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The Bluebell Railway is a heritage line running for nine miles along the border between East Sussex and West Sussex, England. Steam trains are operated between Sheffield Park and Kingscote, with an intermediate station at Horsted Keynes.
Overview
The railway is managed and run largely by volunteers. It has the largest collection of steam locomotives after the National Railway Museum (NRM), and a collection of carriages and wagons unrivalled in the south of England. In addition to the 30 locomotives resident on the line, one is on loan from the NRM (another has recently returned there), and a project is well under way to recreate a long-lost type of locomotive (a London, Brighton and South Coast Railway H2 Class Atlantic) from a few surviving parts. The Bluebell Railway was the first preserved standard gauge steam-operated passenger railway in the world: it opened on 7 August 1960, shortly after the line from East Grinstead to Lewes had been closed by British Railways. It also preserved a number of steam locomotives even before the cessation of steam service on British mainline railways in 1968. 2007 marks the railway's 125th anniversary.
History
In 1877 an Act was passed to authorise the construction of the Lewes and East Grinstead Railway (L&EGR). The line was sponsored by a number of local landowners, including the Earl of Sheffield. A year later an Act of 1878 enabled the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company (LB&SCR) to acquire and operate the new line. The line had six stations, but only the station at Barcombe was within walking distance of an existing village: the remaining five were in thinly populated areas. Chailey parish had two stations, one at Sheffield Park and the other at Newick and Chailey. It was traditional at that time for a rural railway line that was supported by a private company or notable individuals to have stations sited in close proximity to the residences of its sponsors. Thus Sheffield Park station was built for the Earl of Sheffield, and Newick and Chailey for Newick Park and Reedens, the residences of two other sponsors. The other stations on the line were at Kingscote, West Hoathly and Horsted Keynes. A branch line ran from a junction at Horsted Keynes to Ardingly and Haywards Heath on the LB&SCR main line. Significantly, the 1877 and 1878 Acts included a clause stating that:
Four passenger trains each way daily to run on this line, with through connections at East Grinstead to London, and to stop at Sheffield Bridges, Newick, and West Hoathly.
This imposed a legal requirement on the railway owner to provide a service, and it emerged much later that the only way to remove this obligation was to pass another Act of Parliament to rescind it. After the passage of the 1878 Act, the new line opened in 1882, with the usual pomp and ceremony and a great deal of celebration. The whole line from East Grinstead was built to take double track, which was actually laid between East Grinstead and Horsted Keynes; however, south of the junction at Horsted Keynes the line was only single track with passing loops at the stations. Like a number of rural branch lines of that era, as well as conveying passengers a substantial quantity of local produce was transported: milk, farm products and coal, and timber to and from Albert Turner & Son, a local sawmill. Curiously, the only time Sheffield Park station received a substantial number of passengers was when Lord Sheffield entertained the Australian Cricket Team, with the inevitable match between them and Lord Sheffield's own team. As early as 1954, and certainly long before Dr Richard Beeching (whose programme of railway closures and service cuts became known as the Beeching Axe) became Chairman of the British Railways Board, the Branchline Committee of British Railways had submitted a proposal to close the section of line from East Grinstead to Culver Junction near Lewes. This was challenged by local residents, but eventually the closure was sanctioned in February 1955, and a closure date fixed for 28 May 1955. The ensuing battle fought between British Railways and the users of the "Bluebell Line" (as it was known) became infamous, as a result of four years of acrimonious argument which the transport users conducted in opposition to the Transport Authorities. Shortly after the closure a local resident of Chailey, Miss Margery Bessemer, discovered in the wording of the 1877 and 1878 Acts the clause (mentioned above) relating to the "Statutory Line", and demanded that British Railways honour this legal obligation and reinstate the services required by the Acts. On 7 August 1956 British Railways was forced to re-open the line, and so began the "Sulky Service", with the trains only stopping at the stations mentioned in the Acts. Meanwhile, in 1957 British Railways took the case to the House of Commons, resulting in a Public Inquiry. British Railways were sternly censured, but later the Transport Commission was able to persuade Parliament to repeal the special section of the Act. By this means the line was again, and this time finally, closed on 17 March 1958. Spring 1959 saw the formation of the Lewes & East Grinstead Railway Preservation Society, the forerunner of today’s Bluebell Railway Preservation Society. Its initial aim was to re-open the whole line from East Grinstead to Culver Junction, and to run it as a commercial service. This was envisaged as using a diesel railcar, a two-car DMU, as soon as funds allowed. These plans sadly came to nothing, for two reasons: firstly, the Society failed to purchase the whole line; and secondly, most local residents were not that interested. So in the interim, the re-opening of the section of line from Sheffield Park to Bluebell Halt just south of Horsted Keynes (which was at first leased and eventually purchased from British Railways) as both a steam railway and museum was planned and approved.
Present and future
The Bluebell Railway Preservation Society completed an initial extension from Horsted Keynes to Kingscote in 1994, which included relaying track through Sharpthorne Tunnel (731 yards, the longest on a UK heritage railway), and is now working to reinstate the remaining two miles of line from Kingscote to East Grinstead.
Work has now started on the final northwards push towards East Grinstead, where the line will once again join to the National Rail network. A major problem to be overcome is the former landfill site that fills a 50 metre deep cutting for part of the route. Some 300.000 cubic metres of rubbish will be removed by convoys of road freighters, although some of the clay is being taken south by rail to help fill the site of a removed bridge and embankment on the old Ardingly spur. It is hoped that in the future the Ardingly spur will also reconnect with National Rail at Ardingly, and thus gain access to the London to Brighton main line at Copyhold Junction. This will restore a bypass of the London – Brighton line which proved very useful in the past (during the Second World War the signal box at Horsted Keynes was manned both night and day, to provide an alternative route for troop trains). There is also occasional speculation about long-term plans to extend south towards Lewes; but the removal of the road bridge just south of Sheffield Park station, the in-filling of the cutting and route under the A272 road, and the housing development that was built on the site of Newick & Chailey station makes this whole idea a very distant prospect. The stations have been restored to show different periods of the railway's life. Sheffield Park has been restored to a generally Victorian ambience, as it would have appeared during the time of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (up to 1922); Horsted Keynes tries to emulate the style of the Southern Railway (1922 – 1948); and Kingscote echoes the early British Railways period of the 1950s. Between Horsted Keynes and Kingscote the line passes through the site of West Hoathly station, at one end of Sharpthorne Tunnel. The West Hoathly station buildings and footbridge were demolished piecemeal between 1964 and '67, and the site is now in the middle of a modern housing development, so remains closed in deference to the wishes of the local residents. The remains of the platforms and goods dock are still visible at the lineside. Christmas is a peak time for bookings, as the Santa Specials are very popular with families. Complimentary Clown entertainment, a children's visit from Father Christmas, mince pies and refreshments are served during the journey. Also running during the Christmas season is the Luxury Golden Arrow Dining Train which serves traditional Christmas Dinner on 13 different evenings throughout the season. Dogs are welcome, and there is even a special ticket available for them. The only restrictions are the buffet/restaurant building and Golden Arrow Pullman Dining Train, for obvious reasons. Guide dogs are most welcome, and travel free.
Stations
- Sheffield Park
- Horsted Keynes
- West Hoathly (closed)
- Kingscote
- East Grinstead (extension under construction)
Original Stations Lewes to Oxted via East Grinstead Low Level
- Oxted
- Hurst Green Halt
- Lingfield
- Dormans
- East Grinstead Low Level
- Kingscote
- West Hoathly
- Horsted Keynes
- Sheffield Park
- Newick and Chailey
- Barcombe
- Lewes
Overview
The railway is managed and run largely by volunteers. It has the largest collection of steam locomotives after the National Railway Museum (NRM), and a collection of carriages and wagons unrivalled in the south of England. In addition to the 30 locomotives resident on the line, one is on loan from the NRM (another has recently returned there), and a project is well under way to recreate a long-lost type of locomotive (a London, Brighton and South Coast Railway H2 Class Atlantic) from a few surviving parts. The Bluebell Railway was the first preserved standard gauge steam-operated passenger railway in the world: it opened on 7 August 1960, shortly after the line from East Grinstead to Lewes had been closed by British Railways. It also preserved a number of steam locomotives even before the cessation of steam service on British mainline railways in 1968. 2007 marks the railway's 125th anniversary.
Claims to fame
The Bluebell Railway has been used as the location for several films and television programmes.
- The Last Ever It Ain't Half Hot Mum episode The Last Roll Call was filmed at Horsted Keynes station
- October 1999: the film The Railway Children based on the book by E Nesbit.
- Sequences for the film Miss Potter starring Ewan McGregor and Renée Zellweger were filmed at Horsted Keynes station.
- Sequences for the adaptation of the Philip Pulman book The Ruby in the Smoke starring Billie Piper as Sally Lockhart and Julie Walters as Mrs Holland were also filmed at Horsted Keynes station
- The train chase scene in the film version of The Wind in the Willows, starring Terry Jones and Eric Idle, was also filmed on the line.
- Scenes for Einstein and Eddington were filmed on the line with David Tennant playing Eddington and Jim Broadbent as a father, with Horsted Keynes disguised as Cambridge.
- The 1977 TV miniseries Love for Lydia had brief scenes filmed at the Horsted Keynes station. It starred Jeremy Irons, Peter Davison, Mel Martin, and Christopher Blake.
- The 1967 film "I'll Never Forget What's His Name" starring Oliver Reed filmed on the line using the Met' Stock and NLR Tank Loco painted all over in white as well as a suitably "dressed" Freshfield Halt.
- At least two Ken Russell Films were made here in the early 1970s, notably Listomania starring Roger Daltrey. Sequence in that particular film showed loco Fenchurch smashing through a Grand Piano at speed.
- Dirty Dozen remake in 1984 used Horsted Keynes station for several scenes which included Q Class Loco 541 and two of the then full time PWay Gang as French Platelayers. Starred Lee Marvin.
- Pop Videos include: Tracey Ullman, The Pet Shop Boys, Sheena Easton, Runrig, Robson & Jerome. Also Elton John's 'Tumbleweed Connection' album cover picture was shot at Sheffield Park Station.
- Night Train to Murder (1984), the very last TV/Feature Film Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise made before Eric's death. Sequences at Sheffield Park station were shot at night with Eric pushing Ernie through the ticket barrier on a Porters trolley and of Loco 75027 in steam. Screened on LWT over the 1984 Christmas TV schedule.
The Bluebell Railway is also featured in The Railway Series written by the Rev. W. Awdry. The book was called Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine, with Stepney as the main character, visiting the fictional Island of Sodor.
Line to Lewes
The line originally extended beyond Sheffield Park to Culver Junction (at Culver Farm just south of Barcombe Mills), with intermediate stations at Newick and Chailey and Barcombe. At Culver Junction it joined the 1858 Lewes to Uckfield line (part of which is now restored as the Lavender Line), thereby gaining access to Lewes. The section from East Grinstead to Culver Junction was closed in 1958, and the Lewes to Uckfield line in 1969.
Steam locomotives
On Loan
- GWR 1400 Class 0-4-2T No. 1450.
Operational
- SR 4-6-2 West Country No 21C123 Blackmore Vale. Returned to traffic 2000 and used on passenger trains; boiler ticket expires 2010.
- SECR 0-6-0 Wainright Goods No 592. Returned to traffic on the 8th of October 2007, after performing the weekly shunt.
- SR 2-6-0 Maunsell No 1638 U Class. Returned to traffic in 2006 following an extensive restoration from Barry Scrapyard condition; boiler ticket expires in 2016.
- GWR 4-4-0 Dukedog No 9017 "Earl of Berkeley". Returned to traffic in 2003 after an overhaul which included a number change.
- BR 2-6-4T No 80151 Standard 4. Returned to traffic in 2001 and is in regular use; boiler ticket expires in 2011.
- LBSCR 0-6-0T Stroudley Terrier No 672 "Fenchurch". Returned to traffic in 2001 after a rebuild and is in use on Victorian trains; boiler ticket expires in 2011.
- SECR O Class 0-6-0 No 65. Returned to traffic in 1999 and is in regular use on Victorian passenger trains; boiler ticket expires in 2009.
- LBSCR 0-6-0T Stroudley Terrier No 55 "Stepney". Returned to traffic in 1998 and is sometimes used on passenger trains; boiler ticket expires in 2008.
- LBSCR 0-6-2T E4 No 32473 "Birch Grove". Returned to traffic in 1998 and is in use regularly on passenger trains; boiler ticket expires in 2008.
Undergoing repair or restoration
- SECR 0-6-0T Wainwright P Class No 178. Undergoing restoration with various parts of the engine being cleaned up. This will occupy space in the works provided by the completion of 592 and work is expected to take around 18 months.
- SR 4-6-0 S15 No 847. Undergoing overhaul by the Maunsell Locomotive Society, the wheels are back from re-tyring and attention to the axleboxes. They are being painted and should be fitted in late 2007. The frames have been cleaned and painted, the cab and motion are receiving attention and the boiler is having its stays replaced; this work is planned to be completed in 2008.
- SR 4-6-2 Rebuilt Bulleid Light Pacific No 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair". Restoration from Barry Scrapyard condition is nearing completion. Everything but the boiler and pipework is complete; the smokebox and cab have been fitted on the newly-completed frames, motion and wheels, the boiler is undergoing final attention to its firebox and the steam pipes are being fitted. The locomotive is expected to return to steam late in 2008.
- Fletcher Jennings 0-4-0T No 3 "Baxter". The frames have been re-wheeled and the front bufferbeam has been fitted and a new piece of metal has been welded on the boiler. Once complete the engine will be fitted with vacuum brakes for the first time. This work is being undertaken at a slower rate to other restorations although a return to steam in late 2008 or 2009 is likely.
- LBSCR 4-4-2 Atlantic No 32424 "Beachy Head". Work on the frames is currently under way with new holes being drilled into the tender frames. Re-tubing of the boiler is also in progress.
- BR 2-6-0 (will be 2-6-2T) Standard Class 2 No 78059 (will be 84030). Construction of the engine is under way, with work currently focused on the frames.
- BR 4-6-0 5MT No 73082 "Camelot". Withdrawn in 2005 for a ten-yearly overhaul, the Camelot Locomotive Society are currently dismantling things like the brake gear and have already finished the tender. A boiler lift took place in late 2007, and it is hoped that the engine can be back in service again in 2008. This will occupy space in the works when 34059 is completed and should come into traffic in time to replace 21C123.
- Stamford 0-4-0 Bucket loco. On long term loan to Rutland Railway Museum in unrestored condition,
Stored or on display
- LSWR 0-4-0T Adams Dock Tank No 96 "Normandy". Shunted stock regularly until July 2006 when its boiler ticket expired. Despite initial ideas of a speedy return to traffic, no work has yet been undertaken.
- NLR 0-6-0T No 58850. Awaiting overhaul. Has been on display at Barrow Hill Roundhouse until 2006 when it was moved back to the Bluebell, initially as a replacement for 96, although it also has yet to receive any major attention.
- BR 2-10-0 9F No 92240. Withdrawn in December 2002 for a ten-yearly overhaul with work required on the firebox and front tubeplate. Presently on display at Sheffield Park Station with no immediate plans for a return to steam until at least after 73082 is completed.
- SECR 0-4-4T Class H No 263. Stored on static display awaiting overhaul, last worked in 1998. No work has been undertaken and it is not likely to return to steam in the near future.
- LSWR 4-4-2T Adams Radial Tank No 488. Static display in Sheffield Park display shed with a whole new boiler barrel needed. As such, despite the many pleas to work on her, no work has been done on this fine looking machine.
- SR 4-4-0 Schools-Class No 928 "Stowe". Owned by the Maunsell Locomotive Society, its tender has recently had a new body fitted making it fit for display. Overhaul planned to start once No 847 is completed by the Maunsell Locomotive Society.
- LSWR 4-4-0 Class T9 No 120. The "greyhound" is on long-term loan from the National Railway Museum, due to a shortage of space at York. The loco is likely to leave the line in 2008, with the NRM deciding on where she should go after leaving the line.
- SR 2-6-0 U class Maunsell No 1618. Last worked in 1994 and is on static display awaiting overhaul. With classmate 1638 in traffic, 1618 has slipped down the overhaul queue.
- SR 0-6-0 Maunsell Q Class No 541. The best of all the Maunsell Locomotive Society engines. Sadly it has not worked for a while, but an overhaul is planned, hopefully after work on 928 has progressed.
- SR 0-6-0T USA Dock Tank No 30064. Recently been painted in WD grey, on static display awaiting overhaul, with no imminent plans to return her to steam.
- BR 2-6-4T Standard Class 4 No 80064. Stored on static display in the engine shed awaiting a major overhaul. With 80151 (and even 80100) in better condition, she faces a long wait to return to steam.
- BR 2-6-4T Standard Class 4 No 80100. Awaiting major restoration from Barry Scrapyard condition and work is unlikely to proceed for some time yet.
- SECR 0-6-0T Wainwright P Class No 323. Overhaul is currently suspended while work concentrates on the bigger locomotives. It is planned to paint the locomotive "Bluebell Blue" once finished. With the announcement work will begin on 1178, this has damaged 323s chances of a return to steam in the near future.
- SECR 0-6-0T Wainwright P Class No 27. Awaiting Overhaul, might be taken on by the group currently working on Baxter.
- Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST No 641 "Sharpthorn". On static display at Horsted Keynes Station. This is deemed to be a very fragile machine so is unlikely to be returned to steam
- BR 4-6-0 class 4 No 75027. On display at Sheffield Park awaiting restoration. Withdrawn February 2007 due to recurring failures. Depending on conidition may be looked at when work on 73082 is complete.
Internal Combustion Locomotives
Operational
- British Rail Class 08 0-6-0 No D3023. On long-term loan from Peak Rail and is being used for the railway's "Thursday shunt" until a steam engine is available.
Undergoing repair or restoration
- 'Howard' petrol-engined locomotive 4w Class 2 No 957. Nearing the end of its restoration with several test runs completed, it only requires minor jobs to return it to service.
- 'Clifford Avery' Diesel powered BRUTE trolley Tractor unit
Carriages
Metropolitan Carriages
Four carriages built in 1898 and 1900 for use out of Baker Street Station in London. Initially steam hauled, later used in electric trains, reverting to steam haulage on the Chesham branch in 1940. Purchased by the Bluebell Railway in 1961, and used until withdrawn in the late 1960s in need of major attention. Now returned to service and are unique as a close-coupled set of vintage carriages. The restoration team were the recipient of the Heritage Railways Association's award as overall winner of their 2006/7 carriage competition.
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- Metropolitan Composite Coach No 368. Returned to traffic in 2002 after rebuild and in use with other Victorian Coaches.
- Metropolitan Brake 3rd Coach No 387. Returned to traffic in 1999 after rebuild and in use with other Victorian Coaches. Back in traffic after a re-varnish and attention to its roof in early 2007.
- Metropolitan Full 3rd Coach No 394. Returned to traffic in 1999 after rebuild and in use with other Victorian Coaches.
- Metropolitan Composite Coach No 412. Returned to traffic in late 2006 after rebuild and in use with other Victorian Coaches.
4- and 6-wheeled Coaches
The eventual plan is to put together two complete 4- or 5-coach sets of LBSCR and LCDR carriages. It is acknowledged that this will take many years, but two carriages are already in service and another is under overhaul. Most of these carriages have been rescued as grounded bodies from within bungalows or on farms. Underframes for many of them are (or will be) provided by shortening SR passenger-rated van underframes.
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- LCDR 6-wheeled brake No 48. Stored awaiting major restoration but the underframe has received some attention.
- LCDR 4-wheeled brake 3rd No 114. Returned to traffic in 2006 after an extensive restoration; was previously used as a bungalow. In use with the Metropolitans and 661.
- LCDR 4-wheeled brake 2nd No 51. Basically identical to 114, it is presently stored under a tarpaulin on a temporary underframe.
- LCDR 6-wheel 3rd No 668. Stored on a temporary underframe awaiting restoration.
- SER Southern Railway 3rd No 1050. Stored awaiting restoration, eventually to be part of a planned Birdcage train in the future. Included in this section because it was formed in 1924 by the rebuilding of several old SER carriage bodies onto a new bogie underframe.
- LBSCR 4-wheel Stroudley Coach No 661. In use after rebuild and is in use with the Metropolitans and 114. It is planned to eventually be part of a Stroudley train pulled by the Terriers Stepney and Fenchurch.
- LBSCR 4-wheel Stroudley brake 3rd No 676. Stored awaiting restoration, restoration planned to start once No 949 is complete.
- LBSCR 4-wheel Stroudley brake 3rd No 949. Undergoing restoration, a new underframe has been found and the structure is complete. Some of the existing framework is being repaired, and some new framework for the compartment end is coming together and should be fitted to the coach chassis soon. Planned to work with 661 once finished.
- LBSCR 4-wheel Stroudley 3rd No 328. Stored awaiting restoration to working order, planned to go into the works once 676 is complete.
- LBSCR 4-wheel Craven 2nd No 35. Stored awaiting restoration, work planned to start once the other 4-wheel Stroudley carriages are finished.
Pre Grouping (Southern) Coaches
Together with the SECR Hundred seaters (see below) the operational coaches of this type form a set of coaches which have operated over recent years as the Bluebell's regular Vintage set.
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- LBSCR Bogie first No 142. Returned to traffic in 1999 and won the 'Best Coach of the Year' award for 2002/03. Used frequently on passenger trains.
- LSWR Lavatory 3rd No 320. Stored under an overall tarpaulin, probably requires new doors but has a complete interior.
- LSWR Corridor 3rd No 494. Stored under a tarpaulin in the sidings.
- LSWR Brake 3rd No 1520. Under restoration, which is well under way, the frames and framework are complete and the floor, roof and sides of the inside of the coach have been painted. The fabrics for the seats are now starting to arrive. Both of the bogies have been restored and have been fitted, all the body panels have been fitted, and the doors are going on. Return to traffic is expected in 2007.
- SECR Birdcage Brake No 1061. Stored underneath a tarpaulin; requires major restoration.
- SECR Birdcage Brake No 1084. Undergoing restoration. The roof, floors, partitions and structure have been overhauled. Four of the six compartments well on the way to completion and external panelling and mouldings are going on. Will be completed in 1920s/30s lined olive green livery.
- SECR Birdcage Brake No 1170. Awaiting restoration with the roof requiring major attention. The interior will need to be reconstructed from scratch, but fortunately this is fairly plain and should be straight-forward.
Maunsell Coaches
The carriages designed by Richard Maunsell for the Southern Railway had a restrained elegance. In preservation terms they provide a superb vintage experience for the passenger, whilst as corridor vehicles they also offer access to more modern facilities.
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- Maunsell Open 3rd No 1309. In service and used on passenger trains on a regular basis.
- Maunsell Open 3rd No 1336. Undergoing overhaul. Almost finished, with all the panels and windows in place, the interior is nearing completion with the seats now being fitted. It is expected to return to traffic by 2007.
- Maunsell Composite Dining Saloon/Open 3rd No 1365. Stored awaiting overhaul after being used on passenger trains regularly.
- Maunsell Corridor 3rd No 2356. Awaiting overhaul, was used for some years as the Carriage and Wagon Department Mess Coach.
- Maunsell Corridor Brake 3rd No 3687. Undergoing overhaul, the brake compartment interior is nearing completion and the doors have had all their timberwork overhauled and fitted. Once the brake compartment is finished work on the rest of the interior will continue.
- Maunsell Corridor Brake 3rd No 3724. Stored awaiting restoration with rotten timberwork. During its eventual restoration it may be converted into a disabled coach on passenger trains so people with wheelchairs can enjoy themselves.
- Maunsell unclassed Brake No 4441. Awaiting overhaul with a seriously damaged underframe but a good body. It is planned to swap underframes with 4444 in the near future so this one can be restored.
- Maunsell unclassed Brake No 4444. Out of service awaiting restoration. It is planned to donate its underframe to 4441 which survives in much better condition.
- Maunsell Travelling Post Office No 4922. Stored awaiting restoration but it has been given low priority as it is not a passenger carrying vehicle.
- Maunsell Corridor Composite No 5624. Stored awaiting restoration, work is expected to be programmed at some stage as it is one of the core gems of the Maunsell coach fleet.
- Maunsell Corridor Brake Composite No 6575. Stored awaiting a fairly major overhaul particularly at the brake end.
- Maunsell Corridor Brake Composite No 6686. In service after returning to traffic in 1997, it won the 'Highly Commended Coach of the Year' award for 1998/99.
- Maunsell Kitchen Buffet No 7864. Awaiting restoration. Will probably be one of the next to be worked on as its underframe is in better condition than the other stored Maunsell coaches.
Observation Car, Royal and Directors' Saloons
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- GNR Directors' Saloon No 706. In traffic and is used fairly regularly on passenger trains on Bank holidays and the Summer Months.
- LNWR Observation Coach No 1503. In traffic and is used regularly on passenger trains, painted in LNWR livery it provides a unique view of the Railway.
- LNWR Semi Royal Saloon No 806. In service in LMS Maroon and was used as part of the Golden Arrow train but Pullman Car Christine relived it from much of the work but is still used on the train and as a saloon for special events.
- LBSCR Directors' Saloon No 60. Stored awaiting restoration under a waterproof Cover but its restoration should start soon.
Bulleid Carriages
The 1940s Southern Railway designs of Oliver Bulleid produced a very clean, modern-looking carriage, many of the features of which were perpetuated in the BR standard (Mk.I) designs. The Bluebell's collection contains examples of SR built, Contractor built and BR built carriages. It is unfortunate that none of the shorter, early Bulleid designed carriages have survived.
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- Bulleid TO Open Third No 1456. Awaiting Overhaul.
- Bulleid TO Open Third No 1464. In service and used regularly on passenger trains since 1986. Received further repairs to its outer panelling in 2005, now completed and the coach should be fit for use for another 20 years.
- Bulleid TO Open Third No 1481. Out of service awaiting a fairly major overhaul with the body structure needing attention and replacement of external panelling and window frames.
- Bulleid TO Open Third No 1482. In regular service on passenger trains following a major restoration that was completed in 2000.
- Bulleid SOBT Semi-Open Brake Third No 2515. Returned to traffic in 1976, receiving further repairs in 1987, a re-trim of its seats in 1994 and recovering of its roof in 1998. It is in regular use on passenger trains, but will soon fall due for a major overhaul.
- Bulleid SOBT Semi-Open Brake Third No 2526. Nearing the end of a major overhaul which is expected to be complete in 2008, all of the outside panels have been fitted, the interior is nearly there along with the remainder of the mouldings being fitted and almost all of the lights have been fitted and tested.
- Bulleid SOBT Semi-Brake Open Third No 4227. Awaiting major restoration.
- Bulleid SOBT Semi-Brake Open Third No 4279. Used regularly on passenger trains from 1970, and again after its restoration was completed in 1979, it has now run more days on the Bluebell than it did on BR.
- Bulleid CK Corridor Composite No 5768. Stored awaiting a major overhaul after being used on the railway for 20 years.
SECR Hundred Seaters
Two extremely durable carriages, built in 1922 and 1923, which have now run high annual mileages in public service on the Bluebell since 1963.
Pullman Cars
Several of these have been overhauled and operate regularly as the Bluebell Railway's Golden Arrow dining train, and also on occasions for the Sussex Belle (tea-time) and City Limited (Breakfast) services.
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- Pullman Brake Third Car No. 54. Awaiting restoration, basically a kit of parts.
- Pullman Kitchen First "Fingall". In service.
- Pullman Parlour Third Car No. 64 "Christine". Returned to traffic in December 2006 after a general overhaul.
- Pullman Parlour Third Car No. 76 "Lillian". Operational.
- Pullman Kitchen First "Constance". Originally SER Drawing Room Car No.33, of 1891, becoming a Pullman in 1919. Awaiting restoration which will be very major.
- Pullman Kitchen First "Eagle". In service. On long term loan from the National Railway Museum.
- Pullman Kitchen First "Doris". Internally complete, and used statically. Would require a major overhaul to make it operational. Was part of the "Brighton Belle" electric Pullman train.
British Railways Standard Steam Stock (Mk.I)
The staple of most preserved railways, on the Bluebell these only form a proportion of the operational stock. They are a durable design, representing in many ways the culmination of traditional carriage design in the UK, prior to the introduction of monocoque techniques.
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- 1818 RMB Restaurant Miniature Buffet (1960). Operational.
- 1838 RMB Restaurant Miniature Buffet (1959). Operational.
- 3064 FO Open First (1955). Operational.
- 4824 SO Open Second (1959). Operational.
- 4941 TSO Open Second (1962). Operational.
- 4957 TSO Open Second (1962). Operational.
- 5034 Saloon (formerly TSO, then TCL 99165) (1962). Operational, Converted to multi-use saloon with wheelchair lifts.
- 16210 CK Corridor Composite (1961) (7210). Operational.
- 16263 CK Corridor Composite (1963) www page. Awaiting restoration.
- 21271 BCK Brake Composite (1964) (ADB977109). Awaiting restoration.
- 24458 SK Corridor 2nd (1954). Awaiting major overhaul/restoration.
- 25728 SK Corridor 2nd (1961) (18728). Operational
- 25769 SK Corridor 2nd (1961) (18769). Operational
- 35448 BSK Brake Corridor 2nd (1963). Operational
Other passenger stock not intended for passenger use
Pre-Grouping Vans
Southern Railway Vans, etc
-
- 404 Van C (4-wheel brake van, BY) (1937), operational
- 419 Van C (BY) (1937), operational
- 653 Van C (BY) (1938)
- 1184 PLV (passenger luggage van, PMV) (1935)
- 1788 PLV (1942)
- 2186 PLV (1934)
- 2276 Van U (Covered Carriage Truck, CCT) (1929)
- 2462 GBL (Gangwayed Bogie Luggage van) (body 1931, u/f 1910), operational
- 2531 CCT (1955)
- 4430 6-wheel glass-lined Milk Tank (1933), operational
- 4601 Bogie Scenery Van (modified for carrying circus elephants) (1949)
-
- 398 LMS/BR 1st Sleeper (1952)
- 603 LMS/BR 3rd Sleeper (1951)
- 623 LMS/BR 3rd Sleeper (1952)
- 6334 BR BG (1957)
- 32975 LMS BGZ (6-wheel Gangwayed Guard's Brake, Stove R) (1938), operational
- 87720 BR INSUL-FISH (1960)
Mk.I carriages used for non-traffic purposes
-
- 2442 Staff Sleeping Coach (88 "Service Car No.2") Ex-SLC (1961)
- 25776 Staff Dormitory, (TCL 99166) Ex-SK (1961)
- 25871 Carriage Shop, (TCL 99161) Ex-SK (1962)
References
External links
- Bluebell Railway Preservation Society
- Web site covering Horsted Keynes; the village at the centre of the line
- Photographs, Description and Map
- Kelly Preston visits the Bluebell Railway
