Southern at WAR - Bluebell Railway

Описание: During my five-week visit to the United Kingdom in 2016, I was fortunate enough to attend the annual Southern at War weekend held at Bluebell railway. Bluebell is one of the oldest preserved standard gauge railways in the world and home to some 30 steam locomotives and 150 coaches. They also boast four fully preserved stations namely, East Grinstead, Kingscote, Horsted Keynes and Sheffield Park.

The stations and their beautifully preserved buildings are absolutely spectacular and a 'must see' for any visiting enthusiast. The organisation established a national network connection at East Grinstead in 2013 a substantial achievement for any preserved railway and vitally important for visiting rolling stock.

East Grinstead is also a stone's throw away from the SouthWesternRailway making the transition from modern to preserved rather easy. I used this method and found the trip from London's Victoria station super comfortable and pleasant.

On the weekend in question Bluebell were hosting their annual Southern at War weekend an event that sees many reenactment groups and military collectors taking part. With the Home Guard vigilantly patrolling the platforms, one can almost imagine what BR stations must have looked like during those dark days of World War Two.

I met up with fellow Friend of Atlantic Rail member, Mike Bull at Horsted Keynes and after watching the spectacular Class 5 depart for East Grinstead we boarded another train for Sheffield Park. We spent the rest of the day exploring the many workshops, speaking to the reenactors and travelling back and forth on the trains. On Sunday morning after an interesting visit to the Wings Museum, we returned to Horsted Keynes for some more "training" and of course to see the Spitfire.

The weekend saw four locomotives in steam. Two South Eastern & Chatham Railway locomotives Class C, No.592 and Class H, No.263, which is a tank locomotive. These two double-headed the third train set on day two.

The other two locomotives were British Railways Standard Class 5 No.73082 and the Southern Class E4, No.B473.

Regarding the Spitfire footage that appears at the end of the video. This was the first time I had seen a Spitfire in flight and was keener to take in the occasion than to film or photograph it. Nonetheless, I did manage to snap a photograph or two as well as capture some video.

Further details can be found at http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/
Wings Museum http://www.wingsmuseum.co.uk/