Bluebell Railway - 2009 Special Events

July - Aug - Sept - Oct - Nov - Dec

For 2009 we will be aiming to emulate the success of 2008, which was again a good year for Special events on the Bluebell. Giants of Steam will be back in 2009, which for 2008 had become a S&D themed event featuring the visit of S&DJR 7F locomotive 53809 (as seen above). Another innovation last year, which continues for 2009, is the hugely popular Family Fun Weekends, our traditional English Summer Fair, in June - as seen in the second of Derek Hayward's two photos above.

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.

• Sun. 22nd March, Mothers' Day
• Sun. 10th May, (Southern at War weekend)
• Sun. 21st June, Fathers' Day
• Sun. 27th September

•   Sat 17 January 2009: Open Day at East Grinstead, to welcome the "celebrity" blue electric unit, No. 3417 'Gordon Pettitt', to our East Grinstead station site. Report of the event.
  
•   Sat 7 - Sun 8 February 2009: P-class Special Trains running during the visit of SECR P-class locomotive No.753.
• 14 & 15 February: Valentines Day Wealden Rambler Afternoon Tea Special trains (NB: fully booked)
• Sat 21 - Sun 22 February: Branch Line Weekend with SECR locomotives featuring prominently - Report and photos
  
•   7 March Wealden Exclusive - the Bluebell's first diesel hauled passenger train behind Class 73 number 73136
• 21 & 22 March Mothers' Day: Wealden Rambler Afternoon Tea Special train
  
•  4 April (Saturday): Toy and Rail Collectors Fair
• 10-13 April Easter Eggstravaganza - Good Friday to Easter Monday - Easter fun.
• 20-24, 27-30 April & 1 May Spring Observation Car Specials
  
•  5, 6, 7 & 8 May Bluebell Specials
• 9 & 10 May Southern at War - recalling the days of the Second World War with enactors, military vehicles, displays and concert parties, plus a flypast from the Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
  
•  20 & 21 June Fathers Day Wealden Rambler Ploughman Lunch Specials
• 20, 21, 27 & 28 June Family Fun Weekend - our Traditional English Summer Fayre

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

• 4 July An evening with the Yetties
  The popular threesome from Dorset are back. Book tickets online through our shop

• 25 & 26 July Toy and Rail Collectors Fair
  A whole weekend opportunity to collect that little railway nick knack you have always been hunting for

• Throughout August: Children's activities -
       Each Wednesday Punch & Judy shows.
       Every Thursday try the Bluebell Quiz.
       Each Friday see the Magic Shows.
       Every Sunday find the hidden Teddy Bears.
  All of this in addition to our normal hourly (two-train) service of steam-hauled trains.

• 15 & 16 August Vintage Transport Weekend
  Vintage cars, motorcycles, traction engines and trains combine to make a weekend of transport nostalgia. Advance information available, including booking and enquiry details. A Free Vintage Bus Service will operate on the Sunday.

• Sunday 23 August 'Flavours from Sussex' Food Fair - 10am to 5pm in our field at Horsted Keynes Station, in conjunction with the Haywards Heath Co-op. There will be stalls with local suppliers selling and giving samples of local produce. Entry will be by train travel ticket or platform ticket and you can of course save money by purchasing Bluebell Bonus travel tickets at least 8 days in advance.

• Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September 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 12th September Behind Bluebell: Open Day
  To launch our 50th anniversary celebrations we will be holding an open day. Come and discover the Bluebell Railway from a behind-the-scenes perspective and see 50 years of railway preservation at work.

• 26 & 27 September Wealden Rambler Grandparents Afternoon Tea on board our popular Lounge Car Train. Advance booking essential - phone 01825 720800

• 5-9, 12-16 & 19-22 October Autumn Tints Observation Car Specials - phone 01825 720800 to book - more details.

• 23, 24 & 25 October Giants of Steam
  Our larger locomotives take to centre stage with a visiting engine. A Free Vintage Bus Service will operate on the Sunday.

• 31 Oct & 1 Nov Wizard Weekend
  All kinds of mysterious happenings around the railway. Dare you be here?

• 31 Oct & 1 Nov Wizard Weekend
  All kinds of mysterious happenings around the railway. Dare you be here?

• 2-6 & 9-13 November Autumn Tints Observation Car Specials - phone 01825 720800 to book - more details.

• 15 November Vintage Bus Running Day
  Vintage bus services to and from the Bluebell Railway

• Sat 5 December: Horsted Keynes Carol Service on the platforms of Horsted Keynes station with the Bluebell Railway Band and the Rector of Horsted Keynes; from 7.30pm.
• Sat 5, Sun 6, Sat 12, Sun 13, Sat 19, Sun 20, Weds 23 & Thurs 24 December: Santa Specials. Postal and online booking now open.
• Sat 19, Sun 20, Weds 23 & Thurs 24 December: Victorian Christmas Special Trains - Booking now open - Book online or phone 01825 720800!

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