This is an Archive for the main News from the
Bluebell page. Please note that due to the historical nature of
this page, some links may no longer work correctly.
News Report: 18 July 2001
In the next few weeks:
Details are available elsewhere on the web site for up-and coming
special events:
- July: Sat 21 - Sun 22: Toy
and Rail Collectors' Fair - our annual fair packed with
stalls from all over the country offering everything from old
tinplate models to full-scale railwayana, with a full train service
as well.
- July: Sat 28 - Sun 29: Summer Giants of Steam with a
visit from Bulleid Pacific "92 Squadron". On the Saturday the BR
standard 4-6-0s will double head up the 1-in-75 on 11 coaches for the
18-mile round trip, and then the 9F will take over for a later run.
Evening train service, free 1960's band at Sheffied Park outside the
Bessemer Arms real ale bar. On the Sunday, the pair of Malachite
green Bulleids will take the 11 coach train for an entire round trip
of the line. Details, including how to obtain the working timetable
for the day on the web page.
In case anyone is confused by the inclusion of this extra "Giants"
event in July, our October "Giants of Steam" is also going ahead as
normal, but also as a complete weekend rather than just a single day,
on Ocober 27-28.
- Saturdays in August: "Stepney
Specials" - Our peak summer service is supplemented by a
third train formed of our 126-year-old Stroudley Terrier
Stepney hauling Victorian coaches.
Rolling Stock movements:
The Battle of Britain Locomotive Society's locomotive, 34081, "92
Squadron" arrived yesterday, to stay on the Bluebell for three
weekends, for photo charters and the repeat performance of its
double-heading with our own "Blackmoor Vale" at the Summer Giants of
Steam.
34081 will operate our services on three weekends:
21 & 22 July - Collectors Fair
28 & 29 July - Giants of Steam
4 & 5 August - unusually normal weekend
Also yesterday our two LBSCR Stroudley Terriers, 55 Stepney
and 672 Fenchurch, left for a two-week summer holiday on the
Isle of Wight Steam Railway, where they join the Island's two
resident terriers for a 9-day "Terrier Rail Gala".
They were accompanied by our IoW Ballast Wagon (which had been built
using components from an LBSCR goods wagon), and which has been
returned to the Isle of Wight where it will be restored.
55 will rush back from IOW after their Terrier Gala in time for the
Stepney Specials in August.
672 will stroll back a week on two later but will come back via
Eastbourne where the locomotive will be on display for nearly a week
at the Eastbourne Air Show, Airbourne
2001, 16-19 August. If you are around, make sure you visit
the Bluebell Stand.
Also expected to leave soon is the Metropolitan Railway Ballast
Wagon, which is being sold to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at
the old Metropolitan Railway Station at Quainton Road.
East Grinstead Extension Progress
Much unseen activity continues behind the scenes, I hear. Visible
activity on the trackbed is shown on the web page. A recent article in the
railway press gave the impression that the tip was almost clear, and
we would complete the extension this year. This is a complete
fiction, and Roy Watts has put them right on this. The time-scale is
still "years" rather than "months".
Carriage Works Extension
Installation of electrical system is going ahead at a pace. Once
this is done we can move equipment in. On the volunteer front, the
mess room is now at the stage where fitting out can begin. The
toilets will be tackled next, with Chris Willis taking on plastering
and laying tiles on the floor. The major works still outstanding are
the dust extraction system, and the walkway at the north end,
together with the revised layout for the old part of the works, and
completion of the fire-break wall.
The formal opening will take place during the national Carriage
Restorers meeting on the weekend of 8/9 September.
Locos and Carriages
The boiler is back on 80151, with final assembly now going ahead.
The Maunsell Locomotive Society have completed the tender for U-class
1638, and are intending to start overhauling the tender for "Stowe".
The interest free loan which helped to secure the engine has been
repaid, thanks to a good response to the appeal from both MLS and
Bluebell members, and the gentleman who made the loan waiving the
final chunk of repayment. It's hoped that 1838 will enter the loco
works for erection of the motion very soon.
Two carriages, 6575 and 1481, were brought back into service
temporarily for the Thomas event, and are now back under tarpaulins
to await major overhauls. This, along with the temporary outshopping
of the Mk.1 Brake Third in green undercoat enabled us to run 24
ordinary passenger vehicles for the first time ever, in addition to
the rake of Pullman and special-traffic vehicles available but not
used. The LNWR Semi-Royal saloon is coming towards theend of its
re-paint, although this work was interrupted by a booking which had
been accepted for the vehicle. The new steel cladding is cut and
fitted on one side of the Maunsell Drop-light Open Third 1336.
Traffic so far this year
In spite of the closure of half the line earlier this year, revenue
so far this year is only marginally down on the record figures we had
for 2000. The Thomas event was a notable success, about 20% up on
last year! We also had a very successful visit from the Yetties. The
Santa Specials leaflet is out and enquiries have already been
received. Booking does not open until October, and the forms will be
available on the web site in a few weeks.
Football Competition
If you would like to support the Carriage Works Extension project
then why not enter our Football
Competition. Entries must be in by 3rd August, so download the
entry form now. It's also available at all the stations and around
the railway. No knowledge of football is required!
Return to Bluebell Railway Home Page,
or to Mark Dewell's
UK Heritage Railways or the Heritage Railway Association
See also Lewis Nodes' Loco Works News Photos and News from the Maunsell Locomotive Society.
Visitor Info. - Catering - Contacts - What's
New - Extension - Locos - Carriages -
Signals - History - Other - Links - Search the site - FAQ
Why not become a BRPS Member? - Get more involved as a Volunteer
News Report: 4 June 2001
Loco Works news
A historic moment has been reached on the Brighton Atlantic project. The
tender is now being worked on, with unwanted steel-work being removed from
the frames, and new horn-guides have been cast.
The failure of "Bodmin" with cracked wheels at Eastleigh during a main-line
inspection has prompted the inspection of the wheels of many Bulleid
Pacifics. Our own "Blackmoor Vale" has been checked, and is fine, and has
been doing good work in regular traffic over the last few weeks.
Progress is being maintained on our other Bulleid Pacific, "Sir Archibald
Sinclair". The valve and outside motion is being erected, and serious
expenditure on the boiler has started, with the order now placed for a new
throat plate, tube plate and corners for the firebox.
The tender for the Maunsell Society's U-class No.1638 is now all-but
complete, following a month in the loco works, where the overhead cranes
came into their own.
The Standard 4 tank, No.80151, has passed its boiler hydraulic test, and
the talk is of an August return to traffic, if all goes well. As an engine
which regularly operated on the line in the 1950s, this will indeed be a
welcome event.
Forthcoming Musical Events at the Bluebell
Details of our 60's Music evening (29 June) and "An Evening with the
Yetties" on 30th June are now available on the web site - See the Special Events Listing.
Party at the Park
Last Sunday, 27 May, working members enjoyed a BBQ and party at Sheffield
Park Station, in the new picnic area down by the river. Photos are from
Charles Roberts. About 70 members of all ages and from most departments
took part, although it was the younger members from the loco and catering
departments (along with some SP platform staff) who were the loudest, so
got noticed most!
Foot and Mouth; Restrictions fast disappearing
Sussex has been mercifully spared from Foot and Mouth disease. We played
our part in the precautions to keep it that way by the closure of our
linesides. However, these restrictions were lifted a few weeks ago. Now
also on entering West Sussex, road-side notices proclaim that most public
footpaths are again open, and as from 8th June it is believed that the same
will apply in East Sussex.
AGM Report
The Preservation Society's AGM on 19th May was not without note. For the
first time ever, a tie in the election of Society Trustees caused some
consternation, such an eventuality not being covered by the rules. There
were six candidates for the four vacancies, and the results were as follows:
Martin Lock 181 votes
Charles Hudson 176 votes
Jim Turtle 173 votes
Russell Pierce 98 votes
Robin White 98 votes
Ron Harwood 82 votes
The options of declaring the whole of the election void, and repeating the
vote, or of electing the first three and carrying out a further election
for the fourth place were problematic, due to the difficulty of obtaining a
quorum other than at a General Meeting. The Rules allow for 14 Trustees,
but do not prevent there being 15, so the AGM resolved that the top five
would all become Trustees.
The various speeches and presentations were largely linked by a common
theme, that of fund raising. The Membership Secretary appealed for more
donations, Eric Earnshaw, in his Bluebell Railway Trust report, re-iterated
the advantages of giving by gift-aid through the Trust, Russell Pearce
reported on the success of the Fenchurch Fund in returning this locomotive
to steam, and indicated that they were continuing their fund-raising
efforts, now directed towards SECR P-Class No.27. Terry Cole appealed for
further donations towards the Brighton Atlantic Project, but was able to
report that about a sixth of the £300,000 estimated cost of this
project had been subscribed or promised in quarterly or annual payments
over the 8-year time scale of the project, much of it via the Trust. Much
more will be needed though.
The sale of refreshments before and during the interval, together with
donations collected at the end of the meeting raised £505 towards the
Carriage Works Extension.
Subsequent to the meeting, the Society Trustees have met and allocated
their tasks. Bill Brophy took the opportunity of having an additional
Trustee in place to retire from both the plc board and the Society
Committee, and Martin Lock takes his place as Traction and Rolling Stock
Director. Thus we again have the correct number of 14 Trustees. Chris
White has passed his Operations portfolio on to Robin White, but takes on
the Civil Engineering/Permanent Way mantle. With the appointment of a
P-way manager, Graham Ward is hoping to re-establish a volunteer Civil
Engineering section to take on projects such as bridge maintenance, in
addition to leading the volunteer p-way gangs.
Barry Coward's tenure as Society Hon. Sec. has started with the
establishment of a sub-committee to look at the resourcing of the railway,
with its first priority to be consideration of Heritage Lottery Funding for
specific projects.
Bulleid Well Wagon to come to the Bluebell
The only remaining unmodified SR Bulleid well wagon, has been identified as
significant by the Railway Heritage Committee, and will be coming to the
Bluebell from Three Bridges in the near future. It will be used on the
Bluebell as it was on BR, to carry plant and machinery for civil
engineering work. The wagon was built some time between January 1944 and
June 1945.
Carriage news
Of course the more vehicles, like the above, which arrive, so the more we
have to dispose of if we are to maintain running lines clear of stored
stock and a safe environment for our shunters. We are currently open to
offers for a Dace wagon on roller bearings (brought in for filming work), a
Tube Wagon underframe, Bulleid and Maunsell coach underframes and a surplus
Mk.1 Restaurant/Buffet Car.
The LNWR semi-royal saloon has occupied the paint-shop for the past several
weeks. The complexities of fabricating and fitting an aluminium roof
covering on this clerestory coach, and the time it takes to prepare a
timber panelled coach for repainting, conspired to make the target of a
return to traffic this last weekend impossible, in spite of employing
several extra contract staff over recent weeks. With the BR BSK required
for the Thomas weekends, and with some bodywork repairs still to be
completed prior to repainting, this latter coach has entered the
paint-shop, so the Semi-Royal has moved further into the shed, displacing
the Maunsell Droplight open third, which has been sidelined (although the
first steel panelling on the sides has recently been fitted).
Volunteer-run projects are progressing more smoothly! Structural repairs
on the toilet area of the SECR Birdcage are well in hand, as is the next
section of floor. The LCDR coach now has a partition in place, allowing
the fitting out of the first compartment to start. The third Metropolitan
coach comes on in leaps and bounds, with third-class seating being
installed, and all the lincrusta applied to the panelling in the
first-class, so that the first of the new walnut panels, lined in gold and
with a deep varnish-shine can be fitted next. Only the inner-ceiling
mouldings for the first-class now remain to be made. The Bulleid brake is
now ready for the floor to go back, and steel-cladding is being fabricated
and fitted.
The LSWR team have transformed the LSWR Road Van, and the midweek wagon
team have just about completed the re-plank and repaint of the LSWR/SR
hybrid wagon which was marooned at Sheffield Park for many years. This
curious wagon was built by the SR, assembled from second-hand parts from
various LSWR wagons. The sorry remains of the last of the Bristol docks
ex-SECR wagons, which will emerge from a complete rebuild as a 2-plank
ballast wagon, have finally been shunted into the yard, and work has
started in earnest. The GN Saloon gang have again repainted the roofs of
the two sleeping coaches, as well as the P-Way mess coach, which has also
been repainted on its platform side.
At Kingscote
A new short siding is taking shape behind the goods shed. The station
itself is looking very smart, thanks to the exertions of the maintenance
team there during the winter closure. The rather splendid new lamps (one
original and one replica) are now in place to light the subway steps.
Horsted Keynes Canopy
The second chimney stack is now completed, and further roof timbers and
zinc sheeting are being fitted. The hope is that the current phase of work
will be completed this year, leaving only the building beneath to go. The
challenge does not stop there, though, since the other two canopies are
really now due for their once-in-120-year overhauls, which the volunteer
team are considering undertaking. This would involve re-levelling where
subsidence has occurred, replacing rotten timbers and renewal of much of
the life-expired zinc.
Horsted Keynes Re-signalling
Peter Richards has provided an update on the HK Re-signalling web page. The temporary
starting signal at the south end of Platform 4 has been commissioned,
saving the signalman from having to hand-signal every departing train.
Carriage Works Extension
The roller-shutter door was fitted last week, making the building secure.
The contracts for the electrics have been let, but we still need to raise
in the region of £10,000 to bring the works into use. There will be a
working week (well, 4 days, 15-18 August) when we plan to commission the
works and new mess room. You are welcome to join us over those days.
Football Competition
The competition which has been run over the last football season, as a fund
raising venture for the Carriage Works Extension project, has reached its
conclusion. The final results are now
available. Our thanks to Tony Pearce for organising it over the last
year (taking it on very much at the last minute before the start of the
season). You may notice that I actually managed to win something. This is
in spite of my total disinterest in football, so this should inspire you to
enter next season. There's no need to know anything about football to win!
Return to Bluebell Railway Home Page,
or to Mark Dewell's
UK Heritage Railways or the Heritage Railway Association
See also Lewis Nodes' Loco Works News Photos and News from the Maunsell Locomotive Society.
Visitor Info. - Catering - Contacts -
What's New - Extension - Locos - Carriages - Signals - History - Other - Links - Search the site - FAQ
Why not become a BRPS Member? - Get more involved as a Volunteer
News Report: 11 May 2001
Return to Bluebell Railway Home Page,
or to Mark Dewell's
UK Heritage Railways or the Heritage Railway Association
See also Lewis Nodes' Loco Works News Photos and News from the Maunsell Locomotive Society.
Visitor Info. - Catering - Contacts -
What's New - Extension - Locos - Carriages - Signals - History - Other - Links - Search the site - FAQ
Why not become a BRPS Member? - Get more involved as a Volunteer
News Flash: 27 April 2001
Line fully reopen to Kingscote
As from this weekend, the Bluebell Railway is once more able to operate
services to Kingscote following the completion of repairs to the major
embankment slip which severed the line back in December. During the last
few months services have only been able to operate over the Sheffield Park
to Horsted Keynes section, with the railway's 473 bus from East Grinstead
covering the closed section.
To celebrate the re-opening of the full 9-miles of line, a promotion
entitled "Welcome Back Kingscote" will take place throughout May in
villages along the line, enabling local residents to travel on our trains
as special fares of £2 per adult & £1 per child.
Villages in the scheme are Fletching, Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes,
Sharpthorne, Highbrook, West Hoathly, Kingscote & Turners Hill. The offer
is spread over 3 weeks with a different week per village or group of
villages to avoid overcrowding.
News update 11 April 2001
Latest Locomotive News
Work continues on the repair of BR Standard class 4 tank engine No 80151
with the aim of running it later this year. (Lewis Nodes)
The very latest news reports on this and other locos (the Dukedog 3217,
U-class 1638, P-class 1178, Fenchurch and Baxter), are included in Lewis
Nodes' Locomotive Department Photo News page.
Once 80151 and 3217 have been completed,
the next main job to be tackled in the works will be either S15 class No
847 or U class No 1638. The intention is that this will be followed by the
Schools class No 928 "Stowe". Also No 592 may be re-boilered using the
spare C-class boiler.
The Villa Team's next project after Baxter is most likely to be P class No
27, a job which is expected to take about 8 years.
"Sharpthorn" has been moved from its previous home at the back of the top
car park to a new home
outside the Bessemer Arms, alongside the beer garden. Steps are to be made
to enable children to climb into its cab in safety. There is no plan to
start any repair work,
but having it displayed in a prominent position will keep it in the eye of
visitors and members alike.
Busy Easter in Prospect
With the railway an ideal way for the public to travel through the
countryside safely during the current Foot and Mouth problems in the UK, we
are expecting a busy Easter. For children, we have an Easter Egg Hunt.
There will be an intensive three train service, including the vintage
branch-line train and the chance to travel in the Great Northern Directors'
Saloon. With the chance to ride in this (on one of the large trains) and
the LBSCR First No.7598 (on the Branch-line train) it will be a good time
for discerning visitors to buy first-class tickets.
Slip repairs progressing, but further heavy rain delays completion
Dave Bowles photo taken on 1st April (whilst working on
undergrowth-clearance in the area) shows the full extent of the slip,
although there was by that time a sound foundation in place at the foot of
the embankment, including a new culvert. With further extremely wet
weather during March having caused further slippage, the last I heard was
that, providing the weather continues to improve, it might be possible to
complete the work by the end of this month.
Therefore we continue to run to a temporary timetable, between Sheffield
Park and Horsted Keynes only, with the fare for a day's unlimited travel
correspondingly reduced. The railway's 473 bus from East Grinstead has
been extended to Horsted Keynes.
Because of both Foot and Mouth restrictions to lineside access, and the
nature of the work being undertaken using heavy machinery on the site,
please note that no one may visit the slip site.
East Grinstead Vintage Bus Day
Sunday 22nd April 2001
Vintage bus services will operate between East Grinstead and surrounding
towns and villages. Two routes serve the Bluebell Railway via Kingscote
(473 from East Grinstead and 434 from Dormans to/from Copthorne), with two
additional single-deckers linking Kingscote to Horsted Keynes station as a
Rail-replacement bus service, if the line between these stations is still
closed due to the embankment slip. The Bus Station for the day is in King
Street, East Grinstead.
In addition, special coach tours will operate from Sheffield Park station,
lasting about 35 minutes, departing at 11.20, 11.45, 12.45, 13.45, 14.45,
15.20.
All bus routes are free of charge. Full bus timetables from: Alan Charman,
19 Hampton Way, East Grinstead, RH19 4SG, price £4.00
473 from East Grinstead Railway Station (via King Street) depart at: 10.35,
11.35, 12.35,13.35, 14.35, 15.35, 16.25. Additional 473 services to
Kingscote depart King Street at 16.20, 16.35.
434 from Dormans Plough to Kingscote depart at 10.34 and then every half
hour from 11.34 to 16.04. In addition there are extra 434 services from
Kingscote to and from Copthorne.
Tamper visits
Much of the trackwork through Horsted Keynes station, and northwards has
been tamped free of charge, under an arrangement with the owners of a new
Tamper which visited the railway for testing purposes.
Special Events this summer
Since the Steam Fair involves the use of neighbouring farm land, this event
has been cancelled due to the Foot and Mouth restrictions, and will be
replaced by another event, based entirely on the railway. The railway
wishes to express its regrets to those people who bring exhibits to this
event each year, and looks forward to seeing them again in the future.
All our other special events continue as planned, and the next of these are:
- April: Sun 22: East Grinstead Vintage Bus Day. See above.
- May: Weds 16: Victorian Evening.
- June: 16-17, 23-24: Day out with
Thomas for which full details and a booking form is now available.
Carriage Works Extension
We are getting towards the end of the carriage works extension. The roller
shutter door should be fitted in 6 to 8 weeks and the outside area completed
in the same time frame.
While it looks nearly complete, there are still the fire alarms, emergency
lighting and the main lighting as a minimum before we can actually use it
for anything. Foot and Mouth has affected traffic and the slip is costing
money.
So it is back to good old fashioned appeals to try to get this 6000
sq ft of extra workshop space into use. If you can help, cheques to
Sheffield Park for Carriage Shed Extension, or to Bluebell Trust clearly
marked for Carriage Works are most welcome, or sponsor Roy Watts on the
Marathon.
Bluebell training leads the way
The Bluebell was host last Saturday to a celebration of the launch of the
NVQ scheme for heritage railway staff. RITC Chief Executive Jackie
Chappell presented NVQ level 2 awards to five Bluebell Railway drivers, Tom
Dobson, Tony Funnell, Jim Grant, John White and Chris White. 5 Bluebell
staff have also qualified as NVQ assessors.
Carriage News
Following completion of Fingall's protracted re-paint, Car 64 had its
east-side windows made watertight, and the Paint-shop is now occupied by
the LNWR Semi-royal saloon. This will be receiving an aluminium roof since
its current roof covering is ancient and life-expired. The paintwork has
been stripped to bare wood and is being re-painted. In view of the limited
time available, and to match the BGZ which it runs next to in the
formation, it is being repainted in LMS maroon.
The first steel sheeting is now in place on Maunsell Droplight Open Third
1336. The last structural repairs to the LCDR second are nearly complete,
and many of the panels are ready for fixing in place. The third Met coach
is looking externally pretty complete, but the current excitement is the
first of the lincrusta, which is ready to be applied to the interior of the
first class.
The LSWR team had a ten-foot section of their coach bodyside on the floor
in the shed last weekend, just about ready for re-fitting to the coach.
This was the section around the west-side toilet and adjacent compartments.
Three doors are now on the LBSCR Stroudley first, and the floor is back in
both the second class compartments of the Birdcage brake, with attention
moving to the toilet area. The new timbers which support the floor of
Bulleid brake 2526 are now in place in the saloon, and steel sheeting is
going up on the east side. The GNR Saloon has had its kitchen refurbished
over the winter, with a new fridge and cooker fitted.
Return to BRPS Home Page,
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Events
News from the Bluebell Archives:
2006: Jan-Dec
2005: Jan-June, July-Dec
2004: Jan-April, May-July, Aug-Dec
2003: Jan-March, April-June, July-Sept, Oct-Dec
2002: Jan-March, April-June, July-Sept, Oct-Dec
2001: Jan-March, April-July, Aug-Dec
2000: Jan-April, May-Aug, Sept-Dec
1999: Jan-April, May-Aug, Sept-Dec
1998: Jan-June, July-Dec
1997: Jan-June, July-Dec
1996: Jan-July, Aug-Dec
1995: June-Dec
Other archives of online news and newsletters:
Bluebell Times (March 2020 - Present) on the Bluebell's main site
Archive of e-Newsletters (November 2011-August 2020) maintained by the Bluebell's Museum and Archive team.
Archive of "What's New/Blog" (1997 - Present) on this server
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