Bluebell Railway's 60 plus 1!
Join us for 60 + 1!
Bluebell Railway turned 60 years old in 2020, so come and join us for our belated diamond anniversary event from 6 – 8 August 2021.
We couldn’t hold the planned celebrations in 2020 because of the restrictions placed on us due to the pandemic. However, we couldn’t let this milestone go by without celebrating properly, so it’s back in the diary for 2021 albeit one year late!
This year, we will mark the occasion with a 3-day long weekend of festivities that will appeal to enthusiasts, members, volunteers and the whole family.
Help celebrate our volunteer (and paid staff!) achievements from over the last 60 years with a packed weekend of displays, activities, music, festivities and, of course, steam engines.
Ever wondered how a heritage railway works? Meet the volunteers and get special behind the scenes guided tours of our workshops and other staff only areas!
Let us transport you back in time to the golden age of steam as the Railway presents 60 years of Bluebell. Experience intensive steam hauled passenger services along the line and activities at Sheffield Park, Kingscote, East Grinstead and at Horsted Keynes Station.
All our stations will be open for this event and a busy timetable will be running. Why not travel up and down the line, hop on and off at any of our stations, and enjoy all the Bluebell Railway has to offer!
There is plenty of free parking at Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes stations. Public Pay and Display parking is available near to East Grinstead Station. We regret there is no parking at Kingscote Station.
Festival feeling
Looking for that festival atmosphere? Head to Horsted Keynes Station and visit our events field to enjoy good food and live bands playing classics from across the last six decades. On Saturday we have steam services late into the evening and entertainment from local bands.
Exclusive access will be available each day to restricted areas across the railway including our carriage and wagon sheds, locomotive works and running sheds with guided tours throughout the weekend. Kids Kingdom will provide fun and games suitable for all ages. For the big kids, brake van rides and diesel driving taster experiences should appeal!
Chris Vine, author of Peter’s Railway will be leading a free 1 hour workshop tour and talk on Boilers, Pistons and Pressure at in SteamWorks! in Sheffield Park at 11am and 2pm on the Saturday and Sunday. Chris has a fantastic way of engaging with children and getting them excited about science and engineering. Not to be missed for that budding young engineer. Chris will also give each child a book from his popular series. Children must be accompanied by an adult and group sizes will be limited, so make sure you get there in plenty of time for the start.
Food and drink will be available to purchase on both days at Sheffield Park Station (Bessemer Arms and platform kiosk), Horsted Keynes Station (George V Buffet, and there will be an Ice Cream Van, Hog Roast, and Shepherd’s Hut), Kingscote Station (Well House for drinks, snacks and ice-cream), and East Grinstead Station (Grinsteade Buffet).
All event areas will be open until 9pm or until the last train departs from that Station.
This will be a celebration of six decades of what Bluebell Railway does best!
What's happening at our stations
Sheffield Park
Image display of our engines and overhauls over the past 60 years
Look into Archie and Fenchurch's firebox and tubes
Camelot will be on static display
Miniature engines and rides
Static footplate visits on the platform while engines take water
Music from Restless Diesels from 12:30 - 2:30 (Saturday only)
Vintage buses
Chris Vine, author of Peter’s Railway, leads a free 1 hour workshop tour and talk on Boilers, Pistons and Pressure at11am and 2pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Horsted Keynes
Music festival
Kids Kingdom - including bouncy castles and fairground rides
Chailey Tractor Club
Hog roast and ice cream vans
Diesel driver experience with 'Skippy' (Saturday and Sunday)
Carriage and Wagon tours (Saturday and Sunday)
Filming stand and exhibition
Pullman exhibition - weddings and charters
Kingscote
Vintage buses
Miniature traction engines
Bounce house and soft play
Music from The Bluebell Jazz Band 12:00 - 2:00 (Saturday only)
Kingscote signal box tours
Prices:
Tickets can be purchased online for an advance discount or on the day. Please note event-only admission tickets are only available on the day
| Advance | On the Day | ||
| Event with Travel – One Day | Adult | £25.00 | £28.00 |
| Child | £12.50 | £14.00 | |
| Carer | Free | Free | |
| BRPS Member Adult | £12.50 | £14.00 | |
| BRPS Member Child | £6.25 | £7.00 | |
| Event Admission Only – One Day | Sheffield Park Station Adult | n/a | £5.00 |
| These tickets are only available on the day | Sheffield Park Station Child | n/a | £3.00 |
| Sheffield Park Station BRPS Member | n/a | Free | |
| Horsted Keynes Station Adult | n/a | £15.00 | |
| Horsted Keynes Station Child | n/a | £7.50 | |
| Horsted Keynes Station BRPS Member | n/a | Free | |
| Kingscote Station Adult | n/a | £2.00 | |
| Kingscote Station Child | n/a | £1.00 | |
| Kingscote Station BRPS Member | n/a | Free | |
| East Grinstead Station Adult | n/a | £2.00 | |
| East Grinstead Station Child | n/a | £1.00 | |
| East Grinstead Station BRPS Member | n/a | Free |
