Most of the readers of the Locoyard blog must be very confused that the final part of “my journey in becoming a steam enthusiast” involved me giving up being an enthusiast and finishing the final part in an overly melodramatic fashion! How could that possibly be the end of the journey? Well, in short, it…
The Bluebell Railway has an incredible fleet of rolling stock. Most are based at Horsted Keynes; but a trip to Sheffield Park still provides an ample opportunity to view some of these. Today we have closer look at
After looking at Ex-LBSCR E4 class B473 and Southern U class 1638 we now complete the round-up of locomotives that were in steam when visiting the Bluebell Railway on the 26th August. In my opinion we have left the best to last – South Eastern and Chatham Railway’s C class 592. If you have enjoyed…
The next locomotive (after the previous article on U class 1638) to feature on locoyard following last Sunday’s visit to the Bluebell Railway is a unique survivor of the LBSCR’s E4 class. Purchased straight from British Railways in 1962, B473 is the last remaining member of Billinton’s 0-6-2 radial tank . Built in 1898 for…
Following from my previous blog post (click here) on my visit to the Bluebell Railway, here are some pictures of the Maunsell U class 1638 that was in operation that day. The U class is no stranger to this website or to me and I’m happy to say that I’ve seen all four that survive…
Yesterday I enjoyed a fantastic visit to what is still my favourite place in the railway world. My decision to visit the railway was fairly spontaneous. I try to visit when I can, which unfortunately is usually only once a year. It would be much more frequent if it wasn’t for it being a long…
Following from my previous thread on my early steam locomotive experiences, here are a few more pictures of the Bluebell Railway from the 1990’s archive. Starting with the picture above of the Aveling Porter 2-2-0 geared well tank – a curiosity indeed! Now based at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, it was based for…
Continuing on my previous posts on the Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR), this is part two of a series of reflections and experiences on my journey of becoming interested in real and model steam trains. Although the K&ESR was my local heritage railway, I was fortunate in being taken to other preserved lines in my youth.…
One of the Bluebell Railway‘s treasures took one step closer to returning to service yesterday, with a successful steam testing. The H Class 0-4-4 tank engine is the only surviving member of a class that once numbered 66 prototypes. Once again, it will be returned to full SECR lined green livery, recreating more scenes like…
Just a quick blog today to publish a couple of photographs I have of the National Railway Museum’s Q1 class C1 waiting to leave Sheffield Park in 1994. The only preserved Q1 class; C1 is now a static exhibit. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it was overhauled into working condition again! With the Mid-Hants (Watercress)…
Loco Yard 