Barbara Watkins tightens a white fishplate in a private ceremony for the extension volunteers - 8 Mar 2013 John Sandys.
Introduction
My first visit to the Bluebell Railway was during May of 2005. At that time the railway's northern terminus was at Kingscote, too far from East Grinstead to walk, but the heritage railway ran a connecting bus service during busy times. One logically stayed in East Grinstead as the village offers a choice of accommodation. East Grinstead is located at the end of the National Rail line operated by Southern Railway with connections to the rest of the United Kingdom. Kingscote was once connected to East Grinstead but during the late 1960s, early 1970s, this portion of Bluebell's line was turned into a garbage dump. Not any longer! It took 39 years plus £11 million to dig out that dump and lay track between Kingscote and East Grinstead. With that work complete the first public Bluebell train arrived in East Grinstead on 23 Mar 2013. A tremendous accomplishment for a small heritage railway.
Location
The Bluebell Railway lies about thirty miles south-southeast of London, England, as the crow flies. The Southern Railway offers regular commuter service from London's Victoria station to the East Grinstead station that takes about an hour one-way. The Bluebell itself, including the new extension, is now 11 miles (17.7 kilometres) in length and runs south from East Grinstead to its terminus at Sheffield Park.
Stations
The Bluebell displays a wide variety of passenger consists pulled by many types of steam locomotives, and only steam locomotives. Fine wine and food are served on their "Golden Arrow" dinner train Saturday and Sundays plus it is also available for private charter. The railway connects East Grinstead and Sheffield park passing through typical lush green English countryside. With the exception of Freshfield Bank, grades are relatively light and there is no noticeable effort on the part of steam locomotives along the route. Many brick or stone overbridges are passed beneath while traversing the line. The railway can boast of having the longest British tunnel in preservation beneath Sharpthorne Village (731 yards 668 metres).
East Grinstead - National Rail recently constructed a new station at East Grinstead where the Southern trains terminate. At the present time (2013) an old railway coach serves as the Bluebell's station at East Grinstead. It's just a short walk from the National Rail station alongside the platform.
Kingscote - Just south of East Grinstead the first station, Kingscote, is encountered. The old Victorian station has two platforms, with an underground connection between them, signal box, and passing loop. If you are driving a vehicle you should note there is no public parking available at Kingscote but it is possible to drop-off or pick up passengers in the small gravel turning area. Only one small twisting country road passes by the station which is surrounded by forest with no place to park a vehicle.
Horsted Keynes - (Pronounced Horse-ted Canes) This station lies approximately half way between Kingscote to the north and Sheffield Park terminus in the south. A carriage works is located here and plenty of carriage stock is visible stored outside on sidings adjacent to the mainline. You may see tank engine "Stepney" running back and forth carrying out driver training during a visit.
Sheffield Park - This is the main station and headquarters for the railway complete with museum, signal box, and locomotive works located here. A well-stocked gift shop tempts the visitor to part with their hard-earned pounds.
A one-way trip takes about 45 minutes to complete. Since there are several trains operated each day in both directions this leaves ample time to get off at any station and explore, or even walk along the line to various photograph points.
Locomotives
The Bluebell maintains a large fleet of steam locomotives, some operational, some undergoing overhaul, some on static display, and there is even one on loan to another railway. The table below shows only six engines but the complete Bluebell roster provides a wealth of information about their fleet.
Number: Wheels: Class: Name: Built:
Southern Railway 21C123 4-6-2 West Country Blackmoor Vale 1946
Number: Wheels: Class: Name: Built:
Great Western Railway 9017 4-4-0 Earl (later 90XX) known as "Dukedog" Earl of Berkeley 1938
Number: Wheels: Class: Name: Built:
British Railways 41312 (re-lettered 41302) 2-6-2T Ivatt 2MT Un-named 1952
Number: Wheels: Class: Name: Built:
London Brighton & South Coast Railway 55 0-6-0T A1X Stepney 1875
Number: Wheels: Class: Name: Built:
British Railways 73082 4-6-0 5MT Camelot 1955
Number: Wheels: Class: Name: Built:
British Railways 75027 4-6-0 4MT Un-named 1952
Number: Wheels: Class: Name: Built:
4 0-6-0ST K Sharpthorn 1877
Number: Wheels: Class: Name: Built:
South Eastern & Chatham Railway 263 0-4-4T H Un-named 1905
Black Fives
Black Five - BR 73082
Red Five - LMS 5596
Green Five - BR 75027
Some time long ago a person in Britain named the first London Midland & Scottish (LMS) 4-6-0 Ten-Wheeler a "Black Five". That seems logical enough, it's black, a 4-6-0 wheel arrangement with five wheels a side. So... by extension these other two must be a Red Five and a Green Five. I could only find three colours on this trip so I'm still looking for a Blue Five. Perhaps someone will be kind enough to point one out. *o)
