From Saturday 28th December until Wednesday 1st January, the Bluebell Railway will be operating some of its oldest locomotives and carriages on its train services between Sheffield Park & Kingscote
In late Victorian times, it was common practice to give steam locomotives a name after local towns and villages. And so the Bluebell Railway's locomotive "Birch Grove" was named in 1898 after the hamlet not far from their Horsted Keynes station. Birch Grove later became the home of former Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan
Some of the carriages in use over the New Year period will be as old as the engines. The teak Metropolitan coaches date back to 1898 and were built for commuter services between Chesham and London
In addition, the unique Great Northern Railway Directors Saloon of 1897 will be on certain trains serving tea and other refreshments
Carolyn Gray, Marketing Manager at the Bluebell said "This really is an excellent way to say goodbye to the old year and hello to the New. All our trains are steam heated by the locomotive and this is an ideal time to snuggle up in the warm and enjoy the views from the carriage windows of the passing Sussex countryside"
Trains depart from Sheffield Park Station each hour from 11.00 am until 4.00 p.m.
For More Information Contact
Carolyn Gray
Marketing Manager
Telephone 01825 720800
To Bluebell Home Page, to the Timetable or to Special Events
Page updated 24 December 2002 by Richard
Salmon, with information from Tim Baker.