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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The rear nearside of 323, freshly painted. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 2995
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The top of the cab from 323, with new paintwork obvious. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 3021
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The freshly painted side tanks from 323. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 2985
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
One of the side tanks from 323 - there is a clue in the picture! Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 2984
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The other side tank from 323, with painting in progress. Sheffield Park Workshops 07.07.2010 2989
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Work continues on 323, with the tube plate bolted to the front of the boiler and some rivets inserted. Sheffield Park Workshops 24.06.2010 2799
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
A closer view of the tubeplate, with some boiler tubes being tested for size. Sheffield Park Workshops 24.06.2010 2800
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The front offside of the boiler from 323. Sheffield Park Workshops 24.06.2010 2801
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear nearside of the boiler from 323. Sheffield Park Workshops 24.06.2010 2798
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear offside of the boiler from 323. Sheffield Park Workshops 24.06.2010 2797
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323. Sheffield Park Workshops 24.06.2010 2794
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323. Sheffield Park Workshops 24.06.2010 2793
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Further painting has taken place on the bunker and rear buffer beam. the sunlight streaming into the workshop makes the colour appear lighter than is actually the case. Sheffield Park Workshops 24.06.2010 2795
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The bunker from 323. Sheffield Park Workshops 24.06.2010 2796
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The side tanks from 323 are in undercoat. Sheffield Park Workshops 24.06.2010 2806
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The side tanks from 323 are in undercoat. Sheffield Park Workshops 24.06.2010 2807
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 23.05.2010 2633
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The bunker from 323 Bluebell in undercoat. Sheffield Park Workshops 23.05.2010 2641
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Other parts from 323 Bluebell have now been shunted inside Sheffield Park Workshops. 23.05.2010 2651
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Lewis Nodes busy lining out the wheels for 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 08.05.2010 2345
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The newly fitted cylinders in the frames for 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 01.05.2010 2206
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323 have been repositioned to the rear of the workshops and the new cylinders were being fitted. Sheffield Park Workshops 28.04.2010 2082
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The frames from 323 Bluebell, with it's boiler partially in shot on the left. Sheffield Park Workshops 28.04.2010 2084
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear of 323 Bluebell with a freshly painted buffer beam. Sheffield Park Workshops 28.04.2010 2096
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Following work to remove the cylinders the front buffer beam has now been reattached to 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 17.04.2010 1912
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Although difficult to see, painting of the inside of the frames is now virtually complete. The sides of the frames are in undercoat. Sheffield Park Workshops 17.04.2010 1911
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The wheels for 323 Bluebell in the new darker shade of blue. Sheffield Park Workshops 17.04.2010 1902
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The wheels for 323 Bluebell in the new darker shade of blue. Sheffield Park Workshops 17.04.2010 1907
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The wheels for 323 Bluebell in the new darker shade of blue. In the background are the front of the boiler for 263, and the boilers for 847, 323 Bluebell and 55 Stepney. Sheffield Park Workshops 17.04.2010 1904
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear offside of 323 Bluebell ready for some final coats of blue paint. Sheffield Park Workshops 17.04.2010 1908
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear nearside of 323 Bluebell ready for some final coats of blue paint. Sheffield Park Workshops 17.04.2010 1910
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The offside of the frames from 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 11.04.2010 1841
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Painting of the interior of the frames has significantly progressed. Sheffield Park Workshops 11.04.2010 1842
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The nearside of the frames from 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 11.04.2010 1843
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear of the bunker of 323 Bluebell has been rubbed down ready for another coat of paint. Sheffield Park Workshops 11.04.2010 1839
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear of the bunker of 323 Bluebell has been rubbed down ready for another coat of paint. Sheffield Park Workshops 11.04.2010 1836
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The wheels for 323 Bluebell (on the left) with one set from 263. Sheffield Park Workshops 11.04.2010 1838
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The old cylinders have now been removed from the frames of 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 26.03.2010 1609
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
A close up of the interior of the frames from 323 with painting in progress. Sheffield Park Workshops 26.03.2010 1610
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The old cylinders from 323 Bluebell, that have seen better days. One of the new cylinders is in the background. Sheffield Park Workshops 26.03.2010 1614
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear nearside of 323, that has again changed colour. Sheffield Park Workshops 26.03.2010 1612
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The rear offside of 323. In the background the wheels are adjacent to the main door. Sheffield Park Workshops 26.03.2010 1613
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The wheels from 323 Bluebell. Sheffield Park Workshops 26.03.2010 1615
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Attempts were being made to release the old cylinders from Bluebell, but they didn't really want to leave their old engine and some encouragement was required to release them (hence the sparks)! Sheffield Park Workshops 21.03.2010 1516
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
As usual in recent times a significant number of people were working on the engine (some out of shot in the pit). Sheffield Park Workshops 21.03.2010 1517
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
Members of the team caught in discussion. Sheffield Park Workshops 21.03.2010 1523
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
A wider shot catches some blue wheels... Sheffield Park Workshops 21.03.2010 1522
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul
The wheels for 323 Bluebell have now been brought into the shed and occupy the space formerly filled by 178. Sheffield Park Workshops 21.03.2010 1521
bluebell railway 323 Bluebell P class South Eastern Chatham Railway SECR Wainwright overhaul