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For those of us who have steam in our blood looking at the locomotives on the Bluebell Railway brings back memories and a further understanding of lines before the Big Four. Your fine work is really appreciated.
The Bluebell Railway is always a grand day out. And it will always hold a special place in my heart as my first ever overseas holiday, and my first long journey alone, was attending the 50th Anniversary Gala in 2010. Their loco collection is indeed a unique treasure. And there's still plenty more to make a Part 2 to this video. Jago didn't even get into the post-Victorian engines or the brand new Brighton Atlantic that's nearing completion. Maybe next time give Chris Eden-Green a call; he's local to the area and a grand RU-vidr himself. Plus he's been having a rough go of it lately and could do with a fun day out.
I used to live in Crawley, so the Bluebell was never far away (although more easily accessible by rail from London, thanks to the Three Bridges - East Grinstead line closure when I was about four!!) For many years, the line used to just run from Sheffield Park to Horstead Keynes, extending to Kingscote in the early 90's, the final push back to East Grinstead being made in 2010, after I'd moved a bit further away!! 😂😂😂 It's still pretty handy to get to though, vintage buses used to run between East Grinstead and Kingscote in the interim. Connection to the main line somewhat ended the railway's "steam only" policy, but made it easier for locos to transfer on and off the line, including 2 visits from the "Flying Scotsman!"
Fellow Crawley Boy myself, back in the day, and agree that the Bluebell was an amazing place to visit as a kid. I'd visit a couple times a year with my nan when we moved over here from Canada. My Great Aunt had an old carriage as a tool shed in her backyard in Malthouse Road ( Hauled there by a team of shire horses from Ifield Halt before Crawley New Town really picked up pace in it's development) which the BBR were after for years but the practicalities of needing a heavy lift crane, road closures and the likes by the time she became( slightly) amenable to the idea made it financially unviable. Or at least that's the reason I was told. TBH I think she waited until such times and knew damn well when she told some of the trustee's she would allow them to pay her another visit and discuss things that it would never happen which suited her as it was part of her, and the 'old family's' homes identity
Still living in Crawley myself. (never escaped :P) Got some fond memories of the bluebell railway. Remember doing some school thing volunteering when quite young as a mini-guard for an event :) maybe 12 or so years old? memories fuzzy now. That i can just hike a couple of hours from my house and watch steam trains is amazing. For riding trains i prefer the Spa Valley railway in Tumbridge Wells to the East though. Much smaller but much less commercialised, easier to chat to the people running it :)
We must have lived in Crawley at the same time and be about the same age I remember trips from Three Bridges to East Grinstead out of platform 6 IIRC; that platform no longer exists of course
6:58 ...and some electrics' apparently, since that Class 73 is of course both. Best livery they ever carried IMHO, blue, yellow panel, white window surrounds - handsome beast.
I believe the Bluebell crosses the East/West border at least twice. It also has three Ps, not two. 178 is not Primrose but Nettle. Primrose is 27. Birch Grove was/is a local country house which was home to Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. Doctor Beeching was also a local and Bluebell volunteer! There's footage of him stood on a stepladder painting the canopy at Sheffield Park.
Just checked openstreetmap, and the East/West Sussex border is definitely only crossed once - just outside Sheffield Park station. (Though it does come dangerously close to the border by the Weir Wood Reservoir.)
@@paulhaynes8045 why so? Beeching wasn't the culprit, he was just the latest in a string of people doing what was necessary. The Bluebell's closure south of HK was decided years before he took the job. The closure of the East Grinstead to Ardingly section came after he had left BR and I don't think it was even in his report as recommended for closure. There were closures even before WW2 - Midhurst to Chichester had already lost its passenger services in the mid 1930s, with only small scale freight operation keeping it going until the collapse of a badly built embankment in a storm made any further operation impractical. Many of the big closures blamed on Beeching weren't his fault at all - the Great Central main line was not recommended for closure, for instance.
@@richardharrold9736 More to the point, Beeching wasn't the driving force behind the "Beeching Axe", he was just the fall guy brought in to do the dirty job. The real culprit was the Transport Minister Ernest Marples, who owned the road building company Marples Ridgway. He saw the opportunity to boost his nett worth by closing railways and replacing them with motorways, built by his own firm naturally! Beeching was set a task by Marples, constrained by very narrow guidelines making his conclusion inevitable. Many people don't know that Beeching produced TWO reports - the first, "The Reshaping of Britain's Railways" recommended closure of many branch lines, but his second recommended high investment in trunk routes. This second one didn't suit Marples' case at all, so was quietly shelved and ignored. Marples enthusiastically embraced Beeching's closure recommendations and additionally spent vast sums of taxpayers' money unnecessarily demolishing the infrastructure of the closed lines as fast as possible, just to make sure they could never be put back into use. Marples, apart from his corrupt political practices, was also a serial tax dodger and narrowly avoided being caught by absconding one night to Monte Carlo. He was later offered a favourable deal by the tax man, and paid a small fraction of the tax he owed to be let off the hook. So don't vilify Beeching, vilify Marples because he is the reason we have such an inadequate rail network nowadays. He was a crook of the first order and one of the grasping people who have damaged this country irreparably.
The Bluebell Railway is second to none with beautifully restored stations, to bring you back in time. Any chance you could visit the Severn Valley Railway, I for one would love to see the collection there. Thanks again for the steam.
Loverley job. Thanks for such a comprehensive recap of our locos. Just one teensy weensy point. In Sussex there's a strange pronunciation of villages ending in the letter Y. So Arding-lea is Arding-lie. But then the Hoathlys west and east are -lea and -lie.
My great-nephew is into trains and recently was taken to the Bluebell Railway to see his favourite engine make a guest appearance- the Flying Scotsman. It made his day!
Thank you as always. So happy to see Stepney, Wodden is 150 years old this year and still stuck in the shed at Delson, Montreal. The oldest engine in their collection and anniversary so sadly missed.
Love your heritage railway videos! If you're ever searching for more, Somerset has 2 heritage railways and the disused Strawberry Line which has been turned into a nature walk.
I do enjoy your looks at heritage railways. There are several other heritage railways within an hour of central London by train, and some of these have a direct rail connection with the national rail network. It was especially good news this Summer to hear that the heritage Kent & East Sussex Railway/Rother Valley Railway has been given full government permission to finally reopen to the main line at Robertsbridge (north of Hastings) from Tenterden and Bodiam. Another heritage line well deserving of a Jago Hazzard visit, I think.
I've always had a soft spot for the Bluebell Railway ever since it was featured on a programme in the 70's- 1977 or 78?- Model World I think it was called.. There was a book that came with it that had model plans and me and dad made the semi scale Frigate- a type 41 I think. That C/01 class engine that escaped by being dismantled and hidden needs its story told!
I love the Bluebell. I have been a member for many years. The Bessemer restaurant at Sheffield Park is named after Madge , grand-daughter of Henry, who fought to save the line. On the closure of the Hayling Billy line all the remaining Terriers were preserved, the eldest being 91 years old.
my favourite Heritage railway too...I last went in May last year, and the bluebells were magnificent in the woods along the line...you brought back some lovely memories, Jago...thanks!
I always wanted to go to the Bluebell Railway in East Sussex. Even my mum as well as she also likes steam trains. The railway does have such beautiful landscape and of course amazing steam locomotives that are being used. Amazing train ride for all ages who love steam locomotives.
You've made me dig out my almost 40 year old falling to bits copy of Stepney The Bluebell Engine. Stepney says Captain Baxter is rather rude but that comes from working in a quarry.
Wow. The Bluebell Railway was my local when I was growing up (literally lived 5.48km away from Horsted Keynes Station). They had two stations the last time I was there. I can't believe I missed so much.
Jago, thank you for that overview of the Bluebell lines locomotives, I hope we'll see more footage from there soon? I was brought up on the Rev Audrey's railway stores when my father read to us at bedtime, his favourite was Duck and the Diesel as he was a GWR fan through and through!
I absolutely love the Bluebell Railway because it has so many interesting and old locomotives, where other preserved lines have BR 1950's stock. They also have some absolutely classic carriages and I would love to recommend their Golden Arrow train as the ultimate train ride on a UK preserved line. BTW I am a fan of Southern Railway and ask you please to consider doing something on Spam Cans - one of which was in the background at the end of this video.
I like the Epping line. The other end was imortalised in Joe Orton's searing indictment on the lack of public libraries in rural Essex.... yes "Book Lack in Ongar"
If possible, head to the Kent & East Sussex, horrific public transport unfortunately however having tank engine pulling 6 coaches up a 1:60 bank sounds absolutely gorgeous, not to mention the lovely engines, facilities, museum and scenery there!
I can wholeheartedly recommend; really friendly people, and a fantastic museum dedicated to the Light Railways of a certain Colonel H F Stephens... I think if Mr Hazzard is interested in industrial and other 'quirky' lines - he can't go far wrong!
Correction at 2:14 the bluebell actually has 3 P classes, 323 ‘Bluebell’. 178 is actually called ‘Nettle’ & 27 is ‘Primrose’ which is in parts! A lot of people get confused over this so don’t feel bad, (I know this as a volunteer there, we are the reason the north London tank got repainted!)
I caught a glimpse of 34023 Blackmore Vale. I'd love an episode about the Southern Railway Bulleid locomotives. I used to collect their numbers in the mid-1960s.
Great video on the Bluebell Railway. I always enjoy visiting there when I get a chance. Living within 25 miles of East Grinstead, it is easy to get there by public transport
Looked up some photos of the railway when the flowers were in bloom, and my goodness they are gorgeous. What a delightful video,t hat was fun. Though I do miss the wheel-designations, 0-4-2 and all of that. Silly, but what I am used to.
Back in the 80's I got there with my son and two dogs to discover the last train had run, I loved steam locomotives and especially those of the SR, and the coaching stock. I've not been back to the UK for too many years and must try it again, though my son now lives in France and the two dogs are no more. Wonderful video M. Jago.
They’re really friendly - a relative who recently died and was nuts about trains left them money, and so they let us put his ashes into the steam train! It’s a lovely day out, brilliant heritage railway
I went there back in June. Lovely to poke around their museum, although the heat meant I wasn't in a fit state of mind to take most of it in. Bloody hard to find their Sheffield Park station from the road, though. Took me three attempts to find it, and only found it on the third one because I was going super slowly. Parking was also unclear, so I followed my usual system of 'it's not like it's taking up much space' and found a shaded patch to park up in, so I didn't have to walk very far in boots that weren't made for walking.
The Bluebell Railway is local to me and well worth a visit. I always made a point of taking our kids for a ride on the steam trains at least once every summer when they were younger. You can't beat that smell of steam and smoke while travelling through the picturesque countryside.
I love the terriers and have a Dapol O gauge model of Stepney. It is funny that the livery is called improved loco green when the loco is basically not green, regardless kit is very exotic.
There are indeed four Yorkshires! It used to be one, with three Ridings plus the City of York, but then there were shenanigans. At any rate, the correct number of Yorkshires is either ‘one’, or ‘more’.
While it’s very far away for me, I would enjoy a visit to the Bluebell Railway. As you said, it has such a beautiful collection of random locomotives, my favorite being the two terriers and the E4 (though I hope it can be repainted into Marsh Umber one day). The line has such a very good rural feel with its restored stations.
Although I've not visited for many years, I'd agree with yiur assessment that the Bluebell is one of best preserved railways in the UK. For me, I would add the Severn Valley Railway to that list. 😎
Hi Jago, thanks as always. Other floral lines are available! A bit off your normal hunting ground but a holiday visit to the sadly defunct Primrose line in Devon would be great trip.
I dream that one day the glorified headshunt from Horsted Keynes to Haywards Heath will be restored, re-electrified and equipped with authentic prewar malachite green EMUs to recreate the era of Sir Herbert Walker's Southern Railway. Would clearances allow for a double decker? Also, maybe one day the main line could be pushed on from Sheffield Park to join the 'withered arm' to Uckfield. But if Uckfield to Lewes is ever rebuilt, the whole route might be commandeered for the second main line to Brighton, and the steam locos would have to stay in their museum...
From 1956 to 1962 I attended school in East Grinstead and to get there from Groombridge I had to take a steam train. So this is very nostalgic, thankyou from Vancouver Canada.
Got married in the waiting room at Horsted Keynes in 2012, and had our wedding breakfast in the pullman cars, chuffing up and down between Sheffield Park and Kingscote. We were even allowed on the footplate (which unfortunately did for my wife's wedding dress!). Lovely setting, superb food and a magical, unforgettable day.
The ease of connection with the Bluebell Railway today at East Grinstead is mentioned, however it was a fantastic effort by the people who run and support the Bluebell to reconnect the line North from Kingscote to East Grinstead which was completed in 2013. It wasn't just a case of re-laying rails along the remaining track bed but required the acquisition of the route, the Imberhorne cutting (that had been used for landfill) to be cleared of earth and waste and the nearby viaduct had to be renovated and certified as safe to carry traffic once again. Ardingly is another one of those quirky town names that's pronounced differently to what the spelling suggests. I understand that it's 'Arding-lie', not 'Arding-lee'.
I'd like to see the NLR loco back in Derbyshire on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, which runs from Wirksworth (and which was also on the Cromford and High Peak)
Your video here, Jago is a hit! I share your video with some railway enthusiasts and the email discussion has been bouncing back and forth for the week. Some of the members of the group are 3d modelers and are discussing building models of the locomotives shown. Great job for bringing some joy to this crazy world. Cheers.
Great video. I love steam and the bluebell is one of the best preserved railways in Britain. More steam videos with jago levels of detail would not go amiss😊
A very good video of a beautifully preserved railway in a beautiful part of the world.There is a good shot of 6106 one of the powerful GW 61XX 2-6-2 tank class(Tonner oners) that operated the bulk of the suburban and outer suburban trains to the west of London.
It's encouraging to hear you say such good things about my nearest heritage railway. I only live just outside of East Grinstead so I should visit more often. Normally I just go to watch from the Sainsbury's car park when I'm doing my shopping!
It seems slightly odd to be watching this in the south of France, as when in the U.K. I live just 4 miles away from Sheffield Park and get my car serviced in the industrial estate that used to be the coal yard. Thank you for posting Jago.
Always loved the Bluebell line, just nostalgic for the early days before H&S when you could just amble around the grubby old engine shed or virtually anywhere else you felt like, preserved railway are too sanistied these days
Ah, the bluebell railway - as someone brought up in Horsham and now having young boys, I have frequently visited. Captain Baxter has always been my favourite and I was lucky enough to be on a brake van behind him going around Horsted Keynes and up the Ardingly “branch”… Will there be a part 2 with all the big locos?
Yes, Jago East and West Sussex, i was born in East sussex, not far from the Bluebell railway. Mum use take us kids to the bluebell railway many times.thanks for the memories.
I've done some volunteering at the Bluebell Railway last year as it's quite local to me. I was volunteering at East Grinstead station which is only 20mins or so on the train from my local station
The Bluebell also has quite an extensive coaching stock, including 4 Metropolitan Railway coaches. These are all ex-Cheham Set coaches I believe. Funny how Cheham keeps croppping up!
I love heritage railways ❤️ Please could this be a new series? After visiting a good few heritage railways around the UK, I have only recently finished visiting all three geographically nearest to me in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and excellent they all are!
I was on the Afternoon Tea Train (aka Walden Rambler) in early September, or one of the hottest days this summer. It was so hot inside the cabin, one of the chocolate cakes was melting to death right before my eyes
I love the Bluebell, a great range of locos and rolling stock to mooch around. The line has a bit of significance for me because my great aunt and her husband were killed on the line during the war on the day they got married. It's a very sad story
Only there two weeks ago but to see a visiting engine- Flying Scotsman. However as i pointed out to my family all the other engines in their own right are famous and interesting to observe.
You remind me a great deal of another fellow--a long ago friend of mine--who also loved old steam engines. However, his name was Gizzard--probably not related. Anyway, Gizzard loved these old buzzards, just like Hazzard. If ever I get a Heritage RR, I'll rename its first engine "Earl of Gizzard Buzzard Hazzard." Keep it coming Mr. Hazzard; we love, love, love it.
Excellent video as always, thank you! Also thanks for including the NLR loco, somewhat underrated in my view. Must get my etched brass kit completed one day... It looks rather more forlorn than the real thing.
Great video! Talking about old railway stuff, how about a video on the Isle of Man railways, both electic and steam. Plenty of original trains and stunning scenery too!
It's a shame the extension into East Grinstead couldn't follow the original route but between the branch line being closed and the Bluebell reopening it, some 60 years, the trackbed and land was sold and a housing estate and road built over it. From the Bluebell's idea to go ahead to reopen and it happening took 30 years to raise the money, buy the new land and obtain planning and the new light railway licence, the people living along the line can now leave the car at home or be dropped at Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes and the other station I've forgotten the name of to go into EG to shop or get the train to London, just a platform change. The line probably carries more passengers now than when the axe fell on it.
Two oh so brief glimpses of Blackmore Vale (be still, my beating heart ..), but not even a mention of Sir Archibald Sinclair. You're a hard man, Mr Jago.
Lovely video Jago, Do enjoy it when you look at different Steam Locomotives and speaking of Fenchurch, They announced that locomotive for the Severn Valley Railway Spring Steam Gala in 2024 today, 18th to 21st April 2024, Looking forward to seeing the locomotive.
Have you ever considered looking at the locomotives which used to work in large factories? I grew up in mid-Cheshire in an area where the main work was based around the salt industry. I used to love walks in the early to mid-1960s with my grandad around the one where he used to work and my dad still did. The place had its own railway and you needed to keep your eyes and ears open for trains because there was nothing to stop you walking on the tracks which were level with the ground like trams lines are.
I think the last time I went to the Bluebell was in 1999, but I think it was shortly before work was complete on their O1, as I have distinct memories of it being in the works shed at the time, very close to completion, but not quite there yet.
