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SteamLights 2023

Brighten up the chilly winter evenings with a seasonal lights spectacular!

SteamLights returns in 2023 with a sparkling new theme and a new lighting up performance to capture your imagination. 

Sparkle, glow and shimmer on a magical steam train covered by thousands of colourful lights. Feast your eyes on a magical and spectacular light show as you travel with us through the winter landscape!

  • Before boarding, witness the new, big switch-on performance as we light up the darkness of Sheffield Park Station
  • Board for the magical journey and be seated in the luxury of your own compartment with your party. Why not make it a whole family affair or bring a group of friends to make the most of the compartment? Then add a special SteamLights picnic box along with your SteamLights experience. (These are to be collected from the Bessemer Arms bar before boarding the train.)
  • Journey through the Sussex countryside under cover of darkness, bringing shimmering light and colour as you go. Along the way, enjoy new festive-themed scenes among the trees and clearings and a colourful light show orchestrated in time with music. A multi-sensory feast!
  • Arrive at Horsted Keynes Station and disembark for 30 minutes to take photographs of your spectacular train covered in lights. The atmospheric country station adorned with lights and festive decoration provides the perfect backdrop.
  • As you return to Sheffield Park, enjoy a second chance to sparkle through the countryside and view the festive scenes you may have missed the first time.

The whole experience will be approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

These trains will be running between NOVEMBER 17th to DECEMBER 30TH

PLEASE NOTE: This is a separate service to Santa Specials – Santa will not be appearing on this SteamLights service. For those who need to see Santa, please book on the Santa’s SteamLights service. Tickets for 2023 Santa Specials will be available soon.

BOOK HERE FOR STEAMLIGHTS 2023 TICKETS

Santa’s SteamLights- TICKETS ALL SOLD OUT!

This year we have arranged with Santa that he can take time off from packing presents and feeding reindeer, so he will be waiting in the forecourt from 4pm to greet everyone, and to hand out a present to all children who have been especially good!    There is plenty of time for a photo opportunity, and a free glass of Mulled Wine will be on offer for adults, with something more suitable for all the children.  Do make sure you leave time for all this before the switch-on ceremony.

Children might like a ride on the carousel before entering the station.

All Santa’s SteamLights event will start from Sheffield Park at 4:45, passengers are advised to arrive at Sheffield Park at 4pm, more than enough time to see Santa!

Once the train departs, you will journey through the Sussex countryside under cover of darkness, surrounded by a shimmering display of light and colour as you go.   Enjoy festive scenes beside the track along the route and a colourful light show played against the trees and clearings, orchestrated in time to music.   The exterior lights on the train will be extinguished just before a lineside tableau comes into view and the train will slow down considerably, introduced by the special starlight theme-tune each time.

The train will travel very slowly past the displays, and the lighting in your compartment is kept low to give you better enjoyment of the spectacle.

You will have 30 minutes at Horsted Keynes – enough time to buy a glass of our famous Mulled Wine or Hot Chocolate.   Card or cash is acceptable.

Your return trip will take 20 minutes, and you will be entertained with festive music and songs – join in as loudly as you like in your private compartment!

These trains will be running from DECEMBER 2ND TO DECEMBER 23RD

* Accessible seating – not available to book online – please contact our Customer Service Team to book on 01825 720800 or email bookings@bluebell-railway.com

For any reasons for changing any Bluebell booking, you will be required to pay a £10.00 surcharge if you wish to change/amend your booking.

THIS IS A BRAND NEW SERVICE FOR 2023. THIS SERVICE IS NOT OUR SANTA SPECIALS. TICKETS FOR THESE TRAINS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE SOON AND WILL BE FOUND HERE

THESE PICNIC BOXES CAN BE ORDERED WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR STEAMLIGHTS TICKETS ONLINE

FAQs

  • Are you still running Santa Specials?

    This is a separate service to Santa Specials. Santa will not appear on Steamlights - he is very busy packing presents for our Santa Specials.

  • Where will the SteamLights service run to and from?

    All services will begin at Sheffield Park for a return trip to Horsted Keynes.

  • How many people can sit in a compartment?

    Tickets are sold per compartment, or tables for four. Third class compartments can seat up to eight people, and first class compartments can seat up to six people.

  • Will I have to share my compartment?

    No - tickets are sold per compartment and groups will not be sharing with other parties.

  • What is the difference between a first and third class compartment?

    First class compartments contain wider, plusher seats and are more luxurious.

  • Do toddlers and babies need their own seats?

    Children aged three and under can sit on laps. We advise older children to have their own seat.

  • Will there be toilets on the train?

    No, but there will be at Sheffield Park Station and Horsted Keynes where you can disembark for 30 minutes. The journey time is 25 minutes each way.

  • Are there any discounts available?

    Carers travel free when accompanying a registered disabled passenger. Please complete the wheelchair accommodation form to request a booking. There are no discounts available on this service.

  • Is this service accessible?

    We are pleased to offer a specially adapted area for wheelchair users on this service. Please call 01825 720800 to check availability and book. If you or a member of your party have mobility issues and would like to travel on this service, please call 01825 720800 and we will be happy to discuss your requirements with you.

  • Can I bring my dog?

    Unfortunately dogs are not permitted on this service, with the exception of assistant dogs.

  • Is there a car park?

    We have a large free car park for visitors at Sheffield Park.

  • Can I order or bring food?

    You can order picnic boxes, and these will be ready for you to collect from The Bessemer Arms at Sheffield Park station. You are also welcome to bring your own refreshments if you wish and there will be refreshment kiosks at Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes.

  • What shops will be open?

    Once you arrive back at Sheffield Park you will have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and gifts from our Shop before you leave.

  • What happens at Horsted Keynes?

    At Horsted Keynes you will be able to get off the train to take photos on the platform and admire the spectacular lights. You will have 30 minutes at Horsted Keynes – enough time to buy teas and coffees and another cup of mulled wine on sale outside the Buffet.

  • Will there be platform only admission tickets?

    Unfortunately platform admission tickets are not available during SteamLights.

  • Can I take my pram/pushchair on the train?

    We're sorry but it isn't possible to take prams/buggies/pushchairs onto our trains during this event. These may be left in the care of the station staff at the departure station