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

• Derek Hayward's photo on the right shows P-classes Nos.178 and 323 with a service train, formed of SECR and SR carriages, at Birch Farm Crossing on Sunday. The annual visit of the weedkilling team is actually due imminently! Derek also has further images of Sunday's service trains, and other pictures taken in recent weeks. The first photo below, also from Derek, shows the Sunday Lunchtime Golden Arrow Pullman Train, behind the H-class, approaching Kingscote from the South. The fourth locomotive working on Sunday was the 9F.

• A reminder that next Sunday, 16 June, is the annual London to Brighton Bike Ride, which as usual will make some of the roads very difficult to the West of the Railway, as the route goes though through Turners Hill and Ardingly. Access to Sheffield Park and East Grinstead should be relatively un-affected, and access to Horsted Keynes from Danehill will be similarly fine.

• The Kingscote Up Distant Signal, previously fixed at caution, situated 903 yards in the rear of the Up Home Signals, become operational on 1 June 2013. When in the off position (as seen in Derek Hayward's photo below), the line is clear, via the main platform, through to East Grinstead station. Further Telecoms work has continued on the extension in recent weeks, with cables and optical fibres being pulled though the ducting north of Imberhorne Cutting.

• Steve Lee's photo below, taken on Sunday 2nd June, and sent in for inclusion here to demonstrate the dedication of our volunteer maintenance gangs, shows the Sunday volunteer permanent way gang setting off from Horsted Keynes in the Wickham trolley, with a trailer carrying tools.

• The Railway was awarded a 1st prize in "A Taste of Sussex" at Ardingly, the South of England Show. This shot (thanks to Tony Sullivan) shows Tim Baker receiving the cup together with Tony himself, Kevin Leggett and Bob McLean.

• Our congratulations also to another prize winner at the show, Bluebell 9F Club member Cameron Smith, whose entry (seen below) was awarded highly commended, having been judged against 208 entrants, in the Young Craftsman of the Year competition. His entry was two narrow gauge 45mm gauge model coaches (a composite and a brake) inspired by the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway.

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  

• Sign up for our free e-mail Newsletter. Last edition 27 May 2013 - available via the eNewsletter archive.
• Loco Works News: updates from the Brighton Atlantic project, for SECR P-class No.27, the Maunsell Locomotive Society on all their locomotives, for the Standard Class 2 project, from the Loco Works Working Group on SR Q-class No.541, and on No.73082 "Camelot" (photos here) - 21 May, 8 Feb, 11 Jan 2013, 6 Aug, 28 July 2012
• Carriage & Wagon Works News - update on the restoration of GWR 5-plank open wagon No.87782 - 9 May 2013
• East Grinstead Extension: Latest news - Steam at East Grinstead proving very popular - Further work to complete the project continues - 8 May 2013 - Main Extension Project page
• The latest news of the Horsted Keynes Re-signalling - 10 March 2013
• Operation Undercover - Phase 3: Photo reports from Derek Hayward Above Workshop facilities, Sheffield Park Carriage Shed and Loco Washout Pit - 12 May 2012
  Phase 4: Horsted Keynes - Carriage Shed Extension: Planning permission has been granted - December 2011
• Kingscote Goods Yard Project - last update 4 May 2012
• Archive news from the Bluebell

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What's been updated on the Bluebell Web Site?

Most recent updates: See top of this page
 
7 June

• Our restored LSWR brake coach, No.1520, is representing the Railway at the South of England Show at Ardingly, as seen in Tony Sullivan's photo taken yesterday. The show continues this Saturday, and is focussed this year especially on promoting the Edwardian Weekend, 22-23 June.

• In addition to all the other attractions and vintage coaches running at the Edwardian Weekend, the Great Northern Directors' Saloon is available for pre-booking for a limited number of passengers wishing to partake of a Champagne Brunch or Champagne Tea.

• Derek Hayward's photo below shows the 9F in service last Saturday, at Town Place Farm Bridge. This weekend should see four steam locos in service, with the 9F on one service train, the pair of P-tanks on the other, and the H-class hauling Pullman luncheon trains both days. The 9F takes the evening Pullman on Saturday.

• John Sandys' photo taken on Tuesday shows P-class No.323 at Sheffield Park. His photo update from Tuesday features new arrivals in the shop, work resuming on the canopy extension at Sheffield Park after the Half-Term Break, the S-15 boiler undergoing a steam test, another view of the new entrance sign at East Grinstead Station (seen below), and the two locomotives on duty.

• This video from Andi Fenneymore covers a trip from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes behind the 9F on 26 May. Part two covers Horsted Keynes to Kingscote.

• Some further photos of the Dukedog - three during its stay at Didcot and three when running back in the 1970s on the Bluebell with the C-class tender (nicknamed the "C-Dog").

• Derek Hayward's photo below shows the U-class leaving Sheffield Park with the 4pm train last Saturday. We are currently hoping that the locomotive will be back in action this weekend after remedial attention to its firebox this week.

• Below is another photo from John Fry showing yesterday's work on the C-class, which resulted in the fitting of the right hand slide bars. Measurements are taken along the length between the fitted bars to ascertain their correct alignment which will be finely adjusted with shims. This process will be continued with the left hand set of bars when fitted. Some reassembly of the motion has also taken place. It clearly shows why this work is best done with the front wheelset removed!

• John Fry's photo shows progress made in the locomotive workshop yesterday, when the re-sleeved cylinder block was relocated in the frames on No.592. He reports: "The small group of us involved in this aspect of the overhaul were ably advised by Tony Deller, with Russ Hubner stating that it was one of the enjoyable days when positive progress was the end result. We hope to complete the final bolting in place of the cylinder block later this week, return the engine to its 0-6-0 configuration [the front wheelest is currently out], reinstate the motion and reset the valves."

• An online collection of pre-1968 Railway photos, covering GWR out-side frame locomotives, includes four photos of our Dukedog, No.9017.

• John Sandys' photo taken today shows the S15 boiler being prepared for its (out of frames) steam test. All being well, this loco should re-enter Bluebell service in August.

• Martin Lawrence's photo from Sunday evening shows LSWR brake No.1520 ready to leave Sheffield Park for Ardingly, to star in the South of England Show, which starts on Thursday.

• Steve Lee's photo from Sunday shows the H-class No.263 with the 11.00 ex-Sheffield Park as it passes the site of Holywell Halt.

• Details and dates for the 2014 Murder Mystery Pullman Trains are now available.

• Chris Rigby's photo shows U-class No.1638 at Holywell on Saturday.

• The H class had been running (as seen in the last report) on Thursday, due to problems with the U-class's fireman's-side injector. When it became apparent that work done on it on Thursday had not improved matters, on Friday morning this was changed (in 23 minutes) for the one overhauled ready for use on the Q-class. The U then ran on Friday and Saturday, as seen in Chris' photo on the right. Unfortunately it was failed again on Sunday morning, resulting in the H deputising on the service train, and the two Ps (as seen in Steve Lee's photo below) taking the Lunchtime dining train. With the C-class still a few weeks from returning to service, and the E4 currently out of service and requiring a boiler lift for attention to its firebox, things are very tight at present on the locomotive front. Fingers crossed we won't need to fall back on the Crompton!

• But first we go back to Friday, and a set of photos from John Sandys, featuring the new sign welcoming customers at East Grinstead Station, the U-class in action, along with the 9F.

• Friday evening saw a sold-out Rail Ale train, with the 9F in charge, as seen in Neal Ball's photo below. Neal has more photos from the event here.

• John Harwood's YouTube video covers East Grinstead, and the 9F on the Friday evening train in Imberhorne cutting.

• Derek Hayward's photo below shows the 9F to the North of Sloop Bridge on Saturday.

• Martin Lawrence has a few photos from Sunday, including the LSWR brake coach ready to set off for the South of England Show at Ardingly, where we will be primarily promoting the Edwardian Weekend.

• John Sandys has photos of the H with P-class No.323 on the service train today at East Grinstead.

• The South of England Show starts on Thursday this week, and tickets for the show may be obtained at a discount in advance, through our travel centre at East Grinstead.

• During May 2013 there were 79,313 total hits on this page, from 46,071 unique visitors.

• Steve Lee's photo from yesterday shows the H-class at Sheffield Park. That below shows the 9F arriving at Horsted Keynes.

• We are currently advertising three vacancies, for a Locomotive fitter, a Carriage & Wagon fitter, and in administration.

• Update to the FAQ, adding 2012 financial figures.

• Derek Hayward's photo from Monday shows the U-class with a high-capacity vintage train formed of two SECR coaches, the four Mets, and the GN saloon (providing 392 seats in all).

• The Long Term Plan (otherwise known as the BRPS Objectives, Aims & Plans), which was unanimously agreed at the recent AGM, is now available here, and via the BRPS Members' Notices web page. In addition, the Members' Notices page now also hosts the document describing the Bluebell "Rules of Debate" and "Method of deciding tied elections".

• Photos are now available from John Sandys taken on a visit today, when the H-class stood in for the U (and also this video of the 9F today), more photos featuring the 9F in the rain on Tuesday (very atmospheric!), and a general update from around the railway from Monday, which covered progress with the water tower at East Grinstead, the extended canopy at Sheffield Park, the U and the H on their respective trains, new stock in the Bluebell's shop and the S15 in the works. The work required to get the U working again is not said to be very major.

• Lewis Nodes reports on recent locomotive works progress:
  The increased income following the opening of the line to East Grinstead is enabling Camelot's boiler to be sent to the LNW Heritage at Crewe in order for the rest of its overhaul to be carried out. The boiler departs on 12 June, and it is expected back in early 2014.
  Work on reassembling No.592 is progressing now that the valve buckles have been delivered, following repair of the spindles by metal-spraying and grinding. The photo below shows one of the valves being trial fitted before the two cylinders are assembled together.
  Lastly, S15 No.847's boiler has passed its hydraulic test, and it will shortly be test steamed on the boiler trolley. The second photo below shows the inside of the firebox after completion of the work.

• Peter Austin's photo from Sunday shows the 9F recreating a very authentic train, the reporting number denotes: '1' - Class one express passenger train; '0' - train bound for the Western Region from the North/Midlands, ultimately Southern Region destination (i.e. Bournemouth/Poole); '94' is the actual train reporting number in the working time table. Peter's photo below shows P-class 323 and H-class 263 on the lunchtime Golden Arrow luncheon train.

• Update to the "Who's Who" page following the BRPS AGM.

• Update with this year's final positions in the Football Competition, raising funds for the overhaul of our Southern Railway Maunsell Dining Saloon No.7864. Now, the important question - why did no one enter with Wigan Athletic to win the FA Cup? Entry forms for next season's competitions will be available soon.

• Another fund-raising venture for the project, raising funds for both No.7864 and the Carriage Works Extension project, is a clarinet recital being given by Deborah Salmon, who as well as being the fund-raising coordinator for the Maunsell Dining Saloon is also a professional clarinettist. Further details will be announced soon - please put the date (13 October) in your diary for what promises to be an excellent evening's entertainment, at Chequer Mead in East Grinstead.

• Some more slide scans from David Haggar - photos of the 2004 Goods Train Day which featured No.65 with a pre-grouping goods train, No.9017 with a second goods train and No.96 with the SR Hand Crane.

• There is collection of railway books currently listed on eBay, though the eBay for Charity scheme. The vendor is supporting the Bluebell Railway Trust with a percentage of the eventual sale price.

• Derek Hayward's two photos below show the H-class in Lindfield Wood with the Wealden Rambler Loung Car Afternoon Tea train on Monday, and the 9F with a service train, just south of there.

• The water tower at East Grinstead is now looking more complete, as seen in Martin Lawrence's photo taken yesterday afternoon. In terms of plumbing, Mike Hopps has the mains water supply, pump feed from the sump, and overflow pipework to install, and the Alf Brown Gang are dealing with the 6-inch pipe and the water crane. Another of Martin's photos is below. As always, click on photos for enlargements.

• Yesterday, Mike Hopps took advantage of the platform he was working from on the water tower to take the photo below showing the U-class, a pair of 377s in the mainline station, and the two new booking offices, at East Grinstead.

• The final two photos below, thanks to Pat Plane, show the water tank being craned into position yesterday morning.

• Dave Bowles has updated his website with pictures from last Wednesday of 3205 on its photo charter.

• Update to the Loco Roster, from Lewis Nodes.

• John Harwood's video from yesterday showing the U-class and Swordfish on the extension, with a passenger train and the removal of clay capping; also more of the new water tower at East Grinstead with its water tank in place.

• There was a delivery of ballast, which came in by rail from Tonbridge for use on the extension, last night.

• Bernard Clarke's photo, taken on 11 May, shows the E4 with the Victorian coaches. The first photo below is another of Bernard's, taken the same day, showing the U-class at 3-Arch Bridge with the Southern set.

• News update from the Brighton Atlantic project, with thanks to Fred Bailey. Nicely timed (by coincidence) to coincide with publication of an article about the project in Steam Railway magazine.

• Dave Bowles' photos from the Charter with Stepney in lined BR black are now available.

• The successful candidates for the post of BRPS Trustee at Saturday's election were Tim Baker, Chris Saunders and Martin Widdowson. Congratulations to them and to Nigel Longdon who succeeds Ian Aitken as Society Treasurer.

• Robin Willis' photos below show the bluebells at Kingscote, and the ducks, which are clearly back in residence at Sheffield Park, on Monday.

• Nathan Gibson's photo taken yesterday records the last day of 3205's service during it's visit to the Bluebell. Nathan also provides photo coverage of 3205's last day, plus youtube footage, featuring 33103 departing East Grinstead, and a view of the line from behind 3205 in both directions, as well as a few two tones from the driver at crossings. We also see, below, 33103 shunting its spoil train at East Grinstead.

• Peter Austin's two photos below show the U and 3205 at West Hoathly on Sunday.

• Steve Lee's photos shows 3205 at Kingscote on Saturday.

• David Haggar's photo shows 3205 with our Crimson Lake and Cream carriage set, on Wednesday's photo charter which was organised by Jon Bowers - more of David's photos are available here, as is his video.
  Further photos from the charter are available from:
  • Martin Lawrence, who says: "Despite some pretty dull weather the sun did make some appearances and I had a great day. A big thank you to all involved in making things go so smoothly especially the loco crews, signalmen and Jon Bowers for organising and managing the charter. I am looking forward to the next charter already!"
  • Stephen Leek;
  • Paul Simpson, and
  • Paul Gildersleve;

• Martin Lawrence provides some photos from Monday including that below, showing "Swordfish" at Kingscote. Between trains this week the Class 33 has been shuttling up and down on spoil trains, removing some of the excess clay capping stockpiled at Imberhorne.

• Keith Duke was also about on Monday, and provides photos of a day spent travelling on the service train, a couple of passes by the 33 at Kingscote and a wander round East Grinstead.

• John Harwood's video from Thursday shows "Swordfish" on a spoil train, taking away some of the clay capping material from Imberhorne. Also shots at East Grinstead, showing the interior of the restaurant car (which is open to the public as well as railway visitors) and of the new water tower, where the brickwork is pretty much now completed. Once the mortar is thoroughly hardenned, the water tank will be added.

• Derek Hayward's photo shows the visiting Collett No.3205 with the Vintage set last Sunday, the second day of the Southern at war event. Derek's photos below show the Home Guard at Horsted Keynes, and also Saturday's Spitfire, G-ILDA owned by the Boultbee Flight Academy. G-ILDA was rebuilt within the last decade as a 2-seater Spitfire TR 9 trainer from the remains of SM520, a Mark H.F.IXe high level fighter, having been salvaged from a South African scrapyard in 1981.
  Derek has over 100 images of last weekend's Southern at War event available.
  In addition he has added four shots of the spring flowers in the Memorial Garden (bottom of page 3 and over into page 4). Unfortunately it was a dull day, so the full effect of the colours is somewhat lost, but he congratulates the team who look after the garden. It has been transformed into a lovely and well-tended area.
  The one downside is that some flowers have been damaged by a small proportion of visitors who continue to use the Memorial Garden for photography and video. A notice has been erected asking visitors not to use the area for this purpose, and, no doubt, members will encourage those concerned to stand elsewhere.

• James Chatwin captured a short video, as the Spitfire managed to display in between rain showers on Saturday.

• Nathan Evan Gibson provides a photo, below, of 3205 at Imberhorne cutting on Saturday, and provides a sample of his photos and a video from Southern at War.

• Matthew Nightingale and his father also provide a video and photo gallery.

• Update to the Loco Roster, now covering intended locomotive usage for June, thanks to Lewis Nodes.

• Update to the FAQ page.

• The Mid Sussex Times has an article Looking back - 50 years ago to a through railtour onto the Bluebell Railway.

• Simon Lathwell's photo shows "Stepney" still wearing the vinyls from last week's photo charter, seen as 32655 at Sheffield Park on Sunday 12 May. Today is the 53rd anniversary of Stepney's arrival at the Bluebell.

• Martin Lawrence's photos from from Sunday at the Southern at War: Colour set and Black and White Set

• Mike Jones' photos from the weekend.

• Paul Gildersleve also attended the event on Sunday and had a good day. These are his photos depicting his take on the day.

• Ashley Smith was at Horsted Keynes on Sunday, mostly to see the Spitfire fly over, and has a short video and added three photos to his gallery.

• Dave Braley provides some photos from his visit to the Bluebell last Sunday on what he describes as a very pleasant sunny Spring day.

• Paul Pettitt provides a super collection of Southern at War images, and the first two images below are his, showing Sunday's Spitfire, and a visiting airman. Spitfire TE311 is a low-back/bubble-canopy Mk LF XVIE, with 'clipped' wingtips. This is its first display season since Battle of Britain Memorial Flight staff completed its restoration to airworthy condition.

• John Sandys provides photos from Tuesday, featuring the roof now on the canopy at East Grinstead, and progress on the canopy at Sheffield Park, plus visiting locomotive No.3205 at East Grinstead, and Swordfish on Spoil Duty at Kingscote. His photos from Thursday also cover new arrivals at the Bluebell's shop, and the pretty-much completed water tower brickwork at East Grinstead.

• Derek Hayward's photo from Saturday below shows 1638 leading the 6-coach SR set northwards out of Horsted Keyens. The final three photos, from Sunday, are from Nick Farrant (3205 preparing to haul the last train of the day), Cameron Smith (showing 3205 north of Horsted Keynes) and Richard Farrant, showing B473 at Horsted Keynes with the lunchtime pullman dining train.

• David Haggar's photo shows Terrier No.32655 with the Birdcage Brake amongst the bluebells at Birchstone Bridge on Wednesday's photo charter - more of David's photos are available here.

• Update to the Loco Roster, thanks to Lewis Nodes.

• Martin Lawrence has uploaded a couple of photos, showing the visiting No.3205 during a gauging run today.

• A few photos from John Sandys' visit to the Railway today, including the visiting GWR Collett 0-6-0 locomotive No.3205 on test at Sheffield Park, further progress on the new canopy extension at Sheffield Park, and new paintwork on the canopy at East Grinstead, a selection of the photos being seen below. The canopy at Sheffield Park will extend a little further South from the new pillar, with a sloping end to match that on platform 2, so that both canopies match the design and length of the originals (just leaving replacement of the signal box by a new one at the north end of the platform and a reconstruction of the covered footbridge to recreate the original 1880s look of the station - both of these developments are planned, but are definitely something for the very long term future).

• Martin Lawrence's photo shows the newly arrived visiting GWR Collett 0-6-0 locomotive No.3205 (facing South) at Sheffield Park today. It is from Martin's new album covering the period from 25th April. Below we see his photos of the U approaching East Grinstead today, and a nice view of Sheffield Park station house taken from the riverside picnic area.

• On Saturday, for the Southern at War Weekend, we have a three-train service, with departures from Sheffield Park at 9:45am, 10:20, 11:00, 12:15, 12:50, 1:30pm, 2:45, 3:20, 4:00 and 5:15. Corresponding departures from East Grinstead are at 10:45, 11:23, 12:00, 1:15, 1:53, 2:30, 3:45, 4:23, 5:00 and 6:30.
  On the Sunday, trains will run to the Service Two timetable, with the last round trip from Sheffield Park at 4pm. The third train operating on Sunday will be the pre-booked Pullman Luncheon train.

• Yesterday there was a Jon Bowers photo charter with Terrier No.32655 and the Birdcage Brake, as seen in David Haggar's photos and video.

• Update to the Carriage & Wagon Works News with the latest on the restoration of GWR 5-plank open wagon No.87782 from Nick Beck and Martin Skrzetuszewski.

• John Sandys has a set of photos showing the arrival of 3205 this morning at Sheffield Park, further progress with work starting on installing the final section of the canopy extension at Sheffield Park (seen below), further paintwork on the canopy at East Grinstead, and further work on the water tower base at East Grinstead.

• Patrick Plane's photo, taken while working on the covering of the remaining section of cutting face, shows B473 hauling its train though the cutting yesterday. It is one of several photos used to illustrate recent work on the extension, in the cutting, on the water tower, and inside its tank, and on the canopy over the booking office.

• Photos from Matt Hume from a visit to the railway on Bank Holiday Monday.

• John Sandys has photos from yesterday, including work on both canopies, the water tower at East Grinstead, and new arrivals in the Shop. His photo below shows B473 at Sheffield Park, alongside work to prepare zinc sheeting panels for the rebuilding of the canopy there.

• A new video from Philip Bull, from 20 April, covers his first ride on the extended line.

• The Kingscote Running-in board which was relocated to the station forecort in the closure period has been completely rebuilt, since its predecessor had rotted away. The photos below, from Richard Hill, show the squad who helped carry it from the "Giraffe House" to the forecourt, it being seriously heavy. The new sign has been built by Graham Dell and Bob Burchell, and is an example of the excellent work carried out by the Friends of Kingscote.

• Another of Chris Rigby's photos on the right from Sunday 28 April shows the U-class with the Southern-liveried set, approaching Three Arch Bridge.

• Reminder (as shown in the painting below from Matthew Cousins) that this coming weekend (11 & 12 May) will be our annual Southern at War Weekend, featuring visiting GWR Collett 0-6-0 locomotive No.3502. There will be flypasts at Horsted Keynes by a Spitfire on both days, in addition to military vehicle displays, concert party shows, afternoon band concerts, The 23rd Sussex Home Guard, wartime food stalls, Jive dancing, wartime cinema, and much more. A "Southern at War" programme is available with full listings of exhibits and timings of events, priced at £2.00, available in advance from the Sales and Information Office at Sheffield Park Station and the Travel Centre at our station in East Grinstead, or on your arrival next weekend.

• There are currently 48 items listed on eBay, though the eBay for Charity scheme, to benefit the Railway.

• There is now a new web page for British Railways 350HP diesel-electric shunter D4106/09018 created by Nick Beck, with text from Martin Skrzetuszewski and photos from Martin Lawrence.

• For those wishing to give by cheque (which avoids the JustGiving fees, thus raising more money for the project) there is now a Gift Aid and dontaion form available as a PDF file, for the Appeal in memory of Phil Stoneman, for a loco yard clock.

• Chris Rigby's photo on the right from last Sunday shows the U-class with the Southern-liveried set, approaching Horsted Keynes. This is coincidentally a near-recreation of the 3.26pm Haywards Heath to London Bridge via Horsted Keynes train which ran over the line in the 1950s, formed of a 3-coach birdcage set leading a 3-coach Maunsell corridor set, and usually hauled by a K-class 2-6-0 or an Ivatt 2MT tank. This was not the only regular train over the line to have a similar formation either. His second photo below shows the H-class with the Pullman Dining train at Three Arch Bridge the same day.

• John Sandys provides the photo below, showing great progress with the booking office canopy at East Grinstead yesterday, and has more photos from East Grinstead and Sheffield Park from Thursday.

• John Harwood's video shows work at East Grinstead and in the cutting on Wednesday.

• An updated Loco Roster, thanks to Lewis Nodes, shows current plans for loco useage during May. Visiting GWR No.3205 should be running every day between 11 and 21 May.

• Our 4 Vep No.3417 is seen below in Clive Emsley's photo taken yesterday at Clapham Junction. The unit was used (as hauled stock) at the Mid Hants Diesel Gala last weekend, and is off down to Swanage in a week's time for their similar event.

• Photos from John Sandys, including yesterday's service (photo of the H-class on the right), work on the canopies at Sheffield Park and East Grinstead (photos below), the water tower, new stock in the shop, P-class 178 being serviced, and the 9F having work done on its regulator valve.
  John also provides a video of the H-class with the 3pm departure from Sheffield Park.

• We are currently preparing a DVD about Schools class locomotive "Stowe", and are seeking video/film material showing the locomotive running on the Bluebell and in BR days. If you think you have something that could be suitable (preferably in DVD format), it would be much appreciated if you would contact Roger Kelly at the Railway, or via e-mail.

• As from 4 May you'll be able to book through tickets from pretty much any station in the South East (the old Network SouthEast area) to include travel on the Bluebell - with a discount included on the Bluebell fare.

• On 6 May we have a Special offer on early morning Bluebell tickets to travel to East Grinstead for the East Grinstead Lions Club May Day Fair. The East Grinstead Concert Band (otherwise known as the Bluebell Railway Band) are also playing for the opening of the Fair, between 10.10am & 11.00am in the High Street just along from the War Memorial.

• Dates are now confirmed for the remaining appearances in 2013 by the Bluebell Railway Band, who made numerous appearances at the opening festival.

• Details are now available for the 21 June Beer, Brass & Steam evening. Enjoy a picnic supper box, a good choice of real ales, a ride behind steam, and music from the Horsham Borough Band.

• Video from Ian Lynagh showing scenes from the Opening Festival on Wednesday the 27th March, including a clip of 263 and B473 running a short way on parallel lines.

• During April 2013 there were 89,732 total hits on this page, from 51,874 unique visitors.

• Haunted Horsted? Kirsty Chapman provides the two photos below, possibly showing a ghostly couple, or maybe children, at Horsted Keynes. The images were captured during the Ghost Hunt which took place at the station back in 2010; she'd be interested to know whether anyone would be interested in running another similar evening in the future.

Older updates are in the What's New Archive
or the 2012, the 2011, the 2010, 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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