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Draft:SECR P Class 323 Bluebell

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SECR P Class 323 Bluebell
323 Bluebell In The Shed At Sheffield Park Station.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderSECR Ashford Works
Build date1910
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte0-6-0T
 • UICC n2t
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Driver dia.3 ft 9+18 in (1.146 m)
Wheelbase11 ft 0 in (3.35 m)
Axle load10 long tons 0 cwt (22,400 lb or 10.2 t)
Loco weight28 long tons 10 cwt (63,800 lb or 29 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity0 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:
 • Grate area9 sq ft (0.84 m2)
Boiler pressure160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox51+34 sq ft (4.81 m2)
 • Tubes387+14 sq ft (35.98 m2)
 • Total surface439 sq ft (40.78 m2)
SuperheaterNone
CylindersTwo, inside
Cylinder size12 in × 18 in (305 mm × 457 mm)
Valve gearStephenson
Performance figures
Tractive effort7,810 lbf (34.7 kN)
Career
Operators
ClassSECR / SR: P
Power classBR: 0F
NumbersSECR 323
SR A323
SR 1323
BR 31323
Official nameBluebell
LocaleSouthern Region
DispositionUndergoing 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 it's SE&CR being number 323, it worked most of it's life with light duties, such as small suburban services and shunting in the South East region of the UK.

Bluebell's history was reasonable 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 Bluebell Railway's flagship loco 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

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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 life in the Southern Railway (UK)'s standard green lettering and British Railways standard colours. In the early 60's at Bluebell Railway Bluebell was repainted blue with a red nameplate. Nowadays the loco is painted in a revamped version of this sceme and is a standard blue with lighter lining with the railway's crest and the letters 'BLUEBELL' on the tanks.

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