Bluebell Railway - Special Events

Nov - Dec - 2009

2007 was yet another good year for Special events on the Bluebell. Bluebell 125 was one of the biggest for some time, including a cavalcade and several unusual trains such as the mixed working behind the Dukedog (left - photo by Richard Thomas). Giants of Steam brought together four Bulleid Pacifics as seen on the right, in Derek Hayward's photo.

Special Timetables may apply on Special Event days.
These are usually available on the Services for the coming week page (which is aimed mainly at enthusiasts), in the days running up to the event.
For larger events a detailed event guide is often available in advance (with details on the individual page for that event).

Special Events Discount: We are pleased to offer discounted tickets for some of our special events, if purchased more than one month in advance.

•   Tuesday 1st January: Vintage Trains - Celebrate the New Year in style - our oldest locomotives hauling Victorian and Edwardian carriages.
  

•   Thursday 14 February: Valentine's Day Specials
  
• Saturdays and Sundays in February: Auto trains - The Bluebell was host to Great Western Railway locomotive number 1450 and the Auto Coach Trailer number 178
• Saturday 16th to Friday 22nd February: Kids for a Quid at Half Term
• Sat 23 - Sun 24 February: Branch Line Weekend
  

•   Sundays 2nd and 9th March: Mothers' Day Cream Teas on board the Lounge Car.
• Good Friday to Easter Monday 21-24 March: Easter at the Bluebell
• Friday 28 March: Photo charter with SR U-class 2-6-0 No.1638 and loose-coupled SR-period goods train - photos here
• Sat 29 - Sun 30 March: Goods Train Weekend - Photo report
  

•   Monday to Friday 7-11 & 14-18 April: Stepney Farewell Specials
• Fri 18 April: Rail Ale Train
• Sun 20 April: Toy and Rail Collectors Fair
• Sat 26 - Sun 27 April: Built at Brighton - An enthusiast weekend to say goodbye to 'Stepney' and 'Birch Grove', both due to be withdrawn for overhaul.
• Tues 29 & Weds 30 April: Bluebell Specials
  

•   Thurs 1, Tues 6, Weds 7 & Thurs 8 May: Bluebell Specials
• Sat 10 - Sun 11 May: Southern At War Weekend, with the home guard, a spitfire flypast, military vehicles, and concert parties.
  

•   Sun 15 June: Fathers' Day Ploughman's Lunch
• Sun 15 June: Songs of Praise - special evening train from Horsted Keynes for a summer evening Songs of Praise service
• Sat 21 - Sun 22 and Sat 28 - Sun 29 June: Bluebell Family Fun Weekends - a traditional English country fair.
  

•   Fri 4 & Sun 6 July: Victorian Picnic Evening - This popular event is repeated on 5-6 September.
• Sat 5 July: An Evening with The Yetties - The popular threesome from Dorset
• Sat 19 - Sun 20 July: Toy and Rail Collectors Fair
  

•   Throughout August: Children's activities
• Summer Bluebell Saver from Saturday 26th July to Sunday 31st August (except 16-17 August)
  Book and pay for tickets at least 8 days in advance, so no longer available for this August.
• Sat 16 - Sun 17 August: Vintage Transport Weekend - Vintage cars, traction engines and trains combine to make a weekend of transport nostalgia.
  

•   Fri 5 & Sat 6 September: Victorian Picnic Evening - A special evening train and evening Music Hall show.
• Sat 6 & Sun 7 September: Bluebell Ramble - a 5 mile ramble from Horsted Keynes
• Sun 21 September: Grandparents Cream Tea - Our Grandparents Special "Wealden Rambler" train was full so we added Afternoon Tea on Pullman Car Lilian
• Monday 22nd September to Friday 3rd October Seniors for a Fiver
  

•   Fri 17, Sat 18 & Sun 19 October: Autumn Steam Gala. This year's special autumn event takes a Somerset and Dorset theme
• Sat 25 - Sun 26 October: Wizard Weekend - All kinds of mysterious happenings around the railway.
• Autumn Tints Specials - Observation Car specials, giving the best view of the fantastic Autumn Colours - Mondays to Fridays, 6 October to 14 November
  

•   Sun 16 November: Vintage Bus Running Day - Free vintage bus services to and from the Bluebell Railway.

• Sat 6 December: Horsted Keynes Carol Service. Come and enjoy our evening carol service on the platforms of Horsted Keynes station from 7.30pm.
  The Bluebell Railway Band will be in attendance along with our oldest steam locomotive "Fenchurch" who is known for joining in with a carol or two!
  This year we are pleased to welcome the Revd Alan Carr, the Vicar of neighbouring All Saints Church at Highbrook, which can be seen from our trains as they depart Horsted Keynes station en route to Kingscote. Alan will lead us in our service of song and prayer, which will last about an hour.
  The station refreshment room will be open for the sale of teas, coffees and mulled wine throughout the evening from 6.30pm
• Sat 6, Sun 7, Sat 13, Sun 14, Sat 20, and Sun 21 to Weds 24 December: Santa Specials. The children receive presents from Father Christmas. Postal and telephone bookings now open. Booking details.
• Sat 20, Sun 21, Tues 23 & Weds 24 December: Victorian Christmas Special Trains - booking for these very popular trains is already open!

2009

• Sat 7 - Sun 8 February 2009: P-class Special Trains running during the visit of SECR P-class locomotive No.753.
  Departures from Horsted Keynes at 10.45, 12.47 and 2.48 for a round trip of the line.
  Seats limited to 24 First and 24 Third per trip. Bookings being taken - phone 01825 720800 - Discount on tickets purchased before 31st January.

• Sat 21 - Sun 22 February 2009: Branch Line Weekend. Advance notice - up to 6 locos in steam, with SECR locomotives featuring prominently, including a visit by the only SECR locomotive not already based on the Bluebell (P-class No.753). Discount on tickets purchased before 31st January.

• Friday 3rd and Sunday 5th July 2009 Victorian Picnic Evening - A special evening train, with exclusive compartments of your own, and an Old Time Music Hall show. Bookings now being taken.

• Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September 2009 Victorian Picnic Evening - A special evening train, with exclusive compartments of your own, and an Old Time Music Hall show. Bookings now being taken.

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