Bluebell Railway web site:
Site Update Archive 2009

Please be aware that due to the historical nature of this page, some of the links on it may be out of date.

Also see the 2008, the 2007, the 2006, the 2005, the 2004, the 2003, the 2002, the 2001, the 2000, the 1999 and the 1997-8 "What was new" archive pages.

Photographic and video reports 2009:
Please note that some photos included below are taken by volunteers and staff during the course of their duties, and so may have been taken in areas not open to the general public. These photos are very valuable, since they enable the public to see these otherwise hidden facets of the railway, but visitors to the railway should note that they may be unable to visit these locations themselves.

• Large number of photos from Wouter Adriaanse covering the working visit of P-way volunteers (Weg & Werken on Tour) from our twin railway, Museum Stoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik, when they were helping us with track maintenance on the Bluebell at the end of April.
• Derek Hayward: the spoil train/Imberhorne Lane, Spring Specials, Vintage buses at Kingscote on 26 April and general photos covering the new memorial garden at Horsted Keynes; Ketches Halt (prior to dismantling); Repaint of 4279 etc,
• The Return to Steam of 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" - 24, 25, 26 April 2009
  • BBC local news coverage, and a video on the BBC website.
  • Update on the Bulleid Society Website
  • Photos from Derek Hayward
  • A new gallery from Paul Pettitt,
  • Andrew Strongitharm's photos from the Sunday plus a video on You Tube showing the three trains we had running that day. Also some photos from the Saturday.
  • Video of 34059 on the Saturday by Howard Strongitharm.
  • Mark Andrews' Flickr gallery includes photos of Friday's re-launch event.
  • Bryan Benn's photos from 24th and 25th
  • Videos from Martin Lawrence showing - 34059 and 592 on the Saturday
  • Ashley Smith's photos from the Saturday, and Friday
  • Dave Chambers photos from the Friday
  • Two videos put on YouTube by Aiden Grant - at three-arch bridge and north of Horsted Keynes
• Our Dukedog 9017 in BR Black on the Llangollen Railway - April 2009:
  • Photos by Clive Hanley taken on Saturday 18th April where it really was the big star at the gala: a recreation of a Festiniog Railway Special, near Carrog with the first train of the Gala, on the headshunt at Llangollen, and crossing the River Dee.
  • Nigel Pitt has a gallery of photos from a "Cambrian Coast Express" recreation charter featuring 9017, early in the morning, 22nd April 2009
  • Mark Walker has some photos of our Dukedog in his gallery, including a great one of the cavalcade led by the 9017 on the final Sunday (26 April).
  • Clive Hanley has a video of the cavalcade taken by his wife (which really captures the atmosphere - i.e. the noise of the whistles), and some more photos: 9017 arrives at Berwyn, waiting to leave Glyn, taking water at Llangollen and another of the cavalcade.
  • Stephen Gardiner's photos of the Steel Steam and Stars 2
• Derek Hayward's photographic update, covering the Spring Specials, Golden Arrow, 34059, an update from Sheffield Park Shed and Workshops, Planning at West Hoathly, and the first spring lambs have appeared to entertain the children! - 23-24 April 2009
• Andrew Strongitharm's photo gallery featuring the Observation Car Spring Specials and the 300-club train with Sir Archibald Sinclair - 20-21 April 2009
• Chris Dadson's photos with Fenchurch on the Spring Specials, Sir Archibald Sinclair on the 300 Club train, and the 08 on an extension works train - 21 April 2009
• Ray Wills has posted half a dozen (unofficial) pictures of 34059 at a pre-launch photo-call on his fotopic site - 20 April 2009
• Two YouTube videos from Aidan Grant: 1638 and 592 emerge from Sharpthorne Tunnel - 13 April 2009
• Chris Dadson's new photos of Imberhorne Lane cutting, showing the tidied up south end of the cutting following removal of the inert spoil from under the bridge up to the start of the rubbish tip proper - 9 April 2009
• Andrew Strongitharm's photos of 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" nearly completed and undergoing final testing, after final painting, numbering and lining, and a video on YouTube - 6-7 April 2009
• Photos from Saturday from Matthew Toms - on Flickr and Fotopic (jointly with James Cummins) - 4 April 2009
• Ashley Smith's gallery of photos - 4 April 2009
• Photo charters with the Dukedog at Llangollen in BR black: Paul Maycock's gallery of photos, Jon Bowers' video compilation of No.9017 on two photo-charters, Richard Thomas' gallery of photos of a Goods Train charter - 26 March -1 April 2009
• Dave Clarke's photos showing the completed excavation of inert spoil from under and north of Imberhorne Lane bridge on our East Grinstead extension, and a photo of the SECR H-Class being dismantled for overhaul in the loco works - 22 March 2009
• Derek Hayward's gallery of photos including members of the 9F club with our President Bernard Holden, four locos in steam, and the Bluebell Railway Band playing at Sheffield Park - 22 March 2009
• Dave Clarke's photos of the relaunch train for SR Maunsell drop-light open third carriage No.1336, and also the re-instatement of the Kingscote running-in board following overhaul by members of the C&W department - 16 and 14 March 2009
• Martin Lawrence's videos: No.80151 at Sloop Bridge, No.592 on Freshfield bank, No.592 at New Coombe Crossing, No.592 at Sharpthorne, No.80151 at New Coombe Crossing, No.80151 at Lindfield Wood, No.592 in Lindfield Wood, No.1638 at Nobles Bank with the Lunchtime Pullman, No.80151 at Nobles Bridge, P-way Wickham car heads toward Horsted Keynes, No.80151 from Nobles Bridge to Caseford Bridge and No.592 at Caseford Bridge - 14-15 March 2009
• Keith Duke has a gallery of spoil extraction and spoil train pictures - 13th March.
• Chris Dadson's videos of the spoil removal, from the rear cab of the loco: The JCB digger at the Imberhorne Lane railhead loading inert spoil into the Grampus wagons, a loaded spoil train departing from the railhead at Imberhorne Lane, and a laden spoil train passes through Kingscote Station on its journey from Imberhorne Lane to Horsted Keynes - 10 March 2009
• The Wealden Exclusive - hauled by 73136 (E6043) "Perseverance" - is covered with a video from Martin Lawrence at Sharpthorne, a photo gallery from Paul Pettitt, a report on the SEG web site from Colin Duff, and a video of the morning's ECS movement from Richard Salmon - 7 March 2009
• Derek Hayward has a gallery of wildlife found on the Bluebell's linside - 7 March 2009
• Chris Dadson's series of photos showing the excavation of spoil from the south end of Imberhorne cutting - 20, 26 February, 6 March 2009
• Paul Pettitt's photos of the Branch Line Gala and of the visit of the P-class No.753 - February 2009
• A video from Martin Lawrence shows 73136 at West Hoathly with a spoil train, and another of it arriving and unloading at Horsted - 26 February 2009
• Gallery of photos of the Branch Line weekend from Dave Bowles
• Dave Clarke's photos: testing the electric jacks in the Carriage & Wagon works, and current progress at Imberhorne Lane - 22 February 2009
• Photos and videos from the Branch Line weekend - 21-22 February 2009
• Andrew Strongitharm has added photos from half-term week to his page of February photos, and also some photos and a video of the spoil train today to his gallery of current Extension photos - 19 February 2009
• Photos of Bluebell Railway Staff are now on the "Who's Who" page. These are available as personal albums from a variety of contributors. More are welcome (albums rather than individual photos please!)
• Martin Lawrence's video shows the visiting P-class with SECR and LNWR coaches on Freshfield Bank - 14 February 2009
• Photos of the spoil extraction from the South end of the tip on the Northern Extension from Ian Purvis (6 Feb) and from Chris Dadson (9-10 Feb)
• The P-class specials:- 7-8 February 2009
  • Video from Mike Floate from Sunday
  • Andrew Strongitharm has a gallery covering the weekend's activities
  • Martin Lawrence: P-class 753, Fenchurch, SECR O1 No.65 and the double-header with Fenchurch from the Saturday, and P-class Special on the Sunday
  • Ashley Smith's photos featuring the three locos on the Saturday - the P-class, the SECR O1 and Fenchurch
• Dave Clarke's latest from around the Carriage & Wagon Works: GN Directors' Saloon, Installation of emergency lighting, Medfit 3-plank No.M480222, Birdcage Brake No.3363, Painting of Bulleid brake No.2526 and Volunteers of the C&W department - 7 February 2009
• Martin Lawrence has 4 new YouTube videos: 9017 "Earl of Berkeley" charges Freshfield Bank in a flurry of snow, 672 "Fenchurch" approaches Sheffield Park, 9017 leaves Sheffield Park, and 672 passes Ketches Halt - 1 February 2009
• Andrew Strongitharm's new gallery of photos of visiting P-class 753, photos of the extension, and the visit of 73136 "Perseverance" - 30 January 2009
• Martin Lawrence's video on YouTube shows the O1 leaving Horsted Keynes - 24 January 2009
• Chris Dadson has also provided a small gallery describing the start of the engineering work just south of Imberhorn Lane - 26 and 31 January 2009
• YouTube Video from Martin Lawrence of the 73 being used for goods guard training - 24 January 2009
• Report, photos and videos of the East Grinstead Open Day, and arrival of the 4 Vep - 17 January 2009
• Album on Fotopic from John Sandys showing work in progress at East Grinstead, and the hired 73 shunting - 15 January 2009
• Ken Upton has some photos of activity to unfreeze the Dukedog on Saturday morning, 10 January, and some photos from around the Loco yard at the Autumn Steam Gala.
• Striking gallery of photos in frosty conditions, from Nigel Pitt - 10 January 2009
• Jon Bowers' video on YouTube showing the P-way gang doing ice-clearance in the tunnel, and No.9017 approaching Horsted Keynes - 4 January 2009
• Martin Lawrence's videos on YouTube: The Dukedog northbound at Nobles (3-Arch) bridge, and the same loco at Sloop Bridge - 2-3 January 2009

Web-site Update Archive 2009

• Details now available for the Southern at War weekend (9th & 10th May), which includes a flypast by the Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on the Saturday (photo right). Photos (from Derek Hayward and Tracey Wheatley) from last year's event below.

• More from Steel, Steam and Stars II: Mark Walker has some photos of our Dukedog in his gallery, including a great one of the cavalcade led by the 9017. Clive Hanley has a video of the cavalcade taken by his wife (which really captures the atmosphere - i.e. the noise of the whistles), and some more photos: 9017 arrives at Berwyn, waiting to leave Glyn, taking water at Llangollen and another of the cavalcade.

• Update to the C&W News page for the overhaul of SECR Birdcage Brake 3363, and also to the coach's web page.

• This photo from Brian Easter was taken on Sunday: The Bluebell's Dukedog 9017 near the Glyndyfrdwy outer home, on the 4.15 from Llangollen.

• Nigel Pitt has a gallery of photos from a "Cambrian Coast Express" recreation charter featuring 9017 early last Wednesday morning.

• Closer to home, below we see David Haggar's photo of the C-class with Bulleid and Maunsell carriages on Saturday, and two from Matt Allen showing 34059, also on Saturday.

• Next below we see the 4 Vep unit in the test shed at Eastleigh on Friday, when its Bluebell Railway ownership plates were attached. It and "Normandy" will be representing us at Eastleigh 100, May 23-25.

• Finally below we see that B473 (Birch Grove) has been re-wheeled in the loco works (photo from Ashley Smith).

• This coming weekend, being a bank holiday, will see the GNR Directors' Saloon running, serving toasted tea-cakes and cream teas for anyone with a first-class ticket (or on payment of a first-class supplement). Also there will be guided tours of the Carriage & Wagon Works at Horsted Keynes at 1.25pm each day over the weekend.

• This photo from David Haggar taken on Saturday, shows 34059 in public service.
  More recent photos and videos:
  • Andrew Strongitharm's photos from Sunday (including the first photo below) on his website plus a video on You Tube showing the three trains we had running on Sunday. He also has some photos from Saturday.
  • Video of 34059 on Saturday by Howard Strongitharm.
  • Mark Andrews' Flickr gallery includes photos of Friday's re-launch event.
  • Bryan Benn's photos from 24th and 25th April.
  • Videos from Martin Lawrence showing - 34059 and 592 on Saturday
  • Ashley Smith's photos from Saturday

• The second photo below from Derek Hayward shows that the track-laying has emerged beneath Imberhorne Lane Bridge. More photos are also available as part of his Kingscote to East Grinstead album.
  A new Extension Report fills in the remaining details, thanks to Nigel Longdon.

• Brian Easter's photo below shows the Dukedog leading the 10-loco cavalcade on the final day (yesterday) of the Llangollen Railway/Betton Grange Steel, Steam & Stars II gala.

• The photo on the right from Derek Hayward shows Viscount Thurso after unveiling the name plates on 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" on Friday, with Father John, the Rector of Horsted Keynes and Chaplain to the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society preparing to bless the engine. Derek's other photo below (taken at Sloop Bridge), and Brian Kidman's also, show the Loco hauling the special Pullman train for the invited guests.
  The event has been well covered:
  • BBC local news coverage, and a video on the BBC website.
  • Update on the Bulleid Society Website
  • Photos from Derek Hayward, Ashley Smith and Dave Chambers
  • Two videos put on YouTube by Aiden Grant - at three-arch bridge and north of Horsted Keynes

• The third photo below is from Ashley Smith, showing the C-class running on the Spring Specials, also on Friday.

• Derek Hayward has also provided a photographic update from Thursday and Friday, covering the Spring Specials, Golden Arrow, 34059, an update from Sheffield Park Shed and Workshops, Planning at West Hoathly, and the first spring lambs have appeared to entertain the children!

• The photo below showing the trial assembly of one of the valve chests from Fred Bailey is taken from a new update to the pages on the Brighton Atlantic project, which also show that the coupling rods have now been delivered, and photos of the first work being carried out on the fabricated valve chests and cylinders.

• Finally some photos by Clive Hanley of our Dukedog 9017 taken last Saturday 18th April where it really was the big star at Llangollen, including the one below showing it in a recreation of a Festiniog Railway Special, together with photos of the loco near Carrog with the first train of the Gala, on the headshunt at Llangollen, and crossing the River Dee, plus this magnificent model of Dukedog 9065 Tre Pol and Pen

• Andrew Strongitharm's photo illustrates the outshopped Battle of Britain pacific 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" on Tuesday with a special train for members of the "300 Club" which has financed much of the work done on the locomotive over the last two decades. An update was also made to the Bulleid Society's page for the loco at the weekend. Tomorrow sees the official launch by Viscount Thurso (grandson of Sir Archibald Sinclair, who was the wartime Secretary of State for Air from 1940), with the loco then making its public debut over the coming weekend, hauling trains on both days.

• On Sunday 26th, in connection with East Grinstead Bus Running Day, we will run an extra early morning train: 10.17am from Horsted Keynes to Kingscote, 10.55am from Kingscote.

• Andrew's photo below shows the first day of the Observation Car Spring Specials, on Monday this week. See also his photo gallery featuring both these and Sir Archibald.

• Gallery of photos of the Branch Line weekend in February from Dave Bowles

• Could you help us by filling the voluntary post of Community Fundraiser for our forthcoming 50th Anniversary Appeal?

• 34059 visited Horsted Keynes for a photographic session on Monday afternoon. Ray Wills has posted half a dozen (unofficial) pictures on his fotopic site

• Chris Dadson's photos from Tuesday - with Fenchurch on the Spring Specials, Sir Archibald Sinclair on the 300 Club train, and the 08 on an extension works train - the track is being extended further northwards this week into the newly cleared section of cutting.

• Neil Glaskin has provided details for the BRPS Social Sub Committee's HorstedFest event, which includes a Volunteers Reunion on Sunday 24th May at Horsted Keynes Station.

• Another minor update to the Loco Roster, which now sees 34059 rostered for AGM day.

• Minor update to the Loco Roster, following 65's failure on Saturday evening with a broken spring - 592 replaces it this week - and the workshop staff have been fitting a replacement spring to 65 today, since it is due to leave for a visit to the Kent & East Sussex Railway next week.

• This substitution is illustrated by Dave Chambers' photo taken on Tuesday showing the C-Class with the Horsted Keynes set of coaches, formed of the three Maunsells and the Obo, emerging from the smoke-filled tunnel at West Hoathly.

• Tony Sullivan's photo below shows the U-class on the Sheffield Park set at Horsted Keynes with the 3pm ex-Sheffield Park today.

• Tony has also provided a photo of the main frame extension plates for 84030 in the workshop at Sheffield Park today, so the web page for the BR Standard Class 2 project has been updated.

• Photos today from Brian Kidman showing the Wednesday gang packing up after working just to the north of Ketches Halt last Wednesday (8th). It was arranged that the down service train would stop at 2.25pm to pick up workers returning to Sheffield Park - probably one of the last times the Halt will be used as the platform sections are due to be relocated to East Grinstead shortly. After the service train had arrived at Sheffield Park the Wickham was able to proceed up to Horsted Keynes, picking up the remainder of the team plus tools at Ketches on the way. Ian Aitken is seen supervising loading of the down train then awaiting arrival of the Wickham, driven by Maurice, prior to loading up.

• Article in the East Grinstead Courier and Observer today about the award by Mid Sussex District Council of a £25,000 donation towards our work to restore Imberhorne Viaduct on our Northern Extension Project.

• News update from Duncan Bourne with photos from Rob Faulkner, showing current progress of the Loco Works Working Group on SECR P-class No.178.

• Richard Thomas has a splendid gallery of photos of the Dukedog on a Goods Train charter taken at Llangollen on 1st April.

• Chris Dadson has posted new photos of Imberhorne Lane cutting, showing the tidied up south end of the cutting following removal of the inert spoil from under the bridge up to the start of the rubbish tip proper.

• Two YouTube videos from Aidan Grant: 1638 and 592 emerge from Sharpthorne Tunnel on Monday.

• The photo illustrates the new Dapol limited edition OO-gauge model of our SECR 5-plank wagon, 50899, which is now available through our on-line shop.

• New web pages for BR (SECR design) "Shark" Ballast Plough brake van DS 62864 and SECR 12-Ton Goods Van No.15750

• This weekend, in addition to the children's Easter Eggstravaganza activities, there will also be free guided tours behind the scenes in the Carriage & Wagon Department at Horsted Keynes, on Good Friday, Saturday, and Easter Monday, starting at 1.30pm.

• Update to the pages on the Brighton Atlantic project with news and photos of the first motion components being water-jet cut from the forged billets.

• The photo on the right (from John Fry) is part of another update to the Loco Works News page for the LBSCR E4 locomotive, and shows the two cylinders, one of which now has its liner fitted.

• Update to the page for volunteering in the Carriage & Wagon department.

• Norman Blake has provided the required information about the new siding behind the pumphouse siding (known as the "Hawkins" siding) to enable a correction to the track layout at Sheffield Park page.

• On some special event days when we have an RML bus on the 473 service from East Grinstead to Kingscote, the bus will start from Brighton as a new 472 service to East Grinstead via Lewes. Details added to the Access to the railway page.

• Photo from John Fry showing 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" on a test run with the Pullman set yesterday, and relates to another update on the Bulleid Society website.

• New page in the Loco Works News for the recently started overhaul of the SECR H-class No.263.

• Andrew Strongitharm took some photos of 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" at Horsted Keynes today (including that on the right), and a video on YouTube. The painting is now finished with numbering, lining and crests completed, and it is seen being lit up before returning to the Sheffield Park loco works in the late afternoon. Smoke deflectors and a few other parts will be fitted once back in the works.

• There was an update last week on the Bulleid Society web site, about final work on "Sir Archibald Sinclair" in preparation for its return to service expected on 24, 25 & 26 April.

• There is also a new Loco Works News page about the overhaul of LBSCR E4 No.2473 (Birch Grove)

• Photos from Saturday from Matthew Toms - on Flickr and Fotopic (jointly with James Cummins)

• Update to photo page for U-class No.1638 thanks to Jon Elphick

• Ashley Smith has a gallery of photos from today, including that shown here with the C-Class waiting to depart from Sheffield Park following the arrival of the Inspection Saloon special which ran today for the owners of "Perseverance".

• Reminder that tickets can be booked now for the Victorian Picnic Evening specials - the last few first class compartments are still available, but probably not for much longer!

• Don't forget the Toy and Rail Collectors Fair at Horsted Keynes station tomorrow. Service 1 (hourly) timetable in operation, with an additional train departing Horsted Keynes at 10:25am to Kingscote and returning from there at 10:55am. Also, daily running starts tomorrow - we have steam trains running every day from now until November 15th!

• Today's photo, showing 9017 in black on a photo charter at Llangollen on Tuesday, is included here with thanks to Paul Maycock, who has a gallery of photos of the engine in black.

• Minor update to the Loco Roster from Lewis Nodes.

• Did you fall for it? - I don't think we're quite ready for a diesel gala just yet!

• 10-13 April Easter Eggstravaganza - Good Friday to Easter Monday
  Easter fun for everyone:
       At Horsted Keynes Station: Easter Card making, Grass heads, Easter surprise box making, Badge making
       Other activities include: Guess the name of the bunny competition, Easter Egg hunt, Railway Easter quiz
  All included in normal ticket prices - book at least 8 days in advance for 20% off with Bluebell Bonus discount tickets.

• Rail Ale: There are still tickets available for the Real Ale evening on 17th April. Book now!

• Davey Mills has photos from a visit to the line on 22 March

• Congratulations to the Swanage Railway on the arrival of their first through train from London yesterday (BBC report) over their own "northern extension".

• The Howlden Trust held their AGM on board their GNR Directors' Saloon, attached to one of the service trains on Saturday. In a recreation of one of the saloon's last journeys on the main line (in October 1971 - attached to a Clapham Junction to Woking Yard parcels train behind an EDL) on arrival at Sheffield Park at the end of the day, E6043 "Perseverance" took the saloon for two extra trips to Kingscote in the early evening for members of the Trust (one of whom is also a part-owner of E6043) and their guests. Richard Salmon's photos (both at Kingscote) show the saloon at dusk on the second trip, and with the 73 during its run-round on the first. This operation neatly enabled the saloon to end the day safely tucked up in the shed at Horsted Keynes, so saving a separate shunting move.

• Update to the Loco Roster from Lewis Nodes, giving details of the locos expected to be in use each day in April, May and June.

• Today's featured photo, of the U-Class on a service train, was taken on Sunday by Martin Lawrence. See also his video of 65 on Freshfield Bank.

• Photo taken yesterday shows Sir Archibald Sinclair in the Paint Shop at Horsted Keynes.

• Some tickets still remain for the Visit to the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme on Saturday 25th April 2009 - contact details for reserving tickets (from Tony Sullivan) are with the details of the trip on the BRPS Social Sub-committee page.

• The Dukedog has now been painted temporarily in BR black, as seen in Jon Bowers' video compilation of No.9017 on two photo-charters in the Welsh hills, on 26th and 27th March 2009.

• Dave Clarke's photos taken last Sunday, showing the completed excavation of inert spoil from under and north of Imberhorne Lane bridge on our East Grinstead extension.

• Dave also has a photo (also taken a week ago) of the SECR H-Class being dismantled for overhaul in the loco works. The boiler is now out as well, as seen in Richard Salmon's photo taken yesterday.

• David Chappell's photo of SECR Birdcage Brake No.3363 taken yesterday, after its move into the main part of the workshop last weekend.

• Chris Cooper tells me that there are still a few places left on the BRPS Social Sub-committee visit to the Shackerstone Line in Leicestershire on Saturday 18th April.

• Holy Well Barn Bed and Breakfast added to the Accommodation near the Railway page

• Updates to various carriage pages, including the carriage fleet review articles, the introduction to the carriage fleet, and the carriage Works News, reporting the completion of the restoration and return to traffic of SR Maunsell Open Third 1336 amongst other updates.

• The flypast of a Dakota on 9th May at the Southern at War weekend will take place at Horsted Keynes at about 1.55pm

• Update to the web page for LMS drop-side wagon No.474558 with thanks to Martin Skrzetuszewski.

• Derek Hayward's photo on the right shows our centenarian President, Bernard Holden, with the railway's future, the young volunteers of our 9F Club, plus our 137-year old loco "Fenchurch", together with some of the adult 9F Club helpers. Derek also has a gallery of photos from yesterday (when with 2 service trains, the Golden Arrow lunch train and the Mothers' Day lounge-car special, we had four steam locos in action). The first two photos below are also from Derek, and show the C-class with the Lounge Cars, and the Standard Tank 80151 with the Pullmans.

• An article about Bernard Holden appears in this week's Country Life. It is the first article in their series "Best of British". Tony Sullivan's photo below shows Bernard in Pullman Car Lilian, where some of the photos to accompany the article were taken last month.

• An update from Duncan Bourne on the Loco Worshop Working Group's work on our P-class No.178, and also (belatedly) I have come across a roundup of 2008's activities from the 73082 Camelot Locomotive Society.

• Tony Sullivan's two photos from Sunday, below, completed the loco line-up; the U-class and the O1 were used on the service trains both days this weekend. The Class 73 seen in the Carriage yard at Horsted Keynes has now had its last use on the spoil trains, 10,600 tons of inert spoil from the extension having now been moved to Horsted Keynes.

• Talking of the Class 73, there has been more rubbish written recently in the specialist railway magazines. One talked about it breaking our "no diesel policy", which is something that has never actually existed. Another referred to the text about the policy on diesels on the FAQ pages on this web site, saying that the sentence: The "policy" is that the Society will consider any request to bring in any item of rolling stock (be it a loco of any type, a wagon or a carriage) on its individual merits, taking into account its potential usefulness to the railway, how it will be maintained, and how it fits into our collection. had recently been added. That sentence has in fact been there since the FAQ was written 10 years ago, and is the policy adopted at a BRPS AGM well over a decade ago when the diesel issue was hotly debated. The policy wording (specifically not a "no diesel" policy!) was agreed by democratic vote of the meeting. However, once all is said and done, the electro-diesel loco will leave the Bluebell in the next two weeks; job done very efficiently, and with the entire costs of hire and fuel for shifting the 10,600 tons of spoil covered by the one public special train.

• With dismantling for its overhaul now under way in the loco works, SECR H-class 0-4-4T No.263 has been moved from the Locos on static display page to the Locos under overhaul page.

• Keith Duke has a gallery of spoil extraction and spoil train pictures from 13th March.

• Derek Hayward's final photo below features the Bluebell Railway Band, playing at Sheffield Park for Mothers' Day yesterday.

• Update to the Loco Roster from Lewis Nodes

• Paul Pettitt has posted a new Picture of the Month, showing the visiting P-class on Freshfield Bank, photos of the Branch Line Gala, of the visit of the P-class No.753, and also of the Wealden Exclusive

• Photo on the right (Saturday 14th) and videos from Martin Lawrence:
  Saturday 14th March:
  • No.80151 at Sloop Bridge
  • No.592 on Freshfield bank with the Met coaches and Observation Car
  • No.592 at New Coombe Crossing
  • No.592 at Sharpthorne
  • No.80151 at New Coombe Crossing
  Sunday 15th March:
  • No.80151 at Lindfield Wood
  • No.592 at Lindfield Wood
  • No.1638 at Nobles Bank with the Lunchtime Pullman
  • No.80151 at Nobles Bridge
  • P-way Wickham car heads toward Horsted Keynes
  • No.80151 from Nobles Bridge to Caseford Bridge
  • No.592 at Caseford Bridge
  and finally from Saturday 7th: No.73136 at Sharpthorne with the Wealden Exclusive

• Notes from the January Committee meeting now available via the BRPS Notices page, thanks to Gavin Bennett.

• On Monday this week the magnificently restored Southern Railway Maunsell drop-light open third carriage No.1336 was re-launched into service with a special train formed of Maunsell carriages hauled by Maunsell U-Class loco No.1638. This train was run as a thank-you to those members of the railway who have worked on the restoration of the carriage over the last decade. The overhaul has seen the carriage rebuilt literally from the bottom up. Dave Clarke's photos right and below show the occasion, and more of his photos are here.

• The photo below, from John Fry, shows the loaded test run of Sir Archibald Sinclair on Wednesday last week. The report is on the Bulleid Society web site. The loco is now in the paint shop at Horsted Keynes for final painting, transfers and lining, and then there is a little more work to do on the electrics (and fitting smoke deflectors) before the re-launch into service.

  We are pleased to announce that on Friday 24th April No.34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" will be formally launched into traffic at Horsted Keynes station. The special ceremony will take place at 11am in the presence of Viscount Thurso, the grandson of Sir Archibald Sinclair himself.
  The locomotive will then haul a special Golden Arrow Pullman for invited guests.
  On Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April, the locomotive will haul its first public timetabled trains. It will haul the 11am, 1pm and 3pm services from Sheffield Park on these days.

• Dave Clarke also has photos showing the re-instatement of the Kingscote running-in board following overhaul by members of the C&W department.

• The Dukedog left last week for its visit to Llangollen, and a repaint into BR black livery for the Steel, Steam & Stars II gala in April.

• Today's and tomorrow's are expected to be the final spoil trains from the tip for the present, since all the inert material under and north of Imberhorne Lane bridge has now been excavated. Chris Dadson has some videos from last week, all filmed from the rear cab of the loco:
  • The JCB digger at the Imberhorne Lane railhead loading inert spoil into the Grampus wagons.
  • A loaded spoil train departing from the railhead at Imberhorne Lane.
  • A laden spoil train passes through Kingscote Station on its journey from Imberhorne Lane to Horsted Keynes.

• Today's main photo, from John Fry, shows the historic moment (reported yesterday) when 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" became the first rebuilt BoB to steam in preservation. There is a full report on the Bulleid Society web site. There is still considerable work to be done before it re-enters service later in the spring. The re-launch date will be announced when known.

• Today's Wealden Exclusive - hauled by 73136 (E6043) "Perseverance" - is represented by photos below from John Simmonds, a report on the SEG web site from Colin Duff, and this YouTube Video of the morning's ECS movement.

• Tony Sullivan's photos below illustrate today's timetabled service trains, hauled by the SECR O1-class No.65 and BR 4MT No.80151.

• Derek Hayward has a gallery of wildlife found on the Bluebell's linside, a sample of which is also included below.

• Martin Lawrence's photo shows the O1 with the SECR/SR/LNWR train last Sunday.

• We can report that 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" successfully passed its insurance boiler steam test and initial static steam test on 3 March. The following day 34059 moved in steam for the first time in preservation, movements being made within the yard at Sheffield Park. The locomotive has now returned to the workshop for attention to some minor issues which were revealed during the test. On completion of these, further testing and running in will be undertaken, along with completion of the painting. The Bluebell is now the proud owner of the first rebuilt Battle of Britain to steam in preservation, the first Bulleid pacific to carry a 5250 gallon tender and the first Bulleid to carry a newly constructed tender (frames as well as body).

• Current track layout at Sheffield Park station is now available.

• In preparation for tomorrow's unique event, the Wealden Exclusive - the Bluebell's first special passenger train to be hauled by a diesel, it is worth adding a few other comments: The magazine claiming that it breaks 127 years without diesel haulage is wrong - diesels were to be seen hauling trains on the line in the 1950s. The magazine claiming that we have had an 08-hauled train in the past is also disingenuous - the 08s have only been used for spoil trains, shunting, empty-stock, testing and training purposes. However, it is also worth re-stating that the Bluebell remains committed to a 100% steam regular timetable. Visitors who arrive expecting a steam loco will not find a diesel substituted, as can happen on occasions on some other heritage lines.

• Further update to Chris Dadson's album of extension spoil extraction photos from today. Another week has seen about another 1840 tons of inert spoil removed. There's probably just one more week of digging before this phase is completed. Tom Waghorn's photo below shows the spoil train at West Hoathly this afternoon, and Chris Dadson's shows the exposed Imberhorne Lane Bridge from the North.

• Details of George Jones' funeral now available.

• Details available of Free Vintage Bus Services which will operate on three Sundays in the autumn.

• Full details of the Rail Ale trains (Fridays 17 April, 29 May and 14 August 2009) now available - an evening of Steam, Real Ale and Jazz. A limited number of tickets are also available for non-travelling visitors to Horsted Keynes station. Tickets for the first evening are already selling fast, so book now!

• Both Wealden Rambler afternoon tea special trains over the Mothers' Day weekend are now fully booked (but the last few tickets remain for the Saturday Evening and Sunday Lunchtime Golden Arrow Pullman dining trains)

• Martin Lawrence's YouTube video from Sunday: 80151 at Birch Farm

• Report page now available for the Branch Line weekend, bringing together all the photos and videos people have submitted.

• Linda Chen has a photo album from the Branch Line weekend.

• Dave Bowles has just made some of photos available showing the 9F on a goods train from a few years ago

• Photo taken on 20th February by Steve Upton, showing our 4 Vep tucked away safely at Eastleigh.

• Dave Clarke's photo shows the line-up of the four SECR engines in the loco yard on Saturday. Dave also has a few other photos of the Branch Line weekend, testing the electric jacks in the Carriage & Wagon works, and current progress at Imberhorne Lane - see also Chris Dadson's latest photos of the spoil extraction (another 400 tons was moved yesterday) - as also featured in his photo below, and a video from Martin Lawrence shows 73136 at West Hoathly with a spoil train yesterday, and another of it arriving and unloading at Horsted.

• The Mothers' Day Wealden Rambler on 22nd March is now fully booked, but a few tickets remain on the Saturday Wealden Rambler (afternoon tea train) and also for the Golden Arrow for Mothers' Day Sunday Lunch.

• A new Bluebell Recycling/Fundraising Scheme for Mobile Phones, PDAs, Printer Inkjet or Toner cartridges is now available - simply drop them off at any of our station booking offices.

• It has just been confirmed that we will get a flypast from the Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on the Saturday (9th May) of the Southern at War weekend.

• Met-Camm 1960-built Pullman "Eagle" (owned by he NRM) left on Wednesday at the end of its period on hire to the Railway. It is understood to be going on hire to the Mid Hants Railway. The visiting SECR P-class No.753 from the K&ESR also left the same day.

• Martin Lawrence has some more videos on YouTube, showing the SECR Triple header, 80151 departing Kingscote, on Sunday.

• Coincident with Simon Baker's funeral yesterday, we heard further sad new of the passing of George Jones who was a member of both the Loco and C&W departments. See the BRPS Notices page.

• Photos from Sunday from Brian Easter including this one of 753 climbing Freshfield bank with the mixed train on the Sunday (when the lighting conditions were much harder than on the Saturday)

• The Northern Extension Team would like to thank all those who supported their book sale at Kingscote on Saturday and Sunday, which they mounted along with a display of photographs in the station waiting room. They raised just over £450 for the Extension funds, and are planning to have another book sale on March 7th at Kingscote.

• The guided tours of the C&W Works were equally successful, and participants donated £210 towards the planned restoration of the Maunsell Restaurant Car, No.7864.

• Other photos and videos from the Branch Line weekend:
  • Photos from Saturday from Clive Hanley.
  • Photos from Richard Thomas
  • Chris Ward's video compilation from Saturday
  • Martin Lawrence's video from Sunday of a busy moment at Kingscote as the 753 & 592 doublehead arrives and 9017 departs

• Update from the Bulleid Society on the overhaul of Sir Archibald Sinclair. John Fry's photo below shows the loco shunted out of the workshop to allow testing of the springs.

• Derek Hayward's photo here shows the U-class on Sunday, hauling the SR milk tanker and SR Maunsell liveried coaches (plus the Observation Car).

• Mike Snow now has a series of videos of the event on "Steam on the Web".

• Martin Lawrence has another on YouTube, showing the Dukedog approaching Kingscote on Sunday.

• The photo below is another of Derek's showing the SECR Triple-header on Sunday afternoon.

• Today's Triple SECR Header is seen here in Derek Hayward's photo (which also illustrates well the darker skies today!)

• Photos albums and Videos from this weekend's Branch Line Gala:
  • Derek Hayward,
  • Matt Allen,
  • David Warwick,
  • Andrew Strongitharm,
  • Stephen Hunt,
  • Neal Ball,
  • Chris Ward,
  • Keith Leppard,
  • Videos from Martin Lawrence: Nos 592 & 65 doublehead at Mill Place Wood, 80151 also at Mill Place Wood, No 592 & 65 at Dean's Crossing, No 80151 southbound near Birch Farm, No 753 southbound at New Coombe Bridge and No 9017 northbound at Mill Place Wood

• Photos below show, from Saturday: The Dukedog with the SR train (Edward Dyer), Fenchurch with the mixed train (Derek Hayward), 80151 (David Haggar) and then from today: 9017 (Tony Sullivan), U-class 1638 back in action after boiler work (John Simmonds) and the triple header with the O1, C and the Dukedog (John Goss)

• This weekend's Branch-Line Gala got off the a fantastic start, with perfect weather, and six locos in action. With the new springs ariving for the SECR C-class on Friday and fitted, the brakes re-connected in the morning and the weight distribution on the wheels and the safety valve setting checked, it was able to run in the afternoon. The SR U-class will also be running on Sunday, paired with the SR Maunsell liveried coaches.

• Many thanks to everyone who's sent photos - I'm afraid I'm spending most of the time at the railway myself this weekend - they will get used and galleries linked in the coming days! The impromptu double-header with the re-juvenated C-class and the O1 seen here was sent by Derek Hayward. Below is David Warwick's photo of the P-class heading the mixed train.

• Our centenarian President, Bernard Holden, was at Sheffield Park today for a magazine photo-shoot for Country Life. Photos were taken with the Dukedog and inside Pullman Car 'Christine', at a table which was specially laid up for the occasion.

• Further update for this weekend's Branch-Line event - the U-class No.1638 is to replace No.672 "Fenchurch" on the Sunday.

• Chris Dadson has a series of photos showing the 11th day of excavation of spoil from the south end of Imberhorne cutting - good progress is being maintained, as seen also in his photo here, taken today.

• Tony Sullivan's photo on the right shows No.9017 leaving Horsted Keynes with the 2.00pm Sheffield Park to Kingscote service today.

• Note added to the web page for this weekend's Branch-Line Gala - we should still have six locos in steam, but with the new springs for the C-class only expected to arrive tomorrow, it is not expected to be running until Sunday. The U-class should however be in light steam as a spare engine.

• Andrew Strongitharm has added photos from this week to his page of February photos, and also some photos and a video of the spoil train today to his gallery of current Extension photos

• Andrew's volunteers gallery has been added to the list of Photos of Bluebell Railway Staff and Volunteers

• Peter Austin's photos below, taken on Monday this week, show 80151 on the 3:55pm train from Kingscote, and 9017 on the 4:20 from Horsted Keynes, both taken near Horsted House farm.

• In addition to the web page with a form to send in to obtain "Tenner for the Tip" certificates, you can now buy a certificate through our on-line shop - each £10 given equates to a quarter of a ton of rubbish removed from the tip which currently blocks our extension to East Grinstead.

• Another photo from Tony Sullivan, shows the 1.55pm train today, headed by Standard Tank No.80151, ready to leave Kingscote, whilst the '73' arrives with empty wagons, headed for Imberhorne cutting where the removal of inert material is progressing that little bit further on every weekday.

• Photos of Bluebell Railway Staff, added to the "Who's Who" page. These are available as personal albums from a variety of contributors. More are welcome (albums rather than individual photos please!)

• Don't forget the Kids for a Quid promotion this week for half term - and a two train (hourly) steam-hauled (and steam-heated) service.

• Tony Sullivan's photo from this morning shows the first spoil-train of the day, carrying spoil from Imberhorne cutting on our Northern Extension, making its way south through the West Hoathly station site.

• Update to the web page for the LMS BGZ (six-wheeled guard's brake), showing its new livery.

• Arrangements for Simon Baker's funeral now available via the BRPS Notices.

• The 3pm and 3.32 trains today (Sunday) will be combined, departing at 3.32pm from Sheffield Park.

• Martin Lawrence's photo from yesterday shows the visiting P-class with SECR hundred-seater 1098 and the LNWR Observation Car. This video from Martin also shows the train on Freshfied Bank. (A sense of Déjà Vu for me - compare my father's photo of a very similar formation 4 decades ago)

• The Daily Telegraph's The Big Picture competition winner, printed in yesterday's paper, was Steve Sedgwick of St Albans with a photo of the 7F on the Bluebell last December.

• The Bluebell Railway received mentions in the House of Lords on Thursday - see the Hansard Record of a question and answer between Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe and Lord Adonis (The Minister of State, Department for Transport).

• Update to the web page for last year's equipping of the BGZ for use on the Pullman train, adding photos from David Chappell, with thanks also to Simon May.

• Pat Plane's photo illustrates an update to the extension news page reporting the start of the latest phase of work on the extension, the extraction of inert spoil from under (and beyond) Imberhorne Lane Bridge, at the south end of the tip last Friday. This work is expected to continue every weekday until the end of March.

• A new web page is available, with details of how to purchase "Tenner for the Tip" certificates - every £10 donated pays for the removal of a quarter of a ton of waste.

• New Link added for Escape and Explore, a tourism guide with ideas and suggestions for your holidays (including of course, a visit to the Bluebell).

• The Northern Extension Team will be having a stall of second-hand books at both the Branch Line Weekend, and on the day of the Wealden Exclusive diesel special. All proceeds will be donated to the Northern Extension Fund.

• Photos from last Friday (from Ian Purvis) and from Monday and Tuesday (from Chris Dadson), showing spoil extraction from the South end of the tip on the Northern Extension

• The Branch Line Weekend details have been revised, with a minor change to the 473 bus arrangements.

• Featured on the right: Video from Mike Floate from Sunday's P-class specials

• A rather different video: "1908-2008 in two minutes" from Martin Lawrence showing 01 No.65 with the Victorian Train

• Update to the page with information about Marriage Ceremonies and Wedding Receptions on the Bluebell Railway with new photos added.

• The Working Timetable and Event Guide for the Branch Line Weekend is available in advance or on the day, priced at £2.50 (post free, from the Sales and Information Office, Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station TN22 3QL). It should go for printing tomorrow.

• Photo right from Paul Pettitt shows the P-class returning to Sheffield Park after the conclusion of its P-class special duties yesterday, and shows just how much larger the P-class is than a 'Terrier'!

• Andrew Strongitharm has a gallery covering the weekend's activities

• A video of the P-class Special today from Martin Lawrence, and more videos from yesterday:
  • Fenchurch
  • SECR O1 No.65
  • double-header with Fenchurch

• Paul Smith has a gallery including photos from the Bluebell Railway in the 1980s

• James Attwood has just started a fotopic gallery which will largely feature the Bluebell.

  

• John Simmonds' photo left shows the P-class at Horsted Keynes today. In the background is our signal box, which has recently featured as a limited edition Hornby Magazine/Skaledale model (which apparently sold out almost as soon as it became available).

• The first day of the P-class specials went off very well, after an initial slight problem connecting the steam heat and vac. brake pipes to the carriages was resolved by fitting new hoses to the loco. The photo on the right, and the first two below are from David Haggar, and that on the right below is from Martin Lawrence. Tomorrow's P-class specials will depart from Horsted Keynes at 10.45, 12.47 and 2.48 and some seats remain available for purchase on the day.

• Martin also has a short video of the P-class special today.

• Ashley Smith has some photos from today, featuring the three locos running today - the P-class, the SECR O1 and Fenchurch

• Update to the Branch-Line weekend web page with more details of the attractions on offer.

• Update from Nick Beck to the web page for pre-grouping GWR wagon No.87782 which is the subject of a fund raising appeal towards its overhaul.

• On the Northern Extension, the spoil trains extracting inert material from the south end of the tip were up and running yesterday, with 5 round trips achieved, equating to over 400 tons of material removed.

• Update to his fotopic pages from Dave Clarke with the latest from around the Carriage & Wagon Works
  • GN Directors' Saloon in the Paint Shop for a fresh coat of varnish in early January
  • Installation of emergency lighting in the works has started
  • Work progressing well on Medfit 3-plank No.M480222
  • Lavatory ventilator bonnets have been repaired and fitted to Birdcage Brake No.3363, which also now has all its windows re-glazed.
  • The last month has seen the start of the painting of Bulleid brake No.2526
  • A new collection has been started showing the volunteers of the C&W department in action

• Simon Baker
  It is with regret we have to advise members of the passing of Simon Baker, Station Master at Horsted Keynes, in the early hours of Saturday 7th February.
  Simon has been a long standing member of the railway, a former Director, Trustee and Membership Secretary and his role in particular at Horsted Keynes station will be sorely missed.
  We will try and advise members of funeral arrangements when known.

• Don't forget the P-Class specials this coming weekend, featuring visiting P-class Loco 753, hauling our superbly restored LBSCR and LCDR 4-wheel carriages. Advance booking required. N.B. the 2.48pm trip will now only operate on Sunday 8th.

• Note from Roger Kelly to Bluebell Railway PLC shareholders: it is planned that share certificates and 2009 benefits should be with shareholder by 17 February.
  2008 shareholder vouchers remain valid until 31/12/2009. Please note that travel ticket vouchers are not valid on the following special event days:
  21/22 Feb, 9/10 May, 20/21 and 27/28 June, 25/26 July, 15/16 August, 23/24/25/31 Oct, 1/15 Nov, and 5/6/12/13/19/20/23/24 Dec 2009.
  Pullman vouchers are not valid 4/5/6/11/12/13/17/18/19/20/21/22/23 December 2009.

• This photo, showing the SECR O1 No.65 with a lunchime Pullman charter yesterday, was provided by Martin Lawrence.

• Martin has also 4 new YouTube videos taken yesterday:
  • 9017 "Earl of Berkeley" charges Freshfield Bank in a flurry of snow
  • 672 "Fenchurch" approaches Sheffield Park
  • 9017 leaves Sheffield Park
  • 672 passes Ketches Halt

• Chris Dadson has added a couple more photos showing track laid at Imberhorne Lane bridge, taken on Saturday, in preparation for the start of spoil clearance. I understand there is a little more track-work required before the trains can start running, and today's heavy snow has probably delayed things further.

• Today's photo, by Richard Salmon, shows 137-year-old "Fenchurch" running into Horsted Keynes with the 1pm train from Kingscote - which serves to illustrate that we are back to our normal weekend 2-train hourly service after the January lull. The other loco in service today was the Dukedog.

• This photo from Andrew Strongitharm today shows that P-class No.753 has arrived on its visit from the KESR, and is safely tucked up in the shed next to No.65. He has a small gallery of photos of the P-class taken at Sheffield Park today.

• Andrew also has a new gallery of photos of the extension, including some taken today, and a gallery to cover the visit of 73136 "Perseverance"

• A new web page for LBSCR Craven-era Brake No.94 is now available, based on information from Ian M. White, which will appear in greatly expanded form as a forthcoming article for the Brighton Circle.

• Tony Sullivan is running a coach trip to the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme for their "Fête de la Vapeur" on Saturday 25th April 2009 - Further details on the BRPS Social Sub-Committee page.

• The Bulleid Society have an update with a couple more pictures of Sir Archibald Sinclair, including one (right, from John Fry) showing the brake test.

• LBSCR Craven-era full brake carriage No.94 added to the carriage stock list. This vehicle was recovered from the Preston Park Pullman sheds in September last year.

• Details now available, and tickets on sale, for the Bluebell's first Diesel hauled passenger train: the Wealden Exclusive, on Sat 7th March.

• Photo of our Vep at Eastleigh station last Thursday added to the unit's web page.

• Martin Lawrence's video on YouTube shows the O1 leaving Horsted Keynes on Saturday.

• New web pages and photos linked from the Carriage Stock List for:
  • 4 Vep 3417
  • BR General Utility Van 93722

• New page for the forthcoming visiting P-Class No.753 from the KESR, with photos from Andrew Strongitharm, including that on the right, taken on the KESR in 2005.
  The loco features in:
  • P-class specials - 7 & 8 February - phone 01825 720800 or book tickets online
  • Branch Line Weekend - 21 & 22 February - for which details are now available
  A discount is available on tickets for both the above events if purchased before 31st January.

• YouTube Video from Martin Lawrence of the 73 being used for goods guard training.

• The first photo below (from Duncan Bourne) provides a contrast with that above - and indicates that there's another update on the Loco Worshop Working Group's page detailing the work on our P-class No.178.

• The other photos below (from Paul Robinson) show the start today of track laying at Imberhorne Lane, with waterproof sheeting, followed by ballast sleepers and rails, and the bridge showing the spoil present beneath it which is to be cleared in the coming weeks. Chris Dadson has also provided a small gallery describing the start of the engineering work today.

• Revision to the planned Loco Roster for January and February.

• Three photos from Gavin Bennett showing the departure of the 4 Vep behind 73205 & 73209 for warm, secure and dry storage at Eastleigh yesterday. We are very grateful to Bruce Knights for his kind offer and rapid arrangement for this move.

• Headline News: 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

• With the Auction for the East Grinstead platform tickets going very well, we are now offering for auction "Tenner for the Tip" certificate No.1 - more details of both auctions are here.

  
  

• Reminder that the BRPS Members' Survey is online here. Members are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible - the closing date is 24th January.

• Update to Carriage & Wagon Works news with reports collated by Simon May covering the adaptation of the BGZ to its role as support vehicle for the Pullman train.

  

• Update to the Loco Works News with news from the Bulleid Society as Sir Archibald Sinclair nears completion. The photo on the right from John Fry, shows the fitting of the feed pipes to the clack valves.

• More news, photos and videos from the Open Day on Saturday:
  • News report in Tuesday's 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.
• Derek Hayward has updated his photos of the East Grinstead to Kingscote section of his trackbed tour with photos taken on Saturday, and re-organised and updated the gallery.

• More news, photos and videos from Saturday:
  • 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 five platform tickets which is still open.
  • 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.
• Update to the Society's Share Purchase Scheme details - adding the facility to purchase shares from the Society with a lump sum payment as an alternative to the deferred payment scheme.
• New resource on YouTube - Southern Railway Films - transfers of old 8mm etc. films (mostly colour) from the days of steam, including the Bluebell line pre-closure and post-reopening (including an electric train at Horsted Keynes, and the 1958 "last" train), a Brighton Atlantic in 1956, and the "Brighton Blue Belle" - a news-reel of our last foray onto the main line.
• Some photos of the Bluebell (by Gordon Seekings) are to be found on the BBC Southern Counties web pages.

• More from yesterday's event at East Grinstead: Feature on the BBC web site
• YouTube Videos of 73109 and 3417 en route to the Bluebell yesterday:
  • 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

• Today 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). Further photos are displayed below (described separately) and in the following personal albums and videos:
  • 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

• A photo here from Ashley Smith marks the departure, after just a couple of months under 30 years on the Bluebell, of GWR departmental Tool Van No.92, which left today for the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, following the decision that it did not fit within the Bluebell's carriage & wagon strategy, as a GW internal departmental vehicle.

• The further photos from today, below (with many thanks to the photographers in question), show:
  • 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)

• Our first arrival via East Grinstead: The 73 hauling the Vep is coming down from Clapham via Herne Hill and Tulse Hill, though East Croydon around 12.30 for its arrival at East Grinstead just before 1pm tomorrow (Saturday). The 73 runs round in East Grinstead station before propelling the unit onto Bluebell metals - see today's photo of the connection on the Extension News page.

• Today's photo is from Duncan Bourne who provided it as part of an update to the work on P-class No.178. The photo shows Rob drilling out corroded rivets on the inner firebox prior to the fitting of patch screws.

• Photo and article in The Times today about Property in East Grinstead, and how important to the town the railway is set to become.

• Today's photo from East Grinstead (thanks to David Chappell) shows that, except for a little work to gauge, screw-down and ballast the last bit of track tomorrow, all is set for our Open Day on Saturday.
  The photo is 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.

• Entry forms now available for Vintage and Classic Cars or Motorcycles for the August 15 & 16 Vintage Transport Weekend

• Album on Fotopic from John Sandys showing work in progress at East Grinstead, and the hired 73 shunting today.

• Stop Press: In overnight engineering work, last night Network Rail connected us to the main line at East Grinstead! The Bluebell track at East Grinstead for the present will only run as far as the viaduct, and although there is more work to be done on it, we should be set to receive the 4 Vep unit on Saturday as part of our Open Day on the East Grinstead station site. If you are attending the open day, it might be advisable to wear stout footwear.

• Tom Waghorn's photo shows the arrival at Sheffield Park this morning of the EDL. As indicated in the earlier news update, Class 73 Electro-diesel locomotive E6043 'Perseverance', will be on short-term hire to haul trains of inert spoil extracted from the southern end of the in-filled cutting at Imberhorne Lane. No.73136 (E6043) is owned by the Class 73 Locomotive Preservation Co Ltd, and will be on hire for about two months.

• GWR Prairie tank No.5199 leaves us this afternoon, headed for the Churnet Valley Railway. A further low loader should bring a GUV in tomorrow, and take away the tender of 53809. The 7F locomotive itself is due to leave on Thursday. The next arrival should then be SECR P-class No.753 visiting from the Kent & East Sussex Railway for February.

• Share Issue raises over £ ²/3 Million!
  We would like to thank the 1,100 applicants who subscribed a magnificent total of £670,000 through our 2008 share issue (which closed at the end of the year). This has enabled us to make tangible and very real progress on the East Grinstead extension. BRPS members who wish to contribute (or contribute further), can join the BRPS Deferred Share Purchase Scheme to purchase shares by installments.

• Track laying at East Grinstead had almost reached the viaduct by Saturday evening - as seen in Phil Jemmison's photo on the right. Do visit our future station site for our Open Day next Saturday (17 Jan) - stalls, displays, children's games, vintage vehicles, free bus service to Kingscote, walking tours over the viaduct and optionally beyond onto the trackbed. Details here.

• Ken Upton has some photos from Saturday - unfreezing the Dukedog, and some photos from around the Loco yard at the Autumn Steam Gala.

• Further update to the planned Loco Roster for January and February.

• Updates relating to the share offer made to the FAQ and How to Help Us pages.

• Correction to the track layout at Horsted Keynes page with thanks to Bill Dyer for noticing that the long (Ardingly) siding now comes off the middle of the 5 back roads in the up yard.

• News update on the Extension web page showing track laying now in progress on the East Grinstead station site, in preparation for the arrival of the 4 Vep train and the East Grinstead Open Day next Saturday. Details also added of how to find the station site in East Grinstead.

• Striking gallery of photos taking full advantage of yesterday's frosty conditions, from Nigel Pitt.

• Updates thanks to Simon May, to the Carriage and Wagon news pages, using Dave Clarke's reports and photos. Updated so far: LBSCR Stroudley Brake 3rd No.949 and SR-designed Bulleid brake No.2526.

• Dave Bowles' photo on the right shows the icicles at the North end of the tunnel, on Saturday morning. These are potentially not the largest, which are usually to be found inside the ventilation shafts, which in 1997 grew to 20 feet in length. There was also a foot depth of ice built up on the rails under the northern ventilation shaft, which explains why trains were limited to the Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes section this weekend. It was decided that it would be unsafe to attempt to clear the ice under those conditions.

• Further apologies to passengers on Saturday - the first trains of the day were on the chilly side because the loco being used, in spite of being in the shed, and with vulnerable areas wrapped up against the cold, was found to have frozen injectors and a frozen tender of water, and so was too late getting onto the train to heat it! The temperature at Horsted Keynes on Saturday morning was reported as being as low as -11 degrees Celsius. We hope the complimentary hot drinks on the train helped!

• Derek Hayward has assembled photo collections marking the visit of both 53809 and 5199.

• Due to the inclement weather conditions, there has been another build-up of ice in the tunnel. Unfortunately, this one is more severe than last weekend's, which means that no trains can run through the tunnel this weekend. We are therefore running between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes only both today and tomorrow (Sunday 11th January). Trains leave Sheffield Park at 11.00, 12.00, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00 and 4.00, and leave Horsted Keynes at 11.30, 12.30, 1.30, 2.30, 3.30 and 4.30.

• News report from the Maunsell Locomotive Society - covers work on the overhaul of the S15, maintenance on the boiler of U-class 1638, and an update on 'Stowe'.

• John Sandy's photo on the right was taken at Sheffield Park on Friday 2nd January.

• Preliminary information now available for the 15 & 16 August Vintage Transport Weekend
  Vintage cars, traction engines and trains combine to make a weekend of transport nostalgia. Flyer, and an entry form for Motorbikes now available.

• As part of our East Grinstead Open Day (Sat. 17 January) we are adding extra tours for anyone one who wishes to walk down the old track bed to the site of Imberhorne cutting, where we have recently been digging out the cutting. These will be done as an extension of the shorter tours over the viaduct for those wishing to walk further south, and so the start timings will be the same as the viaduct tours, i.e. 11.30, 12.15, 1.30 and 2.15.

  Remember that you only have until Saturday 10th to get your admission tickets for this event at a discount. Tickets are available from the Sales and Information Office at Sheffield Park station, or telephone 01825 720800.

• Update from Lewis Nodes with the planned Loco Roster for January and February.

• Peter Austin's photo on the right, taken on 30th December, shows the O1 coming down the bank towards Horsted House Farm bridge.

• Update to the catering page with 2009 details for Steam and Cream, Ploughman's Plus and Senior Specials.

• Heritage Trimmings Ltd. added to the list of suppliers for Carriage restoration.

• Link added on the Carriage Roofing Techniques page to the LMS Carriage Association's video showing the re-canvassing of a carriage roof.

• Link added to the new web-site: Holiday Cottage Reviews, which is the first independent site solely dedicated to UK holiday cottage and self-catering property reviews. Go there to submit reviews of holiday cottages you've stayed in, and help build this useful resource!

• Sussex (in common with the rest of the country) has had a very cold few days! Jon Bowers' video on YouTube shows the P-way gang doing ice-clearance in the tunnel on Sunday; bear in mind that the previous build-up of ice had only been removed 3 days earlier. No.9017 is also seen in action approaching Horsted Keynes.
  The icicle clearance took about an hour (after taking nearly as long to get the Wickham trolley working and up to site), and was completed in time for the first train of the day through the tunnel.

• During 2009 the Bluebell Railway Band will be playing at Sheffield Park Station from 2 to 4 pm on the following dates:
  • Sun. 22nd March, Mothers' Day
  • Sun. 10th May, (Southern at War weekend)
  • Sun. 21st June, Fathers' Day
  • Sun. 27th September
  The band will also be playing for the Bluebell Railway Carol Service - Saturday 5th December 2009, 7.30 pm at Horsted Keynes - wrap up well!

• Update to the Volunteering "Find out more" Days page, with the dates of the introduction to the railway days for 2009.

• Andrew Strongitharm has updated his web site with two pages of photos covering the visits of Large Prairie No.5199 and S&D 7F No.53809. To the right is his photo of the 7F at Horsted Keynes in December.

• Updates to foreign language pages with details of operating dates and fares for 2009.

• More details of the East Grinstead Station site Open Day on 17th January, now illustrated with photos of the 4 Vep which is to arrive that day (photos thanks to Hentis-Rail).

• We are auctioning the first of our new East Grinstead platform tickets, Nos.0001 to 0005, in aid of extension funds - details here.

• Many of the links on this site to fotopic.net pages are currently dead. The Fotopic web site has been down for a couple of days, due it appears to a major techncal failure which could not be fixed over the holiday period thanks to the impossibility of obtaining replacement parts. Update: The fotopic site reappeared at about 10.30am on 5th January.

• We are attempting to establish why the 473 bus did not run as expected today, and apologise for any inconvienience caused. Update: Metrobus have apologised to us, and our intending passengers, for their scheduling error.

• Martin Lawrence has sent links to a couple more of his videos on YouTube: The Dukedog northbound at Nobles (3-Arch) bridge yesterday, and from today, the same loco at Sloop Bridge. His photo shows tonight's sunsest at Horsted Keynes.

• Paul Pettitt's Picture of the Month features the 7F with a freight train on a photo charter, 19th December. He also has more photos from that charter, an updated page for the 7F No. 53809, an updated page for Standard 4 Tank No. 80151 and an updated page for Earl of Berkeley No. 9017

• The BRPS Members' Survey is online here. Members are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible - the closing date is 24 January.

• The current position in our fundraising Football Competition are now available, with thanks to Garry Smith. We hope to have updates on the positions about every month now until the end of the season.

• The Social Sub Committee are running "The Battlefield Special" - a visit to the Shackerstone line, on Saturday 18th April - More details here.

• Updates to the Who's Who and Contacts pages, in relation to Museum (Curator, Archivist and Historian) and Social Sub Committee (Secretary).

• Update to the BRPS Rules (adding the amendments agreed at the AGM on 17 May 2008)

• Update to the wap (mobile) pages (wap.bluebellrailway.co.uk) with details of operating dates for 2009, and the dates of operation of our 473 bus service. Postcodes of stations added to the location (access by car) wap page.

The Current What's New page contains all the recent update information.

Also see the 2008, the 2007, the 2006, the 2005, the 2004, the 2003, the 2002, the 2001, the 2000, the 1999 and the 1997-8 "What was new" archive pages.

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