Saturday 21st September 2024

Join us for a late Summertime Special as we return to Sussex and the charming Bluebell Railway. Our visit coincides with the railway’s beer festival and there is also an intensive service of steam trains in operation during our visit.

Our journey begins at Nottingham, giving our customers in the Midlands a rare direct train to the Bluebell Railway. After calling at Grantham, Peterborough, Huntingdon, Stevenage, and Finsbury Park we head to Acton Lane reception where our class 66 locomotive is replaced with two of GB Railfreight’s class 73/1 electro-diesels.

After departing we proceed via Kensington Olympia and Crystal Palace toward East Grinstead, where we leave Network Rail metals and enter Bluebell territory, going right to the end of the line at Sheffield Park. We aim for this break to be around four hours, although this is dependent upon aligning our timings between the national rail network and the Bluebell Railway.

Our return route is slightly extended, giving the opportunity for more fantastic views from the train across the suburbs of South London. Sit back and relax as our train snakes its way through suburbia including Tulse Hill, Brixton and the bustle of  Clapham Jn before heading to Leighham Junction before once again heading towards Clapham (but this time bypassing the station) as we head towards Kensington Olympia and Acton Lane Reception. Here we say goodbye to the Class 73 locomotives before heading home under class 66 power once again, saying our final farewells at Nottingham.

THE BLUEBELL RAILWAY

Imagine travelling through 11 miles of glorious Sussex scenery behind a steam engine – the Bluebell Railway offers that and so much more for the whole family. The Bluebell Railway was one of the first preserved heritage lines in the country, resulting in one of the finest collections of vintage steam locomotives and carriages – many of which were preserved straight out of service from British Railways. the fascinating Bluebell Railway Museum, located on the platform at Sheffield Park, has a huge archive of photographs and memorabilia of the bygone age when steam was king.

Our tour fare includes a rover ticket for the Bluebell railway, enabling you to travel on any of their services throughout the afternoon. Whether you choose to remain at Sheffield Park, visit and explore the other stations at Horstead Keynes, Kingscote and East Grinstead or simply travel all afternoon aboard the brilliant steam-hauled services, the choice is yours! A busy timetable of steam services will be running all afternoon.

E 6040 The Bluebell Railway, a resident loco 

THE BLUEBELL BEER FESTIVAL

Our visit to the Bluebell Railway coincides with their annual beer festival, supported by the Sussex branches of CAMRA.  What could be better than sipping a special Sussex brew in the industrial splendour of a locomotive running shed, listening to great bands, and watching steam trains puff up and down the line. Hop on that train and journey to other stations to tick another great beer or cider off your list. We expect to be able to sell beer vouchers on the train prior to your arrival at the Bluebell Railway saving you the need to queue on arrival. We expect to spend around four hours here.

Fares include a rover ticket on the Bluebell Railway and entry to the beer festival.

First Class Dining includes The Great British Breakfast and a four course dinner. A buffet car is available for those in Standard Class and First Class Non Dining. 

Class	Price	Availability
Standard Adult	£129	Good
Standard Junior	£89	Good
First Class Non Dining	£179	Good
First Class Dining	£289	Good
First Class Dining Table for Four	£1136	Good

All timings are provisional and are intended only as a guide.

Station	Depart	Arrive
Nottingham	06.00	22.30
Grantham	06.40	21.50
Peterborough	07.10	21.20
Huntingdon	07.30	21.00
Stevenage	08.10	20.20
Finsbury Park	09.00	19.30

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