Bluebell Railway - First Public Trip on Ardingly Branch since 1963

[Fnarge]

A fascinating glimpse into the secret world of the Ardingly branch line. It would be excellent if the line was ever re-opened, but the East Grinstead project must take priority. If rail enthusiasts keep up their good work at this pace, within 100 years the entire Victorian network dismantled in the Sixtes could be rebuilt.

I remember filming the Bluebell back in 1970 with my Super 8 camera however those shaky, silent hand held images can't compare to today's hi-def video.

Steam on!

[organisten]

what a pity the train can't go anywhere except a siding on a line that just stops in the middle of the grass! Thanks Beeching and those of your clan!

[candyfloss362]

is there really plans to reconnect with ardingly and on to H'heath i hope so but i always figured that ARC would be a problem and making that tunnel safe. i walked through it when i was young very creepy

[shaven0021]

They have filled quite a bit of the triangle in with the soil cap from the East Grinstead extension (the tip/cutting). I was told they own the trackbead from HK to just before the station at Ardingly, then its used for aggregates trains to Haywards Heath.

It’s a shame you cant put a turning triangle there for visiting engines when they re-connect with network rail.

[HSTHoward]

amazing

[Northstander]

I understand that the Bluebell are currently working on the northern extension towards East Grinstead, which will open up lots of possiblities (railtours, visiting loco's, etc) once reconnection is made.

Am I right in saying that BRPS also own the trackbed via Ardingly to the London-Brighton mainline, if so, how much work would be required to make that connection? Is it feasible?

[mward5291]

@Northstander the biggest problem with the connection to ardingly is the rebuilding of the viaduct, easiest thing to do is replace the viaduct with a steel bridge

[cogidubnus1953]

Always wanted to see what was round the corner...thank you!

[mvjedforest]

That was great-5*- and seeing another train entering Horsted Keynes at the same time was a bonus- hopefully a taste of things to come. ( I am probably in a minority, but I think a 3rd rail would look good on the Ardingly branch!)

[SPINNER673]

I agree with you actually, the Bluebell's steam loco fleet would be really stretched when it's connected to Ardingly so we could utilise a train from the southern electric group. Make the Bluebell even more unique ;-)!

[crompton33001]

nice vid mate, good to see another part of the line open again.