Bluebell Railway 65th Anniversary
For our birthday celebrations we will be hosting a mini gala style event over the weekend.
During 2025 we celebrate the 200th birthday of railways in this country. Railway 200 is a nationwide event with all sorts of events, activities and other celebrations.
The Bluebell Railway has been selected as part host of the event and we are looking forward to working with many contributors to bring an amazing array of features to help introduce, teach and enjoy Railways from the past, present and in the future.
It is also our 65th birthday during the Railway 200 event and we want you all to join us as we celebrate with a mini gala event!
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 and 34059 (all subject to availability.)
E6040 ‘The Bluebell Railway’ will sadly be unable to take part in this weekend’s event and will be replaced by visiting Class 33/1 No. 33108.
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.
Bluebell 65th Cavalcade – Horsted Keynes: Sunday 10th August
Don’t miss the Cavalcade Spectacular celebrating our 65th birthday at Horsted Keynes Station on Sunday 10 August, from 4:20pm – 4:35pm!
Watch 7 mighty locomotives in motion, coupled together and shunting through the station in a powerful display of steam heritage — an unmissable moment for visitors and a must for enthusiasts.
Arrive early on the day for the best views of this fantastic sight!
View some of the fleet running
Bulleid Battle of Britain 34059 ‘Sir Archibald Sinclair'
A member of 110 light Pacific, designed by Oliver Bulleid for the Southern Railway. The Bluebell Railway carried out extensive restoration and it returned to steam in 2009 but was side-lined with work required 2 years later, then in late 2023 it returned once again fighting fit!
BR Standard Five 73082 ‘Camelot’
A BR Standard Class 5 steam locomotive, built at Derby Works in 1955 for British Railways. Rescued from scrap in 1979 by the 73082 Camelot Locomotive Society & brought to The Bluebell Railway, where it underwent a lengthy restoration, returning to steam in the early 1990s.
Fenchurch
Built-in 1872, it will be the oldest participant in this year’s gala. Following its withdrawal in 1963, it was sold to the Bluebell Railway. After a long hiatus and overhaul, Fenchurch returned to steam in late 2022 and resumed hauling trains the following year.
H2 Marsh Atlantic 32424 ‘Beachy Head’
32424 Beachy Head is a stunning recreation of a lost Southern Railway H2 Atlantic. This remarkable project, by the Bluebell Railway and the Atlantic House Group, has seen one of the most iconic express locomotives of the SR return to steam for the first time since the 1950s.
SECR O1 65
0-6-0s were the most common place locomotives in this country, and the Bluebell now hosts a sequence of three unique survivors of this type. This engine has put in sterling work since its return in 2017 and become a Bluebell-owned locomotive in January 2022.
Class 33/1 No. 33108
Nicknamed “Cromptons,” the Class 33/1 locomotives were specially modified with push-pull capability for working alongside electric multiple units on the Southern Region. 33108, one of the surviving examples, was built in 1960 and served across the south of England, hauling both passenger and freight trains. Today, it remains a powerful reminder of British Rail’s diesel era – keep an eye (and ear!) out for it during the Gala!
BR Standard Tank 80151
155 of these tank engines were built, 80151 being outshopped at Brighton in January 1957 and is the youngest of the class to be preserved. Transferred to The Bluebell Railway in 1998, restoration was completed as quickly as possible and 80151 re-entered traffic in 2001.
Now introducing light refreshments & cream teas throughout the event
We are delighted to offer you the opportunity to experience the luxury our 1920’s Pullman cars for a very special price. Each day during our 65th Anniversary Gala we will be serving light refreshments, by a uniformed steward, in Pullman Cars Christine and Fingall.
On trains departing before 11am you can enjoy a bacon roll and your choice of tea or coffee, on all subsequent departures you will be served a choice of a cream tea or a slice of homemade cake again with your choice of tea and coffee, all served to your seat.
Pullman service is available to any passengers holding a travel ticket for a supplement of £15 per person, this includes your refreshments. There is no need to book in advance, please speak to one of our Pullman stewards.
Pullman travel is available on departures from the following stations:
- Sheffield Park departing at 8:40 on Friday & Saturday and 9:00 on Sunday
- Horstead Keynes departing at 11:15, 1:30 & 3:45 on Friday & Saturday and 11:15 & 1:30 on Sunday
- East Grinstead departing at 9:45, 12:05 & 2:20 on Friday & Saturday and 10:00 & 12:05 on Sunday
If you want a treat between journeys or to experience the atmosphere of all our Pullman Cars we will also be serving tea in Car 54 located on Platform 2 at Sheffield Park. Between 10:00 and 3:30 each day we will be serving a choice of cream tea or homemade cake with tea or coffee for £10 per person. The restoration of Car 54 was completed in 2024 and the carriage has been adapted to allow easy access for passengers in wheelchairs.
We welcome everyone to join us and enjoy in this unique award winning carriage.
This weekend is a must for all Bluebell fans and enthusiasts generally. Having so much stock working at once is rare and will lead to a feeling of hustle and bustle of a bygone era. Come join us for our party celebrations and parade.
Event details
→ View the 65th anniversary timetable
Please note that all our timetables and locomotive allocations are subject to amendment and last-minute cancellations.
DUE TO LOCO FAILURE, 33108 WILL REPLACE E6040 ‘THE BLUEBELL RAILWAY’ THROUGHOUT THE EVENT. THE CLASS 33 WILL BE WORKING OF THE INTENDED TRAINS THAT E6040 WAS ROSTERED TO OPERATE.
