The Bluebell Railway Preservation Society has confirmed that they have agreed a price for the sale of its USA Dock Tank, No. 30064.
Visitors to the Bluebell Railway will no doubt have fond memories of the locomotive, especially if you visited during the 1970s.
Paul Churchman, Chairman of the BRPS, said that a disposal list of vehicles has been made up and the first of those vehicles have left the railway in search of a future in preservation.
Paul explained that 30064 requires around £40,000 spent on it to remove the asbestos in the locomotive and also said that even with this problem sorted, there is no plan in the next 20 years to have the locomotive restored back to working condition.
Mr Churchman said in his letter to members that they hoped to welcome the locomotive back to the Bluebell Railway in the next 5 to 6 years to operate trains, something that wouldn't happen if the Bluebell Railway continued as owners.
The sale of the Dock Tank locomotive, which was designed by the United States Army Transportation Corps, has already been agreed – but the funds from the sale would go straight back into purely locomotive restoration.
It is intended that 30064 will move to Sheffield Park in the next week or so and will leave the Bluebell Railway soon after. The undisclosed buyer has not been revealed but no doubt its new home will be confirmed soon.
What are you memories of 30064? What do you think of this decision? Let us know in the comments below.
Fond memories filming 30064 with super 8 Cine camera in the 1970s Jubilee year particularly. Hope to see it in steam again one day again.
Definitely needs some work to it!
The only sensible decision. The Bluebell has allowed to rot for years. let others take it on and give it a future in steam.
Long overdue action. Yet another preserved railway with more stock than it can either use or maintain properly.
High time the Bluebell sold 80100 to somebody that will restore it too. Letting it rot for 40 years is a disgrace.
I tried to buy it wasn’t taken seriously, was quoted a ridiculous price to purchase
I am happy that the locomotive has a new future ,with a new owner.ive fond memories of the locomotive, in the 70s . Clive Daniel
30064 was originally owned by the Southern Locomotive Preservation group, it spent sometime at Droxford on the closed Meon Valley line before a short stay at Eastleigh and the at Liss on the Longmore Military Railway . When that closed it moved to the Bluebell who eventually acquired it from the SLP. Do we know who’s bought it? Would love to see it steam again as it holds some fond memories for me.
I remember it as it has been in recent years, rotting away at Horsted Keynes in that dreadful grey that replaced the attractive malachite green. It’s understandable that the Bluebell hasn’t been able to devote resources to a loco that couldn’t easily handle trains to East Grinstead (and with plenty of other small locos needing an overhaul). This is surely the best news possible for the loco, a new start. Now for the North London Tank.