insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 20 - October 2016 | Page 111
BUSINESS
BUSINESS PROFILE:
The Bluebell Railway
On August 7th, 1960, the first train ran on the newly refurbished Bluebell Railway. It was the
culmination of three years of hard work and dedication (not to mention a little blood, sweat
and tears) from the volunteers who had taken on the task of restoring part of the Lewes to East
Grinstead line of the former London, Brighton and South Coast Railway.
Although other railway lines have been restored
in the past, and although other steam trains
across the UK take visitors back and forth on
short, historic journeys, the Bluebell Railway
is different and that’s because it was the UK’s
very first preserved, standard gauge railway. A
labour of love it may have been, but volunteers
back then knew that the public would be keen
to experience steam trains from the past and,
rightly, they persevered.
The difficulty then, they thought, would be in
persuading the public to spend money on a train
journey that, to all intents and purposes, had
no reason behind it other than pleasure when
they could make a similar train journey with a
purpose elsewhere – don’t forget that it wasn’t
until 1968 that the last steam passenger train
ran on a commercial line. None of this seemed
to matter, however; the excitement and passion
of the volunteers ignited the same feelings in
the visitors who were as fascinated to see the
steam locomotives, coaches, signalling systems
and stations up close for the very first time.
Today, visitors still flock to the Bluebell Railway in
their thousands each year hoping to get a feeling
of what steam train travel must have been like.
Since it first opened in 1960, the Bluebell Railway
has become one of Sussex’s best loved and
most visited attractions, not least because of the
wonderful events that take place each year.
The events at the Bluebell Railway are always
well attended (booking in advance is advised),
and they make for a great day out whether you
are a lover of steam engines or not. Memorable
excursion days include the ‘steam and cream’
train, during which guests can enjoy a cream
tea while travelling through the gorgeous
Sussex countryside crossing from East Sussex
into West Sussex and back again. Another
of the most popular Bluebell Railway events
is the famous ‘fish and chip supper’ train.
These depart from Sheffield Park Station and
those travelling experience a one-hour-and40-minute return journey to East Grinstead as
they tuck into a traditional fish and chip supper
including an indulgent dessert.
The three-day ‘Giants of Steam’ event, which
this month runs from Friday 28th to Sunday
30th, is a hugely fun day out for the whole family
and, besides the wonderful Father Christmas
meet and greets that run throughout December,
is probably the main event in the Bluebell
Railway’s full calendar. The weekend includes an
intensive train service across all three days and
you’ll certainly be able to travel in style, whether
you choose the steam trains, the vintage bus
that will be available, or a combination of both.
During the ‘Giants of Steam’ event you will
be able to visit the railway’s museums and
locomotive sheds; see inside the Atlantic
House - an area usually closed to the public;
and examine age-old locomotives in the midst
of refurbishment.
As for the railway’s future, there are many
exciting plans in the pipeline including the
presentation of West Hoathly station in the
style of the 1940s; Kingscote, the 1950s; and
East Grinstead, the swinging 1960s. Visitors
will truly feel as though they are travelling
through time! In the long term, the extension
of the Bluebell Railway route southwards
towards Lewes, taking in Newick, Chailey and
Barcombe, is under consideration too.
The Bluebell Railway
Sheffield Park Station
East Sussex
TN22 3QL
01825 720800
[email protected]
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk
@bluebellrailway
/bluebellrailway
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