Bluebell Railway - Special Events

2007 was yet another good year for Special events on the Bluebell. Bluebell 125 was one of the biggest for some time, including a cavalcade and several unusual trains such as the mixed working behind the Dukedog (left - photo by Richard Thomas). Giants of Steam brought together four Bulleid Pacifics as seen on the right, in Derek Hayward's photo.

We hope that 2008 will be a similarly varied and fun year, with the Branch Line weekend taking on a slight GWR theme with the visiting auto-tank loco and autocoach, and events for both youngsters and enthusiasts to say goodby to 'Stepney' and 'Birch Grove' as they come to the end of their operational periods pending further overhauls. New for this year are the Family Fun weekends and a Rail Ale train.

Special Timetables may apply on Special Event days.
These are usually available on the Services for the coming week page (which is aimed mainly at enthusiasts), in the days running up to the event.
For larger events a detailed event guide is often available in advance (with details on the individual page for that event).

Special Events Discount: We are pleased to offer discounted tickets for some of our special events, if purchased more than one month in advance.

Tuesday 1st January: Vintage Trains - Celebrate the New Year in style - our oldest locomotives hauling Victorian and Edwardian carriages.
Thursday 14 February: Valentine's Day Specials
Saturdays and Sundays in February: Auto trains - The Bluebell was host to Great Western Railway locomotive number 1450 and the Auto Coach Trailer number 178
Saturday 16th to Friday 22nd February: Kids for a Quid at Half Term
Sat 23 - Sun 24 February: Branch Line Weekend
Sundays 2nd and 9th March: Mothers' Day Cream Teas on board the Lounge Car.
Good Friday to Easter Monday 21-24 March: Easter at the Bluebell
Friday 28 March: Photo charter with SR U-class 2-6-0 No.1638 and loose-coupled SR-period goods train - photos here
Sat 29 - Sun 30 March: Goods Train Weekend - Photo report
Monday to Friday 7-11 & 14-18 April: Stepney Farewell Specials
Fri 18 April: Rail Ale Train
Sun 20 April: Toy and Rail Collectors Fair
Sat 26 - Sun 27 April: Built at Brighton - An enthusiast weekend to say goodbye to 'Stepney' and 'Birch Grove', both due to be withdrawn for overhaul.
Tues 29 & Weds 30 April: Bluebell Specials
Thurs 1, Tues 6, Weds 7 & Thurs 8 May: Bluebell Specials
Sat 10 - Sun 11 May: Southern At War Weekend, with the home guard, a spitfire flypast, military vehicles, and concert parties.
Sun 15 June: Fathers' Day Ploughman's Lunch
Sun 15 June: Songs of Praise - special evening train from Horsted Keynes for a summer evening Songs of Praise service
Sat 21 - Sun 22 and Sat 28 - Sun 29 June: Bluebell Family Fun Weekends - a traditional English country fair.

Fri 4 & Sun 6 July: Victorian Picnic Evening - A special evening train, with exclusive compartments of your own, and an evening Music Hall show.
Sat 5 July: An Evening with The Yetties - The popular threesome from Dorset are back. Tickets available online.
Sat 19 - Sun 20 July: Toy and Rail Collectors Fair - A whole weekend opportunity to collect that little railway nick knack you have always been hunting for.
Summer Bluebell Saver Half Price Offer from Saturday 26th July to Sunday 31st August (except 16-17 August)
        Half Price Bluebell Bonus Tickets:
              Third Class - Adult £5.00 - Child £2.50 - Family £15.00
              First Class - Adult £7.50 - Child £3.75
To book: Phone 01825 720800, or visit the Sales and Information Office above the Shop at Sheffield Park.
Conditions of offer: Must book and pay for tickets at least 8 days in advance, specifying date of travel. No refund or exchange of dates. Not valid on Pullman / Ploughmans / Steam & Cream or any other combined product.

Throughout August: Children's activities -
     Each Wednesday Punch & Judy shows.
     Every Thursday try the Bluebell Quiz.
     Each Friday see the Magic Shows.
     Every Sunday find the hidden Teddy Bears.
All of this in addition to our normal hourly (two-train) service of steam-hauled trains.
Summer Bluebell Saver Half Price Offer on advance ticket purchases - see above.
Sat 16 - Sun 17 August: Vintage Transport Weekend - Vintage cars, traction engines and trains combine to make a weekend of transport nostalgia. Discount on advance ticket purchases - Report and photos from similar event in 2007
If you have a vintage vehicle and would like to participate, details and entry form available here as a pdf. This year there will also be a vintage motorcycle section - space is limited so book early on this form. Note: Summer Bluebell Saver half-price offer does not apply to this event.

Fri 5 & Sat 6 September: Victorian Picnic Evening - A special evening train, with exclusive compartments of your own, and an evening Music Hall show.
Sun 21 September: Grandparents Cream Tea - Afternoon cream tea on board a special train.

Sat 25 - Sun 26 October: Wizard Weekend - All kinds of mysterious happenings around the railway. Dare you be here? Discount on advance ticket purchases.
Autumn Tints Specials - Observation Car specials, giving the best view of the fantastic Autumn Colours - dates shown in Blue in the timetable. Autumn Tints trains depart from Sheffield Park at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3pm. Advance booking is essential as they are limited to 68 seats. To book, or for more information, please call our Customer Services Team on 01825 720800.

Autumn Tints Specials - Observation Car specials, giving the best view of the fantastic Autumn Colours - dates shown in Blue in the timetable. Autumn Tints trains depart from Sheffield Park at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3pm. Advance booking is essential as they are limited to 68 seats. To book, or for more information, please call our Customer Services Team on 01825 720800.
Sun 16 November: Vintage Bus Running Day - Vintage bus service to and from the Bluebell Railway.

Sat 6 December: Horsted Keynes Carol Service. Come and join us at our annual service on the station at 7.30pm, accompanied by The Bluebell Railway Band.
Sat 6, Sun 7, Sat 13, Sun 14, Sat 20, and Sun 21 to Weds 24 December: Santa Specials. The children receive presents from Father Christmas. Postal booking opens on 1st July, and telephone bookings will be taken from Monday 6th October 2008. Booking details.
Sat 20, Sun 21, Tues 23 & Weds 24 December: Victorian Christmas Special Trains - booking for these very popular trains is already open!

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Last updated 3 July 2008 by Richard Salmon.