How to help the Bluebell Railway

Could you help us?

There are many way in which you could support the railway. First, though, it is probably useful to explain a little about our organisation. The Railway is essentially operated by its volunteers, managed by volunteer directors, most of whom are also Trustees of the Preservation Society (BRPS), who are elected by the membership. The Preservation Society is the majority shareholder in the not-for-profit company (Bluebell Railway PLC) which runs the railway, and thus BRPS controls the PLC.

Join the Society
The most fundamental support you can give is through joining the BRPS, and in this way you become a part of the heart of the Railway. It is from the large supporting membership that the railway draws its strength. In exchange for your membership you receive our quarterly magazine, Bluebell News and various other benefits as set out on the membership page.

Become a volunteer
Membership is a precondition of working on the railway as a volunteer. By becoming involved not only can you put a lot more into the railway, but you'll also get a lot out of it. Whilst the Railway has some full-time staff, most functions are undertaken by volunteers (and indeed many aspects are handled exclusively by volunteers). The railway could not operate without its volunteers. There is a niche for everyone, with an enormous variety of roles to be undertaken.

Support via the Bluebell Railway Trust
Our own Registered Charity, No.292497, The Bluebell Railway Trust is able to accept legacies, covenants, gift-aid donations or CAF vouchers, either for the Trust's general funds or for specific projects which fall within its remit. Some fund raising appeals are undertaken though the Trust, and the ability for the Trust to reclaim £28 of tax on every £100 given under Gift Aid, together with the potential projects which legacies (exempt of inheritance tax) enable us to undertake, are some of the principal benefits the Trust brings.

As a shareholder in the PLC
Although the BRPS is the majority shareholder in the PLC, many individuals, often also members of the Society, are also shareholders. This has been a useful method of raising capital for the expansion of the railway. It is hoped to launch a further share issue in the coming months, to raise capital for various projects including the completion of the extension to East Grinstead. The PLC has authority to issue a further 6 million shares, and so the new share issue is likely to be the largest yet seen in the heritage railway movement. Until then the only way to purchase shares (at £1 per share, in blocks of 100 shares) is through the BRPS members' share purchase scheme. Details of the members' share purchase scheme are available from the BRPS Treasurer, Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex, TN22 3QL.

Support one of our Fund-Raising appeals

Operation Undercover (for overhead cover for rolling stock)
Bluebell Railway Atlantic Group (to reconstruct a Brighton H2 Atlantic locomotive) - Specific components of the locomotive can be purchased.
Fenchurch Fund (now raising funds for overhaul of Loco SECR No.27)
LSWR Coach Restoration Project (restoring LSWR Coach No.1520)
BASH (restoration of the four Metropolitan coaches)
Maunsell Locomotive Society

Buy your railway books, videos and DVDs though our Shop at Sheffield Park, or
Second hand items are sold through the Carriage Shop at Horsted Keynes.

Used Postage Stamps are collected for fund raising by Tony Pond, 26 Hesketh House, Cawte Road, Southampton SO15 3SN. Please note that these can no longer be left for Tony at the railway.
They are also collected by Steve Pilcher of the Maunsell Locomotive Society (see above)

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