Built at around the turn of the nineteenth century, the E4 class were an 0-6-2 Tank engine built for the London Brighton and South Coast Railway. 75 E4 tank engines were built from 1897 to 1903 to a design by Robert Billinton. They were a development of the E3 class that had its roots in an…
More pictures from the 1990’s and another Throwback Thursday! This time the pictures were taken on the Bluebell Railway. Remarkably, with the exception of U class 1618, the other locomotives running in these pictures have since been overhauled and are in the running fleet in 2016.
Two years ago the Bluebell Railway realized a significant ambition by re-connecting with East Grinstead. The northern extension was a remarkable feat and achievement for the preserved line. The completed northern extension has proven to be beneficial to the Bluebell Railway and beyond for the local economy. Since then the railway opened the extension it has…
The Bluebell Railway’s U class no 1638 has officially been retired from service. The locomotive was withdrawn due to it requiring repairs that although minor would have needed a hydraulic test and with just six months remaining on it’s boiler certificate, the line have sensibly been decided that resources should instead be put into the completion of the overhaul of British Railways…
As the focus of my career moves into contributing to writing and telling the story of the oldest surviving Merchant Navy class locomotive, it has made me think about my own story of experiences with the type. My first siting of one of these 97.9 ton beasts left a lasting impression on me. Long term readers of this blog may…
The 0415 Adams Radial Tank has been hitting the headlines in model railway circles rather a lot recently and with two 00 scale models on the horizon, it’s easy to see why. On locoyard we have looked at the type in quite some depth earlier in the year (click here to read) and also some…
The Bluebell Railway’s collection of stock contains many rare and (now) unique steam engines. Being the first standard gauge railway in the UK to be preserved, it had the opportunity to purchase steam engines that would otherwise have been lost forever. Interestingly, it has also become the home to the largest collection of British Railways…
Completing the quartet of locomotives running during my last visit to the Bluebell Railway is South Eastern and Chatham Railway H class 263. Unlike S15 class 847, U class 1638 and LBSCR E4 tank B473, 263 was not running in olive green colours, but rather the magnificent fully lined SE&CR livery. The Bluebell Railway’s C…
With Bachmann’s eagerly anticipated 00 scale model of the LBSCR E4 radial tank hitting our shores and layouts, it seems a good time to have a look at the only survivor of the class on the Bluebell Railway.
As with most visits to the Bluebell Railway, last Sunday proved to be an absolute Southern Railway delight! Working alongside S15 class 847 was U class 1638, another machine owned by the Maunsell Locomotive Society. The locomotive is in it’s final year of operation, with its’ ten year boiler certificate coming to an end soon. …
Loco Yard 