Bluebell Railway 65th Birthday Gala - 8 / 9/ 10 August 2025

For our birthday celebrations we will be hosting a mini gala style event over the weekend.

We will be showcasing our home fleet with multiple sets running on various journeys throughout the weekend. At present the locomotives which are planned to take part will be 72, 65, 32424, 80151, 73082, 34059 and E6040 (all subject to availability.)

There will be 3 sets running between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes and 3 sets running between Horsted Keynes and East Grinstead. In effect Hortsed Keynes will become a Hub Station ensuring that there is a link between our North and our South.

As a grand finale on Sunday there will be a cavalcade of stock running through Horsted Keynes.

Timetable: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bluebell-65-Anniversary-Timetable.pdf

Event page and tickets: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/special/bluebell-railway-65th-anniversary/

Tom

 

It looks like a pretty much full-on event in both loco and carriage terms - every loco and almost every vintage carriage available simultaneously. I think of the currently serviceable vintage stock, only Car 54 is not listed as running.

Tom

 

Very interested in this one! Haven't had a chance to see Beachy Head or the bulleid yet.

 

Good looking event but seems strange to have the star loco (Beachy Head) running with Fenchurch (which I will assume be the pilot) on what is likely to be the most popular day, the Saturday. The last train of the day I suspect being too late for many coming via the National Network or bus.

 

The brackets indicate they will be top and tailing, Fenchurch will lead down to Sheffield Park, Beachy Head leading up to Horsted. Although I agree it is unfortunate not having either of them do a full line run until the end of the day.

 

Bluebell Facebook has said that there will be a 7 loco Cavalcade on Sunday August 10th between 4:20pm and 4:35pm.