Bluebell Railway Extension to East Grinstead

[10680]

For those of you interested in railway preservation...

It's been a long time coming. It's been seven day working in all weather recently.

On 23rd March the first train from East Grinstead to Horsted Keynes (and Sheffield Park) for 55 years, and on 28th March (all be it diesel) the first train from Victoria since 1958.

"East Grinstead to Open 23 March!


On Feb 1, Infrastructure Director Chris White informed the Trustees that the East Grinstead Extension will open on 23 March as planned--subject, of course, to the weather!

This is extremely welcome news and, given recent weather-related challenges, a credit to him and his team.

The Railway will celebrate with a two-week opening festival from 23 March until 8 April. Full details of East Grinstead opening events can be found here.

All bookings for the first and other special trains will open at 10 a.m. on 8 Feb. For more information and tickets, call the Sales and Information Office at 01825 720800."

http://www.bluebell-railway.com/east-gr ... -festival/

http://www.bluebell-railway.com/east-gr ... 3rd-march/

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com ... IzCmb3Y%3D

[Aceyone]

Great news

[Mackrick]

Good news, we need more like this.

[34053]

Many thanks for the 'heads up'. Really looking forward to the trains returning to East Grinstead again (following Dr Beeching's appalling 'axe' of the line in the 1960's!!).

PW

[10680]

Many thanks for the 'heads up'. Really looking forward to the trains returning to East Grinstead again (following Dr Beeching's appalling 'axe' of the line in the 1960's!!).

PW

Actually the line was closed (twice) before Beeching! (Apart from our next project the Ardingly branch - closed 1963).

Although Beeching did subsequently close the other lines to East Grinstead.



I'm working on the first day. Should be good - unless I get brake van rides with Steopney!

[Jet Morgan]

Fantastic news!

[10680]

I was lucky enough to be in the crew for the first steam-hauled passenger train from East Grinstead to Sheffield Park for 55 years on Saturday.

Pouring rain from 4:00am when I started work which changed to snow then a blizzard from 7:30 as we set of northwards.

Not my picture (could only get thumbnail)



http://www.flickr.com/photos/keith35001 ... 3077384007

My grabbed photos here.

http://s1132.photobucket.com/user/KENBL ... tory/12429

[Mackrick]

Nice photos shame about the weather though but glad it all went ok.

[10680]

Nice photos shame about the weather though but glad it all went ok.

Thanks. Still a good turnout despite the weather. Hope we get the same every week.

[Minty4371]

Very nice photographs. Thank you for sharing.

[34053]

What an Historic Day and what a great experience for you to have been a part of it. Thank you for sharing the pics with us.

PW

[10680]

Thanks.

Not my thing but another first today. The first through train from London Victoria - diesel-hauled!
Engine being named Bluebell Railway at Horsted Keynes.

Hopefully not long before we get the first steam-hauled.

Yesterday BBC News channel did live reporting throughout the day from East Grinstead - Beeching +50.