SECR P Class 323 Bluebell

SECR P Class 323 Bluebell
323 Bluebell In The Shed At Sheffield Park Station.
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder SECR Ashford Works Build date 1910
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0T  • UIC C n2t Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Driver dia. 3 ft 9 1⁄8 in (1.146 m) Wheelbase 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) Axle load 10 long tons 0 cwt (22,400 lb or 10.2 t) Loco weight 28 long tons 10 cwt (63,800 lb or 29 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 0 long tons 18 cwt (2,000 lb or 0.9 t) (2,016 lb or 914 kg) Water cap 550 imp gal (2,500 l; 660 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 9 sq ft (0.84 m2) Boiler pressure 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa) Heating surface 439 sq ft (40.78 m2)  • Tubes 387 1⁄4 sq ft (35.98 m2)  • Firebox 51 3⁄4 sq ft (4.81 m2) Superheater None Cylinders Two, inside Cylinder size 12 in × 18 in (305 mm × 457 mm) Valve gear Stephenson
Performance figures Tractive effort 7,810 lbf (34.7 kN)
Career Operators South Eastern and Chatham Railway Southern Railway British Railways Class SECR / SR: P Power class BR: 0F Numbers SECR 323 SR A323 SR 1323 BR 31323 Official name Bluebell Locale Southern Region Disposition Undergoing restoration into operating condition

The South Eastern and Chatham Railway number 323 Bluebell is a P-Class locomotive built by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway in 1910. With its SE&CR number being 323, it worked most of its life with light duties, such as small suburban services and shunting in the South East region of the UK.

Bluebell's history was reasonably average until it was bought for preservation by the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society as their second engine in 1960, the first being Stepney.

During 1961, number 323 was given a name for the first time, 'Bluebell', and has been the Bluebell Railway's flagship locomotive ever since, along with Stepney. Bluebell has featured in publicity and media many times, notably in the late Reverend Wilbert Awdry's Railway Series books, where she and Primrose featured in book number 18, 'Stepney The "Bluebell" Engine'.

Livery

Bluebell has been painted in a handful of different colour schemes. Originally in the SE&CR's standard green and gold, Bluebell has also seen service in the Southern Railway (UK)'s standard green lettering and British Railways standard colours. In the early 60s at the Bluebell Railway, Bluebell was repainted blue with a red nameplate. Nowadays, the locomotive is painted in a revamped version of this scheme and is standard blue with lighter lining with the railway's crest and the letters 'BLUEBELL' on the tanks.

In Popular Culture

The same locomotive, along with her twin, Primrose, are in The Railway Series of Thomas & Friends in Stepney the Bluebell Engine.

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