Although 31108 never had any NSE connections, several 31s were in the NKJS (NSE Infrastructure North) and NKJW (NSE Infrastructure North weekend) pools during 1993 and early 1994. As far as I am aware, the only 31s from those pools which still exist are 31190 and 31327
Yes, I agree and remember seeing some of the 31s from those twi pools. 31s also had runs to collect DMU cars from Wolverton Works, freshly-outshopped in NSE livery. I have a 1988 photo of a blue 31 bringing a rake of ex-works 108/115/121 cars south, into Bletchley.
It came up on their social pages
www.bluebell-railway.com
I think the 09 was targeted to be back for next year, but will have to confirm that.
If the MHR gala a few years ago is anything to go by, expect one full liner per day and the equivalent of brake can rides to the sidings the rest of the day. The batteries in the MLVs are not built for sustained running for long periods of time.
How exactly were the MLV batteries charged at the MHR?
I've only had haulage once (post 59). Their operational range and speed on batteries was - ahem - definitely not befitting of the word loconotive.
The Mid Hants is a different kind of line to the Bluebell with different grades, so we’ll have to wait and see what they’re doing when the timetable gets released (hopefully in the near future).
www.facebook.com
What would be able to Haul it while providing full power and controlling the doors though. I don't think anything has the ability to do that with networkers afaik.
These points are totally understandable, maybe just as a static piece?
True there a lot to consider.
AFAIK, Mk3s (except I think the ones with short link couplers) aren't passed for the tunnel. Hence the preserved 455 can't come (but the Inspiration Train could).
Are you sure? Class 455 cars are 20metres long, compared with hauled stock or HST Mark 3s at 23 metres, so throwover will be less on curves
The end on a Mk3 derived EMU is more square than the end on a Mk3 carriage.
From what I understand, the 455 carriages run the risk of hitting the train on the other line while going round the bend.
The Facebook post says more to come! Goodness this is a lot of locos! How many diesel drivers even are there at the Bluebell!? Not that many!...
Which indicates that the celebration of 40 years of NSE will be included as part of the gala, rather than the sole focus of the gala.
With a 33, 50, 2 73s, the 4 car Hastings Unit, 2 MLVs and a 2-EPB, plus the IoW 03, I would say that is a very good list of NSE stock, with most of that list being in a livery typical of the period too. Some of the Bluebell Mk1 stock planned to be in use at the gala actually ran in NSE service, and whilst it’s not practical to repaint the fleet (despite what some on Facebook seem to be repeatedly suggesting), Mk1 stock could still be found on some of the loco hauled services.
Well put.Speaking from my own personal viewpoint on the whole “X engine isn’t NSE” argument, whilst I can understand what people are saying I think what the railway announced has been misinterpreted.
The initial social media post about the event said:
Which indicates that the celebration of 40 years of NSE will be included as part of the gala, rather than the sole focus of the gala.
The post does later say this:
With a 33, 50, 2 73s, the 4 car Hastings Unit, 2 MLVs and a 2-EPB, plus the IoW 03, I would say that is a very good list of NSE stock, with most of that list being in a livery typical of the period too. Some of the Bluebell Mk1 stock planned to be in use at the gala actually ran in NSE service, and whilst it’s not practical to repaint the fleet (despite what some on Facebook seem to be repeatedly suggesting), Mk1 stock could still be found on some of the loco hauled services.
Of course everyone is welcome to form their own conclusions and opinions from this, but nowhere does it say “This gala will only feature engines and stock that ran between 1986 and 1994 under NSE”.
As I’m sure many will know, organising and running a gala takes a lot of time and effort from almost every department on the railway, from the gala planning committees and the commercial department who start the gala planning/organisation process right down the volunteers on the day who run the services for the passengers. Not everything that is on a “wishlist” to attend the gala will be able to, and that could be for a multitude of different reasons.
This is the biggest diesel gala the Bluebell has ever had, with 7 engines and 4 units running (with more to be announced!). A far cry from a time not even 20 years ago when the word “diesel” was almost taboo, and even the weekly shunting turn on a Thursday had a steam engine lit up especially for the shunt.
In conclusion to my musings, I hope the 31 and 60 not being “NSE enough” hasn’t put anyone off visiting. At least nobody on here has been complaining about a certain Ivatt Tank from the Isle of Wight not being enough of a Giant…
Completely agree with all saidSpeaking from my own personal viewpoint on the whole “X engine isn’t NSE” argument, whilst I can understand what people are saying I think what the railway announced has been misinterpreted.
The initial social media post about the event said:
Which indicates that the celebration of 40 years of NSE will be included as part of the gala, rather than the sole focus of the gala.
The post does later say this:
With a 33, 50, 2 73s, the 4 car Hastings Unit, 2 MLVs and a 2-EPB, plus the IoW 03, I would say that is a very good list of NSE stock, with most of that list being in a livery typical of the period too. Some of the Bluebell Mk1 stock planned to be in use at the gala actually ran in NSE service, and whilst it’s not practical to repaint the fleet (despite what some on Facebook seem to be repeatedly suggesting), Mk1 stock could still be found on some of the loco hauled services.
Of course everyone is welcome to form their own conclusions and opinions from this, but nowhere does it say “This gala will only feature engines and stock that ran between 1986 and 1994 under NSE”.
As I’m sure many will know, organising and running a gala takes a lot of time and effort from almost every department on the railway, from the gala planning committees and the commercial department who start the gala planning/organisation process right down the volunteers on the day who run the services for the passengers. Not everything that is on a “wishlist” to attend the gala will be able to, and that could be for a multitude of different reasons.
This is the biggest diesel gala the Bluebell has ever had, with 7 engines and 4 units running (with more to be announced!). A far cry from a time not even 20 years ago when the word “diesel” was almost taboo, and even the weekly shunting turn on a Thursday had a steam engine lit up especially for the shunt.
In conclusion to my musings, I hope the 31 and 60 not being “NSE enough” hasn’t put anyone off visiting. At least nobody on here has been complaining about a certain Ivatt Tank from the Isle of Wight not being enough of a Giant…
Actually makes me more likely to attend now!
