Bluebell Railway Giants of Steam 17th-19th October 2025

‘Miracles we achieve those every day, the Impossible? The impossible takes us a little bit longer’
Whoever’s in charge of organising this in Sussex, they really should take a bow for their foresight, really need to pay a return to the Bluebell.

 

Nice looking timetable. 4 hell weeks at work coming up where I’m going to be swamped to get to Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend and then 2.5 work days to my flight after that. Looking forward to things to come on my trip will keep me going.

Can’t wait for this event.

Stephen

 

Lady of Legend has arrived at Bluebell and will be running set B trains at the beer festival this weekend. Event info https://www.bluebell-railway.com/special/bluebell-beer-festival-2025/

Info from Bluebell's Facebook page.

 

A question for those better acquainted with the Bluebell. On the Friday night, would people without Golden Arrow tickets but with Gala tickets be able to access platforms for taking night shots of the train? Trying to figure out my weekend plans, all subject to no travel chaos and not being completely exhausted by that time Friday after travelling, but I wasn’t even sure what the BB policy on non passengers for an evening train accessing stations.

Thanks,

Stephen

 

I wouldn't want to be definitive, but given the last service train doesn't get back until 6.30pm on the Friday, and the GA goes at 8.00pm, and there must be some shunting in between, then I suspect for a while there will be a bit of grace.

Tom

 

It's a weird feature of Bluebell galas on here (Natpres) that they never seem to generate much chatter before the gala in comparison with those on other large railways; and then afterwards everyone says "bloody hell, that was good".

Tom

 

It does seem to be like that quite a lot Tom.
Although I had GOS as a target this year, even before my apparent worsening health (needed a 30 minute sit down to recover from a 500 metre walk home from a ride behind Manston yesterday), to me as you mentioned early on, the lack of a 5th loco makes it really just a four train day with every loco staying with its set each day. As much as I like the Mets I had hoped to see and ride behind Beachy Head in something more representative.
Yes I do understand the railway will have invested a lot of money in getting 3 locos there, but to me when really only interested in the Grange and Beachy Head having already experienced the other two it did bot seem worth two nights hotel. My alternate plan for a Saturday visit by rail of course as usual screwed by buses between Poole and Southampton Airport Parkway (like most weekends at the moment it seems).
Maybe next year if I am still around.

 

I see from Facebook (in a private group, so no link) that Lady of Legend has had a test run today.

 

I saw it on the webcam puttering around Horsted Keynes and returning to Sheffield Park while flipping channels on YouTube this morning.

Fingers crossed whatever little issue it had is all sorted out and good to go.

Stephen

 

On the Saturday the 2.30 from Sheffield Park only runs as far as Horsted Keynes, and the 1.50 from East Grinstead does the same, is this correct? It leaves a near 2 hour gap in the afternoon service from those stations. Just starting to plan our day.

 

I haven't seen the shunt notes.

But looking at the times:

• 2999 is at HK between 2:25pm - 4:00pm
• 32424 is at HK between 2:45pm - 4:10pm
• 60163 is at HK between 3:00pm to 3:50pm
• 6880 is at HK between 3:15pm - 3:30pm, heading northbound.

That looks like a line up / photo opportunity at the north end of Horsted Keynes to me ...

An educated guess at the moves:

• 2999 arrives heading south in platform 2 at 2:25. Run round via platform 3 and shunt stock to platform 1.
• 32424 arrives heading north in platform 4/5 at 2:45 and stays there.
• 60163 arrives in platform 3 at 3:00pm heading south, runs round to the north end via platform 2
• 6880 arrives in platform 2 heading north at 3:15.

At which point, all four locos are arranged across the north end of the station for the next 15 minutes: 32424 in platform 4; 60163 in platform 3; 6880 in platform 2 and 2999 in platform 1.

Then, after 3:30pm:

• 6880 continues north at 3:30pm, freeing up platform 2.
• 60163 runs round again via platform 2 and departs south at 3:50pm, freeing up platform 3.
• 2999 departs north from platform 1 at 4:00pm and the loop
• 32424 runs round via platform 3 (once 60163 is gone) ready to depart south at 4:10pm

Tom

 

Yes, but the intention is that you are at Horsted Keynes during that time, similar to Bluebell 65. Tom’s post will give you the clue as to why…

 

I have similar walking issues and know I have to rest frequently or I risk falling so I can sympathise. I usually manage to get to all of my nearest Heritage lines by train and bus but the Bluebell is the most difficult. I went to Swanage on the Friday

 

I did wonder if that would be the case, our current plan is to arrive at Horsted Keynes from Kingscote behind 2999 and then leave again heading back north on the same set later so that should work well. Thank you all for the replies

 

Thanks Tom, I must admit as I’ve been looking at the timetable and trying to plan my riding vs off train photography times making sense out of the Saturday afternoon timetable wasn’t happening. I hadn’t grabbed on to everything being at Horsted for a lineup. That will look great and hopefully Mother Nature cooperates for us all on the day.

Does the Bluebell publish a Working Tinetable for galas with all moves/etc? I know the SVR does (or at least used to when I’ve been over for their galas). It’s a nice tool for planning and a nice souvenir as well for the collection after the fact if they do.

Thanks!

Stephen

 

The Hopetown Darlington Facebook page has said that Tornado will be returning to Darlington after the 27th October until at least early December. Does that mean there's a possibility of Tornado staying on at the Bluebell an extra week?

 

Our roster currently says 73082 during the week after the gala, with the weekend being 73082 (A), 6989 (B) and 80151 (GA/WR). It could change, but considering 2999 had an extended visit it seems unlikely. Perhaps @Jamessquared will know more than me - I don’t go down to Loco very often!

 

The following week looks like Halloween trains and footplate tasters; with the addition of service trains at the weekend. So I doubt there is anything rostered for Tornado, though presumably it will remain on site for a week.

Tom

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U64267/2025-10-15/detailed

60163s move to Bluebell