Bluebell Railway

The 50th Anniversary of Closure

was commemorated on Sat 28, Sun 29 & Mon 30 May 2005

Photo reports from the Gala from our photographers:

Paul Pettitt
Tony Pearce
Chris Dadson: Saturday at the Gala, Sunday: Trackbed bus tour, and Lavender Line
Tom Waghorn
Dave Clarke, including 5 locos on four trains simultaneously at Horsted.
Nick Beck
Photo of the Ivatt, as No.41302 from Jon Bowers

50 years ago British Railways closed the Bluebell line between Lewes and East Grinstead. This first closure was found to be illegal and the line subsequently reopened for a short period, during which time the impetus to preserve the line was born.

This gala Bank Holiday weekend event commemorated the anniversary with a train service of the period.

Visiting Loco: Ivatt 2-6-2T No.41312 - from the Mid Hants Railway
Locomotives carrying numbers of those used on the line 50 years ago; 41302, 32577, 80032, 80017.
Terrier No.55 as DS 337 "Brighton Works" shunter (Sunday and Monday)
Goods Trains running early in the day on Sunday and Monday
Saturday evening train - "Last Train" recreation
Guided walks of the Ardingly Branch (Monday only)
Guided Tours of the Carriage Works.
Up to six steam locomotives in action - intensive 4-train service.

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