Bluebell Railway History

• Early Days 1 - The start
• Early Days 2 - 1961
• Early Days 3 - 1962
• Early Days 4 - 1963/4

• "Fenchurchiana" - Some 1960s photos, and an item from The Railway Magazine published in February 1941.

The earlier history of the L&EGR is adapted from Chailey through the Centuries by Edwin Matthias 1983, having been originally published on the web on the currently defunct Chailey web site.

Predating the L&EGR, the Ouse Valley Railway was planned as a line cutting though our area. Construction was started but abandonned at an early stage. Had this line been built, it is certain that the present Bluebell line would never have existed! You can read about the history and remaining artefacts of the line on the HorstedKeynes.com web site and an article which appeared in The Railway Magazine in September 1951, reproduced as a pdf file with permission, by SEmG.

Iron was made in the Weald from pre-Roman times until the beginning of the 19th century. There are hammer ponds and forge sites near the Bluebell. For more information, see the Wealden Iron Research Group web site.

A series of pages about the history of Kingscote Station with material from Roger Barton and Martin Skrzetuszewski.

The tragic story of the wartime newly weds killed whilst walking home down the line in 1943 is told on the HorstedKeynes.com web site.

Personal Recollections of the Bluebell Line
This section of the web site features individuals' recollections of past visits to the railway. If you have such a memory which you wish to submit for possible inclusion here, please e-mail the Web Site Editor, Richard Salmon.

1. Daniel Wilson recounts a visit, by train, in 1956 to the Sheffield Park Sawmill.
2. Martin J.N. Payne remembers the 1955 closure, and a local Sharpthorne character.
3. Martin Ternouth recalls his visits, in 1957 and on the day of the second closure, 16 March 1958.
4. Mike South's account of why the LSWR Gate Stock didn't get preserved, and other memories of Early Bluebell Days.

Biography
Recording the lives of railway staff and personalities.

1. Stepney's Driver: Frederick Hutchings - 50 years with the LBSCR, SR & BR

The history of the extension of the Bluebell, from its original 5-mile length, to its present nine miles, together with the planned and possible further extensions are covered on the extension page.

The development of the Bluebell can also be traced by the changing track layouts of the various stations:

• Horsted Keynes
• West Hoathly
• Kingscote

On a slightly different track, and not specifically related to the Bluebell Railway, Railway Tales is a CD containing an affectionate record of the people who worked on a quiet country railway line between the two great wars.

• West Hoathley station, Sharpthorne Tunnel;
• From the tunnel to Horsted House Farm;
• Horsted Keynes Station;
• South of Horsted Keynes, including Sheriff Mill Viaduct;
  Ardingly Branch:
  • Lywood Tunnel;
  • Ardingly Station;
  • Ardingly to Copyhold Junction;
• Cockhaise Mill;
• Freshfield;
• Ketches Farm;
• Sheffield Park; the station, house and gardens
• South of Sheffield Park

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Return to Bluebell Home Page, to the Timetable or to Special Events
History of the Bluebell:- L&EGR - Early Days 1 - Early Days 2 - Early Days 3 - Early Days 4 - Kingscote Station - Fenchurch
Personal Recollections of the Bluebell Line: Daniel Wilson - Martin J.N. Payne - Martin Ternouth - Early Bluebell Days: Mike South
Biography: Frederick Hutchings - 50 years with the LBSCR, SR & BR
Track Layouts through the years: Horsted Keynes - West Hoathly - Kingscote. More to come later!
Map showing how the line relates to other railways in the locality.
The Extension

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