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Bluebell Railway Branch Line Weekend 2019

Image of Craig Weatherley.CRAIG WEATHERLEY visits this local preserved railway for a special event weekend.

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Every year the Bluebell Railway, in the heart of Sussex, holds different events - from big locomotive galas where the largest express locomotives thunder up and down the line, to small branch-line weekends.

On March 16th I, joined by my fellow GM colleagues Jack, Matt, and Martin, drove to the Bluebell Railway for this lovely little event where we saw the smaller branch-line engines have their time to shine. There were two visiting locos for the weekend, which were the O2 Class No. W24 "Calbourne" (courtesy of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway Company Ltd), and the Beattie Well Tank No. 30587 (courtesy of the National Railway Museum).

Bluebell Railway 1.

Bluebell Railway 2.

Also running were various locos that are usually based on the Bluebell, including; SE&CR H Class No. 263, SE&CR O1 Class No. 65, SE&CR P Class No. 178, and the SR Q Class No. 30541.

Bluebell Railway 3.

Shown above is the SE&CR H Class No. 263 stopping for water whilst running around at East Grinstead

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Bluebell Railway 4.

There was some amazing things on show, such as the newly painted Adams Radial Tank in British Railways black numbered 30583, next door to a very sorry looking SE&CR C Class No. 592 awaiting a complete overhaul.

However, one item stood out for me...

Bluebell Railway 5.

Above is a 7¼ inch gauge live steam model of the Adams Radial tank engine in British Railways black No.30583, a miniature version of the newly painted prototype.

Bluebell Railway 6.

That's the end of the line folks.

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