Bluebell Railway General Discussion

At this point I'm thinking of the Dukedog...

 

It's not "edgy", it's just nasty.

 

From Facebook - fares held for 2026:

Great Value Steam Days Out Continue in 2026

The Bluebell Railway is delighted to confirm that standard fare prices will remain frozen for 2026, helping us continue to offer memorable, great value experiences for our visitors. We know how important affordable days out are, particularly for families, and we remain committed to keeping the railway welcoming, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

A visit to the Bluebell Railway offers far more than just a train journey. Travel behind beautiful heritage steam locomotives through the stunning Sussex countryside, explore our museums and exhibitions, discover the story of railway history, and enjoy seasonal events and activities designed for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re planning a family adventure, meeting friends, or enjoying a nostalgic day out, there is always something special to experience along the line.

By keeping our fares the same for 2026, we hope to make it easier for more people to enjoy everything the railway has to offer, ensuring that heritage rail travel remains an affordable and memorable day out for as many visitors as possible.

We look forward to welcoming visitors back for February Half Term, when families can enjoy steam travel and attractions during the school holidays, and we’re excited to share a full calendar of events and experiences throughout the rest of 2026.

Start planning your visit and join us for another fantastic year of steam, history and family-friendly fun at the Bluebell Railway.
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(I believe the Severn Valley have made a similar decision).

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Tom

 

Some photos on Facebook of the second part of the winter track works. Having relaid the area round Vaux End (south of the tunnel) before Christmas, the current work is at Ketches, between Sheffield Park and Freshfield Bank. I’m not sure if the scope is to do the whole of he remaining section back to the station, but another chunk of it in any case. That is the last section of track between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes that hasn’t been relaid in the last few years. I think it dates from an experimental trial by the SR in the late 1940s when they were experimenting with concrete sleepers, so sad in some ways to see it go but it will remove another section of speed restriction.

Tom

 

I believe this relay will go up to the Sheffield Park Up Advanced Starter, so there will be a short section to do at some point in the future down to Poleay Bridge. The trackbed along that section was wet and soil was starting to creep through so it definitely needed relaying.

 

I think that is far enough to remove the temporary speed restriction

Tom

 

Road Meets Rail Returns in 2026!

After a much-missed absence, one of the Bluebell Railway’s most atmospheric events is back! Join us on 16–17 May 2026 at Horsted Keynes Station for Road Meets Rail, where road steam and rail steam come together for an unforgettable weekend.

Step into a bustling Edwardian scene filled with the sights, sounds and smells of working steam. Watch traction engines, road rollers, steam wagons, crane engines and more in action, see demonstrations of road building, timber haulage, wood sawing and heavy lifting, and enjoy traditional fairground rides powered by a Showman’s engine.

Steam-hauled trains will pass through the station while goods trains shunt in and out, creating a truly immersive experience of early 1900s life. This is steam in all its forms — something to see, hear, and experience!



Tom

 

TBF, it was an incredible stroke of good luck that the Ivatt Atlantic boiler turned up at Maldon in the '80s. Without it, the Brighton Atlantic project would probably never have got started.

 

True, but the Brighton Atlantic project did not start with dismantling a Great Northern Atlantic in order to provide a boiler.

 

A couple of infrastructure updates:

Relay at Ketches (foot of Freshfield Bank), photos taken on the one day it wasn't heaving down with rain:

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/ketches-relay-under-way/

Replacement of the loco yard ground frame. This has gone hi-tech with motor-driven points and switches rather than levers: we are assured that is temporary pending complete resignalling with the installation of the new signal box at Sheffield Park. The life-expired old mechanical ground frame - apparently ex-Hellingly, on the Cuckoo Line - has AIUI been purchased.

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/replacing-the-sheffield-park-ground-frame/

Tom

 

Just looking at the loco mileages for 2025 and noticed that 80151 has gone past 100,000 miles in Bluebell service. I missed a trick a couple of years ago, as Camelot managed that in 2023, and I didn't mention it. 80151, meanwhile, has managed it entirely in this century!

Also interesting to note that our own locos racked up around 1200 "away" miles last year at other railway's galas, which must be something of a record for us.

Tom