HISTORY is set to be made at the Bluebell Railway this summer, when the line is due to operate its inaugural dieselhauled timetabled regular public service train – previous diesel diagrams having only run on special occasions or in emergencies. “One of our key objectives is to grow the number of visitors to the Bluebell, especially at times that we don’t have major events on,” said Geoff Mee, chairman, Bluebell Railway plc. “We spent a great deal of time, effort and money getting to East Grinstead (EG), but we have not made great strides in attracting the London market for a really great day out.”
It has been decided that the Bluebell’s timetable needs to better enable people to spend more time exploring the whole range of what the line has to offer at all its stations.
Mr Mee added: “We need an earlier train from EG meeting a Southern service which leaves Victoria about 09.00 for a departure from EG before 10.30. This means loco and empty coaching stock departing from Sheffield Park (SP) earlier than at present which would mean very, very early sign-on times for train crew to prepare a steam loco to match the service. It takes three hours plus to fire up and prepare a steam loco.”
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