27 December 2022 
- We're currently fully open to the public during the daytime, running a 2-train (four round-trip) public service between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead complete with our Kids for a Quid Special Offer to this timetable, daily until 31 December.
Pre-booked SteamLights services run each evening until 8 January, and a few compartments remain for these services. Our stations are closed except for Steamlights ticket-holders in the evenings.
- Video from FrontLineSteam showing 'Class 4 Power' on the final day of our Santa Specials, on Christmas Eve.
- Update to the Carriage Stock List, transfering seven carriages which have left the Railway recently to the last section of the list.
- Pleased to report that visiting GWR 4-6-0 'Wightwick Hall', normally based at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, is likely to stay on hire to the Bluebell for a good part of next year.
- John Sandys' photos and videos from 17 December taken at East Grsintead, featuring 'Wightwick Hall' and 80151 in the snow, from which the photo below left shows 80151 taking water before running round its Santa Train bound for Horsted Keynes.
- David Cable's photo below right shows 80151 again, and was taken during lineside clearance duties at Rock Cutting on 26 October.
 
11 December
 Updates to the Loco News page for No. 72 'Fenchurch', covering recent test running, and a summary of all the boiler work undertaken during the course of its overhaul. (First photo below: James Cummins/Bluebell Railway, and others thanks to Neil Glaskin and Russell Pearce).
 
9 December
 
- Right, about time to get on with a rather delayed update... for which many apologies. In addition, if anyone has been trying to contact me via the blog@ email address, unfortunately I've been unable to access that for many weeks now.
First, lets have some photos of the three visitors at Giants of Steam... above we see 73156 at Leamland Bridge (Andrew Crampton), Wightwick Hall at Horsted Keynes (Gary Smith) and 76017 approaching Three Arch Bridge (David Cable). More to come over the coming days, but here are Ashley Smith's photos, and a video.
- Second, we have a date for the first Special Event of 2023 - the Branch Line Gala Weekend, Friday 21 to Sunday 23 April 2023, for which the first (of two we hope) visitors is announced as The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Trust's "Pug" No. 19. from the East Lancashire Railway.
- Next, we have not one, but two Bluebell Times releases, containing a lot of interesting and important news. The December 2022 edition, out today, includes:
- News of the agreement for Class 207 Oxted Thumper 1305, and a Class 73 ED (No. 73133, 'The Bluebell Railway') to join the Bluebell fleet, supported by a newly established Diesel Group.
- A message of Christmas hope from the chaplain
- Could you be a Society Trustee? Details of two vacancies on the society board
- The Railway gives a magical night out at SteamLights for a group of Ukrainian families
- Catching up with one of our young volunteers
- The Night Ferry sleeping car departs for preservation elsewhere
- The Wickham trolley is overhauled from rail to roof
- The "Giant" moves to Sheffield Park - and the rate of donations has doubled in a year
- And much, much, more.
- In connection with the last news item above, we have an update to the Awake the Giant project page, including a new newsletter, which includes their photo competition results, as well as photos of the move of 92240 down to Sheffield Park.
- ... and catching up on the November edition of Bluebell Times, which includes:
- Board Changes: We Welcome Two New Directors To The Railway
- Jewel In The Crown Report
- Goodbye BROOSS- Hello HOPS
- Volunteer Find Out More Days
- New Bluebell Museum Acquisitions
- And of course, a lot more.
- belatedly, we notify you of an update on 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair's overhaul, which is available on the Bulleid Society's web site.
- Update to the Wagon Stock List, transfering a few wagons which have left the Railway during the course of the year to the last section of the list, and updates to many of the wagons' pages, bringing them up to date.
- Update to some of the dates of the 2023 Murder Mystery Dining Trains.
14 October
 
- Today saw the car parks filling up early for the first day of our Giants Of Steam Gala, which continues over the weekend.
The two photos above show the gathering of the Giants on Thursday, with thanks to Alex Fisher and Tony Sullivan. They were joined by 76017 which arrived by rail that evening.
There are galleries from today from Neil Munro-Thomson and John Sandys.
At Sheffield Park, the 2MT and Atlantic projects are open, and there are stands from Project 27 and the Camelot Locomotive Society.
There will be guided tours of the Carriage & Wagon Works at 11.55, 12.35, 1.35, 2.20, 3.05 and 3.50 tomorrow (Saturday).
- The latest news update on the BR Standard 2MT project to construct No. 84030 is now available.
- The October 2022 edition of Bluebell Times includes:
- Advanced details of next year's BRPS AGM
- Introductions to the new Safety and Assurance Director and Museum Curator
- How No. 65's trip to the mainline was planned from a beach in Antigua
- Latest work at Horsted Keynes as renovations gather pace
- 5 Minutes with BRPS Trustee Laurie Anderson
- And much, much more
11 October 
- It's looking good for this weekend's Giants Of Steam Gala which starts on Friday.
The visitors are gathering, with 6989 'Wightwick Hall' in steam last week, 73156 having arrived today (as seen here) and 76017 coming in by rail from the Watercress Line on Thursday.
Details of the three visiting locomotives are available here.
In addition to six six-coupled locomotives, four carriage sets are running, with a 4-train service. The locomotive allocations are available as part of the timetable - download pdf here, and the carriage sets are expected to be:
Set A: 3 x SR Maunsell coaches plus 3 x SR-design Bulleid coaches
Set B: 5 x BR Mk.I coaches (including wheelchair access) plus the GN Saloon (available to passengers partaking of refreshments)
Set C: 4 x BR Mk.I coaches
Set D: 3 x Pre-Grouping (SR Liveried) coaches plus the Metropolitan set.
- The Murder Mystery Dining Trains for 2022 are now sold out.
Bookings are coming in well for the 2023 Murder Mystery Dining Trains.
- ICE SKATING - CUSTOMER NOTICE
We're sorry to announce that due to supplier issues important to this event, our intended Ice Skating event this October has been postponed. However, we are planning to run this event in February 2023.
Customer Services have been contacting those who have already purchased tickets. Those customers who have already purchased tickets have the option to use them for dates in February 2023 or will be offered a refund.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this postponement and fully intend to hold this event next February.
28 September 
- David Cable's photo from last Wednesday was taken between Monteswood and Rock Cutting, showing Q-class No. 30541 on the service train.
David has also now released a photo gallery from the photo charters using the visiting Terrier W11 in July.
- John Sandys' photos from yesterday, with the O1 on footplate taster duties and the Q-class hauling the service train.
- One of the stars of this year's Giants Of Steam Gala (Friday 14 to 16 October), BR Standard No. 80151, along with Sheffield Park Station, appear in the upcoming feature film "Living" starring Bill Nighy, which is being released on Friday 4 November. The Bluebell features regularly in this trailer!
Special Notice: Horsted Keynes Station
Due to ongoing heavy engineering work taking place at Horsted Keynes as part of "The Jewel In The Crown Project", the station will be closed Monday to Friday, with no access available on these days, until further notice.
Passengers visiting the railway during these days are advised to start and finish their journey either at Sheffield Park or East Grinstead when the railway is operating.
See further information on the Jewel In The Crown Project here.
John Sandys' photo from 23 September shows the current work in progress to repair and restore the canopy on Platform 5 at Horsted Keynes, which has necessitated the partial closure of the station at present.
- David Cable's photo below shows the Wednesday lineside team with whom David was working when he took the photo of the Q-class at the head of today's entry.
- Ken Upton provides the photo below of some live entertainment at Horsted Keynes Buffet over the Beer Festival weekend. With thanks to Harvey's Brewery, the Awake the Giant crew and Loco. Dept. members manned the Buffet, and were able to offer a special Awake the Giant Ale!
 
- We congratulate Tom Connell, whose superb artwork (right) won a Silver Award in the Illustration category of the Creativepool Annual Awards recently. The poster image was produced for SETG (who look after Bluebell-owned 4VEP No. 3417). This, and other creative talent, provides a basis for the group's fundraising for the overhaul of the unit, to bring it back to main line operation, which you can check out on the SETG Online Shop.
- Beer Festival: A massive thank-you...
... to our visitors, CAMRA, visiting musicians, volunteers and staff, who came together over the weekend to ensure the Railway's second Annual Beer Festival was a huge success.
The atmosphere across the railway was energetic and positive and the trains had good loadings throughout the three days.
We look forward to seeing you all again next year for an even bigger and better Beer Festival!
24 September 
- The first day of our Beer Festival, being run in association with the Sussex Branches of Camra, went well yesterday, and runs until Sunday. John Sandys' photo shows the main "beer" area in the Loco Running Shed.
We have three locomotives in steam each day, with an intensive train service, using carriages dating from every decade from 1900's through to the 1960's. John's gallery of photos from yesterday is available here.
23 September 
- Alex Fisher's superb photo taken on 31 August shows two of our resident Standards, operational 5MT No. 73082 'Camelot' and 4MT No. 75027 which has until recently been stored away from public sight.
- Music - Food - Real Ale - Craft Beer - Cider - Perry - Steam Trains
The fantastic Bluebell Railway Beer Festival, being run in association with the Sussex Branches of Camra, starts to day, running until Sunday. The Event Guide and Train Timetables are available to download. Trains run into the evenings today and Saturday.
- Sussex Wine Train - Thursday 27 October
Don't miss your chance to take part in this very special dining service and wine train.
The Golden Arrow dining train on the Bluebell Railway is the ideal setting for a tutored tasting of four top-quality Sussex wines, selected and presented by Hennings Wine Merchants.
The evening reception will start at 6.30pm, with the train boarding at 7.00pm for a 7.15pm departure from Sheffield Park, arriving back at approximately 10.30pm. A great way to spend an Autumn evening whilst having amazing wine, fantastic food and travelling in style and comfort through the Sussex Weald.
More information and tickets.
- We're pleased to announce that No. 72 'Fenchurch' successfully passed its steam test on Wednesday.
The 150-year-old Stroudley Terrier locomotive will be returning to service on the Bluebell Railway soon, once it has been tested and completed running trials, following its overhaul costing around a quarter of a million pounds.
- New web page for the SR-designed Shock Wagon No. 14036 which joined our historic wagon collection back in December.
- Updated web page for Mk. I Open First No. 3069, adding a photo of it in its present Carmine & Cream livery following its repaint earlier this year.
- 76017 joins Giants of Steam Gala fleet!
We are delighted to announce that Standard 4MT Mogul No. 76017 will be joining our Standards-themed Gala over 14-16 October! This gives us a line-up featuring no fewer than SIX 6-coupled locomotives.
This extremely popular locomotive, the first of its type to visit the Bluebell, will be joining 73156, 6989 'Wightwick Hall', 73082 'Camelot', 30541 and 80151 for our three-day gala weekend, Friday 14 to Sunday 16 October.
Tickets and event timetable are available on the Giants of Steam event page.
Photo of 76017 by Barry Lewis licenced under CC BY 2.0 - Link.
- An archived web page featuring the February 1999 Little & Often (Branch Line) event has been re-published.
10 September 
- The September 2022 edition of Bluebell Times includes:
- Loco No. 65 goes mainline for the first time in 60 years!
- 'Beachy Head' and 'Fenchurch' both have their boilers refitted
- The next locomotive overhauls are planned in the workshop and Atlantic House
- The first glimpse of Bulleid wagon 12058
- Solar panels planned for locomotive workshop roof - but we all need to "put that light out" as electricity bills soar
- More work at Horsted Keynes, including a deep clean of the subway - and a new floral arrangement
- And much, much more
9 September
BLUEBELL RAILWAY WESTERN EXTENSION
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
The Bluebell Railway is proposing to extend its heritage railway by reinstating the former railway line from Hosted Keynes to Ardingly, enabling onward journeys to Haywards Heath. The proposal has been under active consideration for several years.
The Bluebell Railway is excited to share their carefully worked up proposals for the scheme and is inviting comments, in advance of a planning application and Transport and Works Act Order application being submitted.
You are invited to view the draft plans and provide your comments on the proposals. A public exhibition will be held at Hapstead Hall, High Street, Ardingly RH17 6TB:
2pm to 7pm on Friday 9th September 2022 and
2pm to 4pm on Saturday 10th September 2022
For more information, please visit our dedicated website.
The consultation closes at 5:30pm on Friday 16 September 2022.
The Bluebell Railway is deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Everyone at the Bluebell Railway sends their sincerest sympathies and condolences to the Royal Family at this very difficult time.
5 September 
- Updated News from the Brighton Atlantic project featuring the full story of the fitting of the boiler to its chassis on 16 August. David Jones' photo on the right shows the boiler being attached to the ashpan for the first time, preparatory to fitting the whole assembly onto the chassis.
Below are two more photos from that day; first the boiler being guided into position (Fred Bailey) and second, the driver's side view of the Atlantic (Melvyn Frohnsdorf). It is now back in its shed, ready for another 12 to 18 months of finishing work. It is NOT ready to run by a long way!
- All but one of the Murder Mystery Dining Trains for 2022 are now sold out.
Bookings are coming in well for the 2023 Murder Mystery Dining Trains.
 
1 September 
- Here, SR Q-class No. 30541 is seen hauling the 11.45am train from Sheffield Park on Freshfield bank on 27 August (Peter Edwards)
- This year's Bluebell Beer Festival (23-25 September) is once again celebrating local breweries who are included amongst the 90 different varieties on offer and a wide selection of ciders, perry and craft beers! All thanks to the support of the Sussex branches of CAMRA.
Over the weekend, come and sample this incredible selection of beers and ciders at one of our bars across the railway, situated at Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes or East Grinstead.
The Beer Festival offers the perfect combination of steam, countryside, music and of course... beer!
Book your tickets here for a fantastic day out with friends and family. Don't miss out!
- Updated Loco Works News for the overhaul of No. 72 'Fenchurch' featuring more of Andy Kelly's photos (including the "view ahead" below) and David Lilley's showing re-assembly and painting making good progress.
 
17 August 
- Steam is back!
Our Webcams at Sheffield Park showed the Southern Railway Q-class ready to haul the 10.30am departure this morning.
Timetable Service B is in operation; two locos in steam with five round trips to East Grinstead.
- Santa Specials on the Bluebell Railway are back for 2022 and even better than ever! Tickets are now on sale!
Running from the end of November, right up to Christmas Eve, this is a must for any family wishing to get into the Christmas spirit this winter.
Visit Santa in his parlour as he makes a very special appearance at our railway. Enjoy mince pies and Christmas punch and be immersed in a vibrant and colourful Christmas atmosphere.
You'll be transported along our railway, taking in the beautiful wintry Sussex landscape that we run through between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets now and join us for a winter spectacular here at the Bluebell Railway.
16 August 
- We are pleased to announce that steam hauled services will be resuming from Wednesday 17th August. After safety check were carried out along the length of the line, a full length service to East Grinstead will also be resuming from the 17th August. Timetable Service B will be in operation.
- Not one, but two, boilers go into their frames:
Today saw a mobile crane place the boiler of reconstructed LBSCR H2 Atlantic No. 32424 'Beachy Head' into its frames, as seen in John Sandys' photo on the right. Fred Bailey reports that the engine is now back in Atlantic House so they can now start work on tidying up the boiler cleading sheets and getting on with the rest of the build. The crane was on time, arriving at about 8am, and the engine was back in the shed at 2.30pm, with the crane pulling out of the yard at the same time. As expected a few things cropped up that required some "adjustments" - the boiler was within 1 or 2 inches of being in its final position when some clashes became evident, so the boiler was removed, suitable minor alterations made and then the boiler refitted. What a fantastic effort by all in the Atlantic team!
- Andy Kelly recorded (below) the final placement of LBSCR Stroudley Terrier Fenchurch's boiler in its frames, using the overhead gantry crane in the Loco Works yesterday. No issues over whether that would fit after the trial run a few weeks back!
 
15 August
- Due to expected hot weather conditions up to and including Tuesday 16th August, we will be running an amended diesel service on our service trains, subject to weather conditions changing. The service will be operating between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes ONLY. Kingscote and East Grinstead stations will be CLOSED on these days with no service operating at these stations between these dates.
Please download the amended timetable here.
12 August 
- The August 2022 edition of Bluebell Times includes:
- A marriage proposal delivered by train
- How we are facing the challenges of the next couple of years
- Looking back at 15 years of development in the museum
- Restoration work continues at Horsted Keynes Station
- The preservation story of Fenchurch, from hastily removed BR logos to full Stroudley splendour
- 'Awake the Giant' group launch a new photo competition
- And much, much more
- Important: Timetable changes due to fire risk:
Due to the expected continuation of hot weather, our amended Diesel-hauled service will now run up to and including Monday 15 August. The service will be operating between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes ONLY. Kingscote and East Grinstead stations will be CLOSED on these days with no service operating at these stations between these dates.
A safety inspection of the line will be carried out daily to assess if our steam services can resume safely and if the whole length of our railway can be reopened.
Please take a look at the amended timetable (pdf download).
- The Murder Mystery Dining Trains for 2023 are now available, and can be booked by following the details in the brochure (pdf).
In addition, the Murder Mystery Dining Train details for 2022 have been updated since more of this year's trains are now sold out.
- The BRPS Objectives, Aims & Plans - 2021 edition (The "Long Term Plan"), along with the updated BRPS Articles of Association are now available on the page containing documents for BRPS Members.
11 August
- Bluebell Railway Beer Festival: 23-25 September
We're delighted that at this year's Bluebell Beer Festival we welcome back live music. We've got a great selection lined up for you across the weekend, including:
Straw Dogs: A four-piece Irish & Folk band
The Magpies: Bringing you classic 70's rock covers
Kit Packham: Singer & Saxophonist offering a mix ranging from Jazz & Rock N' Roll to Blues
Plus popular local band The Blunter Brothers will be performing a Sunday afternoon session.
Book your tickets here for a fantastic day out with friends and family. Don't miss out!
An intensive 3-train service will be in operation - download the timetable here.
10 August 
- Updated Loco Works News for the overhaul of No. 72 'Fenchurch' - Andy Kelly's photo records the passing of the out-of-frames steam test yesterday.
- The Carriage Shop at Horsted Keynes station is open additional days this week!
Wednesday 10th August 10am to 4pm
Friday 12th August 10am to 4pm
Saturday 13th August 11am to 4pm
Sunday 14th August 9.30am to 3.30pm
The Carriage Shop is located on Platform 1, and currently has a wide selection of books, model railway items, photographs, magazines and much more in stock.
Supporting Bluebell Railway projects since 1989.
8 August 
- SECR O1-class No. 65 enters Kingscote with the Wealden Rambler afternoon tea train, as seen in David Cable's photo from Wednesday 3 August.
- Important: Timetable changes due to fire risk:
Due to the incoming hot weather, from Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 August we will be running an amended service - subject to weather conditions changing. The service will be operating between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes ONLY. Kingscote and East Grinstead stations will be CLOSED on these days with no service operating at these stations between these dates. Please take a look at the amended timetable (pdf download).
- The Southerner's Video from Saturday featuring three locomotives in steam on the Bluebell.
- Update to the web page for S15 No. 830 (which is no longer on the Bluebell Railway) adding two new photos by Roger Gregory from 1988.
- The photos below, both by David Cable, show the Q-class arriving at East Grinstead with a service train on 3 August, and W11 on an early morning photo charter (before the public Terrier 150 Event trains started) with SECR carriages 1098 and 3363. This combination could not run in passenger service because of the air brakes on the Isle of Wight locomotive not being compatible with the vacuum brakes on our stock.
 
6 August 
- Last Saturday the four terriers are seen together on shed, in this photo thanks to Owen Hayward. His photo below shows a driver's-eye view from W11 as it approaches Sheffield Park.
- This weekend, you are invited to the Teddy Bear's Picnic!
You can join this event at any of our stations - Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes, Kingscote or East Grinstead - and ride with us with an All-Day Rover ticket.
Children who bring a teddy can travel for free! So, bring your favourite bear and your picnic to the Bluebell Railway for a fun day out for all the family.
- More coverage of last weekend's Terrier 150 event, with Ashley Smith's video from Sunday and photos, and there's also a video from Lee Andrew Davies from Friday
- The move, by its owning group, of SR (SECR-design) Dance Hall Goods Brake 11934 to the Kent & East Sussex Railway should have been noted here back in January.
- The second photo below, from Brian Lacey, shows 73082 'Camelot' on the 1pm service train at West Hoathly on 2 August. We are now running daily with a two-loco, 5-train service, with a third loco in steam on some days for dining services.
 
31 July 
- The final day of our Terrier 150 event today was also our second Toy and Rail Collectors' Fair of the year, which attracted a great number of stall-holders, and with with cloud cover but no rain, the weather was ideal for the event, and the car park at Horsted Keynes was very well filled, a good indication of a great event.
- The photos seen here, from David Cable, show the double-headed Terriers shortly before No. 70 'Poplar' expired on Friday, and two taken during the Jon Bowers' photo charter on Thursday.
- Keith Duke's photos from the Friday of the Terrier Gala, and those from Neil Munro-Thomson.
- National Rail are offering Days Out Two-for-One tickets this year if you travel to the Bluebell by mainline train via East Grinstead, where our station is adjacent to the National Rail one.
 
30 July 
- Good morning everyone.
Day 2 of our Fenchurch 150th Birthday Bash weekend is upon us.
We've plenty going on today across the railway including Chris Vine's Young Engineers Day Out tour, and Ian Dunne's Science Magic show at Sheffield Park!
Today we also have a fun dog show at Horsted Keynes Station with classes for Terriers (of course), Terrier wannabes and Terriers in disguise. All dogs welcome. (Dogs can travel on our trains, just keep paws on the floors and no doggy feet on the seats!) Entry is just £2 per class, payment (cash only), with registration on the day.
An amended timetable (download as pdf) is in place for the rest of this weekend's event.
- There's a great video now available showing how W11 travelled over to reach us from the Isle of Wight.
- SteamLights tickets are now on sale.
SteamLights returns in 2022 with a sparkling new theme and a new lighting up performance to capture your imagination.
Sparkle, glow and shimmer on a magical steam train covered by thousands of colourful lights.
Illuminate the dark landscape as you journey and feast your eyes on an amazing light show along the way. With brand new sparkling displays, music and narration, this is a steam train experience not to be missed!
The magical event will be running across the festive period, on selected dates from Thursday 10th November to Sunday 8th January.
29 July - updated 
- Our Terrier 150 weekend started today! All was going well until No. 70 'Poplar' sadly suffered a mechanical problem. The repair work needed means that the locomotive will not be able to take part in the rest of the weekend. An amended timetable (download as pdf) will be in operation for both Saturday and Sunday, and W11 'Newport' will still be hauling trains throughout the weekend. We're very sorry for any inconvenience caused by this amendment.
- This photo shows SECR O1-class No. 65 at Horsted Keynes earlier today with the three SR Maunsell carriages. Its boiler barrel was recently repainted, since after several years in traffic the paint finish was starting to deteriorate, and this was undertaken whilst it was receiving maintenance over the last couple of months.
- These two photos below show 70 'Poplar' and W11 on shed together yesterday afternoon, with a warming fire in No. 70, and W11 in steam for a Jon Bowers' photo charter (it had returned briefly to Sheffield Park to take coal and water). In the second photo, it was running round its SR goods train in the platform, before propelling it up the line to the next photo location.
- KIDS FOR A QUID returns this August!
Kids tickets for just £1 when accompanied by a fare-paying adult - Book tickets here.
 
28 July 
- And we now have two visiting Terriers!
"Poplar" has safely arrived at Sheffield Park and was paired up with "Newport" on shed shortly after its arrival yesterday afternoon. The chance to grab a photo of the two together couldn't be missed!
Again we extend our thanks to Reid Freight Services for transporting both locomotives to us and to The Kent & East Sussex Railway and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for kindly allowing us to have these two locomotives for the Fenchurch 150th Anniversary Bash this weekend.
For more information and tickets please see Details of the Terrier 150 weekend here.
- This Sunday we are also holding a Toy & Rail Collectors' Fair. Catering for everyone from avid collectors or enthusiasts, to just about anyone who is interested in (or just curious about) collectable toys, model trains and vintage railway artefacts, there will be a large variety of stalls on Horsted Keynes station platforms and car park. You'll find model railways (new and secondhand), die-cast models, collectables, railway books & ephemera and photographs, as well as stalls for preservation societies and restoration projects.
- Peter Edwards' photo below shows 'Poplar' being prepared for unloading in the yard at Sheffield Park yesterday afternoon, as W11 is being warmed through and in light steam.
Further information about the two visiting Stroudley Terriers is now available on the "Operational Locomotives" page.
- The Carriage Shop has extended opening hours for the Terrier Gala weekend and Sunday's Collectors Fair:
Friday 29 July 9am - 5pm
Saturday 30 July 9am - 5pm
Sunday 31 July 9am - 4.30pm
This weekend the shop, on Platform 1 at Horsted Keynes, will have large number of railway and transport books at sale prices. Also in stock is a wide selection of model railway locos, coaches and wagons, bound magazines, back issues of the Bluebell News, photographs, posters, timetables and many other collectables. All fund raised from sales are used to support projects across the Bluebell Railway.
- David Cable's photo, at Rock Cutting, shows 'Camelot' under threatening skies on 30 June. Whilst it's standard practice for volunteers like David working on lineside clearance to stop what they're doing to watch the train go past, some of the cows are also apparently enjoying the sight!
 
27 July 
- Pleased to report the first of the two visiting Terriers, W11 (named 'Newport' and 'Brighton' at various times) has arrived after a journey over the Solent by ferry, for the Terrier 150 weekend which starts this Friday. The event features five locos in steam, working an intensive service on four sets of carriages.
24 July 
- Major update on work undertaken as part of the overhaul of No. 72 'Fenchurch' over the last 2 months, thanks to photos provided by Andy Kelly. Most recently, the hydraulic test on the boiler has been successful, and this photo shows a test fit of the boiler and smokebox in the frames last month, which also went without a hitch.
It is planned that the loco will be assembled ready for display alongside 'Stepney' over the Terrier 150 weekend coming up on 29-31 July.
- The Latest News from the Bulleid Society last month includes a report on work completed on No. 34059 'Sir Archibald Sinclair', along with a brief note recording the passing of Sean Day-Lewis, the author of "Bulleid, Last Giant of Steam", who was the Vice President of the Bulleid Society.
- Photos from Heritage Boiler Steam Services Ltd, covering recent work on the boiler of the Maunsell Locomotive Society's SR Schools-class locomotive No. 928 'Stowe':
23 July 
- Firstly, apologies for the gap in updating this blog; hopefully normal service will now be resumed. There's a lot to catch up on, so we start with the most important news.
- It is with the greatest regret we have to announce the postponement of Flying Scotsman's visit to the Bluebell Railway in August. Please read the full statement here.
- Friday 29 - Sunday 31 July: We are sorry to announce that, despite the hard work and best efforts of our locomotive department, difficulties in obtaining raw materials and parts mean that 'Fenchurch' will not be ready to steam for the Fenchurch 150th Birthday Bash this coming weekend. However, visiting Terriers 'Poplar' and 'Newport' are still coming to the party and 'Fenchurch' will be seen on display alongside 'Stepney' at Sheffield Park.
Further details of this special weekend, with 5 locomotives in steam, are available here, and the timetable is available to download here.
- Max Davies' superb animated film showing the work undertaken to overhaul Stroudley Terrier 'Fenchurch'.
- There is a great video from our 2006 "Terrier Gala" with thanks to Richard Newman to whet the appetite for the coming weekend.
- The photo above right, by David Cable taken during lineside clearance duties on Wednesday this week, shows 80151 with the service train. Due to the fire risk during the period of record high temperatures, on Monday and Tuesday the steam service was substituted for one hauled by our 09-class diesel, but with the drop in temperature on Wednesday normal service has been resumed. The photo is taken at Rock Cutting, where lineside clearance will enhance next week's Photo Charter, organised by Jon Bowers, which will feature Terrier W11 from the Isle of Wight.
- Modified Hall No. 6989 'Wightwick Hall' arrived on loan to the Bluebell Railway on 23 June 2022, and is expected to stay until after Giants of Steam. 'Wightwick Hall' spent its working life around Hereford. and Gloucester. It was withdrawn in June 1964, and was one of the locomotives saved by being sold on from Barry scrapyard, moving to Quainton Road in January 1978, and restored to operational condition over the following 40 years. It ran over the Model Railway weekend (seen here in David Cable's photo from 2 July) and is next running this coming weekend for the "Terrier 150" event.
- One of the projects undertaken on the web site over the last two months has been to re-instate on the new server the archived "Villa Team" photos and pages detailing overhaul and maintenance work on the locomotives which took place 20-25 years ago. The transfer work is not complete, and is ongoing, so please forgive the current broken links in some places on these pages.
- Update to the Wagon Stock List, moving the GWR Sleeper Wagon 100677, and ex-LMS/Port of Bristol 5-plank PBA66071 to the "Wagons which are no longer at the Bluebell" section, with updates to the respective web pages for the wagons as well.
- The June and July issues of "Bluebell Times" have appeared since the last update on this Blog, and are recommended to anyone who has not already read them, as a means of keeping up with what's been going on around the railway.
20 May 
- Another of David Cable's photos from the Jon Bowers' photo charter last week featuring Standard Tank No. 80151.
- Why not join us? We are a volunteer-led organisation. If you wonder whether you might be interested in volunteering in any capacity on the Bluebell, you can sign up for one of our Find Out More Days:
* Saturday 11 June
* Sunday 10 July
* Saturday 13 August
* Sunday 11 September
* Saturday 8 October
- With the BRPS AGM approaching on Saturday 28 May 2022, the relevant documents have been sent to members by post, but you can also find most of the documents relating to the meeting on the Notices for BRPS Members web page (including AGM arrangements, Agenda, Election nominations, Minutes of October 2021 meetings, long service awards, in memoriam, various reports, Trust & Society Combined Report & Accounts 2021, and a Proxy Voting Form). The plc accounts are only being sent by post.
- Loco Works News update on Terrier No. 72 'Fenchurch', including, as seen below, the tanks being painted.
- News on the overhaul of No. 34059 'Sir Archibald Sinclair' on the Bulleid Society's web site featuring work in progress on the tender. John Fry's photo below shows the reassembled and re-fitted vacuum cylinder.
 
16 May 
- The May 2022 edition of Bluebell Times includes further feedback from our spring volunteer workshops, and a round up of a busy calendar of events in May and June.
In this issue:
- A reminder of the forthcoming Society AGM - and reciprocal travel arrangements for working volunteers
- From shop floor to board room, opportunities aplenty to help the Railway
- An update on the Western Extension Project
- Fenchurch is back on its wheels - and the boiler is progressing rapidly as well
- Carriage Shop donates £4,000 to two worthy restoration projects
- Bluebell Standards caught in passing at Horsted Keynes
- And much, much more
- Enjoy a day out with the whole family at Bluebell Railway this half term!
Our Kids for a Quid days are back, and this special offer applies from Monday 30 May to Sunday 5 June.
- Tickets for the Flying Scotsman running days sold out within four days of issue. The dining train tickets are about to go on sale and we continue to sell tickets for the static display days, when you ride on our ordinary steam trains, and can also view Flying Scotsman in our loco shed, and pre-book footplate visits.
- We are busy gearing up for Road Meets Rail (Saturday 28 to Monday 30 May) and our Model Railway Weekend (2-3 July).
- The two photos below from David Cable feature Standard tank No. 80151 with a branch line train, including the recently overhauled CCT belonging to the Camelot Locomotive Society. They were taken on a photo charter on 9 May organised by Jon Bowers.
 
1 May 
- Bluebell Railway are incredibly proud to have a rare visit from the worlds most famous steam locomotive 'The Flying Scotsman' - See below to book tickets.
As you would expect we have some exciting plans for this year's visit - including running Flying Scotsman on regular services and special dining trains (details to follow later this month).
The Flying Scotsman will be running non-stop return services between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead for five days from 25 - 29 August. All seats must be pre-booked in advance.
Visitors will also be able to see the locomotive on static display at Sheffield Park from 17 - 24 August and 30 August - 5 September. Tickets for footplate viewings will be available.
The locomotive is currently being overhauled which started in April 2022, prior to the locomotive's centenary celebrations in 2023. The visit to the Bluebell Railway will be one of the first chances to see the famous engine following the overhaul. As part of the overhaul, Riley & Son (E) Ltd will restore the locomotive to the same standard as the last overhaul in 2016, with work focusing on the boiler and the required retube and recertification. There will not be any changes to the locomotive's livery, numbering or chimney configuration.
See our full event timetable (pdf download), including The Flying Scotsman and 'home fleet' trains.
For travel, dining or running viewing (25-29 August):- Book Flying Scotsman in Steam Tickets.
For static viewing day tickets (17-24 August and 30 August - 5 September):- Book Flying Scotsman on Display Tickets.
The photo, by David Long, shows 'Flying Scotsman' during its last visit to the Bluebell, in April 2017.
The photo on the left, by Andy Kelly, features in a new update to the Loco News page for Fenchurch's overhaul, and shows the firebox with all the rivets in the foundation ring, and half the stays now in place.
30 April 
- Peter Edwards' photo shows Maunsell Q-class No. 30541 on Freshfield bank with the 2.15pm train from Sheffield Park on Easter Monday 18 April 2022, following its return to service at Easter after a valve and piston overhaul. It also shows that the bluebells are currently in full bloom - the view from our trains, especially through the woods, includes one of the best displays for years.
- This Sunday at the first of our two Toy & Rail Collectors' Fairs this year. Catering for everyone from avid collectors or enthusiasts, to just about anyone who is interested in (or just curious about) collectable toys, model trains and vintage railway artefacts, there will be a large variety of stalls on Horsted Keynes station platforms and car park. You'll find model railways (new and secondhand), die-cast models, collectables, railway books & ephemera and photographs, as well as stalls for preservation societies and restoration projects.
- To coincide with the Collectors' Fair, the "Carriage Shop" at Horsted Keynes (open 10am to 4pm) is having a massive Book Sale on Sunday, including a good selection of Middleton Press books at only £3.00!
- Photos from John Sandys from Saturday 16 April and Monday 18 April, including trips in the GNR Directors' Saloon.
- Video from John Harwood featuring 'Camelot' and the Q running earlier this week, at Kingscote and over the viaduct at East Grinstead, along with a look inside the buffet carriage there.
- Update available from the Brighton Atlantic Project.
Fred Bailey's photo below shows the boiler, with the insulation and cladding in place, which it's hoped will go into the frames this summer. More details of this and other progress in this news update.
- The Standard 2MT Tank Project update and April Newsletter is now available, detailing recent work on No. 84030.
The photo below shows the new steel plate which has been profiled and delivered which will form the front and rear of the bunker. It also shows the refurbished and re-certificated lifting gantry, which will be put to good use in erecting the bunker onto the engine frame.
 
14 April 
- Peter Edwards' photo from yesterday shows SECR No. 65 at the former Town House Bridge with the vintage set, currently formed of the four Victorian Metropolitan Railway coaches and 1935-built Maunsell open third No. 1309.
- On the locomotive side, the Southern Railway Q-class No. 30541 is now back in service following a major valve and piston overhaul, and has done a loaded test run today. From Sunday it joins BR Standard No. 80151 and SECR No. 65, which will also be in steam over the Easter weekend - see the Locomotive Roster for more details.
- Trains continue to run to our 5-train Service B timetable (pdf download).
- The Great Northern Railway Directors' Saloon completed its maintenance yesterday, and is now prepared for service. It will be attached on the 10.30 am, 1 pm and 3.30 pm departures from Sheffield Park each day from Good Friday to Easter Monday.
- There will be guided tours of the Carriage & Wagon Works on Saturday this weekend. Listen for station announcements, or see the signs on the workshop doors at Horsted Keynes for timings.
- Find Out More Days are back after a 2-year break - the first one was on Saturday - come and see behind the scenes to find out how and where you could get involved on the Railway as a volunteer. The dates for the remainder of the year are:
- Sunday 8 May
- Saturday 11 June
- Sunday 10 July
- Saturday 13 August
- Sunday 11 September
- Saturday 8 October
It's essential to reserve your place in advance - see details here.
- Brian Dandridge visited the Railway last Saturday and provides this photo gallery.
- The Bluebell Railway is home to a large collection of carriages and wagons, totalling some 175 vehicles, dating from the 1850s to the 1960s. The Bluebell Railway Preservation Society has reviewed the Railway's stock recently and concluded, with the agreement of the Bluebell Railway plc (the owner of the stock) that a small number of vehicles should be offered new homes. The requirement to clear some siding space may result in some being scrapped if no homes can be found. Details of the vehicles being offered are available in this document (pdf)
- Apologies that we have a problem with the security certificate on one of our domains. which may prevent some of the more picky browsers from showing the images on this and some other pages, and indicating a security problem (which does not in fact exist), with the BRPS archived and detailed web pages. The certificate should have auto-renewed, but we are chasing this up with our service provider to cure the problem, and find out why a new certificate has not been issued.
- Last Saturday Jon Bowers organised a superb photo charter at Horsted Keynes featuring two BR standard locos, "Standard Arthur" 73082 'Camelot' and 80151, with appropriate SR-designed Bulleid carriages and BR-liveried Southern-design vans. The photos below are from David Cable and Dave Bowles.
 
- 80151 nearly half a century apart:
- Tony Winson sent us this snap from a family holiday in Wales in 1973 when they visited Barry scrap yard. He remembers they had a fantastic time climbing all over the locos - there were no "health and safety" worries back then. His dad considered it a Mecca, having been brought up with steam locos in his blood, working at Derby Locomotive Works. The photo was taken by their mum and shows him with his dad, brother and sisters.
- Another of David Cable's photos from Saturday provides the "now" comparison. The locomotive is seen with the Camelot Locomotive Society's CCT and the Elephant Van.
 
8 April 
- The April 2022 edition of Bluebell Times includes feedback from our spring volunteer workshops, and updates regarding coal supply.
In this issue:
- Some good news on coal supply - but costs have gone up considerably
- Initial feedback from the spring volunteer workshops
- The Awake the Giant team reveal plans for the locomotive to move south - and a range of merchandise
- Update on projects from around the railway
- On this day in 1951 - Fenchurch and a Brighton Atlantic met in Newhaven, a pairing we can soon recreate
- And much, much more
- A reminder that from this Saturday we are running daily steam trains now for the School holidays, with our two-train Service B timetable of 5 round trips, daily up to and including Easter Monday.
- The Carriage Shop at Horsted Keynes station is open this weekend, 10am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday, with a wide selection of second hand railway and transport books, model railway locos, coaches and wagons, bound magazines, DVDs, and Thomas the Tank Engine toys, etc, with all the funds raised going to support projects across the Bluebell Railway.
- Aerial video from John Harwood showing 'Camelot' approaching East Grinstead on Tuesday.
- A new web page from the Camelot Locomotive Society records the Model Railway Events which they ran in the 1970s and '80s.
- New photos and videos from John Sandys from visits to the Railway on Monday and from Wednesday showing conservation and maintenance work starting at Horsted Keynes, a look in the Carriage works, new items in the shop at Sheffield Park, and some videos of Camelot at the Park, Horsted and East Grinstead.
1 April 
- An accidentally long exposure on this shot of 'Camelot' departing from Sheffield Park on Sunday 20 March gives both an impression of speed, and a retro "original BR days" feel to this photo by Chris Rose.
- This weekend we have two locomotives in steam each day, with public trains running to our Service A timetable. The second locomotive will be hauling the pre-booked Wealden Rambler Afternoon Tea train and Golden Arrow Pullman dining train.
- News update from the Awake the Giant Project including the latest on our fundraising for the forthcoming overhaul of the 9F locomotive, which includes merchandise now available from the Bluebell Shop at Sheffield Park, and plans for (and how you could get involved with) the locomotive's overhaul.
- This Sunday there will be a bus service operating between Lewes and Sheffield Park, operated by Seven Sisters Bus & Coach. There is no charge for the service but the organisers are asking for donations that will all go to supplying aid to Ukraine. As well as a half hourly bus service between Sheffield Park and Lewes there are a number of feeder bus routes from across Sussex.
All the details and timetables are on the Ukrainian Appeal Bus Running Day April 3rd 2022 Facebook page. The bus timetables for the day are here (pdf). Please note, this service is provided by Seven Sisters, and not the Bluebell.
- Photos and videos from last Saturday, from John Sandys.
- Although most of our staff are volunteers, we are currently advertising a number of paid employment roles on the Bluebell Railway, including:
- Carriage Painter,
- Digital Co-ordinator,
- Finance Manager,
- Pullman Car Restoration Fitter,
- and a variety of Catering roles, at all levels.
- David Cable's photo below shows 80151 passing Mill Place Bridge just after leaving Kingscote on 19 March.
21 March 
- Standard tank No. 80151 is seen on the service train on Sunday, in this long-shot from the hillside below Highbrook, with thanks to Graham Parsons.
- John Sandys' photos and videos from Saturday. This weekend saw the service trains formed of the Mk.1 Corridor set in place of the vintage compartment stock used over the previous two weekends.
- The photo below, from Chris Rose, shows 9F No. 92240, awaiting its planned overhaul. You can contribute to enabling that overhaul via the Awake the Giant fundraising scheme.
- The second photo below, by Andy Kelly, is one of a number recently added to the Loco News page for Fenchurch's overhaul, and shows the boiler, now with the outer firebox wrapper riveted to the barrel and the backhead, and the foundation ring about to be test fitted to the new inner firebox.
 
18 March 
11 March 
- The March 2022 edition of Bluebell Times - Contents include:
- Flying Scotsman to fly south again
- Storm Eunice leaves the railway battered but unbowed
- Plans for the miniature railway gather pace
- The Jewel in the Crown appeal formally closes having raised a tremendous £591,500 - now the work on the ground can begin
- The SECR O1-class No. 65 story (part 2)
- The museum unveils a new trove of historic images
- And much, much more
- Details of Flying Scotsman's visit to the Bluebell this coming August.
- The Carriage Shop at Horsted Keynes, with a large selection of books, model railways and other collectibles currently in stock, is open this weekend:
Saturday 12 March 11am to 4pm
Sunday 13 March 9.30am to 3.30pm
The Carriage Shop has been proudly supporting projects across the Bluebell Railway since 1989.
- The Southern Electric Traction Group (SETG) have provided an update on the latest work undertaken on Bluebell-owned VEP unit No. 3417 'Gordon Pettitt'.
- Peter Edwards provides these two photos from last Sunday, showing SECR O1-class No. 65 at Three Arch Bridge with the second run of the Golden Arrow from Sheffield Park, and BR 5MT No. 73082 'Camelot' at Nobles approaching Three Arch Bridge with the 3.30pm train from Sheffield Park.
 
5 March 
- Infrastructure update: On Monday the points at the south end of the Sheffield Park platforms (7B) were replaced. Jon Goff's photo shows the ballast being dug out and formation being levelled. Further details and more photos are on the Infrastructure News Page.
- A thoughtful YouTube Video from the Talyllyn Railway: "We Need To Talk About Coal" with Chris Price from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, who is leading on this topic for the Heritage Railway Association. On the Bluebell we are currently experimenting with ovoids, and following the experiments on other lines as well.
- Addition to the list of wagons formerly at the Bluebell of GWR Fruit Van body W 105565.
- Photos and videos from John Sandys from today, with 'Camelot' hauling the service train which was formed of Victorian and Edwardian carriages (as seen in the photos below). In addition SECR No. 65 was in use on the Afternoon Tea train.
 
3 March 
- This photo (© and with thanks to John H Bird/ANISTR.com) of LSWR B4-class No. 30096, shows it during industrial service with Corrall's in (probably August) 1970. At that time it was named 'Corrall Queen', but still carried its smokebox number plate and Eastleigh shed plate, and is seen shunting coal wagons at Dibles Wharf, Northam, Southampton. Now known by its original name, 'Normandy', it is owned by The B4 Loco Group, part of The Bulleid Society.
The Bluebell's web page for 'Normandy' has also now been updated.
Further photos on ANISTR.com show 30096 in BR days: at Eastleigh in 1952, in the company of 30083 in 1959, and again at Eastleigh in 1962.
- An Album by Peter Skuce featuring photos of the Railway, and particularly No. 80151, from Saturday 19 February when the line was re-opened after Storm Eunice the previous day.
- On Tuesday John Sandys took a set of photos of Kingscote Station highlighting the work of the Friends of Kingscote (FoK) over the last couple of years, with the restoration of the ex-Ardingly Goods Shed (below left), donated to the Railway and its relocation co-funded in 2019 by the Bluebell Railway Trust and FoK. A heritage trail, with QR-codes for further details of important features has been developed. Even in BR days there was no mains electricity here, so oil lamps were used right through the 1950s period to which the station is restored to represent. Lamps to decorate and illuminate the station have been refurbished or made new (below right).
- Details of the Friends of Kingscote and how to join their support group (to also receive regular newsletters) are on the group's web page.
  
1 March 
- David Cable's photo shows 'Camelot' on the Golden Arrow luncheon train on Saturday.
- Update to the OP4 news page, with links to articles about the completion of the Heritage Skills Centre, and other progress with this major development at Horsted Keynes.
- We are running trains each weekend in March, to this timetable.
Tickets are available to book online for an advance discount, or on the day from any station booking office.
We are also running Supper Specials on Friday evenings in March, and Golden Arrow Dining services every weekend.
Our stations are closed Monday - Friday until April, but our Gift Shop at Sheffield Park is open every day, 9.30am - 5pm.
- A couple of updates from contractors undertaking work on our locomotives: Video from Statfold Engineering showing Fenchurch's driving wheelset on their lathe, and current progress on Stowe's firebox at Heritage Boiler Steam Services.
- There are just a last few tickets remaining for the Pie & Mash train this Friday! Book now. Your steam-hauled train will depart from Sheffield Park Station at 6.30pm for the 1 3/4 hour journey through the beautiful Sussex countryside on Friday 4 March.
- Trevor Stone made use of the Bluebell as part of his journey to London during the closure of the Brighton Main Line (for engineering work) on 24 January, and his Video of the trip from Sheffield Park to East Grinsted behind No. 80151 is here on YouTube - he travelled First Class in Southern Railway 1947-built Bulleid carriage No. 5768.
- John Sandys' photos from Saturday.
- Two further photos below, thanks to David Cable, showing the two service trains running on Saturday; the vintage set behind SECR O1-class No. 65, and the Mk.1/Bulleid set with the south-facing Standard tank No. 80151.
 
25 February 
 
21 February 
 
20 February 
- Pleased to report that, after initially only being able to operate as far as Kingscote (from Sheffield Park) yesterday, the remainder of the line was soon cleared, and by the afternoon trains were running right through to East Grinstead. We had a power cut at Horsted Keynes, which persists today. Remembering back to the hurricane of 1987, we were without power at Horsted Keynes for a week, and at Sheffield Park for two!
- We had three locos in steam yesterday, with Standard 4 No. 80151 and O1 No. 65 (as seen here leaving Horsted Keynes) on the two-train public service, and No. 73082 'Camelot' hauling the lunchtime Pullman service.
- We have a variety of evening supper trains coming up this year, starting in March, with:
- Pie & Mash - 4 March
- Sausage & Mash - 11 March
- Sussex Cottage Stew - 18 March
- Curry Evening - 25 March
- The Murder Mystery Dining Train details for 2022 have been updated since the April and May trains are now sold out.
A new website, Terrier 150, has been set up to promote events across the UK which are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the introduction of Stroudley's famous "Terrier" locomotives, of which our own 'Fenchurch' was the first into service.
19 February
- Stop Press: We are currently running between Sheffield Park Station and Kingscote Station. We hope to open the full line later today.
Please check the Today at the Bluebell Railway page for up to date information.
17 February
- Stop Press: The Bluebell Railway will be closed on Friday 18 February due to adverse weather conditions. All pre-booked customers will be contacted as soon as possible.
- Saturday saw the return to service on the Bluebell Railway of Pullman Car 'Fingall' following a year on the jacks having its bogies, brake gear and wheel sets being given a once-in-30-years mechanical rebuild, including new springs and horn guides.
- Photos from John Sandys from visits to the Railway on Saturday and today.
- Update, with revised link: The Southern Electric Traction Group (SETG) who are working towards returning the Bluebell-owned VEP unit No. 3417 'Gordon Pettitt' to working order for visits to heritage lines and in the longer term for railtour use on the main line, are raising money for its overhaul, and have just launched a Redbubble online shop with stickers, mouse mats, baseball caps, etc. This is in addition to their main online shop for mugs etc.
- Infrastructure update: The re-laid track in the cutting north of Lindfield Wood was tamped in advance of services resuming last weekend. In addition there's work preparing new points, re-roofing of the Horsted Keynes Water Tower, a digital survey of the line and more work outside the Heritage Skills Centre. Further details and several photos are on the Infrastructure News Page.
- A short update on the activities of the Project 27 team during the winter of 2021/2022, looking at the work done on the chassis of SECR P-class No. 27, including the assembly of the new front buffer beam, as seen in the second photo below.
 
14 February 
- Peter Edwards' photo from Saturday shows the SECR H-class No. 263 at Ketches with our Pullman Luncheon Train, which it also hauled on Sunday. This was the first Pullman we have been able to run since March 2020.
The H-class is now out of service at the end of its 10-year boiler certificate. However it is planned that it should receive a rapid turn-around in our loco works following completion of 'Fenchurch' and 'Sir Archibald Sinclair', in view of the generally good condition of the boiler and recent significant mechanical work. It does require a boiler lift, and at a minimum new crown girders and tubes, new tyres and new springs. The work is to be funded by a grant from the Bluebell Railway Trust, in part thanks to a bequest left by Ray Tanner specifically for work on this locomotive.
- Reminder that we are running a public steam-train service(using two locomotives, SECR O1-class No. 65 and BR standard 4 tank locomotive No. 80151) with five round trips daily, until 27 February, to this timetable, with our Kids for a Quid Special Offer.
The Ice skating in the Loco Shed is also proving very popular - you can book separately for this, or combine it with a train ride if you wish.
- Loco News update on Fenchurch's overhaul, with thanks to Andy Kelly, Paul Russell and Statfold Engineering Ltd.
Read the full February 2022 report here which contains a full description of recent work, and many photos, both from our own Loco Works and from Statfold Engineering Ltd.
The photos below show Fenchurch's new outer firebox wrapper being test fitted in the works at Sheffield Park (Andy Kelly) and the new cylinders in place, with guide bars and valve rods being fitted (Statfold Engineering Ltd).
 
12 February 
- The penguins (and snowmen) are ready and waiting for you!
Skate aids are available to hire when our ice rink opens today at Sheffield Park Station.
Ice skating sessions are available to book up to 27 February. Tickets will also be available on the day (subject to availability).
Find out more....
- Reminder that we have three locos in steam this weekend, with public services running to this Timetable.
11 February 
- The SECR H-class No. 263, which comes to the end of its 10-year boiler certificate at the start of next week, has been busy with Footplate Taster Experiences this week. It is seen here, in Jon Goff's photo from Tuesday, when it also collected Pullman Car 'Fingall' after a major overhaul of its running gear which has taken place over the last year, ready for the resumption of Golden Arrow Pullman dining services.
The loco will be hauling our Golden Arrow Luncheon services this weekend before its withdrawal from service. Come and see the loco in steam with a platform admission or ticket to travel on 12 & 13 February!
In addition to the luncheon train, we are also operating a two train public service (5 round trips - Service C Timetable) this weekend, and indeed every day until 27 February, with our Kids for a Quid Special Offer.
You can also book for Ice skating in the Loco Shed (which is also open into the evenings). The real-ice rink is now ready, and also opens tomorrow.
- The Carriage Shop team are looking forward to reopening and getting back to raising funds for the Bluebell Railway. It reopens on Saturday 12 February and has additional opening days next week as follows:
Saturday 12th - 11am to 4pm
Sunday 13th - 9.30 to 3.30pm
Monday 14th - 10am to 4pm
Tuesday 15th - 10am to 4pm
Wednesday 16th - TBC
Thursday 17th - 10am to 4pm
Friday 18th - 10am to 4pm
Saturday 19th - 11am to 4pm
The shop, on platform one of Horsted Keynes station, is fully stocked with a large selection of books, model railway items, Thomas toys, bound magazines and much more for sale.
- The February 2022 edition of Bluebell Times - Contents include:
- An update on the first volunteer workshop - with two more opportunities to attend
- How our South Eastern survivor traces its roots back to Glasgow
- The Heritage Skills Centre section of OP4 is open - find out how the project started and raised the all-important funds
- Workshop progress on 'Fenchurch' and our historic wagon fleet
- More historic photos added to the museum website - and a promise of another trove to come.
- And much, much more
3 February 
- Winter track re-laying: Ballasting
The re-laid track in the cutting north of Lindfield Wood has now been ballasted, and will be tamped next week.
Jon Goff's photo shows one of the dogfish dropping the ballast which was then ploughed using a road-railer, and Kevin Tucker's below shows the 09 shunter with one of the hopper wagons. Further details and photos are on the Infrastructure News Page.
- The SECR O1 replaced the H-class on the Footplate Taster sessions yesterday, as seen in Peter Edwards' photo.
2 February 
29 January
- News from Strawberry Hill: Work Report: 27/01/22 (aka 'THE BACKROOM STUFF') from the Southern Electric Traction Group (SETG) who are overhauling the Bluebell-owned VEP unit No. 3417 'Gordon Pettitt'.
 If you missed it, you should see Tim Dunn's video on YouTube, produced for Network Rail in December, about the project.
- Today was the first of 3 sessions held by Geoff Mee and Paul Churchman, respectively Chairman of the PLC and the Society. Attendees - BRPS working members - engaged in discussions in small groups and brainstormed ideas that should help secure the railway's future, and speaking personally it was a very worthwhile occasion. I would urge other fellow volunteers to join in one of the remaining two sessions (12 February or 5 March). To participate email Gordon (dot) Dudman (at) bluebell-railway (dot) com - further details are on page 4 of the December Bluebell Times.
26 January 
25 January 
 
24 January 
- Infrastructure News: Horsted Keynes Up Inner Home signal
Ali Bruce provides this photo showing the new Inner Home, Calling On Signal (with the "C" arm) and Southern Railway cased Route Indicator newly installed at Horsted Keynes.
You can read the full story here, which explains more about our first operational hydraulically operated signals, and why the old one has been replaced.
- 2022 Special Events list:
21 January 
- Winter track re-laying:
End of week 1
The re-laying covers 311 yards of track at Milepost 9/1 (between Lindfield Wood and Waterworks), which is the last significant stretch to be re-laid between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes, although a section south of Freshfield Bank, and a short section over New Road Bridge remain to be tackled.
Jon Goff's photo shows the track re-lay in progress.
You can read the full report here (pdf).
19 January 
-
Golden Arrow Dining Trains Return
Bluebell Railway's Golden Arrow train is the perfect setting for a special meal with friends or an intimate evening for two. Having not run for the last couple of years, we are pleased that the operation of this service will resume in time for Valentine's Day.
With luxurious Pullman Cars 'Christine' and 'Fingall', and 1st Class Dining carriage 'Sapphire', the train recreates the fabulous Golden Arrow which once linked London and Paris with the style and panache which made it one of the most glamorous and famous trains in the world. On board you will enjoy fine food and wine served to the standards of yesteryear.
Tickets for our February The Golden Arrow Luncheon trains are now on sale. Tickets for the rest of the year will be on sale in early February.
Photo: 1920's elegance bought to life (Chris Hewison)
- February half-term will see the return of Kids for a Quid, with public steam-hauled services running daily from 12 to 27 February, to a two-train service C.
- Brian Dandridge has just put together some great video material shot at Horsted Keynes Station on 17 April 2017 that he had lost and has just recovered and edited together.
- Fire and Ice! 12 - 27 February 2022 at Sheffield Park Station.
Come Ice Skating on real ice in the unique and amazing location of the Locomotive Shed.
More details here.
- Road meets Rail, 28 - 30 May at Horsted Keynes Station - our first big special event of the year.
Traditional steam fair featuring working traction engine displays, miniature engines, goods trains and a steam driven children's fair.
More details here.
14 January 
- The January 2022 edition of Bluebell Times - Contents include:
- Unique surviving South Eastern Railway locomotive No. 65 is acquired by the Bluebell Railway Trust
- The Jewel in the Crown appeal hits its initial fundraising target - but more match funds have been released to raise even more
- A packed schedule of special events for 2022
- A commercial round up from 2021
- The C&W trimming team are the first to move into the new Heritage Skills Centre
- The Bluebell archive moves to a new home at Beare Green
- Workshop progress on 'Fenchurch', 'Sir Archibald Sinclair' and No. 30541
- And much, much more
- Bluebell Railway Trust acquires locomotive No. 65
At the end of last year, we were advised that the Lewis-Evans family wanted to sell this unique South Eastern Railway locomotive, which is currently part of the Bluebell's operational fleet. Although the Bluebell Railway was the family's preferred buyer, there were several other potential purchasers who would have been very keen to acquire it. We are therefore pleased to announce that The Bluebell Railway Trust, the charity that supports the Railway, has been able to buy the O1.
Further information is available in today's issue of The Bluebell Times and a detailed article about the very interesting history of the O1 together with information on how people can contribute to the cost of the locomotive will appear in the February edition.
Photo: No. 65 at Sheffield Park, Jon Horrocks.
- This edition of The Bluebell Times also includes a feature on the Bluebell's Archive. As we start to plan for a permanent archive, and to help inform its design and operation, we are interested in understanding how BRPS members would use the new facility. If you can spare a few minutes, we would be very grateful if you could take time to answer a few short questions linked here. Your answers will be treated confidentially, but will be very useful as we plan for the future.
7 January 
- The Jewel in the Crown Appeal to restore Horsted Keynes station is doing exceptionally well - see announcement here.
Work on the first phase of restoring the station should begin in the Spring. The initial work will cover repairs to the station house and platform 5.
The appeal is still open, and with over a million required in total to fully refurbish the whole station, further donations are still very much appreciated and needed. There will be a full update in next week's edition of Bluebell Times.
- A news update on The Bulleid Society web site reports that progress on No. 34059 'Sir Archibald Sinclair' is now concentrated at the back of the engine with the injector pipework and the injectors themselves being erected. Work will start soon on the cab. The motion on the LHS is now completed with the connecting rod in place, as seen in John Fry's photo below, and the RHS awaits its turn now that the bronze for the bush has arrived and has been machined.
You can support the project by joining the Bluebell Battle of Britain Locomotive Group's 500+ Club, or making a donation.
- Major update to the web page for our 12 Ton SR Hand Crane, with text provided by Martin Skrzetuszewski.
- Updates to web pages for SECR Birdcage Brakes 1061 and 1170, SECR 100-seater 1098, Pullman Car No. 36, BR GUV 93722, the Camelot Society's CCT 2531, SR Van U (CCT) 2276, the Maunsell Society's PLV 2186, SR PLV (PMV) 1184, SR 20T Engineers' Wagon 62002, and BR Blue spot fish van 87720, adding a pre-Bluebell photo.
- The board of Bluebell Railway Plc has appointed Nigel Page as the company's first IT director.
- A project update and December Newsletter is now available from the Standard 2MT Tank Project, who are creating locomotive No. 84030.
The second photo below shows the (extended) rear frame of the locomotive, onto which the new bunker, now under construction, will be assembled.
 
1 January 2022 
- The December 2021 edition of Bluebell Times - Contents include:
- Updates from the latest board meeting pointing the way to 2022
- Dates for next year's volunteer workshops confirmed, and details of how to attend
- A last push needed to get the Jewel in the Crown appeal up to its target of £540,000
- 'Remembrance' nameplate from the LBSCR memorial locomotive goes on display in the museum
- Five minutes with new Society trustee and filming liaison officer Mike Hopps
- 500 new photos are uploaded to the museum website - including the beginnings of the John Scrace collection
- A new footbridge for East Grinstead mainline station
- And much, much more
- Today the BRPS became a Company Limited by Guarantee
Today marks the Society's transition from an unincorporated association to a Company Limited by Guarantee, as approved at the Society's EGM last October. All current members have been transferred to the new Company. The Society's name remains the same as we have been granted exemption from using "Limited", so we appear on the Companies House website as Bluebell Railway Preservation Society, company number 13745313, registered in England. All the officers and trustees are now Directors of the company but will continue to be called Trustees.
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