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Latest Updates     -     Earlier updates     -     Latest Project News
Weekly train running information     -     Recent photo reports     -     Archive News

• This photo from Peter Austin shows 'Sir Archibald Sinclair' at the head of the Nine Elms Enginemens reunion train on 11th August. Regrettably this loco has again succumbed to firebox problems, although with the replacement section already to hand there is not expected to be anything to prevent to loco appearing at 'Giants of Steam'.

• Photos from the 50th Anniversary Gala from Chris Ward: Saturday and Sunday.

• Thanks to Michael Hopps, we have another update on the extension progress at East Grinstead; a slightly delayed report, but interesting to see the process of creating the new station platform features.

• More recently, Derek Hayward has been able to update his album covering the current state of progress at East Grinstead, during the offical visit of the local Mayors to the site on Sunday.

• John Sandys has provided the photo below, taken today, as part of an album featuring the new lamps at East Grinstead, along with 2 short videos (first and second) of work in progress at the Station Site.
  The new lamps, the provision of which has been organised by Les Haines and paid for by the Bluebell Railway Trust, are a mixture of salvaged and newly cast LBSCR-pattern columns, fitted with new SR-pattern swan-necks and original SR shades. Extra columns were also cast for planned use at Sheffield Park.

• Two more photos below from Derek Hayward, representatives of the East Sussex MG Club attending the Vintage Transport weekend show on 22 August, and on the same day, the P-class No.178 giving brake van rides at Horsted Keynes.

• Tony Sullivan's photo below shows the re-erected ex-Isfield LBSCR waiting room at Sheffield Park, this morning. As part of the re-organised facilities on Platform 2 it will form the new Bulleid Society shop.

• David Haggar's photo shows part of the nameplate display the 50th Anniversary gala, including the rare 75G shed plate from the short-lived Eastbourne Shed (which was downgraded to a sub-shed of Brighton in 1954).

• The last photo for today was taken by Neal Ball last Friday and shows the C-class at Horsted Keynes with the evening's sell-out Rail Ale train. See also Neal's album from the evening.

• The photo from David Jones shows Sunday's presentation, by Keith Millard to BRPS Chairman Roy Watts, of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers' Engineering Heritage Award.

• Photos from the Vintage weekend, including official photos of the prize-winning cars and other vintage vehicles, available from Derek Hayward.

• We currently have 48 Railway Books for sale through Amazon in aid of our Northern Extension Project. Some of them came from Bill Howe, who was a Station Master at Horsted Keynes in BR days and is now approaching his 100th birthday.

• A reminder that on Friday 10 September, as just one of three separate special trains running that evening, we have Beer, Brass & Steam! - a late Summer's evening on the Bluebell Railway with the Petworth Town Band.

• The day before, Thursday 9 September we host An evening with the Yetties for the final time. Advance booking discount on tickets purchased by 31 August.

• The Bulleid Society is hoping that someone might have a photo taken at Horsted Keynes over the last couple of weeks which they could have use of, showing their three locos (Normandy, Blackmore Vale and Sir Archibald Sinclair) together in the same shot. If you can help, please contact John Fry or Richard Green, via their web site.

• More 50th Anniversary Gala photos, from David Haggar and Owen Hayward

• Derek Hayward has an update on the HLF-funded carriage shed at Sheffield Park, where the second half of the floor has now been laid.

• Apologies that this web site has been unavailable for the last day; it appears to have been a problem with the name-server directing traffic to us, since the server on which the site is hosted was fine.

• More photos from Derek Hayward from the Vintage Transport Weekend:
  • Above: Traction Engines, Vintage cars, and a Works Rally Car;
  • Below: Surrey branch of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, 1910-built motorcycle OA 729, and an Austin Swallow.

The Trains for the coming week page is updated weekly, with detailed information for visiting enthusiasts - but please note that notification of a train or service on that page does not necessarily imply that it is available to the public - all public services are listed in the Timetable.

Note: Throughout this site many of the photos are presented as small versions which can be clicked on to access the full-size image.

Latest Project News

• East Grinstead Extension: Report and photos of recent work on the extension and the new fence for East Grinstead platform - 26 and 16 August 2010
• The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) - Bluebell Railway honoured with Heritage Award - downloadable as PDF - 20 August 2010
• Operation Undercover - Photos from Derek Hayward - August 2010
• Loco Works News: Newsletters from the Standard Class 2 project, the overhaul of SECR P-class No.323 Bluebell, the Brighton Atlantic project, the completion of No.55 Stepney's overhaul, the return to service of SECR P-class loco No.178, a report on the work on No.73082 'Camelot', an update from the Maunsell Locomotive Society, progress with "Baxter", the return to service of LBSCR E4 No.B473, and of SECR H-class No.263 - 26, 13 July, 28 June, 17 May, 1 May, 6 April, 28 &15 March, 30 January 2010
• Press Release - BRPS granted The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - 2 June 2010
• The latest news of the Horsted Keynes Re-signalling. Last update 19 April 2010
• Report of the relaying of the track through the tunnel in February and March 2010.
• Carriage & Wagon Works News - Updates on the overhaul of the LSWR Brake 1520, SECR Birdcage coach, rebuilding the LBSCR Milk/Fruit Van, restoration of GWR 5-plank open wagon No.87782 and the overhaul of LMS 3-plank wagon No.474558 - 5 March, 19 February 2010, 31 and 20 December 2009
• Progress report on work on the LCDR carriage project being funded through The People's Millions - 7 February 2010
• Archive news from the Bluebell

Take a tour of this web site

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Latest photographic and video reports:

• John Sandys' album featuring the new lamps at East Grinstead, along with 2 short videos (first and second) of work in progress at the Station Site - 26 August 2010
• Derek Hayward album covering the current state of progress at East Grinstead, during the offical visit of the local Mayors to the site - 22 August 2010
• Photos from the Vintage weekend, including official photos of the prize-winning cars and other vintage vehicles, available from Derek Hayward - 21-22 August 2010
• Neal Ball's photos of the Rail Ale train - 20 August 2010
• New page detailing the work on the new platform fence being done at Kingscote (preparations) and East Grinstead (installation) - 16 August 2010
• More of
• Photos from Derek Hayward on the HLF-funded buildings project at Sheffield Park, and Sussex Food Festival at Horsted Keynes - 15 August 2010
• John Sandys has a photo gallery and short video showing further progress at East Grinstead - 15 August 2010
• Photo Charter with FR 20 and the LBSCR and LCDR 4-wheel carriages: Andrew Strongitharm, Dave Bowles - 12 August 2010
• 50th Anniversary Gala - 6-8 August 2010:
  • Derek Hayward;
  • Daniel Hill - of Gala and Cavalcade;
  • Keith Duke - Friday and Saturday;
  • Andrew Strongitharm - Gala and The journey up to Imberhorne;
  • Stephen Hunt;
  • Neil Munro-Thomson; and
  • Keith Leppard.
  • Meridian West;
  • Dan Hamblin;
  • Dave Bowles;
  • Ken Upton;
  • Matthew Nightingale: Photos, and Videos from Saturday, from Sunday, plus the Cavalcade;
  • Michelle Scoates: Video 1 and Video 2
  • Video from Aidan Grant of 80151 departing from Kingscote
  • Further photos from Dan Hill: Saturday and Sunday
  • Ashley Smith has some photos from the weekend on his gallery, and Rebecca Parkes has a photoset on Flikr, including the second one below, showing the U-class leaving Sharpthorne tunnel.
  • 34027 Videos: Part 1 and Part 2;
  • 21C123's Videos: Part 1 and Part 2;
  • theonlyadsrulz productions: Part 1 and Part 2;
  • JBTEvans;
  • Chris Ward;
  • billhook72: Part 1 and Part 2;
  • JoeS231989: 34059 departs northwards from Horsted Keynes, The SECR locos arrive at Kingscote with the Vintage train, FR 20 arrives at Kingscote from the north, 80151 arrives at Horsted Keynes, B473 runs round at Kingscote, FR 20 again, U-class leaves Sheffield Park with the GN saloon leading the Vintage set, Baxter at Horsted, SECR Locos with the recently restored Bulleid brake coach leading the train, Blue Circle giving brake van rides, Three LBSCR locos with the SR carriages, 2 Terriers and 2 Brighton Belle Cars, The SECR C and P locos lead the newly restored LSWR carriage and the Victorian carriages, Baxter shunts wagons, All 10 vehicles in this train are 100 years old or over, Baxter and goods train, 15-inch gauge loco Typhoon, Typhoon again, Blue Circle, Locos run back through the station after the individual cavalcades, The cavalcade, from the Paddock field, Cavalcade reverses through the station, Blue Circle, Baxter and No.957 play their part in the cavalcade and The funal pass of the cavalcade through the station;
  • Rebecca Parkes has two videos of the cavalcade - running forward and back;
  • Ruth Hayllar: The small locos after their cavalcade.
  • Ashley Smith's videos - Part 1 and Part 2
  • Coverage in the local press
  • Photos from Linda Chen
  • Videos from Robert Philpot featuring FR No.20 hauling the Observation Car on the first day of the Gala - Horsted Keynes to the Tunnel, and from the Tunnel to Kingscote. David Haggar
  • Owen Hayward
  • Chris Ward: Saturday and Sunday
• Web page on the Bluebell Museum web site for the 50th Anniversary.
• YouTube video of superb cine footage from the Bluebell early days, featuring Stepney, Primrose, Bluebell, the Adams Tank and the Mets, plus the BR electric trains at Horsted Keynes.
• Derek Hayward has been allowed access to the Northern Extension trackbed through to East Grinstead to enable us all to see up-to-date photos of progress - 5 August 2010
• Roger Haggar's 1960s photos.
• Progress with the roofing of the new carriage shed at Sheffield Park from Derek Hayward, including some taken with permission from on the roof, and also an update on the work being done in the Loco Works on No.323 Bluebell, and on preparations for the 50th Anniversary Gala - 28 July 2010
• The Bluebell Railway Museum's web site has a new 50th Anniversary gallery of photos of important Bluebell events, and other interesting shots from the last 50 years.
• John Kortland enjoyed a day at Horsted Keynes, and his gallery of photos reflects that, and the preparations in hand for the 50th Anniversary Gala - 28 July 2010
• Derek Hayward has an album showing preparations for the 50th Anniversary - 26 July 2010
• 34059 returns to action: from the Bulleid Society, Dave Bowles - 25 July 2010
• Collectors' Fair photos from Derek Hayward - 25 July 2010
• Martin Lawrence's photo gallery and Video show "Blackmoor Vale" being hauled up to Horsted Keynes - 24 July 2010
• John Sandys has some photos and a video showing work in progress laying the coping stones on the platform at East Grinstead - 22 July 2010
• The Signal Box from Withyham, now erected on its new brick base, is featured in detail on the Museum's web site - 21 July 2010
• Derek Hayward has updates available showing the completion of the structure of the carriage storage shed and museum at Sheffield Park, complete with the installation of the signal box which will be part of the exhibition, and more photos showing progress with the overhaul of 323 "Bluebell" - 19 July 2010
• Dave Clarke has updates on other Carriage restoration projects: LCDR 3360 (the People's Millions coach), SECR Birdcage Brake 3363, and some more of the same coach here, SR Bulleid Composite 5768, plus maintenance work on Pullman Car 64 and a repaint for Mk1 RMB 1838 - 19 July 2010
• Derek Hayward has some more updates to the Woodpax project - half the structure, and the signal-box base are now complete, and loco works photos for 323 "Bluebell", P-class No.27 (which has entered the works, so that its springs can be transferred to 323), on "Baxter" which is now expected to re-enter service in August (seen in Derek's photo below), and H-class No.263 - 10 July 2010
• Photos of the public launch of the "Waste by Rail" trains, from Ashley Smith, Robert Philpot, and Chris Dadson, plus a video from Matthew Nightingale - 6 July 2010
• Derek Hayward's loco works photos for "Baxter", 323 "Bluebell" and H-class No.263 - 24 June 2010
• Our contractors starting work on erecting the steelwork of the HLF-funded Woodpax-site carriage running shed at Sheffield Park, from Derek Hayward - 24 June 2010
• Photos from Chris Dadson, showing the hand-pump trolley, East Grinstead and Woodpax - 22-24 June 2010
• More moquette samples from Dave Clarke - 22 June 2010
• Stephen Hunt's photos of the first Family Fun weekend - 20 June 2010
• Open Days at East Grinstead - 5-6 June 2010:
  Chris Dadson, Robert Philpot, also including a couple of the tamper which arrived on 7 June to fettle the newly laid track, and Simon Smith

What's been updated on the Bluebell Web Site?

Most recent updates: See top of this page

• Press release from The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) - Bluebell Railway honoured with Heritage Award - downloadable as PDF.
  The Institution of Mechanical Engineers will present the Bluebell Railway and its volunteers with an Engineering Heritage Award (EHA) on Sunday 22nd August at Sheffield Park Station. IMechE Heritage Awards are granted to artefacts, sites, landmarks or groups that are either one of a kind and/or of significant engineering importance. Immediate past President of IMechE, Keith Millard, said: "Some of these items are the only existing examples. It is truly the dedication of the Society, its volunteers and the work they have all done that has made Bluebell undoubtedly one of the most famous heritage lines in the UK."
  The presentation ceremony will take place from 11am at Sheffield Park Station.

• The photo from Tony Sullivan shows the arrival of the 1.55 departure from Kingscote today at Sheffield Park, behind BR 4MT loco No.80151.

• Three more YouTube videos of interest: The Bluebell Railway Band playing "Sussex by the sea", the sequence filmed on the Bluebell in 1972 from Adolf Hitler - My Part in his Downfall, and the Sheena Easton video of "9 to 5".

• Another change to the planned loco roster. In addition, No.178 will be giving brake van rides at Horsted Keynes this weekend (the Vintage Transport Weekend), and the Victorian train (Metropolitan Railway carraiges and the two 4-wheelers) are in use every day at present, and at least for the next week as well.

• The Railway will have a display stand at the Edenbridge and Oxted Show on Sunday 29th and Bank Holiday Monday 30th August 2010.
  A small display of carriage restoration carpentry/joinery work will be part of an Arts and Crafts Exhibition on Saturday 18th September as part of the 150th Anniversary celebrations at St Mark's Church, Alma Road, Reigate.

• Filling in the gaps in the coverage of the 50th Anniversary event - on the right is the SECR P-class 178, back in passenger service after some attention to its vacuum ejector feed, seen during the cavalcade, with part of the display of out-of-service locos in the background.

• Reminder that this coming weekend is Vintage Transport Weekend: Vintage cars and motorcycles, traction engines and trains combine to make a weekend of transport nostalgia.

• One way for BRPS members to help with the forthcoming excavation of more of the tip is through the Society's Share Purchase Scheme - if you set up a standing order or make a lump-sum payment, you can purchase enough shares in the Railway by the end of this year to qualify for next year's shareholder benefits.

• Preliminary details now available for the Hastings Blue Belle excursion train on Saturday 6 November.

• Further update to the loco roster from Lewis Nodes.

• More of Derek Hayward's photos from Sunday, which was also the Sussex Food Festival at Horsted Keynes, including below, the Bluebell Railway Band and a couple of the stalls (High Weald Dairy from Tremains Farm, Horsted Keynes, and Cooks-Field Bakes) - more on Derek's photo site.
• Also three more from the 50th Anniversary weekend, my own photo of the Howard petrol loco, in service for the first time since 1969, at the cavalcade on 8th August, and two more from Derek: a vintage RF bus which provided tours of the Northern Extension route, including passing beneath the Viaduct, and the double-heading of the P & C-classes with the 8 vintage coaches, approaching Kingscote.

• Photos from Derek Hayward taken yesterday. On the right, Baxter, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of its arrival at Sheffield Park, with a goods train to Kingscote. Below, a visitor to Kingscote - one of several responsible for picking many of the vegetables grown in the station garden! The other three photos show the other locos and trains running yesterday.

• New page detailing the work on the new platform fence being done at Kingscote (preparations) and East Grinstead (installation).

• Videos from Robert Philpot featuring FR No.20 hauling the Observation Car on the first day of the 50th Anniversary Gala - Horsted Keynes to the Tunnel, and from the Tunnel to Kingscote.

• Photo from John Goss on the right. Also Dave Bowles has a gallery of photos; both from the charter with Furness Railway No.20 last Thursday morning.

• Update to the Extension News page, with reports of recent progress at East Grinstead from Nigel Longdon.

• Updated photos from Derek Hayward on the HLF-funded buildings project at Sheffield Park

• John Sandys has a photo gallery and short video showing further progress at East Grinstead.

• The GWR 'Dukedog' loco has now returned to Sheffield Park (it was one of the locos on display at Horsted Keynes over the 50th Anniversary Weekend), for the replacement of its boiler tubes, so should be back in steam this autumn.

• Update to the loco roster.

• More from the 50th Anniversary Gala:
  • Ashley Smith's videos - Part 1 and Part 2
  • Coverage in the local press
  • Photos from Linda Chen

• Withyham Signalbox, recently installed as part of the future Museum display at Sheffield Park, features on the Southern e-mail group's web site.

• Photos below: from Mark Tewkesbury showing the two oldest locos at our Gala, 1872-built "Terrier" No.672, and 1863-built FR No.20; and from Charlie Rose, showing the moment on 7th August when Chris Campbell (one of the original four founding students) broke a bottle of Bluebell Anniversary Ale on Stepney during the recreation of the Bluebell's first public train, exactly 50 years on.

• Andrew Strongitharm has a new album from this morning's Jon Bowers Photo Charter with FR 20 and the LBSCR and LCDR 4-wheel carriages, including that on the right.

• Some really good YouTube videos of the 50th Anniversary Gala are now available:
  • 34027 Videos: Part 1 and Part 2;
  • 21C123's Videos: Part 1 and Part 2;
  • theonlyadsrulz productions: Part 1 and Part 2;
  • JBTEvans;
  • Chris Ward;
  • billhook72: Part 1 and Part 2;
  • JoeS231989: 34059 departs northwards from Horsted Keynes, The SECR locos arrive at Kingscote with the Vintage train, FR 20 arrives at Kingscote from the north, 80151 arrives at Horsted Keynes, B473 runs round at Kingscote, FR 20 again, U-class leaves Sheffield Park with the GN saloon leading the Vintage set, Baxter at Horsted, SECR Locos with the recently restored Bulleid brake coach leading the train, Blue Circle giving brake van rides, Three LBSCR locos with the SR carriages, 2 Terriers and 2 Brighton Belle Cars, The SECR C and P locos lead the newly restored LSWR carriage and the Victorian carriages, Baxter shunts wagons, All 10 vehicles in this train are 100 years old or over, Baxter and goods train, 15-inch gauge loco Typhoon, Typhoon again, Blue Circle, Locos run back through the station after the individual cavalcades, The cavalcade, from the Paddock field, Cavalcade reverses through the station, Blue Circle, Baxter and No.957 play their part in the cavalcade and The funal pass of the cavalcade through the station;
  • Rebecca Parkes has two videos of the cavalcade - running forward and back;
  • Ruth Hayllar: The small locos after their cavalcade.

• Tickets are now on sale for the first train southwards out of East Grinstead! On 4th September we will be opeining our new platform, and the very first train (formed of our 4-VEP unit No.3417 "Gordon Pettitt" and a class 73 loco) will command a premium fare. Trains will then run hourly on both 4th and 5th September, southwards from East Grinstead, across the viaduct, to the buffer stops at Imberhorne North.

• The photos taken today, from Tony Sullivan, show No 592 running into Horsted Keynes with the 12 noon Sheffield Park to KIngscote service(right), and Furness Railway No.20 stands at Horsted Keynes before returning to Sheffield Park with this morning's Furness Land Cruise Special (below). Because seats remained available, this working was thrown open to any of our visitors who wished to travel on it.

• Dave Chambers' photo below shows the first pour of concrete into the floor of the new carriage running shed at Sheffield Park, which took place on Monday this week.

• More photos from last weekend's 50th Anniversary Gala, below: Ed Owen's photo shows the evening special train on Saturday at the northern limit of the line, with the south face of Imberhorne tip looming on the other side of the bridge. Ashley Smith has some photos from the weekend on his gallery, and Rebecca Parkes has a photoset on Flikr, including the second one below, showing the U-class leaving Sharpthorne tunnel.

• Thank you to everyone who has sent photos, and links to photo galleries, videos, and media coverage from the 50th Anniversary Gala. I'm dealing with the photos as I get time, and the following links are now available from:
  • Meridian West;
  • Dan Hamblin;
  • Dave Bowles;
  • Ken Upton;
  • Matthew Nightingale: Photos, and Videos from Saturday, from Sunday, plus the Cavalcade;
  • Michelle Scoates: Video 1 and Video 2
  • Video from Aidan Grant of 80151 departing from Kingscote
  • Further photos from Dan Hill: Saturday and Sunday

• The first photo above is from Clive Emsley, and shows our first driver, Jack Owen on the footplate with Micky Blackburn, talking to Keith Sturt and Ted Oades on the platform at Sheffield Park on Sunday afternoon.
  The second is a portrait by Alan Bedford of "Captain Baxter" at Horsted Keynes, in light rain on the Saturday afternoon.
  The third shows Blue Circle at Horsted Keynes on the Friday (from Derek Hayward)

• Updates to the Operational Locos, the Locos under Overhaul pages, and the Loco Stock List, recording the entry into service last week of "Captain Baxter" and Howard No.957.

• We would like to remind you about the Football competition, entries to which need to be in by mid-day on Saturday. You do not need to know anything about football to enter! Funds raised are to be used for the restoration of our SR Maunsell Restaurant car, No.7864.

• The first photo below shows the 15-inch gauge "Typhoon" visiting from the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway (Derek Hayward) and then two photos from John Fry show the re-wheeling of the SECR H-class No.263 which took place last Monday.

• Having spent three glorious days down at the railway, please forgive the length of time it will take for the photos many of you have sent from the 50th Anniversary Gala to appear here. The most appropriate one to start with is of the official ceremony yesterday (Saturday) featuring our President, Bernard Holden MBE, (with Chairman Roy Watts amongst others in the background) at the official ceremony at Sheffield Park to mark the event. The photo is by Derek Hayward.

• Photo galleries from the Gala are now available from:
  • Derek Hayward;
  • Daniel Hill - of Gala and Cavalcade;
  • Keith Duke - Friday and Saturday;
  • Andrew Strongitharm - Gala and The journey up to Imberhorne;
  • Stephen Hunt;
  • Neil Munro-Thomson; and
  • Keith Leppard.

• A final update before the 50th Anniversary Gala kicks off tomorrow... Tony Sullivan's photo on the right shows Furness Railway No.20 in steam, at Horsted Keynes today.

• There's a new web page on the Bluebell Museum web site for the 50th Anniversary, featuring amongst other things, the nameplate display at Horsted Keynes, seen in the photo below from Tony Hillman.

• We are now just 2.5% behind the leaders in the HRA/Steam Railway readers' awards which closes at 23.59 tonight, so looks as though we're unlikely to top the poll, but will have secured our place in the final, thanks to the support of many readers of this page, on our e-mail discussion list, on facebook and twitter.

• Barry Coward has posted a YouTube video of superb cine footage from the Bluebell early days, featuring Stepney, Primrose, Bluebell, the Adams Tank and the Mets, plus the BR electric trains at Horsted Keynes, a still from it being shown below.

• The final photo below, from Tony Sullivan, shows E4 No.B473 arriving at Horsted Keynes with the 1pm train from Kingscote today.

• Derek Hayward has been allowed access to the Northern Extension trackbed through to East Grinstead to enable us all to see up-to-date photos of progress, and they are now available.

• In preparation for its formal return to service tomorrow, "Captain Baxter" moved under its own power up to Horsted Keynes yesterday, where it is seen in Andy Prime's photo.

• Also making its debut will be No.957, the Railway's 1927-built petrol-mechanical rail tractor.

• Further to what is advertised on the main web page for the 50th Anniversary Gala, we also have:
  • Free Guided Tours of the Carriage Works: Friday at 12.45, 1.20, 1.55, 2.30
    Saturday at 12.25, 1.00, 1.35, 2.28
    Sunday at 12.35, 1.10, 1.45, 2.25
  • Guided tours around the carriages stored in the back sidings will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings, starting at 5.30pm from outside the carriage works at Horsted Keynes. For these (as was the case a decade ago, last time we organised such tours) there will be a requested minimum donation of £5 a head, towards the Maunsell Restaurant Car fund. Stout footware is advised.

• Visitors and staff should note that Selsfield Road (between Turners Hill and Sharpthorne) is currently closed at West Hoathly. Details on the Hoathly Hub.

• We are now in second place in the HRA/Steam Railway readers' awards which closes tonight, just 4% behind the leaders. Many thanks to everyone who has supported us. The top three go through to the final, so barring a major surge, it's looking good.

• First train north of Kingscote - The first passenger train north of Kingscote, to Imberhorne South, ran yesterday evening behind "Sir Archibald Sinclair". The 50th Anniversary Pullman special was well filled, at £130 a head. Andrew Strongitharm's two photos below show it leaving Kingscote, and arriving at Imberhorne Lane. B473 tailed the train, to return it to Kingscote, reminiscent of the way Bluebell trains were operated 50 years ago. (If the photos appear a little dark, please remember that this train did leave Kingscote at about 8.30pm last night!)

• More preparations for the 50th Anniversary Gala which starts on Friday. Michelle Barton's photo on the right shows Furness Railway 20 on shed at Sheffield Park yesterday. Timetables for the event are also available.

• The Bulleid Society web site has been updated with 34059 with its new golden arrows on the deflectors, as also seen in John Fry's photo below.

• A Funding update from Roger Kelly added to the BRPS Members' Notices page.

• Whilst in retrospective mood in preparation for this weekend's 50th Anniversary Gala, here is Roger Haggar's photo taken on 15 September 1963, showing the arrival of Caledonian Single No.123 (with LSWR T9 No.120) at Horsted Keynes on a railtour. More of Roger's 1960s photos are now available via this link.

• Roy Watts has written this message to Bluebell Members in the run up to the 50th Anniversary Gala.

• Don't forget that anyone (whether or not they know anything about football) can enter our fund-raising Football Competition.

• Preparations for our 50th Anniversary Gala on August 6-8 include the levelling and packing of the 15-inch gauge line which has been laid in the yard at Horsted Keynes, as seen in Jon Bowers photo above.

• Many thanks to all who have already voted for us in the HRA/Steam Railway readers' awards, lifting us to second place at present.

• The second photo above shows progress with the roofing of the new carriage shed at Sheffield Park as of last Wednesday. Derek Hayward has more photos, including some taken with permission from on the roof, and also an update on the work being done in the Loco Works on No.323 Bluebell, and on preparations for the 50th Anniversary Gala (including 80100 uncovered, the North London Tank painted, and the Howard Petrol Loco No.957).

• During July there were 77,820 total hits on this page, from 42,585 unique visitors.

• We are currently in third place in the voting for the HRA/Steam Railway readers' awards. Many thanks to everyone who has voted for us; we need to be in the top three to go through to the final when voting closes on Thursday (5th August) at 23:59. One of our closest rivals has however noticed that you can vote once a day! Please do vote for our 50th Anniversary Preparations.
  Amongst the many attractions at our 6-8 August gala will be:
  • The chance to travel in one of our 8 centenarian carriages.
  • Seven of the twelve locos planned to be in steam are centenarians.
  • Ride in one of our 8 SR coaches behind the larger SR and BR locos.
  • Ride up our extension north of Kingscote with panoramic views in the LNWR Observation Car propelled by Furness Railway 20 (the oldest working loco in the country).
  • Newly restored LSWR carriage 1520 will be in service.
  • Ride behind 15" gauge Pacific Typhoon.
  • Vintage Bus service along the route of our extension, including under the restored viaduct.
  • Two Brighton Belle electric Pullman cars on display
  • Behind the scenes tours
  • Miniature and model railways
  • Display of 50 historic steam locomotive name plates
  • Our historic fleet of locomotives, unrivalled outside of the national Railway Museum, displayed to best effect at Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes stations.
  Full details of the Railway Gala event of the year are available here.

• Tony Sullivan's photo shows B473 waiting to leave Horsted Keynes yesterday morning on the 11.17 service to Sheffield Park.

• The Bluebell Railway Museum's web site has a new 50th Anniversary gallery of photos of important Bluebell events, and other interesting shots from the last 50 years. The photo on the right (from the Bluebell Archives) shows the opening day, 7th August 1960.

• A poster is now available for The Bluebell Singers' September Serenade on Saturday 18th September in East Grinstead. Featuring semi-professional singers from all over the county, the programme will comprise songs from the shows, operetta and the classics of popular songs. All proceeds to the Bluebell Railway 50th Anniversary Appeal. Book now - it would be good to have a sell-out!

• John Kortland enjoyed a day at Horsted Keynes yesterday, and his gallery of photos reflects that and the preparations in hand for the 50th Anniversary Gala.

• The web page for the Gala now carries a special 50th Anniversary edition of Bluebell news Extra, available as a pdf download.

• With preparations for our 50th Anniversary Gala on August 6-8 at full swing, and ticket bookings continuing to pour in, please do vote for us in the HRA/Steam Railway readers' awards.

• As part of the preparations, yesterday unrestored BR Standard 4 Tank No. 80100 is seen here in David Chappell's photo being shunted by Sir Archibald Sinclair into the loco shed, where it will be displayed alongside 80064, to show "before and after" ex-Barry scrapyard locos.

• Beer, Brass & Steam! is an additional event, on Friday 10 September: A late Summer's Evening on the Bluebell Railway with the Petworth Town Band. More details.

• Minor update to the web page for SECR Birdcage brake No.1061.

• Tony Sullivan's photo below from yesterday shows how the contractors are getting on with the Woodpax shed. Note also the foundations for the new toilets and rebuilt waiting room on the platform.

• Yesterday, as seen in David Chappell's photo below, the FoK team completed the installation and painting of the first ten panels of wooden railings behind the platform at East Grinstead. These needed to be in place, along with some platform fittings, for a forthcoming inspection of the works.

• Derek Hayward's photo below from the loco works on Sunday shows that no time is being wasted in tackling the extra repairs required to 323's boiler, with the faulty sections cut out already.

• The photo from Martin Lawrence on the right shows 34059 hauling the lunchtime Golden Arrow yesterday. Other photos of its return to action are available from the Bulleid Society, Dave Bowles, and Derek Hayward (as part of a new gallery of the weekend's hugely successful Collectors' Fair).

• Update to the Loco Works News pages, with the latest progress on the Standard class 2 project, and updates from the Bulleid Society on 'Blackmoor Vale' and 'Normandy'.

• Details of the major display of Locomotive Nameplates, which will form part of the 50th Anniversary Gala. Bring along your own Railwayana for valuation. More details here.

• A 1962 photo (by John Smith) showing 32636 (Fenchurch) during the Sussex Coast RCTS tour is to be found on the Disused Stations web site page for Kemp Town.

• Derek Hayward has an album showing preparations for the 50th Anniversary.

• Photos below show the two Electric 5BEL cars together at Horsted Keynes (from John Simmonds), and two photos from Derek Hayward, showing the two trains operating on Saturday, together with the two pacifics at Horsted Keynes.

• Finally two photos from today from David Chappell, showing the new fencing on the East Grinstead platform that has been painted and erected by the Friends of Kingscote team (over 500 hours of labour has been put into this so far, and about a sixth of the fencing has now been erected), and also the new coping stones now in place along the edge of the platform. As always, click on the photos for enlargements.

• The Search Engine for this site has been improved, adding an "advanced" search option. It has also been extended to cover both our new commercial site, bluebell-railway.com, and the Museum's site, bluebell-railway-museum.co.uk

• Martin Lawrence's photo shows "Blackmoor Vale" being hauled up to Horsted Keynes yesterday where it forms part of the display of engines being prepared for the 50th Anniversary celebrations. This also acted as a test run for 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" which had, that morning, passed a boiler test following its recent firebox/thermic siphons repair.

• Martin's photo gallery and Video are also available.

• Update to the Loco Roster, showing what locos we expect to be working when. "Sir Archibald Sinclair" is now rostered to run every day for the next two weeks.

• John Sandys has some photos and a video showing work in progress laying the coping stones on the platform at East Grinstead.

• David Jones' photo on the right shows the first arrival for our 50th Anniversary Gala - Southern Railway Brighton Belle Pullman Car No.88, which will join our own Brighton Belle car, "Doris", on display at the event. Car 88 is the first of the Belle cars to be restored for the 5BEL Trust. Also seen in the photo is our 1877-built 'Fletcher Jennings' loco, "Baxter", which arrived on the Bluebell back in 1960. It makes its debut after its recent overhaul at the Gala, and was observed in steam being tested around Sheffield Park station yesterday.

• The photo below is another of Derek Hayward's showing the progress on the Woodpax site, in particular the Signal Box from Withyham, now erected on its new brick base, featured in more detail on the Museum's web site. The water crane was also re-erected (after work to stabilise its foundations, and an overhaul of its mechanism) at the same time the signal-box body was craned onto the base. The signal box will be part of the museum display, demonstrating and explaining railway signalling.

• The next photo below, from Martin Lawrence, shows 80151 arriving at Horsted Keynes on Saturday with a special train for Central Sussex Brownies, which ran in addition to our peak public timetable, with a wedding held on the line, a charter of the GN Saloon, and the now regular Saturday steam shunt. Martin has three recent galleries: from 13 June, 19 June (Family Fun Weekends), and last Saturday, 17 July.

• The final photo is another of Dave Clarke's showing where we are (as of Sunday) with the compartment end of the People's Millions coach. Exactly half of the carriage (seen here) is now structurally complete, and the other half is not far behind. The red paint is undercoat, the final colour will be the much darker SECR crimson lake. The grey paint is brushing filler, and shows up the new mouldings well!

• We are sorry to have to report that the planned return to service of 323 Bluebell has been delayed until (probably) October, due to the discovery of a cracked backhead radius on the boiler (for which a method of repair has been agreed with the boiler inspector).

• Update to the application form for the Deferred Payment Scheme to enable BRPS members to purchase shares by standing order. One feature of the current form is the ability to pay £50 a month for the remainder of the year (to reach a shareholding of 250), and thus qualify for next year's shareholder benefits.

• Dave Clarke's photo on the right shows the recent progress on the "People's Millions" carriage Project, SECR No.3360, where the first of the four saloon windows has now been formed in the former brake end. The other end of the coach (two compartments) is now structurally completed, and has been re-clad, and the first overhauled door has been re-hung. The repairs to the roof have also been undertaken over the last few weeks. The underframe is also progressing rapidly, having been shortened and much of the riveting also complete. Dave Clarke has many more photos showing progress on the project, here.

• The Bluebell Railway regret that we have been advised that repairs to the A1 Class Locomotive "Tornado" are more extensive than first thought. As a result, the locomotive will not now be visiting the Bluebell Railway to participate in our 50th Anniversary.
  We are very sorry for the disappointment this will cause. Customers with bookings will be contacted very shortly by our Customer Service Team.
  Our Gala will still be something very special with special displays, all available locomotives in steam, behind the scenes tours and the first passenger trains over our new extension from Kingscote to Imberhorne South.
  In addition the special Land Cruise Trains with the visiting Furness Locomotive Number 20 will take place the week after the event.

• Dave Clarke has updates on other Carriage restoration projects: SECR Birdcage Brake 3363, and some more of the same coach here, SR Bulleid Composite 5768, plus maintenance work on Pullman Car 64 and a repaint for Mk1 RMB 1838.

• Derek Hayward has updates available showing the completion of the structure of the carriage storage shed and museum at Sheffield Park, complete with the installation of the signal box which will be part of the exhibition, and more photos showing progress with the overhaul of 323 "Bluebell". His photo below taken yesterday shows the completed structural steelwork of the shed.

• Tony Sullivan's two photos below, taken today, show No.1638, having crested the top of Freshfield Bank, heads towards the site of Freshfield Halt with the 1.00pm Sheffield Park to Kingscote service, and a few minutes later, No.B473 having just passed the site of Freshfield Halt with the southbound service.

• Football Competitions 2010-11: The aim of the competitions (which is to raise funds for the restoration of Maunsell Restaurant Car No.7864) is to predict the final positions in the premiership and the winner of the FA Cup. Entry forms are now available. Many thanks to those who took part in the World Cup competition. Winners' cheques have been sent to those who chose Spain, Netherlands or Germany.

• Sad to report that Vandal, the cat who had adopted the shop at Sheffield Park, died in her sleep a week ago last Thursday. She was being looked after by two Bluebell members towards the end of her life, therefore died in a home environment and not alone.

• Details available for the Social Sub Committee's The 'Middy' Special - a visit to the Mid-Suffolk Railway Museum on 25 Sept.

• You may have seen reports in the media of a fire at Horsted Keynes yesterday morning. It is sad to report that the fire, which appears to have been accidental, fanned by extremely strong winds, has consumed the timber work of the following unrestored vehicle bodies: LCDR Horsebox No.1, LBSCR Craven-era Brake Third and LBSCR Goods Van 1590.
  The material lost from the Brighton goods van is in any case largely rotten timber, and since we still have an underframe of the correct pattern, and the remains of the steel-work, we have not, we hope, lost the ability to reconstruct that vehicle much as we would have done in any case.
  Fortunately Ian White has already made a survey of the Craven coach, so some important historical detail had been recorded, which will be published soon in the Brighton Circular. Dave Clarke had also recorded much detail photographically.

• Updates to the Loco News pages, with reports on the return to service, completed in SECR Livery, in May of P-class No.178, of the Loco Works Working Group's current project, SECR P-class No.323 "Bluebell", and belated notification of an update in April on the overhaul of BR Class 5 No.73082 'Camelot' on the Camelot Loco Society's web site.

• Yesterday was the last day of our initial one week trial of tip excavation trains. After a problem with the loco which delayed Wednesday's train by a couple of hours, Thursday went smoothly, with a different loco (66402) used (Jan Kozminski's photo shows it hauling the empties southbound passing Woldingham at about 1pm that day), and the train was loaded by 5pm (with plenty of time to spare before its departure at 9.10pm). Next week the County Council begin 5 weeks of maintenance work on the farm overbridge at the north end of the tip, and three or four more weeks of rubbish removal are planned for October. Subject to confirmation as to how this week actually went, we should have now removed approximately 10% of the rubbish, and should remove about another 10% in October. Clearly if we can raise more money before then, the dig could continue for longer, getting us closer to completion all the time. Please do donate to our 50th Anniversary appeal.

• Below is David Chappell's photo showing BRPS Chairman Roy Watts in the cab of 66707 'Sir Sam Fay' on Monday. He reports that the view from the train when on the viaduct is stunning!

• Derek Hayward has some more updates to the Woodpax project - half the structure, and the signal-box base are now complete, and loco works photos for 323 "Bluebell", P-class No.27 (which has entered the works, so that its springs can be transferred to 323), on "Baxter" which is now expected to re-enter service in August (seen in Derek's photo below), and H-class No.263.

• The third photo below, from Derek Hayward, shows our two LSWR locos, No.96 'Normandy' and Adams Radial Tank No.488, which were moved to Horsted Keynes on Wednesday as part of the display being prepared for the 50th Anniversary Gala.

• Following the weekend's test train, which departed on Monday evening, yesterday saw the official launch of the one-week trial dig removing 1000 tonnes a day of waste from Imberhorne Cutting, with local dignitaries, the press and invited guests, together with a good number of members of the public and of the Railway who turned out to view the train of 18 wagons, headed by GB Railfreight's 66707 'Sir Sam Fay', which was posed for photographs, as seen in Ashley Smith's photo on the right. The train departs soon after 9pm each day, for a Shanks waste site in Bedfordshire, where it is unloaded over-night, returning to the Bluebell for re-loading early the following afternoon. It takes the team from Land & Water just 10 minutes to load each wagon, which is weighed before dispatch.

• Article about the rubbish removal in the Mid Sussex Times.

• The headboard carried is "Project East Grinstead". If you would like to see your own headboard on there, you can sponsor a train. Contact the Railway's fund raising team for more details.

• Photos of yesterday are available from Ashley Smith, Robert Philpot, and Chris Dadson, a video from Matthew Nightingale.

• More good news - "Tenner for the Tip" sales have, as of yesterday, broken the £100,000 barrier. Many thanks to all who have contributed - and if you haven't, why not help us shift some more of the rubbish by buying one now.

• The Bulleid Society web site has an update about the repair of the thermic syphons on 'Sir Archibald Sinclair'.

• Martin Eastland. We regret to inform members that Martin Eastland, one of the "Founding Four", died suddenly on Friday. Martin attended our recent AGM, and was planning to go to Buckingham Palace later this month as part of the small team representing the Railway's volunteers, following our receipt of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

• As seen in the photo on the right, in preparation for the first official tip excavation train on Tuesday (why not visit East Grinstead for our open evening to see the train), a test train has been at East Grinstead over the weekend, to ensure that everything will go smoothly on Tuesday. See the full report and another photo from Nigel Longdon on the Extension progress page. The photo here also shows the two new ground frames which control the points seen in this photo, and some of the associated point-rodding runs, all of which have been installed in the last couple of weeks by our S&T volunteers.

• Below is Mike Hopps' photo taken this afternoon at Kingscote, showing 592 leading the Victorian carriages on the 4pm train from Sheffield Park.

• Also below is a pair of photos from David Chappell, showing progress as of yesterday on the HLF-funded building at Sheffield Park. The first shows the carriage running shed framework, from the south. The second shows the framework for the new museum building attached to the shed to the north of the canopy, which is itself to be rebuilt back to its original length as part of the project.

• The final photo below, from Tony Sullivan, shows the Yetties last night, in their penultimate performance for us at Horsted Keynes.

• Our new web pages specifically for visitors to the Railway are now available.

  The new pages are connected to a system which will (in a few weeks time) offer ticket booking facilities, and replace the timetable, special event, Golden Arrow and Catering services information pages on the existing site. This means that after 12 and a half years, the commercial and heritage (or plc and Society) sides of the web site are now separated.

  The Visitor Information pages will now be maintained by Tim Baker's team in the Sales and Information Office at Sheffield Park, whilst the existing volunteer team will concentrate on the heritage and up-to-date news from the Bluebell on the BRPS pages edited by Richard Salmon, the focus of which will continue to be this "What's New" page. The time which this frees up for futher development of the BRPS side should result in better and more frequent news updates, whilst the visitor-oriented side of the site will be much better focused on what is of interest to the general visitor to the line.

  The new front page at www.bluebell-railway.co.uk links all five areas of the Bluebell's web presence, together with our other "New Media" outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.

• Details are now available for the annual Sussex Food Festival at Horsted Keynes Station on Sunday 15th August.

• Further details are now available for the 50th Anniversary Gala on Friday 6th to Sunday 8th August, and a reminder that discounted advance tickets are only available until tomorrow (4th July).

• Tony Sullivan's photos right and below, taken at today's Victorian Picnic event, show the SECR C-class loco with the Victorian train at Kinscote station, two of our Victorian Music-hall team with LBSCR first-class carriage 661, and the cast of the show on stage.

• The latest news of progress on the Brighton Atlanic Project was updated with new photos from Fred Bailey last week.

• With 200 Vintage & Classic Cars now booked to attend, entry for cars for the Vintage Transport Weekend on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 August is now closed.

• Update from Lewis Nodes to the Loco Roster, indicating what locos we expect to have running each day (always subject to any last-minute changes) through to September.

Older updates are in the What's New Archive
or the 2009, the 2008, the 2007, the 2006, the 2005, the 2004, the 2003, the 2002, the 2001, the 2000, the 1999 and the 1997-8 "What was new" archive pages.

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