Where Stepney Lives (Bluebell Railway)

Member Name: Ali72

Product:	Bluebell Railway
Date:	29/05/07 (244 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great family afternoon out

Disadvantages: Slightly expensive for the casual visitor

The Bluebell Railway is a steam railway running along the border of West and East Sussex. I have visited it several times over the last few years and it has always provided a good afternoon out.

There are three working stations on the bluebell railway line: Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes and Kingscote. If you are travelling by car, it’s best to head to the most southerly station, Shefield Park, where there is plentiful free parking in a dedicated car park just off the main East Grinstead-Lewes road, the A275. There are brown signs to the station from some distance away (for example, all the way from the A23 if approaching from the West) so you can’t miss it. It is apparently also possible to park in a field at Horsted Keynes during the summer months, but I’ve never tried this. There’s no parking at the other end of the line, Kingscote, although there is a connecting bus service from East Grinstead station and High Street; the timetable can be found on the Bluebell Railway website, www.bluebell-railway.co.uk.

The Bluebell, opened in 1960, is the oldest standard gauge preserved line in the UK and is managed and operated largely by volunteers. It runs steam hauled passenger trains daily from April to October, and on selected days during the winter months. The railway owns over 30 locomotives, the most famous possibly being the LBSCR Stroudley Terrier, No. 55 “Stepney”, immortalised by Rev. W. Awdry as a friend of Thomas the Tank Engine. They also have a good collection of carriages and wagons.

From the moment that you step out into the Sheffield Park car park, surrounded by a cute picket fence, you know that a lot of attention to detail has been lavished on the Bluebell Railway. It aims to recreate scenes from around 1880 to 1955 and Sheffield Park represents the Victorian Era, with Horsted Keynes and Kingscote stations being presented in 1930s and 1950s condition respectively. The entrance is through the red brick station house, and the ticket master and most of the platform staff dress in period costume which adds to the atmosphere.

The first time that we visited the Bluebell Railway was on a fairly chilly day, and we were pleased to find that the stylish waiting room in the station house had a welcome open fire, and that the toilets were in good (Victorian) order. Our two sons, both huge fans of Thomas the Tank Engine, were thrilled to see a steam engine pull into the station, and we climbed aboard for the nine mile trip to Kingscote. We travelled in “Third Class” which was actually roomier than modern day standard class, with sprung, leather-covered bench seats for two people facing each other. The journey takes around 30 minutes, and passes through Sharpthorne tunnel, which at 731 yards is the longest of any UK heritage railway. You can disembark at Kingscote for a few minutes before making the return leg. It’s worth taking the time to stop off at Horsted Keynes as well, where the carriage display is located.

On most subsequent trips to Sheffield Park, we have not actually travelled on any of the trains, but just bought a “platform ticket”, at £2 for adults and £1 for children, as the main pleasure for the children is seeing the trains, and they become a little bored on the journey itself. There is enough to do at Sheffield Park to spend an enjoyable couple of hours even with small children. The platform ticket includes entrance to the locomotive sheds, which lie off to the left. Here you can walk up and down up between the locos and marvel at their size and the different designs. It’s quite dark in the shed, and my children found it a little scary when they were very young. It’s also understandably dirty, so be prepared for dirty fingers and faces afterwards. The path between the locos is laid from bricks, and slightly uneven so it’s hard work for a pushchair but manageable. The rear of the shed opens onto a workshop area where there is usually some restoration work going on, and the staff and volunteers are quite happy to tell you what they are doing.

In the siding outside you can also see the “Golden Arrow” Pullman Dining coaches, from the days when you could travel and eat in style, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and table-lamps with silk shades. I’m fascinated by these, and keep hinting to my husband that I would like him to treat me to dinner onboard one of the special dinning trains that the Bluebell Railway run on Sat evenings and Sun lunchtimes.

There is a wooden footbridge across to platform 2 so if you are brave you can stand in the steam as the engines pass underneath. There is a ramped crossing available for disabled visitors, although you need to ask station staff for assistance to use this. Platform 2 boasts an under-cover model railway with several different lines including an “alpine” cable car and tramway. It costs 20p to make each train move, and although normally I don’t approve of attractions charging extra for parts of their offering, at 20p I don’t mind, and my sons look forward to choosing which train they will operate.

Back on Platform 1 there is a licensed bar and restaurant, which includes a rather nice function room which can be hired for parties and weddings. There is also the ubiquitous gift shop, which unfortunately you have to exit through.

Overall, I would say that the Bluebell Railway is a particularly good example of a heritage railway and well worth a visit. Their unique feature is that they only operate steam engines, unlike other railways that operate a mixture of steam engines and vintage diesels, so you can be sure to see steam engines operating (as many as three or four different engines under steam at weekends). The large shed at Sheffield Park enables them to show off their locomotive collection to good effect, and the other displays and décor give a very good overall presentation. It is currently a very interesting time to visit, as work is underway to reinstate the remaining two miles of line from Kingscote to East Grinstead. Plus, of course – they have Stepney. He’s my favourite tank engine.

To give you an idea of price, the current fares for a Third Class All Line (unlimited travel) return ticket is £9.80 for adults, and £4.90 for children, although there are also less expensive One Stop (half the line) fares or, as mentioned previously, platform tickets available.

Summary: Steam railway that provides a great family afternoon out