Bluebell Railway - 2010 Special Events

2010: Mar - Apr - May - June - July - Aug - Sept - Oct - Nov
50th Anniversary Events - 50th Anniversary Appeal.

2010 will feature a ful programme of events. In addition to those to celebrate our 50th anniversary, the full programme includes Giants of Steam in October, and our the hugely popular Family Fun Weekends, our traditional English Summer Fair, in June - as seen in the Derek Hayward's two photos above.

In 1960 the Bluebell Railway ran its first trains from Sheffield Park station to just outside of Horsted Keynes. Fifty years later we have extended our line to Kingscote and are now on the final stages of extending further into the old market town of East Grinstead. Our steam locomotive collection has grown from the original two locomotives, (Nos. 55 "Stepney" and 323 "Bluebell") to a fleet of over thirty locomotives and one hundred carriages and wagons.
Therefore, over the coming year we are planning a series of 50th Anniversary Events. Please also look at the special web site for our 50th Anniversary Appeal.
But the old favourites are still in the programme as well, so we have a very full year of events - do come and join our 50th Birthday party!

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.

The Bluebell Railway Band will be playing at various dates (to be confirmed), and for the Bluebell Railway Carol Service

2010

Sat 20 & Sun 21 February 2010: Branch Line Weekend
A special service using our smaller branch line locomotives and appropriate carriages. Visiting and recently overhauled engines: Fairburn Tank 42085, BR 2MT 78019 and LBSCR B473 plus 72 "Fenchurch", 592 and 80151.
27-28 February: Train Services operate to a 1963 timetable, between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes only. SECR P-class loco No.178 made its preservation debut this weekend.

6-7 March: Train Services operate to a 1963 timetable, between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes only.
13-14 March: Train Services operate to a 1972 timetable, between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes only.
Mothers Day 13-14 March: Afternoon tea on board the special Wealden Rambler train.
20-21 March: Train Services operate to a 1983 timetable, between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes only.
27-28 March: Train Services operate to a 1990 timetable, between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes only
(with an "Extension Shuttle" from Horsted Keynes to Horsted House Farm).

Easter Weekend Friday 2 to Monday 5 April: Punch & Judy Shows
An extra attraction at Horsted Keynes station. Trains run to Service 1 Timetable.
Saturday 17 April Toy and Rail Collectors Fair
A one day fair at Horsted Keynes station, with railway artifacts, model railway equipment and other goodies there to be found. Trains run to Service 1 Timetable.
19-23 & 26-30 April Spring Observation Car Specials - phone 01825 720800 to book - Discount on advance ticket purchases (until 28 March).

Tues 4 to Fri 7 May Bluebell Specials - view the lineside flora from our 1913-built observation car - phone 01825 720800 to book - Discount on advance ticket purchases (until 28 March).
8 & 9 May Southern at War
Turn back the clock to the days of the Second World War with re-enactors, military vehicles, displays and concert parties for you to enjoy. Flypast by Dakota - details tbc.
Discount on advanced ticket purchases made before 4th April.
The Bluebell Railway welcomes individuals or groups who would like to take part in our Southern at War event. If you have a period display or vehicle which you would like to exhibit, please contact the organisers via the Information Office - email info@...
Reenactors not involved in displays are welcome to attend in period costume and can travel at our members' rate.
Tickets may be purchased in advance via our Sales and Information Office on 01825 720800.
Sat 22 & Sun 23 May Bluebell Open Day and Stepney's Birthday
An opportunity to see behind the scenes in the workshops, Pullmans and other parts of the railway not normally open to the public. Plus celebrate 50 years since Stepney first arrived at the Bluebell Railway.

Sat 5 & Sun 6 June Open Day at East Grinstead
The official opening of our new platform at our East Grinstead station site.
Fathers Day 19 & 20 June: Special Cheese Ploughmans' Lunch on board our Lounge Car train.
Call our Customer Service Team on 01825 720800 for detais and to book.
Sat 19, Sun 20, Sat 26 & Sun 27 June Baxter's Family Fun Weekend
A great family day out with Clowns, Magic, Punch & Judy shows, together with the Squire and his stocks, featuring one of the children's favourite engines, our very own "Baxter".
Half price offer on tickets purchased until 30 May. Details here.

Friday 2nd and Sunday 4th July Victorian Picnic Evening
A special evening train, with exclusive compartments of your own, food, drink, and a traditional Music Hall show. Bookings now being taken.
Saturday 3 July Open Day at East Grinstead - more details nearer the time
Saturday 3 July An evening with the Yetties
The popular threesome are back to offer us another taste of their Dorset humour and song. Advance booking discount on tickets purchased by 30 May. More details.
Sat 24 & Sun 25 July Toy and Rail Collectors Fair
A whole weekend opportunity to collect that little railway nick knack you have always been hunting for

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.
Fri 6 to Sun 8 August 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Our 50th Birthday Party with visiting engines (including the brand-new main-line loco 'Tornado' and Furness Railway No.20) and many other attractions.
Sunday 15 August Sussex Food Festival
A celebration of local produce at Horsted Keynes Station
Sat 21 & Sun 22 August Vintage Transport Weekend
Vintage cars, motorcycles, traction engines and trains combine to make a weekend of transport nostalgia.

Saturday 4 September Open Day at East Grinstead - more details nearer the time
Sat 11 & Sun 12 September: Victorian Picnic Evening
A special evening train, with exclusive compartments of your own, food, drink, and a traditional Music Hall show. Bookings now being taken.
Grandparents Day 25 & 26 September: Afternoon tea on board the special Wealden Rambler train.

Saturday 9 October Open Day at East Grinstead - more details nearer the time
4-8, 11-15 & 18-21 October Autumn Tints Observation Car Specials - phone 01825 720800 to book - Discount on advance ticket purchases (until 5th September).
Fri 22 to Sun 24 October Giants of Steam
Our larger locomotives take to centre stage.
Sat 30 & Sun 31 October Wizard Weekend
All kinds of mysterious happenings around the Railway. Dare you be here?

Mon 1 to Fri 5 November Autumn Tints Observation Car Specials - phone 01825 720800 to book - Discount on advance ticket purchases (until 5th Sept).
Saturday 6 November Open Day at East Grinstead - more details nearer the time
Sunday 14 November Vintage Bus Day
Vintage bus services to and from the Bluebell Railway

Return to the Bluebell Home Page or to the Timetable - Special Event Fares & Discounts - 50th Anniversary Events - 50th Anniversary Appeal.

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Last updated 5 March 2010 by Richard Salmon.