SOUTH FOR SUNSHINE... at the Bluebell Railway, steaming through the heart of the Sussex Weald. The railway is operated by volunteers of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society, supported by a small number of paid staff. If you become a member of the Bluebell Railway then you will enjoy discounted travel, as well as the opportunity to help restore and operate the line.
Right:Fenchurch with the Metropolitan Railway carriages - photo Jon Bowers.
Travel from the Victorian age at Sheffield Park, to the 1930s at Horsted Keynes, and to the 1950s at Kingscote.
This historic market town has a fascinating High Street with many varied shops and the longest run of 14th century timber framed buildings in the country. The Jacobean almshouse, Sackville College, is open to visitors from 2pm to 5pm from mid June to mid September for a small admission charge. The college is within easy reach of the 'War Memorial' bus stop and is well worth a visit. The new Town Museum is in Old Market Yard, Cantelupe Road, just off the High Street.
East Grinstead is served by Southern trains from Croydon and London and by bus from Crawley, Three Bridges and Tunbridge Wells. A special bus (route 473), runs between East Grinstead (High Street and Station) and Kingscote Station on some days when Service One is in operation.
There are public car parks in the town, and the station car park (accessible by road from the north of the town, with a pedestrian link to the station) is also available. The Bluebell has no space for parking of its own, although we will eventually be able to provide limited parking for disabled visitors.
In January 2009 we held our first public event at our East Grinstead station site, and our main-line connection was inaugurated. During 2009 and early 2010 the station platforms and track layout were developed, and the public opening of the platform took place in September 2010. Train rides from East Grinstead to Imberhorne North are now offered at occasional open days. We now have track laid from Kingscote right up to the south end of the rubbish tip, and from East Grinstead down to the north end of the tip, leaving just a few hundred yards of rubbish to be excavated (at a cost of a few million pounds!). We are able to remove about 5,000 tons of rubbish by train in a week, and this occurs when we have raised sufficient money to run a few weeks worth of "waste by rail" trains. Could you help us on our way with a donation?
Left: Kingscote Station - photo Hiroshi Naito.
This quiet country station is the current terminus of the railway, and is restored to its British Railways 1950s condition. Please note that, due to local planning restrictions, there is NO PUBLIC CAR PARKING at Kingscote nor on the roads in the vicinity of the station. Passengers wishing to start their journey from Kingscote must travel on the special bus (when running - details included in our Bus timetables) or arrive by taxi, cycle or on foot.
More information about Kingscote Station and its history is available.
A large country station, home to our award winning Carriage & Wagon Department who are responsible for restoring and maintaining our carriages. The Carriage Works viewing gallery is open daily (south end of Platform 5), and 'behind the scenes' tours are available on some Bank Holiday and Special Event days (please check details of these tours with Richard Salmon). Also accesible from the south end of Platform 5 is an exhibition of railway paintings (open on busier days).
Right: Busy scene at Horsted Keynes station - replicated at 5.15pm most summer evenings when Table 1 is used - photo Jon Bowers.
On Platforms 1 and 2, where a small team of volunteers have rebuilt the canopy (which was demolished in 1914), will be found the Carriage Shop, open on the busier days, which has an extensive range of second hand books, magazines and models, the Southern Electric Group's 4Cor Electric Driving Motor Coach (open with an exhibition, most weekends) and a new exhibition space in the rebuilt platform building.
The station has a large free car park, a Victorian refreshment room, and a "Ten Acre Field", the perfect place for a picnic and plenty of room for the children to let off some steam!
The headquarters of the railway and home to the Locomotive Department. Here you'll find engines awaiting overhaul or their next turn of duty. Take time to visit the Loco Shed. (The small exhibits Museum and model railway are currently closed for re-development as part of the Heritage Loterry funded Operation Undercover scheme).
Housed within the purpose built restaurant is our real ale bar, The Bessemer Arms, named in honour of the local resident who first saved the line from closure. Bar lunches featuring appetising home-made food are available here every day except Christmas day. More details of Catering, Children's Birthday Parties, "Steam & Cream", Ploughmans Plus, our popular Lounge Cars and the Golden Arrow Pullman are available. For all your catering requirements please telephone 01825 720801.
On Platform 1 you'll find our new, larger, well stocked gift shop (you can order your railway books and videos by mail order, or on-line). There are also large free car and coach parks and two riverside picnic areas.
STANDEN
A family house built in the 1890s, now owned by The National Trust. A showpiece of the Arts & Crafts Movement, it is decorated throughout with William Morris carpets, fabrics and wallpapers, complemented by contemporary paintings, tapestries and furniture. The beautiful hillside garden gives fine views over the Sussex coutryside and there are delightful woodland walks. Standen is open from 11am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday from April to October. The National Trust, Standen, East Grinstead, Sussex Tel: 01342 323029.
SHEFFIELD PARK GARDEN
Only half a mile from Sheffield Park Station (turn left out of Station Drive), this beautiful 120 acre garden with its peaceful walks and impressive lakes originates from the 18th Century, and was created with the assistance of "Capability" Brown. With its collection of rare trees and shrubs the garden is a pleasure throughout the year, but famous for its spring flowering of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Daffodils, and a magnificent display of colours in the autumn.
WAKEHURST
PLACE
Owned by the National Trust and operated by the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place has a fantastic and extensive series of gardens featuring varied horticultural delights throught all seasons and every month of the year. It is just north of Ardingly and the South of England Show Ground, two
miles from Horsted Keynes station.
Click here for details of other attractions in the area.
You can purchase a combined Rail/Bus/Bluebell Railway ticket from most National Rail stations on days when the 473 bus runs. Simply ask for a through ticket to the Bluebell Railway. From East Grinstead Station our 473 Bus Service runs to the Bluebell Railway.
STOOMTRAM HOORN-MEDEMBLIK
The Bluebell Railway is twinned with the Museumstoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik in the Netherlands.
Right: Fenchurch visited Belgium (Stoomcentrum Maldegem) and the Netherlands (Museumstoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik) during May 2002, and is seen here near Medemblik during that visit - photo: Wouter Adriaanse.
Copyright © 1997 and each subsequent year by Richard Salmon and Bluebell Railway.