The Bluebell Railway now has all the land required to complete the extension from Kingscote station to East Grinstead. We own the site for our station in East Grinstead, and we own and have undertaken extensive renovation work on the viaduct (Photo: right). We have all the other permissions in place already to extract the rubbish from the tip, and to complete the extension.
Clearance of this cutting, and its associated costs, remains the last obstacle before the steam-hauled trains of Britain's first standard gauge heritage railway can make their impressive entrance into the West Sussex market town over the imposing 10-arch Imberhorne Viaduct.
Bluebell Railway PLC's 2008 offer was aimed specifically to raise part of the construction costs to rebuild the railway line from Kingscote to East Grinstead, towards the total cost of the project, which is expected to be £5 million.
The site of the former rubbish tip has been secured, cleared of scrub, and temporary facilities and roadways installed. Over 10,000 tons of rubbish has been removed during the course of a three-week test dig. This has all been funded through the 2008 share issue, as have the purchase, insurance and indemnity payments required. The work has been a partnership between our contractor, Land & Water, and Bluebell volunteers. This trial will enable us to confirm the total cost of the project.
The Share Offer closed at 3pm on 31st December 2008 and so we have now closed the form on this site which enabled people to request that the share issue documentation be sent to them through the post.
Further initiatives to continue the fund-raising are planned for 2009.
Alternatively, you can donate on-line to the Bluebell Railway Trust via CAF, or send in a Gift Aid donation.
BRPS members can join the Deferred Share Purchase Scheme, to purchase shares from the Society holding by instalments. If you are not already a member, why not join us?
Page update by Richard Salmon on 28 July 2011