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.
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.
The Trains for the coming week
page is updated weekly, with detailed information for visiting enthusiasts - but please note that notification of a train or service on that page does not necessarily imply that it is available to the public - all public services are listed in the Timetable.
Note: Throughout this site many of the photos are presented as small
versions which can be clicked on to access the full-size image.
See also the News Reports listed above.
We are getting so many photo galleries submitted that we have decided that only the best, or most interesting can now be featured here.
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.
Please note that the Bluebell Railway is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
Photos from the Photo Charter with the S&D 7F from Matt Allen - 19 November 2008
Photos from the Wizard Weekend from Derek Hayward - 31 October 2008
YouTube Video of the open day at Tyseley with our Dukedog as 3200 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe", and during a night shot from Martin Creese - 26 October 2008
Autumn Steam Gala - 17-19 October 2008:
Photos from :
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.
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.
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) - this link now corrected!
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.
31 December 2008:
Timetable, fares and special event fares for 2009 now available. Whilst some fares have risen (in reaction to the steep increase in coal costs which could see our coal bill rocket by an estimated £63,000 in 2009), most Bluebell Bonus advance purchase fares have actually reduced, so it really pays to buy your tickets in advance.
Details of our Kids for a Quid special offer for February Half-term are now available.
30 December:
If you have £250 or more available to help us on the way to East Grinstead, why not visit the railway tomorrow for a ride on our trains (Table 1 is in operation, as it is every day until 4th January), and hand in your share application at Sheffield Park by the deadline of 3pm tomorrow. Prospectuses are available from our booking offices.
Extension News update: The removal (by train) of inert spoil from the south end of Imberhorne Cutting is set to re-start in January. The remaining spoil material could not be removed until we had taken ownership of the whole tip site, which was only completed once we were ready to commence extraction a couple of months ago, so this is the next major task on the extension, and as with the three-week dig on the main tip, is funded through the 2008 share issue. The full report is here.
Andrew Strongitharm has updated his web site with photos from yesterday and today, including this one of the O1 on the 3.21pm departure from Horsted Keynes today.
One of Derek Hayward's photos (Right: Eddystone on a Santa Special last year) goes live as the fotopic front page featured photo for 24 hours from midnight tonight.
BRPS Membership rates increase on January 1st (as agreed at the AGM in May). The new application forms (with the new rates) are now on the web site, but you can still obtain the old rates in person at the booking offices, or on-line through the Bluebell Shop until then.
Booking is now open for the 2009 Victorian Christmas Trains. This year's sold out, so people are booking already to avoid disappointment!!!
The Share Issue will close at 3pm on 31st December. Prospectuses remain available from Bluebell stations, and completed application forms with cheques can be handed in at Sheffield Park booking office. There has been a late surge in applications, which is very helpful as we move towards the next stage of the excavation of Imberhorne Cutting on our extension to East Grinstead.
27 December:
Two Boxing Day photos and two videos from Martin Lawrence - showing that, even if few trains were running elsewhere in the South of England, we had an hourly (two-train) service as well as doing some engineering work. Our trains now run every day until Sunday 4th January.
Video 1 - 80151 simmers in the platform at Horsted Keynes as the Dukedog arrives from Sheffield Park. Video 2 - 9017 departing from Horsted Keynes - also seen in the photo on the right. The first photo below shows the P-Way gang on Boxing Day, working off their Christmas lunches.
This old film on YouTube features the Bluebell's Terriers in the 1960s: Stepney with our Metropolitan coaches and Fenchurch with SECR coaches, No.1050 and the Birdcage brake 1061.
Stephen Hunt has added new photos of the Santa Specials to his fotopic site. His two photos below show our Santa trains running on Christmas Eve, including the 7F on its last day of Bluebell service.
The photo to the right is one of Ashley Smith's from Saturday.
I have also been alerted to another YouTube video by Martin Lawrence which features our Wednesday gang doing some lineside management, which complements yesterday's video of the Sunday gang.
21 December:
The photo on the right is from Paul Pettitt and features the 7F on a photo charter on Friday (which was organised by Jon Bowers).
Matt Allen has some photos from the charter available on his site, and says "Had a marvelous day at the railway on Friday with a Jon Bowers' photo charter. We were very lucky with the light and mist early on; some of the best photos I've ever taken!"
The Bluebell Railway Museum has exhibitions on the new museum plans, and is running a survey, over the next few weeks at our stations.
This survey is also available on the museum website.
A further 62 share applications have been received during the past six days, raising the total to £557,781. There is just one day left to request a share prospectus, and applications for shares under the current offer must be received by 31st December.
Photos from the Victorian Christmas trains (on which every seat is sold on every train we are running!):
Martin Lawrence has sent some photos, below, showing our Victorian platform staff, plus this video on YouTube, and also a photo and video the P-way maintenance volunteers at work today in the yard at Horsted
Details now available for the Deferred Payment Scheme to enable BRPS members to purchase Bluebell Railway Shares by installments.
If you are not already a member of the BRPS, but would like to support the line and its extension through this scheme, you can very simply Join the BRPS.
A further 26 share applications were processed at the weekend, bringing the total to £524,650. The publicity surrounding the start of the dig seems to have given a real
boost to the share issue - Michael Wilson's photo from last week shows a view not seen until now - looking towards the tip from the North under the cleared bridge. In November a total of 87 share applications were
processed, whereas the total so far for this month is 114. The share issue closes on 31st December - there is just time to request a prospectus now. (Those requested in the last week should have been sent out today).
The Bluebell Railway are highly delighted to have been chosen by the
new Crawley Library in Southgate Avenue, to mount the first exhibition
in the new facility. The exhibition which celebrates the impending
extension to East Grinstead, illustrates the history of the historic
Bluebell Line and shows how it was brought back to life by a small
group of volunteers after closure by British Railways in 1958. It shows
the great strides that have been taken to reconnect the line with the
national rail network.
There will be opportunities to meet current Bluebell volunteers and to
discover how one can help the Railway to achieve its aim of extending
the line, currently only reaching Kingscote, to East Grinstead.
There will be special events at the Library relating to the Bluebell,
on three Saturdays, 20th December, 2008, 10th and 24th January, 2009.
At various times during the exhibition there will be 200 Friend's
Railcards given away to enable
visits to be made to the Bluebell at a reduced rate.
The Exhibition is open from Tuesday 16th December, 2008 to Saturday
31st January, 2009 from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm Monday to Friday and
Saturday 9.30.am to 5pm
With repairs to the ends progressing well, work on the LBSCR Milk/Fruit van No.270 has moved onto the sides.
12 December:
We have a provisional date for the arrival of the 4 Vep at East Grinstead in January. It is planned to make something of an "event" of the arrival! See the 2009 Events listings for more information.
Use the easysearch engine via this link - it costs you nothing, and you earn the Bluebell Railway commission!
easysearch combines results from several of the Internet's top search engines to help ensure you find what you are looking for. Bookmark the easysearch page now (or make it a Favourite), and use it for all your Internet searches - especially for things you want to buy!
The Victorian Christmas trains are now completely sold out. Seats remain on the Santa Special trains, so book now! And a reminder that after Christmas we run a daily 2-train service from Boxing Day right through to Sunday 4th January.
8 December:
Share Offer tops £500,000:
The Share Offer has now raised over £500,000. "This is a tremendous response bearing in mind the economic times we are living through" said Funding Director, Roger Kelly. "Whilst there have been many applications for the minimum of £250 the average per applicant is over £500. The money raised has permitted us to carry out a three week trial excavation at the Imberhorne Cutting and the publicity surrounding the start of the excavation has generated further interest". The Offer is open until 31st December, so there is still to apply for shares and receive the three years of shareholder benefits which are described in the Prospectus. Request a prospectus here - this on-line form is available until 17th December.
Update to the Atlantic Project news page - another significant step forward - the forged billets for the coupling and connecting rods have arrived.
The photo on the right is from John Simmonds, showing the 7F on the 12.40pm Santa Special yesterday.
7 December:
Robert Hayward's photo of Robin Elliott and Ted Anderson was taken following the presentation to the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society of a FirstGroup Skills AwardRunners-up certificate at the National
Railway Heritage Awards, in relation to the reconstruction of Horsted Keynes Station Platform 1 & 2 buildings. Particular
praise was given to the high level of workmanship and the care taken to ensure that the materials used in this new building
accurately replicate the original construction appearance in keeping with the adjoining buildings on Platforms 3 & 4.
Robin Elliott and Ted Anderson accepted the award on behalf of the Society; the presentation being made by Paul Atterbury
(of Antiques Road Show fame) on Wednesday 3rd December at Merchant Taylor's Hall in the City of London.
The overall winner of this particular award was for the restoration and refurbishment of the High Level Railway Bridge across
the River Tyne between Gateshead and Newcastle; a significantly larger project and was won by Network Rail jointly with May
Gurney and Mott McDonald.
There is just one 3rd-class compartment on the 5.15pm Victorian Christmas train on 23rd December remaining - first come, first served - ring 01825 720800 tomorrow morning!
5 December:
Yesterday's photo from Patrick Plane is one of several which illustrate a series of reports of progress with the excavation of the rubbish tip on the East Grinstead extension this week. Real progress is being made. This work is being funded through the share issue, and another £40k has been subscribed in the last week, bringing the total so far to about £495k. If you can help us maintain this progress by subscribing to the share issue, you can request a prospectus now, but since the issue closes at the end of the year, you should not delay! The report and photos are provided with thanks to Nigel Longdon, Patrick Plane and Michael Wilson.
The photo shows two of the six rear frame stretchers which Derek
Barlow has completed machining. These two, seen here trial assembed, are the ones which will go to the rear of the firebox.
3 December:
This photo of the Dukedog, which is now back in action on the Bluebell, was taken by Martin Lawrence on 23rd November.
Details of the increasingly popular Lounge Car services for 2009, including the Wealden Ramber special trains for Valentines Day, are now available and booking is open.
The Bluebell Railway Museum now has its own web site www.bluebell-railway-museum.co.uk - run by Tony Hillman. It currently has details of Museum activities, recent acquisitions and developments, and is going to become a major research resource, with a major project under way to catalogue the photographic archive and then make it available on-line.
2 December:
These photos taken over the weekend are from Martin Lawrence.
Videos from David Mylchreest from this spring, showing the visiting GW Auto train, and Stepney with the Observation Car, both at Three Arch Bridge, are now available.
His photo here shows Councilor Virginia Waddingham, the
Mayor of East Grinstead, at the controls of the long-reach digger for the ceremonial start of the digging.
Work was this morning officially inaugurated on the excavation of the tip on our Northern Extension.
Full report and Press Release available here.
Expect to see reports on a variety of media including TV and national press. The diggers and lorries are now active, and the first lorry loads of rubbish have left the site! All that remains in essence to complete the extension is raising the remainder of the money required - the share issue is still open, and closes at 3pm on 31st December. You can request a prospectus here and help us get through to East Grinstead.
The BBC News web site already has a written report, and this piece (YouTube version) appeared on the 1.30pm BBC SouthEast News. Watch out for more, we hope, on the BBC SouthEast (and possibly BBC South) News at 6.30pm, and also on Meridian.
Three photos below from Phil Jemmison, all taken yesterday:
The engineering work at Sheffield Park - the Southern end of the work site;
Towards the end of the day - replacement of trackwork along-side the old loco shed;
The BGZ in its new guise as a Pullman Pup, marshalled within the Golden Arrow formation. In addition to providing guard's accommodation, it also now has washing up facilities, storage and office accommodation. It will thus replace 'Eagle' which is on hire from the NRM, although here it is seen coupled to 'Eagle' for a change-over period. This will take the Arrow back to being an all-pre-war formation.
20 November:
Martin Laurence visited the carriage works yesterday, and this photo shows that the work on Metropolitan composite 368 is nearly complete. The lettering and lining is now finished, and just two more coats of varnish to go on before its revarnishing is complete.
The roof has had four fresh coats of paint. Prior to entering the paint-shop the BASH team had replaced 9 split teak panels (and consequently 39 mouldings). The floor in the third class has been re-sealed, and the dummy blinds in the first class have finally been fitted.
The coach was returned to traffic after overhaul six years ago, but the gold leaf lettering had suffered badly during some filming work three years ago. The repairs to the lettering made at the time have not lasted, so all the gold leaf has now been re-done from scratch.
Martin's other photo, below, shows the ex-SR van underframe which is to be shortenned to carry LBSCR Stroudley third-class carriage No.328.
Photo galleries from Martin Creese, featuring Earl of Berkeley during its recent visits to the Severn Valley Railway, and in a night shoot at Tyseley.
The other photo below from Peter Churchman shows some more of the many vintage buses at Sheffield Park last Sunday for the Bus Running day.
19 November:
Progress report on the East Grinstead Extension with photos from David Chappell, showing the advanced state of preparations for track-laying at our station site at East Grinstead.
Today's update includes these three of Martin Lawrence's photos taken on Sunday 16th, all showing the visiting 7F.
YouTube Video of the open day at Tyseley on October 26th, with our Dukedog as 3200 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe".
Notes from the September and October BRPS committee meetings now available via the BRPS Members' page.
16 November:
Four photos taken today - the Vintage Bus Running Day (from Nick Talbot) and also two (thanks to Phil Jemmison and Gary Smith) showing the S&D 7F No.53809 at the start and the end of the day.
The P-Way fortnight starts tomorrow at Sheffield Park, with a continuation from January's major work in and around Sheffield Park loco-yard. Volunteer effort from anyone would be appreciated, starting from Wednesday this week, though to Wednesday next week. The team will meet up at the Park each day at 08.45. E-mail Jon Bowers for more information.
News update from Duncan Bourne with photos from Rob Faulkner added to the page for the Loco Works Working Group's activities on P-class No.178. Note that if you are interested in joining the activities of the group, there is a slight change to the usual pattern of dates in December.
Details just available (and bookings open - phone 01825 720800) for some special trains running on February 7 and 8 during the visit of SECR P-class locomotive No.753 early next year. Discount available on tickets purchased before 31st January.
Departures from Horsted Keynes at 10.45, 12.47 and 2.48 for a round trip of the line.
Seats limited to 24 First and 24 Third per trip.
11 November:
East Grinstead Extension:Latest progress reports and photos from Nigel Longdon and David Chappell, and on progress with the share issue and about the planned official start of the dig from Roger Kelly.
Nigel's photo on the right shows one of the newly constructed roads, which provides the exit from the temporary works compound for the tip extraction.
Further details available for the Carol Service on the platforms of Horsted Keynes station from 7.30pm on Sat 6 December.
The Bluebell Railway Band will be in attendance along with our oldest steam locomotive "Fenchurch" who is known for joining in with a carol or two!
This year we are pleased to welcome the Revd Alan Carr, the Vicar of neighbouring All Saints Church at Highbrook, which can be seen from our trains as they depart Horsted Keynes station en route to Kingscote. Alan will lead us in our service of song and prayer, which will last about an hour.
The station refreshment room will be open for the sale of teas, coffees and mulled wine through out the evening from 6.30pm
Details are now available for the July and September 2009 Victorian Picnic evening trains, for which booking is now open.
Further to my note concerning the visiting 7F steaming on Sunday 16th November, agreement has now been reached for the engine to remain on the Bluebell until the end of the year, with several further steamings possible. Anyone wishing to sponsor a steaming for a date of their choice is invited to contact the railway to discuss possibilities further.
The 'Dukedog' is back at Sheffield Park; Edward Hankey took the opportunity of taking this unusual photo of it without its tender on Friday. A second photo from Edward is available here.
A snippet of news on the extension: I understand that temporary roads into and out of the temporary compound are being laid, and portacabins are on site ready for the start of excavation, expected later this month. Details of the official start of the excavation of the tip will be announced once they are known. Any further share purchases in the coming weeks will enable greater progress in the initial phase of extraction - if you would like a prospectus for the share issue, it is available here.
Other loco news:
The S&D 7F No.53809 has been sponsored to steam for an additional day, and will be operating the 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00 services
from Sheffield Park on The Bluebell Railway Vintage Bus Day Sunday 16th
November.
The U-class No.1638 is having some broken and worn stays replaced, which will involve a partial boiler lift. It is expected back in service for the first weekend of the Santa Specials.
A further update from Duncan Bourne with photos from Rob Faulkner added to the page for the Loco Works Working Group's activities on P-class No.178. If you fancy giving them a hand in the loco works on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, then your assistance would be most welcome.
5 January:
4 January:
Press Release - The Clearing of Imberhorne Cutting - the start of work is announced - 29 August 2008
3 January:
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Page maintained by Richard Salmon.
