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Bluebell Railway Blog:
Archive 2013


Please be aware that due to the historical nature of this page, some of the links on it may be out of date.

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

Also see the 2012, the 2011, the 2010, the 2009, 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.


Blog and Web-site Update Archive 2013

Playgroup Outing - Mike Hopps - 26 April 2013 28 April

75027 & 92240 double-heading - David Haggar - Autumn 2000 92212 approaches Horsted Keynes - Chris Rigby - 20 April 2013 323 and 178 at Three Arch Bridge - Chris Rigby - 24 April 2013

U with Pullman at East Grinstead - John Sandys - 26 April 2013 26 April
Zinc sheeting on the canopy at Sheffield Park - John Sandys - 25 April 2013


New canopy at East Grinstead Booking Office - John Sandys - 25 April 2013 25 April

323 and 178 at Sheffield Park - John Sandys - 25 April 2013 Water tower progress at East Grinstead - John Sandys - 25 April 2013 The 09 at Sheffield Park - Tony Sullivan - 25 April 2013

P-class duo ready to leave Sheffield Park - John Sandys - 23 April 2013 23 April

St. Giles' Church, Horsted Keynes - Derek Hayward - 6 April 2013 New zinc sheeting on canopy - Peter Edwards - 16 April 2013 9F arriving at East Grinstead - Cameron Smith - 20 April 2013

19 April

16 April
Stop Press: The latest Bluebell e-mail newsletter regrettably went out without a link to the web version, which is therefore now available here.

Barcombe Station - Derek Hayward - 3 April 2013 11 April

Coach at SP - Derek Hayward - 3 April 2013 Barcombe Mills Station - Derek Hayward - 3 April 2013 Bell Ringsers on tour at SP - Derek Hayward - 6 April 2013 Tour of St Giles Church, Horsted Keynes - Derek Hayward - 6 April 2013 Macmillan's grave - Derek Hayward - 6 April 2013 The Knapp grave - Derek Hayward - 6 April 2013
Token exchange at Kingscote - Ben Goodsell - 4 April 2013

Class 66 cab ride to the Bluebell E4 Charter - David Haggar - 14 October 2005 9F at Horsted Keynes for the Rail Ale train - Neal Ball - 5 April 2013

5 April
The Bluebell Railway arrives in East Grinstead - Official video of 23 March 2013

Nicholas Owen narrates this official Bluebell video, recording the completion of our Northern Extension Project which has taken 39 years and cost about £11 Million, almost all raised by and from the Bluebell's membership and the public. The footage was captured on the opening day, 23 March 2013, when the Bluebell Railway's first public steam trains were run out of, and into East Grinstead station.
9F and 488 at Horsted Keynes - Alan Jenkins - 3 April 2013


9F at East Grinstead Station - Alan Jenkins - 3 April 2013 9F at East Grinstead Station - Alan Jenkins - 3 April 2013 U-class at Sheffield Park - Alan Jenkins - 3 April 2013

Aerial photo of Sheffield Park Station - Chris Berryman - 29 March 2013 4 April

Aerial photo of Sheffield Park Station - Chris Berryman - 29 March 2013 Aerial photo of 9F with 5.30pm from Sheffield Park - Chris Berryman - 29 March 2013 66739 crossing Cooks Pond Viaduct - Nick Slocombe - 28 March 2013

U class and Birdcage at Horsted - John Sandys - 2 April 2013 3 April

9f at East Grinstead with Water Tower - John Sandys - 2 April 2013 Sharpthorn and LBSCR Wagon at Horsted - John Sandys - 2 April 2013 9F on 5.30pm from Sheffield Park - David Chappell - 31 March 2013 9F with Sainsburys special at East Grinstead - Owen James Hayward- 31 March 2013 LSWR 488 at HK - Owen James Hayward - 31 March 2013 66739 heads the returning railtour at Sanderstead - Nathan Gibson - 28 March 2013

U class enters East Grinstead - Mark Hemsley - 27 March 2013 31 March

769 Bus Service Launch by the Mayor of Haywards Heath - Derek Hayward - 29 March 2013 Refurbished Birch Grove suite at Sheffield Park - Derek Hayward - 29 March 2013 Charter arrives at Sheffield Park - Graham Court - 28 March 2013 Crew of U-class - David Chapman - 26 March 2013

The railtour 73s arrive at Horsted Keynes - Tony Sullivan - 28 March 2013 29 March

66739 at Kingscote - Derek Hayward - 28 March 2013 GBRf's John Smith at Horsted Keynes - Derek Hayward - 28 March 2013 73s take over at Sheffield Park - Steve Lee - 28 March 2013 73207 and 73119 on the Blue Belle Special - Steve Lee - 28 March 2013 First service from East Grinstead - Chris Ward - 23 March 2013 Victorian Train at SP - Paul Perton - 24 March 2013

The incoming railtour arrives at Horsted Keynes - John Sandys - 28 March 2013 28 March

Class 73s on the rear of the train at Horsted Keynes - John Sandys - 28 March 2013 66739 being named at Horsted Keynes - John Sandys - 28 March 2013 66739, photos and nameplate at Horsted Keynes - John Sandys - 28 March 2013 73207, 73119 and B473 on the Blue Belle Special - Reuben Smith - 28 March 2013 First service from East Grinstead - Steve Lee - 23 March 2013 9F at Horsted House Farm - Nathan Gibson - 23 March 2013 Token exchange at Horsted - Patrick Nairne - 23 March 2013 80154 on display at Horsted - Steve Lee - 23 March 2013

First evening at East Grinstead - Nathan Gibson - 23 March 2013 27 March

H class at Holywell - David Haggar - 27 March 2013 Reflection of Hill Place Farm Bridge - Alan Bedford - 24 March 2013 Grinsteade Belle Pullman in the snow - Neal Ball - 23 March 2013 Victorian set behind the H and P at Kingscote - Cameron Smith - 23 March 2013 Stepney with Brakevan at Horsted Keynes - Steve Lee - 23 March 2013 Pioneer at Kingscote - Patrick Nairne - 23 March 2013 The first train in the snow - Ben French - 23 March 2013

26 March


23 March
We are now open to East Grinstead!

Live on BBC Sussex today, and on the BBC website too.


22 March
The formal public opening of the railway line back into East Grinstead takes place tomorrow, 23 March 2013. ITV Meridian News

H class with the Victorian set, in cutting - John Sandys - 21 March 2013 21 March
Trailing pony truck pattern construction - Tony Sullivan - 21 March 2013


Restaurant car at East Grinstead - Tim Baker - 19 March 2013 20 March


H class with the Mets - Peter Edwards - 17 March 2013 19 March

Water tower construction - John Sandys - 19 March 2013

1638 at East Grinstead - David Haggar - 17 March 2013 17 March

9F on training run today - Yoshi Hashida - 17 March 2013 9F ready to head north! - Martin Lawrence - 16 March 2013

NEP Workers celebrate the first steam engine into the cutting since the 1960s - Mike Hopps - 16 March 2013 16 March

9F on its way to East Grinstead - Steve Lee - 16 March 2013 9F at East Grinstead - Steve Lee - 16 March 2013 9F returns from East Grinstead - Steve Lee - 16 March 2013

80151, 488 and 1520 at SP - Martin Lawrence - 14 March 2013 15 March

Canopy extension at Sheffield Park - John Sandys - 14 March 2013 New path being laid at East Grinstead - John Sandys - 15 March 2013 263 with Pullman dining train at Sheffield Park - Simon Lathwell - 3 March 2013

Queen Mary brakevan at East Grinstead - John Sandys - 12 March 2013 12 March

Tamper at East Grinstead - John Sandys - 12 March 2013 Travel Centre and new coach at East Grinstead - John Sandys - 12 March 2013 Toilet facilities and new coach at East Grinstead - John Sandys - 12 March 2013

White Fishplate Official video - 8 March 2013 11 March

Barbara tightens the white fishplate bolts - John Sandys - 8 March 2013 Workers celebrate - John Sandys - 8 March 2013 S&T Celebrate first vehicle into East Grinstead - Alan Grove - 7 March 2013 Official Southern Station opening - Tim Baker - 8 March 2013 66712 at Horsted Keynes on Gauging run - Andrew Strongitharm - 7 March 2013 Seat construction at Horsted Keynes - Richard Salmon - 9 March 2013 Seat construction at Horsted Keynes - Richard Salmon - 9 March 2013

323 shunts Maunsell stock into the carriage shed - Simon Lathwell - 3 March 2013 7 March

Sheffield Park canopy extension - John Sandys - 7 March 2013 92212 and 1638 on shed - Cameron Smith - 3 March 2013 Atlantic wheelsets arrived - Fred Bailey - 6 March 2013

Track base complete - John Sandys - 1 March 2013 1 March

H-class departing Horsted Keynes - Martin Lawrence - 22 Feb 2013 Swordfish and Queen Mary - Martin Lawrence - 23 Feb 2013 SP canopy footings - Martin Lawrence - 25 Feb 2013

TrackTrek Official video - 24 February 2013 28 February


U-class 1638 at Kingscote - Richard Salmon - 24 February 2013 24 February

Track Trek on the viaduct - John Sandys - 24 Feb 2013 Mayor and Roger Kelly - John Sandys - 24 Feb 2013 Track Trek in cutting - Tony Sullivan - 24 Feb 2013 Imberhorne Lane Bridge - Richard Salmon - 24 Feb 2013

178 and 323 at Kingscote - Derek Hayward - 17 February 2013 23 February

Ballast being unloaded in the cutting - Jon Bowers - 21 February 2013 BGZ in Pullman train - Derek Hayward - 17 February 2013

Ballast train at East Grinstead - Tony Hayllar - 22 February 2013 22 February


21 February
66708 with ballast train at Hurst Green Junction - Brian Kidman - 21 February 2013 66708 with ballast train at Hurst Green Junction - Brian Kidman - 21 February 2013

66708 arrived with ballast - John Sandys - 21 February 2013 Ballast train being unloaded - John Sandys - 21 February 2013

E4 and the two Ps at Horsted Keynes - Steve Lee - 16 February 2013 20 February

Kingcote-EG token machine in Kc North box - Derek Hayward - 17 Feb 2013 Kingcote-EG token - Derek Hayward - 17 Feb 2013 Kingcote-EG token in pouch - Derek Hayward - 17 Feb 2013 B473 heads North up the first section of the extension - Derek Hayward - 17 Feb 2013

15 February
Extension video presented by Nicholas Owen - Mid February 2013


13 February


H-class with service train - John Sandys - 10 February 2013 12 February

33103 on shed at Sheffield Park - Martin Lawrence - 11 Feb 2013

Kingscote Up Advance Starter - 7 February 2013 8 February


Sunset at East Grinstead - Mike Hopps - 5 February 2013 7 February

The cutting - Roy Watts - 5 February 2013 E4 approaches Horsted Keynes - Cameron Smith - 6 Jan 2013

Participants in Sunday's Find out More day - Dave Clarke - 3 February 2013 4 February


H-class is the first loco signalled northwards out of Kingscote - Martin Lawrence - 2 February 2013 2 February
We are pleased to be able to confirm that:
The Bluebell Railway's Extension to East Grinstead
will open to the public on Saturday 23rd March 2013.

We are launching our long awaited Northern Extension with a fortnight-long festival, including a visiting engine (the identity of which will be confirmed soon).

Further details, including links giving full information, and how to book for the various events (booking opens next Friday), are available via the events listing, here, and more information will be available tomorrow in our regular e-mail newsletter, which you can sign up for here.

Martin Lawrence's photo shows that the way North is becoming clear, as the H-class runs round its train this morning under the full control of the new signals installed at the north end of Kingscote. This was the very first time this newly commissioned signal had been used.

John Sandys' photos and video from the extension yesterday show the excellent progress being made, which has enabled us to confirm the opening date. The tracklaying from the South has almost reached Imberhorne Lane Bridge, and the diggers are doing well getting rid of the last mound of rubbish.

Work also continues on the parapet repairs to the occupation bridge at the north end of the cutting, and on the signalling and telecoms, at both Kingscote and East Grinstead. Even the Carriage & Wagon department volunteers are involved, repairing platform seats for East Grinstead, and Southern Railway dining chairs for the new restaurant car there, which is itself currently being refurbished in the P-way yard at Horsted Keynes by members of the infrastructure department.



Met 394 back at Sheffield Park - Ben French - 26 January 2013 1 February

H-class emerging from the Tunnel - Andrew Shapland - 26 January 2013 H-class emerging from the Tunnel - Steve Lee - 27 January 2013 Met 394 returns to Sheffield Park - Ben French - 26 Jan 2013, and Mk.I 35448 leaves - Steve Lee - 27 Jan 2013

26 January

E4 in the snow with the delayed first-train of the day - David King - 19 January 2013 25 January
E4 in the snow at Sheffield Park - David King - 20 January 2013


Sarah Siddons with the Bluebell's Met coaches at Edgware Road - Tim Easter - 20 January 2013 24 January

E4 in the snow - David King - 19 January 2013 Dukedog and Brazier - David King - 19 January 2013

E4 approaches Horsted on test run - Mick Ralph - 20 January 2013 22 January

E4 departs southwards, light engine from Horsted Keynes - Mick Ralph - 20 January 2013 Roy and David discuss the points at Horsted Keynes - Mick Ralph - 20 January 2013 Horsted Keynes 'box in the snow - David Chappell - 20 January 2013

Photos of Bluebell volunteers - Derek Hayward


Work restarts after the snow - John Sandys - 21 January 2013 21 January


20 January


Sheffield Park Station House in the snow - Martin Lawrence - 19 January 2013 19 January

B473 waits for permission to pass through the tunnel - Martin Lawrence - 19 January 2013 Looking southwards into cutting - John Sandys - 19 January 2013

Tube 150 train at Kensington Olympia - Richard Salmon - 13 January 2013 18 January - Please check the Snow update page before travelling to the Bluebell this weekend
Center cradle pattern sets Snow at Sheffield Park - Martin Lawrence - 18 January 2013

Test train at Edgware Road - Richard Salmon - 10 January 2013 Test train at Earl's Court - Richard Salmon - 10 January 2013 Empty stock arrives at Kensington Olympia - Richard Salmon - 13 January 2013 VIP train at Kensington Olympia - Richard Salmon - 13 January 2013 Met coach 412 at Baker Street Station - Conor O'Connor - 13 January 2013
Dukedog in the snow at Sheffield Park - John Sandys - 18 January 2013

Our Met coaches at LUL depot - Rowan Millard - 7 January 2013 150 years of the Metropolitan Railway 9 January

Ballast being laid from the South - John Sandys - 8 January 2013 Work on East side of the cutting - John Sandys - 8 January 2013 Geotextiles on the west side of the cutting - John Sandys - 8 January 2013

E4 at Kingscote - Cameron Smith - 6 January 2013 7 January

Looking south to the Kinscote home signal repeater - John Sandys - 3 January 2013 Work on west side of the cutting - John Sandys - 5 January 2013 Retro posters 412 being loaded - Nathan Gibson - 4 January 2013 The 3rd and 4th of the Mets on their way to London - Steve Lee - 5 January 2013 E4 at Sheffield Park - Steve Lee - 5 January 2013

The 9F and the water crane - Steve Lee - 1 January 2013 4 January

H-class arriving at Horsted Keynes - Steve Lee - 1 January 2013 Met coaches ready to leave Sheffield Park - Martin Lawrence - 3 January 2013

H class No.263 climbing Freshfield Bank - Paul Pettitt - 1 January 2013 1 January 2013

9F on Freshfield curve - Paul Pettitt - 1 January 2013 9F leaving Horsted Keynes - Steve Lee - 1 January 2013 H-class at Sheffield Park - Steve Lee - 1 January 2013

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

Also see the 2012, the 2011, the 2010, the 2009, 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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