to as PMVs but it seems they’re also classified as a CCT, BY or Van C. To my untrained eye these look broadly similar with maybe different window/vent layouts. Can anyone clarify the differences - same thing developed over time or different usages?

 

I believe the key differences are that CCT's had opening ends, while PMVs had just a single vent at the top of each end. Van Cs and BYs are the same vehicle and all had fully planked ends (I believe) with a guard's compartment with internal handbrake included in the vehicle, making them slightly longer than the PMV and CCT design.

 

BY is a BR classification, whereas Van C is an SR classification for the same type of van - I prefer to refer to it as a Van C since it is outshopped in SR livery.

Given the length of time that broadly similar vans were built (starting during the First World War on the SE&CR and finishing well after World War II by BR) there are inevitably lots of differences between nominally similar vans, particularly in the sides - planked, plywood, even plastic I believe etc. There are also brake and non-brake vans and vans with end doors, side doors or (amongst the bogie wagons) corridor connections. So it is a complex subject.

In general, the Passenger and Luggage Vans (PLV - later BR Parcels & Miscellaneous Van - PMV), which derive from the SE&CR prototypes, are 32 feet long. The brake vans (Van C, later BR BY) are stretched to 36 feet to include a centre brake compartment, with separate luggage compartments either side. There is also "Van U" with end doors (what BR called a CCT - covered carriage truck).

Tom

 

The Oakwood Press volume 'Southern Railway Passenger Vans' is an excellent reference if one seeks further information.
Ray.

 

Thank you!

 

The latest issue of The Bluebell Times is now available to view for March.

In This Edition

• ‘Beachy Head’ emerges for the first time.
• While “Normandy’ and the Adams Radial Tank take their respective places in Atlantic House.
• Latest progress on Q class No. 541.
• Pullman Car No. 54 undergoes running-in trials.
• A new museum exhibit devoted to railway women.
• The Carriage Shop is preparing to open in its new location.

The Bluebell Times is published monthly on the second Friday of every month. The next issue is due out on Friday, 12 April 2024.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-times/

Tom

 

Thanks Tom, a very good read as usual . (Once I had translated some of the rather short loco numbers into BR SR language )

32424 looks magnificent. I won't ask the obvious question, as I know the answer will be 'when it is'!

Bryan

 

Keep up Bryan, that’s already been mentioned! I must say it’s going to be a nice moment for whoever gets to light that first fire.

 

Excellent update as usual Tom. I noticed the absence of any chairman's update in this edition, then realised I hadn't seen any other updates from him for quite a while as they usually pop up in my facebook feed. I always found them a fascinating read, and admired his commitment in providing them. A quick check on CompaniesHouse suggests he resigned from at least the Plc board last week, is everything ok?

 

All I know is that he has resigned as chairman.

Tom

 

I'm trying to keep up, but I'm even slower than usual today as my wings got rather wet whilst I was hunting original Bulleids on the Spa Valley Railway yesterday!

 

Personal Circumstances I believe. A shame as he has been doing a good job and has lead the railway through the difficult Covid Years and recovery afterwards.

David R

 

That is certainly a shame. From this outsider's perspective, he really did seem to be making a great positive difference.

 

Branch line gala timetables:

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/branch-line-gala-weekend-2024/

(Half way down the page).

Tom

 

That is one fabulous looking SR steam railway locomotive. And a quite incredible effort to have built if back into existence.

 

Not my photos, they are by Martin Lawrence, used with permission - but too good not to showcase here.

Pullman Car No. 54, imminently to enter service.

Exterior view of the brake end. Entrance for wheelchairs is through the double doors between the two windows.



The north end saloon, looking south. The fixed seats here have all been made new to a reduced pitch - in 1937 the interior had been changed such that the tables did not line up with the windows. This has been reverted, requiring a new design of seats with I believe a more upright back to reduce the depth of each seat. (Note there is still a protective covering over the carpet while commissioning is underway!)



Partition between the northern and southern saloons, looking south.



The wheelchair-accessible part of the southern saloon. The three chairs here are loose and can be moved if desired. I believe the idea is that a customer can either sit at the table in a wheelchair or, if they have some mobility, can access the carriage by wheelchair but then transfer on to one of the loose seats, as desired.



A "stitched together" composite of several photos, showing what was the van area, now adapted with electric wheelchair lifts on each side. This is looking south, i.e. the entrance to the saloon is behind the photographer (before anyone comments on the narrow door in front!)



Another composite photo, this time of the guard's compartment.



General view of the vestibule looking towards the south end corridor connection.




A composite photo showing the toilet.



Tom

 

Beautiful!

 

I’m pretty sure that’s the wrong typef… [SMACK!]

 

Don't know if it's been mentioned elsewhere but the Steam Dreams charter that was due to visit the line on 9th April has gone from the SD website, so would assume cancelled.