Brighton Atlantic progress

[TRP]

The boiler for new build 'Brighton Atlantic' No.32424 'Beachy Head' has passed it's hydraulic test today, keeping the loco on target for a Summer 2021 completion.
The new build will revive a missing class in preservation, the LB&SCR Marsh class H2 4-4-2 (Atlantic) and is being built using a boiler from a Great Northern Railway Atlantic, which was discovered in use as a stationary boiler at a factory in Essex. The LBSCR H2 was a very similar design to the GNR C1 class, hence the suitability of using the ex-GNR boiler.
Aside from the boiler, the project is making use of the tender frame from a LBSCR C2X class 0-6-0, but everything else is being built from scratch. Currently, the bottom half of the loco is substantially complete, the tender has been wheeled and just recently the all-new tender tank has arrived and lowered onto the frames.

https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/b...ic/latest.html

Tony

[pre65]

Latest updates on this project.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/brps/atlantic-latest/

[46232]

Originally Posted by pre65

Latest updates on this project.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/brps/atlantic-latest/

Looking forward to seeing this one in operation at some time in the not too distant future
Thanks for the continued updates Tony much appreciated

[TRP]

Originally Posted by 46232

Looking forward to seeing this one in operation at some time in the not too distant future
Thanks for the continued updates Tony much appreciated

Yes, really looking forward to this one too Ken. I didn't get to the Bluebell at all last year but progress has been slowed by the pandemic, so the 2021 completion date may slip, but I'm sure it will be next year if not this.

Tony

[TRP]

Latest news - the boiler is in!

On Tuesday 16th August, the boiler was craned into the frames at Sheffield Park using a hired-in road crane. Speaking to a member of the team when I visited in July they said that once the boiler was in, there would be around 7-8 months' worth of plumbing (pipework) to install. After this, the loco would be moved from 'Atlantic House' into the main Works at Sheffield Park for the final stages of the work to be carried out including jobs which necesitate the use of the pit and the overhead crane. Completion of the new LBSCR H2 is now anticipated for the Autumn of 2023.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/brps/whats_new/

The boiler for the new No.32424 'Beachy Head' is the main reason that the project was able to be undertaken. Back in the 1980s, building a brand new boiler was considered impossible (or at least impracticable) and this made the prospect of building a new-build locomotive a virtual non-starter. However, things changed in the late 80s with the discovery of four former steam locomotive boilers at a disused industrial premesis in Maldon, Essex which had been used to provide heating to the factory.
One of these was identified as an ex-Great Northern Railway C1 'Atlantic' boiler and, as the LBSCR H2 class were built using drawings slightly modified from the GNR design, this was purchased by the Bluebell Railway Atlantic Group. The boiler has since been found to have been stamped with the numbers 3287, 4440 & 3299 - all ex-GNR C1 class 'Atlantics'.

Further background reading:
https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/b...ackground.html

Tony

[TRP]

Full report from the Bluebell Railway Atlantic Group, via the Bluebell's website:

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/brps/atlantic-latest/

Tony

[pre65]

Those progress updates on Beachy Head are interesting and well written.

Thanks for your unstinting efforts to keep us informed about such things Tony.

[TRP]

Progress to report from a visit to the Bluebell Railway on Sunday 16th October...

As previously reported, the boiler is now fitted in the frames and work has now begun on installing pipework & fittings, including some of the backhead fittings now in place. The cab has been fitted & painted and the tender is now complete having had it's final painting, lining & the early BR emblem applied.

Tony

[TRP]

Latest news from the Bluebell's website states that (providing nothing goes wrong!) 'Beachy Head' should be moved out of Atlantic House & into the Loco Maintenance Shed and/or the Loco Works to complete painting & commissioning this Autumn. Entry into traffic is then expected to be at some time between Easter & early summer 2024.
https://www.bluebell-railway.com/brps/whats_new/

Tony

[TRP]

New build LBSCR H2 class 4-4-2 No.32424 'Beachy Head' has been moved onto the Bluebell Railway proper, moving out of Atlantic House yesterday afternoon (5/3/24) and is now in the Maintenance Shed at Sheffield Park for completion & final commissioning. The return to steam of the long-lost Marsh Atlantic is now within touching distance!
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=...98761588956594

Tony