32424 Beachy Head | Britain's Newest Steam Engine on loaded tests at the Bluebell Railway - 18.07.24

Ahead of it's official launch at the end of next month, the Bluebell Railway's new build LBSCR Marsh Atlantic No. 32424 Beachy Head would be put to the test hauling 7 coaches along the 11 mile line in Sussex.
The engine would take two trips along the line, running around the railways A timetable, which would see 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair in action, also hauling a heavy train, as she would take 7 Mark 1's on the second trip of the day, combining the Wealden Rambler set with three standard class coaches for normal passengers.
Despite 32424 being a new build, and stated as 'Britain's Newest Steam Locomotive', some parts of the engine are original, including the boiler, tender frames and regulator, some of which are from the original 32424, which was scrapped at Eastleigh just before the Bluebell was formed. The project to reconstruct the engine began in 2000, and she moved under her own power for the first time on 6th June. The end result is from over 2 decades of hard work by volunteers and enthusiasts, and revives a part of railway history that many thought had long gone.
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[@petersmith4058]

Fantastic achievement. One of the few Southern classes I never actually saw in the 50's & 60's. It was worth waiting for.

[@trainlover658]

Whoever did the valve timing on her did a top notch job, barely a single beat out of line.

[@skydive7054]

atlantic types are my favorite locomotives. glad to see one finally back in action.

[@Steven_Rowe]

She is BEAUTIFUL, ELEGANT, AND MAGNIFICENT. Her exhaust beat has a real bark to it.

[@themodster]

She certainly makes a fine sight and sound.

[@BalticFilms144]

Yet another reason to visit Britain

[@scottishtrainspotter7209]

This just feels like when Tornado 60163 was been built back in 2008.

[@Toosplash.]

The atlantic design is simply stunning

[@Tom-Lahaye]

Love that hefty bark, and she manages 7 on well, although close to the limit load as they had a bit of wheel slip. Great addition to the loco fleet.

[@NickRatnieks]

It might have been wet in the tunnel where the slip occurred.

[@joshslater2426]

I patiently await the day that Beachy Head comes to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway so it’ll be near enough for me to see it in person.

[@22pcirish]

Ivatt’s original is here in Doncaster museum to gaze at. Think of it in black!

[@roysimmons3549]

A Brighton Atlantic. Well done. Can't beat a steamer.

[@arthurmatthews9321]

She sounds stunning, she has a lovely bark when she’s working hard.

[@brianwillson9567]

Been a long time coming , but, wow, well worth the wait. CONGRATULATIONS to all involved.

[@mickboakes7023]

The Bluebell at it’s best. Sounds as though there’s no kid glove treatment on her running in period. She looks great, lined black really suits her. Thanks for posting. Excellent recording would have loved to have been there. All the best Mick.

[@themodster]

Thanks for the kind words Mick. She certainly looks and sounds the part, a huge triumph for all that have made it happen.

[@marionbloom1218]

Great video and amazing engine! Such an achievement to complete this new loco. Beachy Head has a great voice here, pulling 7 coaches up-bank, about the maximum load I should think for a 4-coupled engine - notice the driver had a very deft hand on the regulator, catching the beginnings of a slip twice. Such a shame we will never see what a turn of speed this engine would have, running only on heritage lines. But I can't wait to go there and get a ride behind this masterpiece.

[@lesliedickinson198]

Looks a lovely locomotive and sadly the original was dispatched before i was old enough to explore steam in britain, no steam leaks so looking very efficient

[@paulwilkinson8985]

Great video. She makes a great sound . You can see the classic two cylinder waggle as she climbs from sharpthorne tunnel. She did slip twice on just before leaving the tunnel and rising the climb from horsted Keynes. May need to check the springing or will need careful handling on damp rails. They must have interesting to drive on the mainline. As a fan of the GNR I see a C1 Atlantic. Super replica.

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

I agree, she sounds very good compared to 563 which I think is the blandest sounding loco ever made

[@themodster]

Thanks!

[@TheHoveHeretic]

​@@Northerner_Transport_HubThose old Z port slide valves, coupled with lowish boiler pressures on Victorian era machines, are the most efficient sound baffles ever fitted to steam locos. TBF, comparing the T3, which wasn't the most cutting edge design when built, with the H2, effectively a modified edition of an up to date express loco, would be like comparing an N15x with a West Country Class. Looks like 32424, which sounds as good as it's appearance suggests, isn't going to have too much trouble with standard 6 carrige rakes!

[@alistairkewish651]

Been interesting?

[@trainsmachineryldegmtrains3509]

Lovely images with steam locomotive in action, good work! Thumbs Up All the best from Romania Andrew

[@themodster]

Thanks for the kind words Andrew

[@abloogywoogywoo]

A lovely loco on a lovely line.

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

wow, lovely engine....

[@984francis]

Very even beats, splendid altogether.

[@themodster]

Sounding on top form.

[@SimonTog]

Super video Thomas and nice sound :)

[@themodster]

Cheers Simon

[@dis80786]

Loving the song of a Yellowhammer to compliment this video

[@TABRO284]

Sounds good. Looks good.

[@nickkaveney1000]

Wow. Beautiful.

[@levelcrossing150]

What a likeable engine.

[@user-zr6ep3gr7q]

Superb video ; lighting, composition, editing...100%

[@themodster]

Thank you Paul

[@alistairkewish651]

On the 7 mm side of things, even FH was seduced by the now eccentric wheel arrangement of the Atlantics. Then came the Depression and only in 37 did a fairly accurate steam loco appear on the market. I personally like any 4-4-2 wheel arrangement. It breaks the monotony.

[@robertmiller9184]

Looking forward to our booked trip behand the H2 in august.

[@SunshineArsenal]

Amazing video as always✌🏻

[@themodster]

Cheers

[@LukeAlfordUKsteam]

I was wondering how to find information about these test runs with a plan to see them myself. Thanks, Luke

[@mattlander9119]

Bit late now but they were done as and when around the service trains on weekdays. It also depends on if the works staff were needed for running repairs to the running fleet or tweaks needed on Beachy Head.

[@andrewhotston983]

Visited the Bluebell Railway last Saturday. I hoped the Atlantic might be out and about on test, but it was dead on shed at Sheffield Park. Ah well...

[@mattlander9119]

It's unlikely to be out at weekends due to the more public and dining trains running.

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Got quite a bark to her! Can’t wait for giants of steam

[@themodster]

Cheers Luke, she certainly does. Looking forward to seeing her in action on public services.

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

So cool that her boiler is from the original, same for tender frames and regulator. Is anything else from an original Atlantic?

[@rowejon]

According to the Bluebell website the boiler is from a GNR atlantic.

[@mattlander9119]

It's an Ex GNR C1 Atlantic boiler which is almost identical to the LBSC one the tender frames and wheels are original LBSC and the whistle and regulator handle are apparently from Beachy Head

[@ieuandavies4134]

I'm afraid that you have been given incorrect information. The boiler is from a GNR Large Atlantic locomotive, and the tender chassis from an ex-LB&SCR B4 class.

[@themodster]

The description states that some parts of the engine are original, some of which are from the original 32424, but not all, nor saying which specifc parts. I'm aware some parts of the new engine are not from 32424 as you say.

[@bob-sb2zu]

Is there any reason this loco is in BR black livery when it could be in a variety of more relevant liveries ??

[@mattlander9119]

It's very relevant as it's how the building team remembers it before it was scrapped in 1958. It also has the mods done by the SR to the cab, tender and other areas so it can't carry LBSC livery. It was always going to be BR black but in later boiler tickets it will carry other liveries.

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

@@mattlander9119 It doesn't have ANY mods 'done by the SR'. It's a new build. Why anybody would re-create a pre-Grouping locomotive, and then disgiise it as something more modern is beyond my comprehension. Another lost opportunity.

[@alistairkewish651]

No smoke vents in Sharpthorne?

[@user-ie5ro8fn3i]

Hi Thomas, very good video ,top marks , not a whisper of unwanted steam,Do you use a UV filter.......Dave 😃👍👍👍👍🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂 locomotive67

[@themodster]

Thanks Dave, they've certainly done a good job with it. Yes I have an ND filter attached to the camera lens.

[@user-ie5ro8fn3i]

@@themodster ,Hi Thomas , UV is recorded by your camera, UV might be better ,worth a try........Dave 👍👍👍👍🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@Alexander-km8es]

Scotsman Hey tornado how are you Tornado Not good I just found out im the second youngest steam engine now

[@definitelytransport484]

Typical I went yesterday and she didn’t do no runs