Operation Undercover

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Phase 2, completed in early 2004, was the relatively minor project to finish the north end of the existing Locomotive Running Shed, extended by one bay, and brickwork and roof completed at that end. This was funded partly from money already raised over many years for the purpose, by new donations given specifically for this latest work, and by a contribution from the Bluebell Railway Trust. Photo during construction

What might be termed "Phase 2A" was the completion of the west side brickwork and windows of the locomotive running shed, at Sheffield Park. This was not actually an Operation Undercover project as such, being funded by the Shed wall fund and the Bluebell Railway Trust. This was completed in early 2006 - photos here and here.

The big push during 2003 was the purchase of part of the former Woodpax site at Sheffield Park, for about £300,000, money which was raised by an appeal during the first few months of the year.

The Woodpax site forms the basis for Phase 3 of Operation Undercover, which will provide covered accomodation for up to 17 carriages, a new museum building, a new loco washout pit, and the repair and reconstuction of the platform buildings and canopy and provision of toilets on platform 2 at Sheffield Park. The total project cost is £3.9 million, of which £2.875 million is covered by a grant from the heritage Lottery Fund, awarded in March 2008.

Donations to the Appeal can be sent on this form which can be printed out and sent in.

Credit and debit card donations can be made online to the Bluebell Railway Trust through the Charities Aid Foundation - search for Bluebell Railway Trust, click "Donate", and please add a note that you are donating to Operation Undercover. Gift Aid can be applied to these on-line donations, but if giving a sum of over £100, using the paper gift-aid form means we receive more of the tax reclaim.

Heritage Lottery Fund Stage Two Pass announced - we have the go-ahead for the Phase 3 project - 26 March 2008

Past news items:

• Planning consent received from Lewes District Council for the buildings. The Heritage Lottery Fund Stage Two decision is awaited - 26 February 2008
• Bluebell News article by Nicholas Pryor, including drawings of the Woodpax and platform 2 elevations, plus a Press Release concerning the application for planning permission for the scheme - 23 January 2008
• Consultants appointed to conduct a full project review, to produce a timetable and project management scheme to complete stage 2 - 17 November 2006.
• Preliminary site clearance in the old wood yard - Photo album from Dave Clarke - 15 March 2005.
• Heritage Lottery Fund Stage One Pass: Article by Nicholas Pryor and Press Release - 10 January 2005.
• Application for funding submitted to Heritage Lottery Fund, 24 March 2004.
• News of completion of the purchase of the Woodpax site, from Nicholas Pryor, 27 March 2003.
• News of exchange of contracts on the Woodpax site, and the start of fundraising, from Nicholas Pryor, 18 January 2003.
• Nicholas Pryor's Progress Report, as published in Bluebell News, December 2002.