Bluebell Railway Appeal - updated Nov 2011

Bluebell Railway Northern Extension Project -- destination East Grinstead

To secure the future of the Bluebell, the Northern Extension Project will see the Railway steaming back into East Grinstead over Imberhorne Viaduct, thus achieving the ambition of the pioneers who 50 years ago formed the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society.

As of November 2011 we still need just under £1 million to complete this project, half of that by the end of the year. The new material was actually filmed in September, and since then another 25 trains have indeed run. Another 15 trains are planned for later this year, and then a few more next year.

You can find out more information and donate to the appeal via the 50th Anniversary Appeal website:
http://bluebellrailwaytrust.org.uk/

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Bluebell Railway
• extension
• East Grinstead
• steam train
• Sussex
• imberhorne cutting
• appeal
• waste
• rubbish tip
• Nicholas Owen
• trains
• rail
• tourism
• environment
• Rail Transport
• Steam Locomotive
• Railroad

[RAZZ229]

QUESTION: Why can't bluebell's VEP unit be hire out for railtours or Bluebell railway have a diesel day (look at the people who have come down or have filmed the class 66's and 73's at East Grinstead), both of which may bring in more visitors and more funds for clearing the tip??

[BluebellRail]

@RAZZ229 There's nothing to prevent anyone from using the VEP for a railtour, if they wanted to, except they'd need to arrange the certification for it to carry passsengers on the main line.

We couldn't have a Diesel Day on our main section of line without bringing in visiting locos by road, which would be totally un-economic, given the transport costs. And would it be midweek in November, February or March? We're running steam trains otherwise, so couldn't hold a diesel day except then.

[hornbytrains125]

Could a diesel day be held at East Grinstead. Locos and Coaches could be brought in by mainline. You could run 1 train with changing locos to the end of the line and back. The day could maybe feature the waste memoval train going to the site.

[BluebellRail]

@hornbytrains125 We have already done this several times, and will again have an open day with a diesel-hauled passenger train at East Grinstead in April.

[BluebellRail]

It is not possible to combine operation of the waste removal train with the presence of any other rolling stock, since the 20-wagon rake has to be split, and all available track space is required for the operation of the train. In any case, we may have already run the final waste removal train, although it is possible, depending on analysis of what remains, that a few more may be required in February.

[barry8472]

Wish you all the best of luck. I will donate as soon as possible