Description

Early in 2013 the Bluebell Railway was reconnected to the main line national rail network at East Grinstead. This is the story of how it was achieved, with much behind-the-scenes material including laying the lines and the first trains – one in a snowstorm! The film includes plenty of steam action and full coverage of the Giants of Steam Weekend in the Autumn of 2015.

Full description from the producer:

The volunteer-run Bluebell Railway is UK’s first standard gauge passenger line, opened to public service in 1960. The steam trains now run through 11 miles of Sussex Countryside from Sheffield Park, Horstead Keynes, Kingscote to East Grinstead. After many years of sheer determination and hard work backed by serious fund raising, early in 2013 the Bluebell Railway was reconnected to the main line national rail network at East Grinstead. There is coverage of the clearing of over 90,000 tons of rubbish from the Imberhorne Cutting and the final laying of track into East Grinstead. Seeing the first train on 23rd March 2013 and opening of the railway in a snowstorm! A few days later see the first special excursion mainline train run into the newly connected railway at East Grinstead. Our film includes plenty of steam action and a wide variety of large and small locomotives hard at work. Included is full coverage of the Giants of Steam Weekend in the Autumn of 2015. Filmed and edited by GWP with the full co-operation of the railway. Narrated by BBC’s Nicholas Owen.

Additional information