Bluebell Railway 2008 Timetable

Details of 2008 Special Events, Golden Arrow Pullman Services,
Fares, discounted Bluebell Bonus tickets and Party Bookings are also available.

Steam trains operate on the coloured dates.
The special Bluebell Bus (service 473) from East Grinstead, via Standen (National Trust), operates on all Service 1 days (except 26 December), bank holidays and for special events (except Santa Specials).
Please Note: the 473 bus service is the main means of access to Kingscote station, since there is no public car parking at Kingscote - more details on the "How to get to the Bluebell Railway" page.

Clickable Calendar:
Service 1 *** Service 2 *** Special Event Timetable *** Autumn Tints *** Santa Specials *** Engineering Work

Colour-coded clickable Timetable for 2008

On uncoloured dates no trains run, but Sheffield Park Station is normally open for limited viewing and Bar and Buffet facilities except on 25 December.

All our trains and stations are
NO SMOKING

Our carriage with wheelchair lift facilities is available on certain days of operation.
Please telephone 01825 720800 for further information.

For those without the capability to view the calendar above:
Service 1 runs on 1, 12-13, 19-20 Jan; 2-3, 9-10, 16-22 Feb; 1, 8-9, 15-16, 21-24 March;
     5-20 April; 3-5, 17-18, 24-31 May; 1, 7-8, 14-15 June;
     5-6, 12-13, 26-31 July; 1-15, 18-31 August;
     6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 Sept; 4-5, 11-12, 27-31 Oct;
     1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 29-30 Nov and 26-31 Dec (plus Jan 1st 2009).

Service 2 runs on 17-20, 25-29, 31 March; 1-4, 21-25, 28-30 April; 1-2, 6-9, 12-16, 19-23 May;
2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30 June; 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25 July; 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-30 September; 1-3 October.

Santa Specials run in December, in the run-up to Christmas

Engineering works with reduced service - 5-6, 26-27 Jan and 22-23 Nov.

A full list of Special Events is available.

Timetables

Service One
Our weekend (all year), and peak holiday-time, hourly service of two trains.

Sheffield Park (dep)         11:00  12:00  1:00  2:00  3:00  4:00  4.47*
Horsted Keynes (arr)         11:15  12:15  1:16  2:15  3:16  4.15  5:02*
Horsted Keynes (dep)         11:20  12:20  1:19  2:20  3:19  4:20
Kingscote (arr)              11:33  12:33  1:32  2:33  3:32  4:33
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kingscote (dep)              11:55   1:00  1:55  3:00  3:55  4:55
Horsted Keynes (arr)         12:08   1:13  2:08  3:13  4:08  5:08
Horsted Keynes (dep)  11:17* 12:16   1:21  2:16  3:21  4:16        5:17
Sheffield Park (arr)  11:30* 12:29   1:34  2:29  3:34  4:29        5:30

* Does not operate during January, November or December.
On Bank Holidays trains will operate to the above timetable, and additional trains may also operate to create a more frequent service.

Bus 473 Timetable for Service 1
Bus 473 runs on all Service 1 dates, bank holidays and special event weekends (but not on December 26 or for Santa Specials).

East Grinstead Stn (dep)   11:10  12:10  1:10  2:10  3:10  4:10
East Grinstead High St     11:15  12:15  1:15  2:15  3:15  4:15
Standen (National Trust)   11:20  12:20  1:20  2:20  3:20  4:20
Sports centre              11:22  12:22  1:22  2:22  3:22  4:22
Kingscote - Bus (arr)      11:30  12:30  1:30  2:30  3:30  4:30
---------------------------------------------------------------
Kingscote - Bus (dep)      11:42  12:42  1:42  2:42  3:42  4:41
Sports centre              11:50  12:50  1:50  2:50  3:50   -
Standen (National Trust)   11:52  12:52  1:52  2:52  3:52   -
East Grinstead High St     11:57  12:57  1:57  2:57  3:57   -
East Grinstead Stn (arr)   12:02   1:02  2:02  3:02  4:02  4:49

Service Two
Our mid-week off-peak service, with a single train running.

Sheffield Park (dep)       11:00   1:00   3:00
Horsted Keynes (arr)       11:15   1:15   3:15
Horsted Keynes (dep)       11:20   1:20   3:20
Kingscote (arr)            11:33   1:33   3:33
----------------------------------------------
Kingscote (dep)            12:00   2:00   4:00
Horsted Keynes (arr)       12:13   2:13   4:13
Horsted Keynes (dep)       12:16   2:16   4:16
Sheffield Park (arr)       12:29   2:29   4:29

Engineering Works

5-6 January: Trains operate an hourly service between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes only, and return. Train fares charged only at "half-line" rate.

26-27 January: - An hourly train service between Horsted Keynes and Kingscote only. No trains operate between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes due to engineering work.
Train fares charged only at "half-line" rate.
Please note that there is a FREE replacement bus service between Horsted Keynes and Sheffield Park.
Trains will be formed of the Bluebell's set of Victorian Metropolitan Railway carriages, hauled by SECR Locomoive No.65. The timetable below will apply:

Timetable for buses and trains, 26-27 Jan 2008

22-23 November: - Trains operate between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes and return, due to engineering works. Train fares charged only at "half-line" rate.

Blackmoor Vale on Freshfield - 16 Dec 2007 - Brian Easter

The Golden Arrow Pullman dining train

This is no ordinary train, with its beautifully restored coaches some dating from the 1920's on which fine food and wines are served.
The Golden Arrow Pullman operates most Saturday evenings for dinner and most Sundays for luncheon and is also available for private charter or that very special day or event. Full details available here.

Enjoy a traditional English Breakfast on board "The City Limited Pullman" on Monday 24th March, Friday 2nd May, Monday 25th August, Friday 3rd, 10th, & 24th October. Advance booking essential. More details.

Afternoon Tea will be served on board "The Sussex Belle Pullman" on the afternoon of Thursday 14th February, Monday 24th March, Friday 2nd May, Monday 25th August, Friday 3rd, 10th, & 24th October. Advance booking essential. More details.

Lounge Cars

Enjoy elevenses on the 11am train or a traditional English afternoon tea on the 3pm departure from Sheffield Park in the luxury of our new Lounge Cars. Operating most weekends in January, February, March and November. Advance booking essential and available for private charter at other times. Further details available here.

Santa Special services.

Preliminary information is now available for the 2008 Santa Special services. Further details will be available in the late Spring. Postal booking opens on 1st July, and telephone bookings will be taken from Monday 6th October 2008.

Victorian Christmas trains run on 20th, 21st, 23rd and 24th December 2008. Booking for these is already open.

Note: the bus service does not run in connection with the Santa Specials.

Special Events on the Bluebell Railway

The year's special events include our familiar annual events such as "Goods Train Weekend", "Giants of Steam" and the enormously popular "Santa Specials", as well as the annual concert by The Yetties and a Vintage Transport event in August. New for 2008 are Family Fun Weekends in June, and there's much more besides.

Special Timetables may be in operation on Special Event days, and revised fares may apply (with discount for advance booking) - Phone for details, or see Details of all these Special Events, which are provided on a separate page.

Details of timetable in use may be available on the Services for the coming week page, in the days leading up to the event, or though a special event guide, available shortly in advance by post or in person.

Autumn Tint Specials
Observation Car specials, giving the best view of the fantastic Autumn Colours - dates shown in Blue in the timetable. Autumn Tints trains depart from Sheffield Park at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3pm. Advance booking is essential as they are limited to 68 seats. To book, or for more information, please call our Customer Services Team on 01825 720800.

Bluebell Specials: April 29, 30, and May: 1, 6, 7, 8 - These run in addition to the normal timetable, and consist of just the Observation Car (built in 1913) hauled by a vintage locomotive. Bluebell Specials depart Sheffield Park at 12.00pm and 2.00pm. Advance booking as above.

Fenchurch hauls the Bluebell Special - Derek Hayward - 1 May 2007

592 North of Sloop Bridge - 4 Nov 2007 - Derek Hayward

Fares

All Line tickets (Sheffield Park - Horsted Heynes - Kingscote and return) are valid for Unlimited travel on the day of your visit.
One Stop tickets are for half the line.

First Class fares are available, subject to availability on each day.

We have Joint ticket arrangement with the National Trust (Sheffield Park Garden).

Car Parking is free at Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes Stations. (No car parking is available at Kingscote).

Please note that Members of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society enjoy a substantial savings on fares, in addition to other benefits. You could share those benefits, whilst helping to support the railway, by also becoming a member - details here.

The following fares are applicable from 12 January 2008.

Ticket Type

Adult

Child
(age 3 and under 16)

Family
(2 adults and up to 3 children)

3^rd All Line Return

£10.50

£5.25

£30.00

Bluebell Bonus 3^rd *

£10.00

£5.00

£28.00

3^rd All Line Single

£6.00

£3.00

3^rd One Stop Return

£8.00

£4.00

£20.50

3^rd One Stop Single

£5.00

£2.50

1^st All Line Return

£16.00

£8.00

Bluebell Bonus 1^st *

£15.00

£7.50

1^st All Line Single

£9.00

£4.50

1^st One Stop Return

£11.50

£5.75

1^st One Stop Single

£7.50

£3.75

Combined ticket with NT Gardens

£17.00

£8.50

Bus 473 Fares

£2.00

£1.00

£5.00

* Bluebell Bonus tickets must be purchased in advance (please telephone 01825 720800, or visit the Sales and Information Office above the Shop at Sheffield Park) and are valid for unlimited travel on the date specified at time of purchase. They must be paid and purchased at least 8 days in advance of travel and no refund is available under any circumstances.
Bluebell Bonus tickets are not valid on Special Event days, Observation Car Specials, Santa, Victorian or Pullman trains or other catering services.

Station admission tickets:
Sheffield Park, including admission to Loco shed and Museum:
Adult: £2.00, Child: £1.00, (when no train is running, £1.00)
Horsted Keynes, including Carriage Workshop viewing gallery, and various exhibitions:
Adult: £1.00, Child: 50p
Kingscote: Adult: 50p, Child: free

Special fares will apply on some Special Event days. Discount available if these are booked in advance.
These fares may change without prior notice.

Dogs are welcome, and there is even a special ticket available for them. The upper part of the field at Horsted Keynes is a good place for them to let off steam, and information about walks in the area is available from the Ticket Offices. The only restrictions are the buffet/restaurant building and Golden Arrow Pullman Dining Train, for obvious reasons. However picnic style tables are available just outside the buffet at Sheffield Park. Guide dogs are most welcome, and travel free.

Group Travel Fares 2008

Special discounts are available for groups and parties who book in advance (Tel: 01825 720800 or e-mail: groups @ bluebell-railway.co.uk), or print out a Party Booking Form. Party tickets are valid for one return journey and are not available on certain special event or Santa days. Groups who book in advance are entitled to free tickets for one organiser and bus/coach driver (not including combined, catering or other discount offers).

Parties of 10 or more (fare paying) passengers:
Adult: £8.50, Child (3 and under 16): £4.25

Party Rate for Joint tickets with National Trust Sheffield Park Garden:
Adult only: £14.00

Special fares will apply on some Special Event days. Discounted group fares available for some special events, if booked in advance - phone 01825 720800.
These fares may change without prior notice.

All our trains and stations are
NO SMOKING

Our carriage with wheelchair lift facilities is available on certain days of operation.
Please telephone 01825 720800 for further information.

Every effort will be made to run the trains and service 473 bus according to this timetable but unforeseen circumstances may entail alteration or cancellations. Bluebell Railway reserves the right to vary any of the provisions of this web page without prior notice.

Return to the Bluebell Home Page, Special Events page, or to the UK Heritage Railways Home Page
How to get to the Railway including details of Bus Service 270 from Haywards Heath
Golden Arrow Pullman Dining Train - Books and Videos by mail order
Disabled Access - Nearby Attractions - Accommodation in the area

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Ticket Type	Adult	Child (age 3 and under 16)	Family (2 adults and up to 3 children)
3^rd All Line Return	£10.50	£5.25	£30.00
Bluebell Bonus 3^rd *	£10.00	£5.00	£28.00
3^rd All Line Single	£6.00	£3.00
3^rd One Stop Return	£8.00	£4.00	£20.50
3^rd One Stop Single	£5.00	£2.50
1^st All Line Return	£16.00	£8.00
Bluebell Bonus 1^st *	£15.00	£7.50
1^st All Line Single	£9.00	£4.50
1^st One Stop Return	£11.50	£5.75
1^st One Stop Single	£7.50	£3.75
Combined ticket with NT Gardens	£17.00	£8.50
Bus 473 Fares	£2.00	£1.00	£5.00