September 2003
On Sunday 16th September 2001, the 12.50 train from Sheffield Park comprised the Gold en Arrow Pullman set as well as the Vintage Branchline coaches - not surprisingly, the load presented no problems for the Bluebell's largest locomotive, No.92240. The 9F, seen here near Freshfields, has since been withdrawn from traffic, and is currently in store at Sheffield Park awaiting overhaul.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.

August 2003
Bulleid Pacific No.21C123 Blackmoor Vale simmers at Kingscote after arriving with the 3pm from Sheffield Park on Sunday 3rd August 2003.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.

July 2003
On Saturday 28th July 2001, the 3.35pm train from Sheffield Park is seen approaching Horsted Keynes. The double-headed run of a 12 coach train by BR Standards C lass 4 No.75027 and Class 5 No.73082 ‘Camelot’ was part of the Summer Giants of Steam event, which featured the return visit of No.34081 '92 Squadron'.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.

June 2003
On Sunday 4th May 2003, BR Class 5 No.73082 'Camelot' drifts into Kingscote with an afternoon service from Sheffield Park.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.

May 2003
On Good Friday, the 18th April 2003, LBSCR Terrier No.55 and SER O1 No.65 prepare to work the 10.25 from Horsted Keynes to Kingscote. The pair shunted the vintage set out of the dock siding into 4 road via the down yard, before running round ready for departure. 6 locomotives were in steam during the Ea ster period, the remaining four being Terrier No.672 'Fenchurch' and BR Standards Nos. 75027, 80151 and 73082 'Camelot'.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.

April 2003
Main line certified Ivatt Class 2MT No.41312 added the Bluebell to the list of preserved lines it has visited when it made the short trip from its base at the Mid Hants railway in mid February. In addition to working 3 photo charters, including one on the 19th February when this photo was taken, it worked service trains on one weekend, including a day of double-heading with resident 4MT No.80151, and was also one of 7 locomotives in action for Branch Line Weekend.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.

March 2003
During the superb Branch Line Weekend of February 2003, Terrier No.672 'Fenchurch' is seen with the 3 Metropolitan carriages at Mill Place on the climb out of Kingscote. The train is the 1.57 from Kingscote on Saturday the 22nd of February, a day which aimed to pair locomotives and rolling stock of the same period to illustrate the evolution of the branch line train. The weekend saw 7 locomotives, 6 coaching sets and a goods train in operation.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.

February 2003
In cold and crisp winter conditions, E4 Class No.473 'Birch Grove' heads a 4 coach train past Freshfields. The date is Sunday January 12th 2003, and the train the 1.30pm from Kingscote.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.

January 2003
LSWR B4 Class No.96 'Normandy', designed by William Adams and completed at Nine Elms in 1893, now finds regular use on works train and shunts on the Bluebell. On one such occasion in the Spring of 2002, she is seen at Horsted Keynes propelling the vintage goods train, before heading off down the line with an engineers' train to make a ballast drop.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.