The Bluebell Railway's Extension:
Latest Progress towards East Grinstead

See also a trackbed tour from Kingscote to East Grinstead, the Interactive map of the East Grinstead Extension, which shows the extent of track laying and photos of the progress made, and Lineside News.

One element of this year's fund-raising is the sale of "Tenner for the Tip" certificates.
Each one will pay for the removal of a quarter of a ton of the waste material from the tip,
which is all that now separates us from East Grinstead.

The 2008 share offer closed on 31st December 2008. Shares are still available for purchase by Bluebell Railway Preservation Society members (and non-members may of course join to become eligible). Details are available for how to purchase shares by instalments, or with a lump sum payment from the Society.

27 April 2009

The extraction of spoil from the north side of Imberhorne Lane bridge is almost complete. In excess of 10,000 tonnes will have been removed to the triangle at Horsted Keynes where it is being profiled for use as a picnic area with access to a small nature reserve. The use of the Class 73 Electro-Diesel has proved to be the right tool for the job as it can travel at line speed without delay to scheduled passenger trains. This week the track at Imberhorne has been re-laid to permit removal of any overspill during loading of the grampus wagons and extended under the bridge to facilitate removal of the last few tonnes of spoil.

This photo is provided by Nigel Longdon. Some other photos, also taken last week, by Derek Hayward, are also available as part of his Kingscote to East Grinstead album.

6 February 2009

The excavation of the remaining spoil north of Imberhorne Lane bridge is now in hand and spoil trains recommenced on Friday 6th February, when five round trips ran using electro-diesel 73136 "Perseverance". It is hoped that this work will be complete by the end of March.

Photos are also available from Ian Purvis (Friday 6th Feb) and from Chris Dadson (Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th Feb).

If you would like to help us, you can purchase "Tenner for the Tip" certificates - every £10 donated pays for the removal of a quarter of a ton of waste from the main part of the rubbish tip. You can also now buy a certificate through our on-line shop.

17 January 2009

On Saturday 17th January we held a hugely successful Open Day at East Grinstead, including the arrival of 4 Vep unit 3417 "Gordon Pettitt". Tom Waghorn's photo on the right shows the hand-over ceremony for the unit, presented to the Bluebell by South West Trains. The speakers were Roy Watts (BPRS Chairman), Mac Macintosh (former Engineering Director SWT), Gordon Pettitt (former General Manager of the Southern Region of British Rail), Ginnie Waddingham (Mayor of East Grinstead), and Graham Flight (Chairman of Bluebell Railway PLC).

We had 730 visitors to the site, plus invited guests and those who arrived by the VEP, and also sold 114 "Tenner for the Tip" certificates. Don't forget the auction of the first Tenner for the Tip certificate which is still open.

More news, photos and videos from the Open Day:

• Feature on the BBC web site
• News report in the East Grinstead Courier and Observer: History made as Bluebell Railway chugs into East Grinstead
• Full report on the day's events on the Southern Electric Group web site from Colin Duff.
• YouTube Video covering the journey from Woking to East Grinstead - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3, from Oliver Ashmole, ATV London.
• Photos from Chris Dadson.
• Photos from Derek Hayward
• Photos from Tom Waghorn
• Photos of the arrival of 3417 and of the event and trackbed walk from Ashley Smith
• Photos from Andrew Strongitharm
• Video from 21C123
• Video from Martin Lawrence

Further photos from the event:

73109, South-West trains EDL named in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, hauls the Vep into East Grinstead (Derek Hayward)
Network Rail staff remove the fence across our new main-line connection (Colin Duff)

The moment that unit 3417 crosses the boundary to the Bluebell - our main-line connection is inaugurated (and 3417 becomes the first item of rolling stock to arrive on the Bluebell by rail since the Ardingly branch closed in 1963.) (Colin Duff)
The Mayor of East Grinstead, Councilor Ginnie Waddingham, was among the speakers, welcoming the Bluebell to East Grinstead. (Derek Hayward)

Gordon Pettitt, former general manager of the Southern Region of British Rail, stands next to the Vep unit named after him. (Andrew Strongitharm)
Guided tours were offered over the viaduct. This is the view of the countryside on leaving East Grinstead. (Martin Lawrence)

The view of the town which will greet our passengers travelling towards East Grinstead, also showing participants of the guided tours. (Martin Lawrence)
Guided walks also continued southwards towards Imberhorne tip. (Martin Lawrence)

Portrait of Unit 3417 at East Grinstead. (Derek Hayward)

YouTube Videos of 73109 and 3417 en route to the Bluebell:

• At Woking and Clapham Junction from Justin Foulger
• At Woking, the video also features 'Clan Line' coming through with the VSOE, from Robert Bishop
• Going through West Byfleet from widerangevideos
• Passing Chertsey from bergy235
• Coming through East Croydon from hawickrfc
• On arrival at East Grinstead from HSTHoward

Derek Hayward has updated his photos of the Kingscote to East Grinstead section of his trackbed tour with photos taken during the open day and trackbed tour, and re-organised and updated the gallery.

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Note about the subsequent departure of the Vep, 22nd January

Although she was only delivered on Saturday, the railway now needs to honour its commitment to ensure that the 4 Vep is looked after. Following the hugely successful Open Day, the East Grinstead site has now reverted to a construction site and is therefore now inaccessible to people, thus isolating the unit.

With construction works due to start at East Grinstead and the unit in an exposed position, the Bluebell Railway has accepted the offer of short term accommodation at Eastleigh railway works.

Knights Rail have generously sponsored the move to the works where she will be under cover and back on the 3rd Rail. She will receive care and attention whilst she is in the works and she will certainly, along with LSWR B4 No.96 " Normandy" be representing the Bluebell at the forthcoming Eastleigh 100 event in May.

All this has happened very quickly (it left at 12.50 today in a special move organised at remarkably short notice) and we are grateful to everybody who has made this move possible; an excellent example of team work co-operation to ensure that the unit will be in a much safer store.

The unit remains in Bluebell ownership, and will of course return at an appropriate time later.

Roy Watts, Chairman

16 January 2009

In overnight engineering work, Network Rail connected us to the main line at East Grinstead on Tuesday night. The Bluebell track at East Grinstead will only run as far as the viaduct for the present, and we are set to receive the 4 Vep unit on Saturday as part of our Open Day on the East Grinstead station site.

David Chappell's photo on the left (taken on Thursday 15th) shows that, except for a little work to gauge, screw-down and ballast the last bit of track today, all was set for Saturday. The photo was taken from the end of the viaduct looking northwards. The track heading off to the right, where the digger is, will run into our new station platform, and that on the left is our main-line connection.

David's second photo below (taken today), shows our boundary with the main line.

11 January 2009

Track Laying at East Grinstead Station site

Phil Jemmison's photo shows that track-laying is under way at East Grinstead in preparation for the arrival of the 4 Vep next Saturday. The track being laid is that which will form the connection to the main-line, including trap points and the main point which will form the connection between the Bluebell station and the running line over the viaduct in its normal position, and our main-line connection when reversed.

The slewing of the actual connection to the main line has yet to be made, but work has progressed significantly since the photo to the left was taken on Thursday, as seen in Phil Jemmison's photo below (from Saturday).

30 December 2008

Extension spoil trains to resume in January

As part of the clearance work in the cutting at Imberhorne on the Bluebell's extension to East Grinstead, there is a further quantity of inert spoil material on the north side of Imberhorne Lane Bridge which we are able to move ourselves. The material will be used for civil engineering purposes at other sites on the Railway. As with the material removed from south of Imberhorne Lane Bridge a couple of years ago, this is principally soil and sandstone, which, whilst adjacent to the main rubbish tip, is not part of it as such.

This excavation, funded from part of the proceeds of the Bluebell's 2008 share issue, will take place over the coming months, conveniently coinciding with the time of year when we are running very few other trains. With the railway's hired Class 08 diesel locomotive temporarily out of service, another locomotive has been taken on short-term hire to perform this duty. No.73136 'Perseverance' is owned by the Class 73 Locomotive Preservation Co Ltd, and will be on hire for two months starting in mid-January. Its greater performance compared with the 08 will enable it to run more round-trips each day, making better use of the other plant and manpower, and also ensure that the work can be completed within the required timescale.

We have already removed about a tenth of the tip successfully, and this next phase of spoil removal gives us the opportunity to further shrink the obstacle. This has all been made possible by the share issue (for which money has continued to pour in over the last few days, in the run-up to the deadline at 3pm tomorrow). The removal of the remainder of the tip will also continue next year provided the planned fund-raising initiatives are well supported by Bluebell members and the wider public.

17 December 2008

Trial dig completed

Report from Nigel Longdon of the successful completion of the trial phase of the digging out the former rubbish tip on the extension route.

On Tuesday the final loads for the trial excavation left site. During the fourteen day trial 524 loads left site amounting to 10,386 tonnes of waste.

This trial has provided valuable information relating to the state of the waste, speed of excavation, transportation logistics and partnership working between Land & Water and Bluebell volunteers. The capping clay has been reinstated and the site will now be mothballed. Phase 1 is now complete and funding will now be reviewed for Phase 2.

The photographs (from John Sisley, left, and Andrew Strongitharm, right) show the progress that has been made in this relatively short time.

12 December 2008

Report from Nigel Longdon from the third week of digging out the former rubbish tip on the extension route.

This week we had twelve lorries in use. On Monday we achieved 45 loads, Tuesday 49, Wednesday 52, Thursday 47 and Friday 36. We are still using the Sevenoaks tip but also another near Henfield; the lorries being split between the two.

On Wednesday an additional excavator started moving spoil from under, and the trackbed north of, Hill Place bridge to within reach of the big excavator. The two photographs are from the south of the bridge (Patrick Plane) and from the north (Michael Wilson) - a view that has not be seen for many years.

A video showing the excavation work on the tip is available on YouTube from Martin Lawrence.

8 December 2008

Another report and photos from Nigel Longdon, from Friday.

Today we achieved 28 loads; Fridays will usually be less as the drivers return home and are limited to their tachograph hours. This still represents 3 loads per lorry apart from two. We have now reached trackbed level, although currently it is covered with water.

5 December 2008

Reports from this week from Nigel Longdon.

After a slow start last week the removal of waste from the tip is now in full swing and the daily number of loads is increasing - 34 on Monday 1st December and 38 on Tuesday. Ideally we'd like to move four loads each day per lorry. Towards the end of the day some loaded lorries leave site but unload the next morning: this is because the receiving site is open 07:00 - 16:00 and we have to operate 08:00 - 17:30. The excavators are working along the centre line of the tip from the north and the first part of the original cutting has been exposed.

The photographs (taken by Patrick Plane) show the exposed Hill Place bridge and the original profile of the cutting plus the excavators hard at work.

On Wednesday we used twelve lorries and achieved 46 loads - it would have been 48 but two lorries had punctures. Today's photographs below (by Michael Wilson) show further exposure of the cutting sides.

It is planned to split the loads between Sevenoaks and Lewes on Friday.

Thursday's two photographs (by Patrick Plane) show the hole slowly growing.

26 November 2008

Nigel Longdon reports:
Yesterday was a landmark in Bluebell's history: Excavation of the cutting at Imberhorne started and invited guests witnessed Virginia Waddingham the Mayor of East Grinstead and Nicholas Owen each add a bucket of rubbish to one of the lorries.

The photographs show the early morning queue of lorries (the drivers were undergoing an induction) and the first bucket load of waste being loaded. After being loaded the lorries pass through a wheel wash and complete the necessary paperwork (a task managed by Bluebell volunteers) then it's time for the first load to leave site destined for a site near Sevenoaks.

Later in the morning the guests arrived, Bernard was interviewed, then Virginia Waddingham and Nicholas Owen each loaded a bucket of waste into a waiting lorry. The final picture shows the tip face. The plan is for the trial dig to continue, possibly for three weeks, then the face of the tip will be re-capped until further funds are available.

(Photos from Nigel Longdon)

25 November 2008

Today work commenced on the next phase of the Bluebell Railway's project to reconnect the Railway with East Grinstead. Blocking the route are thousands of tonnes of domestic waste, which were dumped in the Imberhorne Cutting in the 1960's and which must now be dug out at some considerable cost.

The Mayor of East Grinstead, Councilor Ginnie Waddingham and Television Presenter Nicholas Owen, in the presence of local councilors and officers of the Railway will set the giant excavator to work on clearing the cutting, which is 500 metres long and 10-12 metres deep. The contractor, Land & Water Services will be operating their 25m-metre long reach excavator, a predecessor of which it used for work on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Photo right: The Mayor of East Grinstead, Councilor Ginnie Waddingham, at the controls of Land & Water Services long reach excavator (Jon Bowers)

Initially, the clearance will only take place for a couple of weeks, as a trial to establish the needs when work commences in full next year.

Infrastructure Director, Chris White said "This is a very exciting moment for us. It has taken many years of careful negotiation and preparation to get to this stage. We have carried out a lot of test drilling to see what material is there and putting together a methodology for its safe removal. At present the estimated cost is just that an estimate. This pilot run will enable us to make a more accurate prediction of exactly how much waste on a daily basis can be removed to landfill or sent for recycling, what it costs per day and how long absolute clearance is likely to take".

"This really does mark the beginning of visible proof of just how serious the Bluebell Railway's intent to achieve its goal is, and that it will encourage even more people to support us", said Roy Watts, Chairman of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society. "We are particularly hoping for support from the residents and businesses of East Grinstead as we believe that when the Railway terminates there it will bring economic benefit to the town".

East Grinstead Town Mayor, Ginnie Waddingham said "East Grinstead Town Council are proud to support the Northern Extension project and know members have worked tirelessly to bring the Bluebell Railway home to East Grinstead. We are delighted that we have the opportunity to be here today to see clearance begin of this final hurdle and we wait in excited anticipation for the first steam train to return to our Town. The Town Council and the people of East Grinstead are very excited about the start of the excavation works".

The pilot is being funded directly as a result of the Bluebell Railway's share offer which was launched this summer and which has raised almost £500,000. The Share Offer remains open until the 31st December. Anyone who wishes to receive a prospectus can obtain one by ringing 01825 720800 or by completing this on-line request form. A copy may also be collected from East Grinstead Museum.

Photo left: The long reach excavator loading the "official" lorry. To give you some idea of how much rubbish there is to be removed, the brick structure behind the excavator is Hill Place bridge (at the northern end of the tip) which Bluebell metals will eventually pass underneath and from where Chris White was interviewed for the BBC news item. (Jon Bowers)

19 November 2008

David Chappell's photos above show that Imberhorne is not the only work location at present. Our future station site at East Grinstead is being prepared for track laying; the second photo also shows that the viaduct remains secured by our security gates.

Also our volunteer P-way gang were at the railway for an early morning delivery of 70 lengths of rail one Sunday recently, as we prepare for constructing the final phases of the extension.

9 November 2008

Work for the preparation of the site prior to excavation of the tip is continuing. The access roads (Nigel Longdon's picture above shows the exit road), site compound and car park are complete and a wheel wash installed (Nigel's second picture above). A metal roadway across the tip remains to be installed.

David Chappell's photos below, taken two weeks before, show the sub base for the access roads that have been constructed into our temporary compound at Imberhorne.

Please note that the site remains accessible to authorised persons only, and people should not attempt to stop on the nearby road to attempt to view progress since this may harm our relations with our neighbours by obstructing the road.

The following note reports on the Progress with the Share Issue, and the planned launch of the excavation later this month.

The Share Offer has now raised £419,000.

The site compound at the Imberhorne Bridge is under construction. A major press publicity event is being organised to mark to the start of the actual excavation. It is planned that TV Presenter Nicholas Owen and Councillor Virginia Waddington, the Mayor of East Grinstead will formally set the giant excavator into action.

The event is by special arrangement with the contractors. The site is not open to visitors at anytime and the excavation will not be visible from the road.

Some of the remaining copies of the Share Prospectus are being delivered directly to homes in East Grinstead. There are plenty of copies available in the shop and the booking offices, for visitors to take away, or a copy may be requested through this on-line form.

The length of time the excavation is continues in the New Year depends entirely on how many applications for shares are received in the next few weeks.

The share offer closes at 3pm on New Year's Eve.

Roger Kelly
7 November 2008

3 November 2008

19 October 2008

It is some time since I provided an update regarding progress on the Northern Extension Project; much has been happening.

At East Grinstead further preparation is under way for the eventual construction of the platform and track layout. Initial service ducts have been laid below the planned link with Network Rail track and manholes are being built. A start has been made marking out the trackwork alignment.

At Imberhorne the site earmarked for the access roads, site compound and car park required by the contractors removing the tip was cleared of vegetation in September.

This week work commenced in grading the area ready for the construction of the access roads and other facilities (as seen in this photo). It remains a goal to have two week's trial excavation of the tip before the end of this year, subject to adequate finance and suitable weather. This site remains off-limits to all except those involved in the works. Sightseers are specifically asked to keep away as we are obliged not to obstruct access to the adjacent amenity site.

At the north end of the tip the south parapet wall of Hill Place bridge is being cleared of vegetation and soil to below the corbelling prior to the tip excavation being started and to enable the state of the brickwork to be inspected.

South of Imberhorne Lane bridge the vegetation is being cut back again, working towards Kingscote. We hope to keep this in check as the opening of the line to East Grinstead approaches.

As always we welcome new volunteers to the Saturday gang and there are opportunities for volunteers to undertake some roles during the excavation of the tip. If you are interested in either please contact me by e-mail.

29 August 2008

Clearing of Imberhorne Cutting

The press release, which explains what is planned in more detail is available here.

If any volunteers are interested in helping man the site compound there are a number of roles Bluebell can undertake thus saving considerable manning costs. These activities are being co-ordinated by Nigel Longdon (e-mail or 'phone: 020-8679 3732) & Ian Aitken so please contact them in the first instance for more information.

12 July 2008

Target - East Grinstead

The press release is available here.

26 May 2008

Progress with East Grinstead station site

On Monday 19th May work started to clear the whole site as far as the viaduct and level the ground in preparation for marking out the station and track formation. The photographs illustrate (left) the site as taken over - 16th May, and (right) the progress made by 24th May.

April 2008

Clearance of vegetation on the tip site completed

The photo of the extent of the tip, after chipping was complete, is by Patrick Plane. That showing the larger of the chippers used, was taken on 20th March by Nigel Longdon.

18 March 2008

Chipping of the cleared vegetation on the tip site

Chipping of the brash is now under way and should be completed by 20th March.

6 March 2008

Clearance of the vegetation on the tip site almost complete

All this would not have been possible without the tremendous volunteer support that we have received and the favourable weather - just one overcast working day during the whole period.

The photo on the right by Steve Fairweather shows clearance work in progress on 1st March.

Please note that the site remains off-limits to all except authorised persons.

15 February 2008

First two weeks work on Tip site

The terrain on top of the tip is quite wet and challenging in places. This is primarily the domain for the strimmer operators and Wellingtons are a necessity.

Photos: Before (30 January) by Jon Bowers and After (9 February) by Steve Fairweather.

A pattern of working has developed concentrating on Wednesdays and Saturdays with an average of about fifteen volunteers each day. Further assistance will be welcome - contact Nigel Longdon (by e-mail or 'phone: 020-8679 3732). Please remember this site continues to be restricted to those participating in the official working parties.

28 January 2008

Work to start on Tip

Chris White, Bluebell Railway Infrastructure Director, is pleased to announce that West Sussex County Council will shortly issue a licence authorising the clearance of vegetation and trees on the tip between Imberhorne Lane and Hill Place Farm occupation bridge in preparation for the eventual excavation of the cutting. The licence will cover the period 28th January until 6th April 2008 and is subject to strict conditions. For this reason there will be no unauthorised work on or access to the tip. All work will be supervised by the two Team Leaders, Ian Aitken and Nigel Longdon. It is planned that regular working parties will be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays plus two other weekdays. If you are interested in assisting with this project please contact Nigel Longdon (by e-mail or 'phone: 020-8679 3732). Volunteers must be members of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society.