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, 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.
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 73 E6040 'The Bluebell Railway'
Known latterly as Class 73s, these were electric locomotives for the Southern Region’s third-rail system, but incorporating a 600 hp diesel engine. Refurbished in recent years, the diesel joined our home fleet and was rededicated at Sheffield Park in 2023.
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.
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.
