Category:Bluebell Railway: Difference between revisions

The Bluebell Railway was first built as a connection between East Grinstead and Lewes. After it was closed in the 1950s as part of the Beeching Axe, a group of students banded together to help preserve the line. Under the care of volunteers, the Bluebell re-opened in 1960, and was one of the first heritage railways along with the Talyllyn and the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

The preserved Bluebell railway ran between Sheffield Park and Kingscote, and the station of Horsted Keynes has gained fame from its numerous film and television appearances. For the first fifty years of operation, the Bluebell could boast to be the only heritage railway in Britain to exclusively operate preserved steam locomotives; this only changed with the purchase of a Sentinel diesel in 2010. At Sheffield Park, passengers can view most of the locomotives, that aren’t in service, inside a large shed. One of the most popular is the A1X Terrier Stepney, which was immortalised in the Rev. Awdry’s 1968 book Stepney the Bluebell Engine, and since became a recurring character in the TV adaption Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

Much of the railway has been replicated in model form. In fact, some Hornby and Bachman models of the Bluebell's stations and rolling stock can be found exclusively in the shop at Sheffield Park. Some other models can be found in the links below.

In 2013, a long project to re-extend the line to East Grinstead was completed. Now passengers can connect via National Rail, and enjoy a longer journey down this history railway.