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…
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…
Southern items in 00 scale featured heavily in the model railway industry’s most comprehensive wish list poll. Top of the list was an LSWR 700 0-6-0 (Black motor), with original Merchant Navy (3rd), Adams 4-4-2T Radial (5th), SECR birdcage sets (6th), with the USA tank (7th) and Maunsell Q class (10th) also featuring. Clearly the…
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)…
One of my fondest steam train memories is watching 35027 Port Line pull out of Sheffield Park station in 1995. This locomotive didn’t stay at the Bluebell Railway, as they found it too expensive to run, but it’s shear size and power left a lasting impression on me that would last a lifetime. I’ve included…
Carrying on from yesterday’s post, the M7 was switched for a terrier. Certainly one of my favourite classes of locomotive, my childhood visits to the Kent and East Sussex Railway and occasional special visits to the Bluebell Railway meant I’ve seen many terriers! This 00 scale model was manufactured by Dapol, before the tooling was sold to…
Loco Yard 