323 Bluebell - Overhaul

The overhaul of South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR), Wainwright P Class tank, 323 (subsequently renamed Bluebell) took place at Sheffield Park Workshops between 2009 and 2011.

This collection shows scenes from the overhaul. Images are in approximate date order with the most recent at the start of the gallery. A separate collection shows the engine in service.

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Before overhaul SECR Wainwright P-class tank 323 is seen in Sheffield Park Shed on 28.10.2003
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
323 Bluebell, released from Workshops and on shed at Sheffield Park. 12.03.2011 6257
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
323 Bluebell, released from Workshops and on shed at Sheffield Park. 12.03.2011 6272
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
With the boiler back in the frames work was continuing on 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 12.02.2011 5871
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Repairs to the boiler from 323 Bluebell continue. Sheffield Park Workshops 10.10.2010 5113
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Repairs to the boiler from 323 Bluebell continue. Sheffield Park Workshops 10.10.2010 5115
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Repairs to the boiler from 323 Bluebell continue. Sheffield Park Workshops 10.10.2010 5116
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Repairs to the boiler from 323 Bluebell continue. Sheffield Park Workshops 10.10.2010 5117
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323 Bluebell with the boiler from 847 on the left. Sheffield Park Workshops 10.10.2010 5118
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The boiler from 323 with newly fabricated patches in place, awaiting welding in due course. 04.09.2010 4527
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear nearside of the boiler with repairs in progress. 04.09.2010 4532
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear offside of the boiler with repairs in progress. 04.09.2010 4533
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323 Bluebell awaiting the repaired boiler. 04.09.2010 4539
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear nearside of freshly painted 323 Bluebell. 04.09.2010 4538
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear offside of freshly painted 323 Bluebell. 04.09.2010 4536
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
After the 50th Anniversary open days the smokebox was removed from the engine to await fitting of the repaired boiler. 15.08.2010 4061
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The boiler from 323 awaiting repair to removed sections. Sheffield Park Workshops 15.08.2010 4063
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
323 Bluebell, minus boiler, on display during the 50th Anniversary celebrations. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.08.2010 3760
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The boiler from 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 25.07.2010 3398
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Sections have been cut out of the rear of the boiler to facilitate a repair to a a cracked backhead radius. Sheffield Park Workshops 25.07.2010 3395
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Sections have been cut out of the rear of the boiler to facilitate a repair to a a cracked backhead radius. Sheffield Park Workshops 25.07.2010 3396
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Sections have been cut out of the rear of the boiler to facilitate a repair to a a cracked backhead radius. Sheffield Park Workshops 25.07.2010 3397
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
In conditions of great secrecy the team have been fabricating a smokebox for a famous engine... although it appears to fit 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 25.07.2010 3387
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
No prizes for guessing where this chimney has come from.... Sheffield Park Workshops 25.07.2010 3390
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 25.07.2010 3392
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 25.07.2010 3391
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The bunker has now been painted in a slightly darker shade of Bluebell Blue. Sheffield Park Workshops 25.07.2010 3393
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The bunker has now been painted in a slightly darker shade of Bluebell Blue. Sheffield Park Workshops 25.07.2010 3394
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The cab of 323 Bluebell painted to match the bunker. Sheffield Park Workshops 25.07.2010 3388
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323 Bluebell have been re-wheeled, and are seen here in Sheffield Park Workshops. 18.07.2010 3167
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 18.07.2010 3165
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The bunker from 323 Bluebell. Please read the buffer for an update! Sheffield Park Workshops 18.07.2010 3169
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The bunker from 323 Bluebell. Light streaming through the window makes the colour appear a little lighter than is actually the case. Sheffield Park Workshops 18.07.2010 3168
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Adjustments to the boiler of 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 18.07.2010 3175
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Chris Shepherd working on the boiler tubes of 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 18.07.2010 3173
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear offside of the boiler from 323 Bluebell. There is a man working inside the firebox. Sheffield Park Workshops 18.07.2010 3170
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The nearside of the boiler from 323 Bluebell. As can be seen, the majority of the boiler has now been painted. Sheffield Park Workshops 18.07.2010 3172
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The freshly painted side tanks from 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 18.07.2010 3176
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Painting the smoke box of 323 Bluebell. The wheel sets in the background are recently acquired spare wheels, that are in excellent condition. Sheffield Park Workshops 18.07.2010 3179
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Lewis Nodes had just finished preparing the interior of the cab of 323 Bluebell. The attention to detail is obvious. Sheffield Park Workshops 18.07.2010 3177
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The front nearside of the boiler from 323, with the smokebox being fabricated. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 2987
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
A close up of the tube plate from 323, with the rivets in place. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 2988
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The front offside of the boiler from 323. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 2986
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear offside of the boiler from 323, with work in progress. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 2998
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear nearside of the boiler from 323. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 3000
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323, just prior to re-wheeling. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 2992
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323 with paintwork progressing. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 2991
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Fresh paint on the bunker and rear of 323. There is a clue on the buffer! Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 2994
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul