Dan Hamblin

More detail on Branch Line weekend: http://rasalmon.co.uk/bluebell/download/events/2017/Bluebell_Branch_Line_Weekend2017.pdf Regards, Dan

Curve radius is probably the biggest factor - I think flat bottom rail needs to be pre-formed below a certain radius, which would make it more difficult to store spare rail in the four foot. The taller flat bottom rail would cause issues as the passing clearances are around 25mm, but I'm sure that low profile rail fixings are now available to counteract this. Regards, Dan

Someone at work mentioned that during the PPP years Sarah Siddons was the only piece of rolling stock officially owned by TfL / LU. Regards, Dan

I could have sworn it looked like that inside when I trevelled on it at Giants of Steam in October 2007 (when City of Truro was the guest visitor). It was back the Bluebell recently for a filming job (hence the blue paint). Regards, Dan

It's only correcting a gap that has been getting smaller - Dormans was because of embankment slippage causing the gap to close up, so would have had to be done sooner or later otherwise you'd risk even the super narrow Class 377s not being able to get through. Regards, Dan

Departure day - Met 1 leads the heritage train out of Northfields Depot with No. 12 Sarah Siddons and L150 bringing up the rear. (Photo taken from a place of safety, clear of running lines, with zoom lens) The other two photos are in my gallery, plus various other LU images: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/album/1319-dans-photos/?st=100 Regards, Dan

Back in summer 2014 we had the pleasure of sharing Northfields shed with the LU heritage train during the H&C Line 150 specials: I'll load the departure days photos into my gallery some tme over the weekend. Regards, Dan

Interesting photos, but apart from the conversion of Schoma diesel locos to battery electric I don't think LU have any other locos on order. A pantograph and lack of shoegear would suggest Crossrail maintenance trains more than LU (that is if it is destined for a TfL subsidiary). Regards, Dan

Departing next week I believe, so this weekend is the only chance to see them in action. Regards, Dan

Purchased my version of 488 earlier this week, finally got around to unpacking it for running in and the cylinders fell off! As is common the cyliders are connected by a moulded bar across the chassis, but with a counter-sunk open ended slot rather than a counter-sunk single hole to secure it to the chassis block. The moulding has snapped on the end of the slot. It's a shame as the model looks superb and I want to get it running. An e-mail to Hornby will be in order... Regards, Dan

The current motive power situation is that 30541, 73082, 473, 323 and 3 are available for traffic, with 847 and 263 undergoing P&V and annuals in the works. The C and 178 are now limited to pilot duties, the former due to the wheel profile out of tolerance and there not being enough time left on the boiler ticket to allow re-profiling and the latter has a worn out cylinder block. 80151 and 928 are the large locos under overhaul, with 27 also being worked on. Beachy Head and 84030 conversion are more long term projects being worked on, with the former the more advanced of the two. Regards, Dan

LNER tender next door would suggest the K1 or the K4, possibly Carnforth or one of the Crewe open days? Regards, Dan

A nice set Ian, but I don't think this one is from the Bluebell, as I don't believe 46203 has ever visited the railway. Nice thought for the future though (once 6201 is up and running ). Regards, Dan

Spring reported as replaced and loco being warmed up for test run to Scarborough tomorrow, move to London Wednesday. Regards, Dan

It is due a Programme Lift soon, I understand there is further work being contemplated on the auxiliary supply if the loco is to be equipped with the Thales signalling equipment for use on the SSR. Regards, Dan

There was also the work to reinstate vacuum brakes during 2012 so that it could work with the LU heritage train for the 150th Anniversary runs during 2013 and beyond. Most of the equipment is inside but new pipe runs were added along the solebar, plus of course there is the vacuum brake hose on the bufferbeams. Regards, Dan

The hoses are actually quite flexible, which is good because the standard tension lock coupler sits snuggly between them. The couplers do droop a bit though and seem lower than most other modern RTR stock. The model though really does capture the look of the real thing, the bogies particularly with the shoebeam safety brackets and rivetted bogie frame. On Sarah Siddons the headlights do shine red when it is on the rear of a train, but that has only really been used in the modern era when LU heritage trains run top-and-tail. Regards, Dan

Got my notificaton from Hattons for No. 5. I was tempted to cancel my order when Sarah Siddons was changed to John Hampden, but I quite like the idea of top and tailing the two on a set of brake vans Regards, Dan

NRM Deltic, C1 No. 251, City 3440 'City of Truro'. Regards, Dan

Got home from work yesterday and pleasantly surprised to find a box from Locomotion with GNR 251 in it. Model is superb - runs smoothly, oodles of detail, hauled six Gresley suburbans and an LMS inspection saloon ok around my layout with its second radius curves. It was very well packed resulting in no damage from transit. Keep up the great work guys, looking forward to future models from the National Collection. Regards, Dan

John - did you have the special horse shoe and black cat route discs on the lamp irons? Would make a nice little modelling exercise Regards, Dan

This one has B5 bogies fitted as well, with various work being done to the interior. I think the side steps may have to be altered to bring it within sub surface gauge. Regards, Dan

Lovely little details - like those metal safety brackets around the shoe beam. I lent a hand cleaning the loco at Northfields depot so I'm quite looking forward to this model. Regards, Dan

Invoking Rule No. 1 of model railways... Garratt with Inspection Saloon. Garratt with Devon Belle Observation Car. Garratt with both. It didn't like propelling the observation car - lead pony truck kept derailing. Regards, Dan

Personally I think LNER garter blue or even the 1950s BR blue would look quite nice on it, but alas, thanks to the rebuilding, we will never know. Regards, Dan