4th December 2015
Coach 5768
These pictures were taken on Sunday 30th November showing progress on 5768.
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| The external bodywork is being prepared for filling and then painting. | |
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| The curved toughened glass has been installed in most of the windows. | ||||
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| The north end. | The hanging of the doors is progressing. | |||
9th November 2015
Sir Archibald Sinclair – Boiler Progress Report
At LNWR, Crewe, progress continues on the firebox repairs for No. 34059. New sections of platework for the outer wrapper sections of the firebox have now been welded into place and the new platework for the inner wrapper is on site. The projected date for the return of the boiler, with current hydraulic and steam test certificates, to the Bluebell is spring 2016.
At the Bluebell, steady progress is being maintained on the overhaul and painting of the numerous items removed from the locomotive to enable the boiler to be lifted from the engine and sent to Crewe in October 2013.
Blackmoor Vale – Inner Firebox Appeal
An appeal has been set up to raise funds for a new Inner firebox for 21C123 Blackmoor Vale which is required to enable it to return to traffic.
The Bulleid Society is not a registered charity, but both it and donors can take advantage of the taxation benefits of charities if donors make their donations to The Bluebell Railway Trust, a charity whose objects include support for the preservation of railway equipment, especially connected with the Bluebell Railway.
4th November 2015
Coach 5768
The pictures below were taken by Mike Anton on Friday 30th October using a wide-angle lens.
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| B compartment. | |
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| Interior of the south west door showing the window lift mechanism. | Corridor looking south from outside B compartment. | |||
30th August 2015
Blackmoor Vale
No. 21C123 Blackmoor Vale was returned to Sheffield Park on Thursday.
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| No. 21C123 being shunted at Horsted Keynes by SECR C class No. 592 | |
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| No. 21C123 attached to BR 9F No. 92240 for their journey south. | |
18th August 2015
Coach 5768
The pictures below were taken on 16th August.
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| The completed and painted north end. | South end with new sheets added and primed. | |||
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| The varnished timber in the corridor. | The frame for one of the seats. | |||
Blackmoor Vale
No. 21C123 Blackmoor Vale is currently at Horsted Keynes whilst the workshop is re-clad.
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15th May 2015
Sir Archibald Sinclair
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The steam combine (i.e. manifold) from 34059 shows the faces being machined at Sheffield Park after the body of the casting had been bead blasted to remove the surface rust which had accumulated.
It is important that the joint face between the steam combine and the Klinger valves is a steam tight fit. The milling of the combine face and the valve face will ensure that this is the case.
The main steam supply to the backhead controls is via the Klinger valve sited on the front of the firebox casing on the driver's side of the engine. The steam combine outlets (on the underside in photograph above) control the individual steam supply to the two injectors from the two Klinger valves attached to the two right hand apertures, the steam heating from the second left aperture and the vacuum ejector steam supply from the far left aperture. Bulleid's design allowed the steam supply to each of the main controls to be isolated without having to turn off the supply to all the other controls.
The intention is to have all the backhead fittings ready to be refitted when the boiler returns from Crewe
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| The picture of the backhead was taken in 2009 and shows the fittings attached to the combine (the Southern's name for the manifold). | |
Blackmoor Vale
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The picture above shows 21C123 after being moved from the dock road on platform 2 before being shunted into the shed at Sheffield Park. Left: Almost inside the engine shed where she now resides for protection. Note the covers over the buffers. |
17th February 2015
Coach 5768
The pictures below were taken by Mike Anton on 15th February.
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| First class compartment C with ceiling refitted along with the overhauled seat-back structure. | South end where the steel bottom-plate has just been renewed and the main end pillars put in place. | |||
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| North west corner being prepared for painting. | Detail of the north end corridor connection. | |||
2nd January 2015
Bluebell Railway 2014/15 500+ Club
Membership of the Bluebell Railway 2015/16 500+ Club is now open. The club has been running for several years and is now helping to raise funds for the repair No. 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair's firebox. Full details available here.
Keep Up The Pressure
Don't forget that the 'Keep Up The Pressure' Appeal to raise funds for 34059's firebox is also still running, details via the links below.
Further Details Donation Details