South Eastern & Chatham Railway 0-6-0T No. 323 (31323) 'Bluebell'
Sheffield Park, Sussex, UK 		Location: Bluebell Railway
Status: Overhaul
Posted: Aug 11, 2024 @ 05:08:44 by Russell Newman
The Bluebell Railway has launched a appeal to help raise £150,000 for the overhaul of their flagship former South Eastern & Chatham Railway P Class 0-6-0T No. 323 "Bluebell", as it was discovered that the boiler from sister P Class 0-6-0T No. 178, that was planned to be used was in need of a new firebox backplate. The overhaul of the boiler is to be contracted at the Severn Valley Railway’s boiler shops at Bridgenorth as it is hoped that No. 323 will be in steam again in 2025 or early 2026, details for the appeal can be found on the Bluebell Railway’s website and social media sites.
Posted: Mar 4, 2024 @ 14:03:27 by Russell Newman
The overhaul on the Bluebell Railway’s flagship former South Eastern & Chatham Railway P Class 0-6-0T No. 323 "Bluebell", is now underway in the workshops at Sheffield Park, as work had already advanced with the change of boiler’s as the boiler from No. 323 has been swopped with the boiler from sister P Class 0-6-0T No. 178, which work is underway overhauling it for use on No. 323. Also the wheels of No. 323 have also been changed for the wheels from No. 178, as it was discovered that No. 323’s wheels had cracks in them, which is why the wheels from No. 178 will be used instead as they are in much better condition. It is hoped the overhaul will be completed during the summer of 2024.
Posted: Oct 6, 2023 @ 11:10:10 by Russell Newman
It has been announced by the Bluebell Railway that their flagship former South Eastern & Chatham Railway P Class 0-6-0T No. 323 "Bluebell" is to return to steam again as the locomotive is to have a fast track overhaul. No. 323 will be moved into the main workshop at Sheffield Park in early 2024 to be overhauled back into traffic by the summer of 2024. The work carried out will see No. 323 use the boiler from sister P Class 0-6-0T No. 178 which will have No. 323’s boiler on for static display, and when completed it is planned for No. 323 to be used in double-headed tandem workings with ex London, Brighton & South Coast Railway A1X Class Terrier 0-6-0T No. 672 "Fenchurch" on longer corridor vintage trains together, as well as other train workings at the Bluebell Railway and possible visits to other preserved railways around the UK again.
Posted: Jul 2, 2019 @ 05:07:58 by Russell Newman
The former South Eastern & Chatham Railway P Class 0-6-0T No. 323 "Bluebell" is on static display in the shed at Sheffield Park on the Bluebell Railway as it was taken out of service early due to boiler problems early in 2019.
Posted: Mar 5, 2019 @ 10:03:43 by Russell Newman
No. 323 "Bluebell" has been withdrawn from service as she is in need for another 10 year overhaul.
Posted: Feb 15, 2018 @ 14:02:54 by Russell Newman
The ex South Eastern & Chatham Railway P Class 0-6-0T No. 323 "Bluebell" is venturing on its travels again this year as its visiting the Spa Valley Railway. From the 24th of February till the end of March where it will be working trains from Tunbridge Wells along side there resident steam and diesel locomotives. No. 323 will return to the Bluebell Railway in time for Easter.
Posted: May 22, 2017 @ 12:05:22 by Russell Newman
323 "Bluebell" is to make another visit away from its Bluebell Railway home later this year as its visiting the Severn Valley Railway for the first time for there Autumn Steam Gala on the 21st to the 24th of September.
Posted: Jan 13, 2017 @ 14:01:12 by Russell Newman
The Bluebell Railways flagship South Eastern & Chatham Railway P Class tank No. 323 Bluebell will be venturing North for the first time to Saffordshire as it to take part at in the Winter Steam Gala at the Churnet Valley Railway in February next month.