An Overwhelming Response!

Says Funding Director Roger Kelly, "The Cash for Cover Appeal has got off to a stunning start with (as of 26 Oct., 2014) £109,040 bein g raised in the first two weeks from 760 donations.
 

"There are just three weeks remaining to reach the target of £125,000 for matching funding and then move beyond that for the additional £100,000 to complete the roof over the carriages. If you have not made a donation, now is the time!

"We are all delighted at the response so far and say a big 'thank you' to everyone who has made a donation."

Some Testimonials from the Cash for Cover JustGiving Page

"A great project that deserves all of our support. Hopefully these priceless vehicles will now be safe from the elements."

"Great Work. Deserve all the help and praise you get."

"Looking forward to having some more vintage carriages behind the draw hook!"

"Undoubtedly one of the most deserving railway heritage projects of our time."

"A very worthy project. We need this facility. Very best of luck."

"Let's get the Brighton Directors Saloon in the dry, asap!"

"Good luck with the project for future generations."

"A different type of extension this year but just as important."

"Let's get these carriages out of the rain."

Few of the coaches we're currently restoring are ones that have been previously stored on the Railway over the long term, the exception being Bulleid Composite No. 5768. That coach had been in Bluebell Railway service for 20 years and then stored beneath a tarpaulin for 15 years. A major area of work has been on the roof, where a substantial area had rotted away completely due to water ingress and which was unable to dry out under the tarpaulin.

With the completion of several existing projects over the next couple of years, the focus of the C&W Department is expected to shift away from pre-grouping non-corridor vehicles--we now have a good number available for service and the Southern Railway Maunsell and Bulleid stock has been neglected in recent years. We have a dozen Maunsell coaches, but only three in service. Only three of our nine Bulleid coaches are in service.

Overhead cover for Southern Railway stock will prolong the working lives of those carriages currently in service. For carriages awaiting overhaul, cover is essential if we are to build up complete operational rakes of each type. Without cover we will be treading water and never make progress.

For instance, in spite of having a volunteer team working exclusively on Bulleids for nearly two decades, we have dropped from a peak of six (in the later 1980s and early 1990s) to three operational examples. Those restored in the 1970s have succumbed to the ravages of the British climate; rain has rotted out window frames and corrosion between body and underframe has led to "rising floor syndrome".

To return to the overhaul of Bulleid No. 5768, the structural timber and steel cladding of all seven passenger compartments is now complete, with the last area being the south end. Here the last corner pillar requiring replacement is being made, and the floor is almost ready to go down in the toilet, after which the last internal partitions can go back in. Work on fitting out the compartments is ongoing, starting with the ceilings.

By Richard Salmon, BRPS Trustee
& C&W Volunteer

Well done to self-described cricket nut and eagle-eyed reader George Beagley, who used Wisden to correct the record concerning the 1896 Lord Sheffield's XI v Australia cricket match mentioned in the eNewsletter's previous issue. That match was in fact drawn and not won by the Aussies, as we reported (the editors are obviously too pessimistic!) It was a three-day match, with five-ball overs. Read George's summary here .  

The Bluebell Railway operates many different Christmas Specials throughout December with something for everyone.

Specials include:

• Santa Specials
• Victorian Christmas Specials
• NEW FOR 2014 Reindeer Specials
• NEW FOR 2014 Fairy Godmother Specials from East Grinstead
• Horsted Keynes Carol Service
• Christmas Shopping Specials
• Golden Arrow Pullman Dining
• Festive Feast Christmas Meal
• Christmas Afternoon Tea (see below)

Book early to avoid being disappointed! Find out more at bluebell-railway.com . 

This year, the Railway will once again be running the popular Christmas-themed Afternoon Tea service in early December.

Treat yourself to a very special experience on board one of our beautifully decorated carriages in which you will be served a delicious Christmas Tea in warmth and comfort as you watch the winter evening closing in on the passing countryside.

Christmas Afternoon Tea will run on 3 and 4 Dec., 2014, departing Sheffield Park at 3 p.m. Priced at £43 per person, it is the ideal way to start the countdown to Christmas. Book now by phoning 01825 720800. More information can be found here .

Woods Publishes Lancing Record

All the Trimmings

Autumn Colours

Photos from Brian Lacey from 18 Oct., showing P Class No. 323, E4 No. B473, and U Class No. 1638 (taking on water, above).

Some lovely photos of Sheffield Park in autumn, by Keith Duke, taken on 10 Oct.

Steve Guess's gallery from 11 Oct.

Martin Lawrence's October gallery .

John Sandys' set from 20 Oct. (also below ): "A lovely sunny and surprisingly warm day today, with passengers visiting the Railway and also Sheffield Park Gardens, both just coming into lovely Autumn colours."