7-strong Cavalcade | Bluebell Railway - '65th Anniversary Weekend' 09-10/08/2025

1960, the year that British Railways constructed its final new steam locomotive, "Evening Star", and the year that the Bluebell Railway in Sussex was established; becoming the first standard gauge heritage railway in the country to offer a steam hauled service. The railway would celebrate its 65th anniversary in style, with a dedicated weekend held over August 8th-10th, featuring 7 locomotives in action operating a very intensive timetable.

In its fledgling months of operation, the heritage railway offered a top-and-tailed steam service from Sheffield Park to Bluebell Halt, the latter being a temporary station positioned roughly 100 metres south of Horsted Keynes station, necessary since British Railways were still operating an electric service between Horsted Keynes and Haywards Heath via Ardingly, which saw the Bluebell initially denied entry into Horsted Keynes station. In 1962, all services were finally permitted to run into Horsted Keynes, and in 1963 British Railways withdrew its services into the station completely which effectively severed the Bluebell Railway from the national network. Over 60 years later, the Bluebell is once again connected to the national network through its link at East Grinstead, after volunteers painstakingly rebuilt the line to the north, allowing visitors to enjoy a complete 11 mile journey from Sheffield Park.

The event would see 6 of the Bluebells home-fleet steam locomotives in action across the railway, bolstered by visiting Class 33 - 33108. The steam contingent would be comprised of two Victorian veterans; 72 “Fenchurch” and O1 Class - 65, two from the BR Standard stable; 73082 “Camelot” and 80151, and the two most recently completed major Bluebell projects; a freshly overhauled 34059 “Sir Archibald Sinclair” and new-build 32424 “Beachy Head”.

The timetable would see the line divided at Horsted Keynes, with regular services operating north to East Grinstead and south to Sheffield Park, with very limited through services. This would allow the Bluebell to operate a much more frequent service, but did also result three trains departing from three stations all within 5 minutes of each other at regular intervals throughout the day; two northbound from Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes respectively, and one southbound from East Grinstead, making it very difficult to capture services across the whole line without sacrificing another potential clip. On the Sunday of the event, the railway would stage a 7-strong cavalcade at Horsted Keynes, accompanied by an orchestra of whistles.

Locomotives:
Ex-SR Rebuilt 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair"
SE&CR O1 Class - 65
BR Standard Class 5MT - 73082 “Camelot”
BR Standard Class 4MT Tank - 80151
BR Class 33 - 33108
Ex-LB&SCR H2 Class - 32424 “Beachy Head”
LB&SCR A1X 'Terrier' Class - 72 "Fenchurch"

Saturday
00:00 - 34059 Sheffield Park
02:31 - 65 Sheffield Park
04:28 - 73082 Waterworks
05:36 - 73082 Horsted House Farm Bridge
07:16 - 34059 Sharpthorne Tunnel
09:14 - 73082 Sharpthorne Tunnel
10:02 - 33108 Horsted House Farm Bridge
10:52 - 32424 Three Arch Bridge
12:32 - 80151 Three Arch Bridge
13:04 - 65 Three Arch Bridge
14:16 - 72 Three Arch Bridge
14:55 - 33108 Imberhorne
15:41 - 34059 Horsted Keynes footpath
17:47 - 33108 Horsted Keynes footpath
19:08 - 32424 Freshfield Bank

Sunday
21:06 - 73082 Freshfield Bank
23:39 - 34059 Freshfield Bank
26:35 - 80151 Horsted Keynes
28:06 - 73082 Sharpthorne Tunnel
29:50 - 34059 Horsted House Farm Bridge
31:20 - 32424 Rock Cutting
32:13 - 72 & 80151 Tremaines
32:57 - 32424 & 73082 Freshfield Bank
34:22 - Cavalcade Horsted Keynes
38:58 - 32424 Horsted Keynes

Footnote: With thanks to ‪@SouthEast_Classic_Rail‬, for his suggestion and accommodating attitude concerning the filming of the cavalcade.

All footage filmed from a position of safety, while in possession of a valid PTS.
All footage filmed on Saturday the 9th, and Sunday the 10th, of August 2025.