Bluebell Railway

I had the opportunity to visit the Bluebell Railway on 9 April, using the relatively new East Grinstead station having arrived by train for the first time.  The East Grinstead station is quite simple, a single platform with a run round loop with a Southern train stabled the other side of the fence.

A pleasant sight was waiting –  the beautifully restored Met set (with a couple of interlopers to cope with the traffic on offer) headed by H class (ex-SECR) 263 which was built in 1905.  The Met set looked fantastic in the sunshine and I had the opportunity to ride in Composites 368 (built by Ashburys in 1898) and 412 (built by Cravens in 1900) during the day.  Added to the rake was LCDR 3360 in SECR livery. The coach originates from 1889 and so is even older than the main Met set – it was in use as a bungalow before recovery and now provides wheelchair accommodation.  Most compartments were in use.

As it is currently a two train service the other loco in use was S15 847 hauling a rake of Mark 1 coaches.  847 gave a very nice performance as it entered Horsted Keynes from Sheffield Park easing off before some atmospheric sounds and exhaust as it came up the last of the rise. Similarly it delighted aurally ascending to Holden summit on the way to East Grinstead.

The volunteers around the line were welcoming – even those wandering past were giving cheery greetings and there are various guides around to help explain matters.  Also the coaches not in use at Horsted Keynes all look as though they have been the subject of extensive care and maintenance and the entire line looked a picture.

My first visit to the Bluebell was almost but not quite 50 years ago, I realised as I sat waiting for the next train at Horsted Keynes – so long that I cannot remember what was providing haulage then, but the photographic evidence implies small tanks – a far cry from the larger locos needed today.

What has changed dramatically are the facilities – much improved engine shed and even more the carriage and wagon repair shop at Horsted Keynes now allows the visitor to watch restoration in progress and has great explanatory photos of the items being rebuilt – in one case at least it seems little more than an underframe and a very large number of pieces of wood, together with video explanations.  Outside some of the completed work gleamed in the sunlight.

One oddity was that unlike most railways they did not appear to have available a current book or leaflet detailing the rolling stock collection; historically they produced such a document but perhaps they now feel that they provide more up to date information on the web, where I must admit the detail available on rebuilds on restoration is excellent.

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