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If you've heard of Horsted Keynes before then it's
almost certainly because of "The Bluebell" Railway. Stand in the middle of the village
and as long as the wind's in the right direction you can enjoy the smell of hot
oil and steam, which even the internet can't convey - YET !
Getting on for 50 years ago the then British Railways decided to
implement a report that recommended reducing their mounting losses by the simple expedient of closing down every line
that didn't make a profit! A group of train enthusiasts managed after a long
battle with officialdom and with the help of a little old lady called Miss. Bessimer to reopen 4 miles of the line that used to run from East Grinstead to
Lewes in Sussex. Their line ran from the station of Sheffield Park to the edge
of our local station Horsted Keynes. This was the first full scale railway line to be
reopened by private enterprise and it has gone from strength to strength. Now
The Bluebell Railway is 9 miles long and a Public Company. It is actively
pushing back to its main line connection at East Grinstead. The only thing in
their way - a few million tons of rubbish tip which fills a half mile long
cutting to the North of their temporary terminus at Kingscote. Nevertheless they
have grants and planning permission and with just a few more million pounds from
the public the diggers will be on their way !
Given good luck, and not too many bodies under the
rubbish, they hope to reconnect with the main line at East Grinstead soon. We wish
them the best of luck ! Perhaps then Horsted Keynes will return to its happy
status as a quiet Sussex village with two Churches and two pubs but I expect
that it will never be the same. "No bad thing" we hear you say !
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| Pop video filming at Horsted
Keynes station October 2007 |
If you'd like to visit The Bluebell Web Site then please follow this link. It's a great day out with
lots to see and do. If travelling by car then Horsted Keynes has easily the
better parking facilities and a pleasant picnic spot. Busses connect with both Sheffield
Park and Horsted Keynes stations at weekends. Coming from the North get the
train to East Grinstead and a vintage bus will take you on the three mile trip
around the rubbish tip to Kingscote Station. Please note that to placate the
local residents you CANNOT park at Kingscote or even buy a ticket there (unless
you arrive by bus or bike!). It is now 2007 and the line is laid all the way up
to the edge of the rubbish dump at Imberhorne. Passenger trains still haven't started to
run along this track and the rubbish is still to be removed so you will have to wait a bit longer before you
can book your seat for the inaugural through journey!
Dogs are welcome to the line, and there is even a special ticket
available for them. The upper part of the field at Horsted Keynes is a good
place for them to let off steam. The only restrictions are the buffet/restaurant
building and Golden Arrow Pullman Dining Train, for obvious reasons. Guide
and recognised assistance dogs are most welcome, and travel free
Local residents get to travel on the Bluebell at a
discounted fare, this concession is NOT well publicised but
more details can be found here. This
idea, of giving local residents, who inevitably have to put up with a certain
amount of disruption and extra traffic, cheaper admission to local attractions
is one that other tourist sites might like to emulate. We think that it is fair
to say that the Bluebell are generally regarded as good neighbours.
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