70000 Britannia visits the Bluebell Railway & Kent on the 'Wedding Belle Express' - 23 & 25.05.25

After a gap of nearly 6 years, a steam hauled charter train would head for the Bluebell Railway in Sussex, as 70000 Britannia took charge of a private wedding special to the line, operated by Locomotive Services.

The tour itself would run on two separate days. Friday 23rd May would see the engine depart London Victoria and travel straight down to East Grinstead, where it would join Bluebell Metals for onward travel to Sheffield Park. Two days later, the tour would depart the line for South Croydon, where it would reverse and go for a trip round the Kent Coast, travelling to Edenbridge to pick up the passengers, before heading via Tonbridge & Ashford to reach Dover and Canterbury. The tour would then head back to Ashford and follow a reverse of its route to Edenbridge, where it would then continue to return back to the capital at London Victoria. The visit would mark the first steam hauled charter train to travel to the Bluebell since 2019, with Britannia being no stranger to the line, having visited it for their 'Giants of Steam' gala that same year.

Beginning with the Friday run, Britannia is seen raising the echoes through Woldingham, catching the attention of the early evening commuters as it heads for East Grinstead. After joining Bluebell metals, the tour is next seen heading away from East Grinstead viaduct towards Imberhorne. With the passengers detraining at Kingscote, another overtake was made to Sharpthorne as the consist passes the sight of West Hoathly Station. At Horsted, Britannia would detach from the stock and run with just the support coach to Sheffield Park, and is seen again at Tremaines crossing on the final stretch of her journey.

On Sunday, a windy morning would greet Britannia, as she is captured propelling her support coach up Freshfield bank to reunite with the coaching stock at Horsted. Once attached, 57002 'Winston Churchill' would lead the stock to South Croydon, and is captured at Sharpthorne Tunnel, becoming the first Class 57 to haul a train along the line. After the Brit had taken on water at Kingscote, the final shot on Bluebell metals sees the consist powering up Imberhorne bank, before being captured back on the mainline at Hurst Green. With Britannia back in charge, the tour is next captured at Tudeley Level Crossing as it heads away from Tonbridge. After heading round the coast, the tour is next seen at Wye, captured from the farm crossing just after the station. Finally, the tour is seen at Merstham, where Britannia puts on a good turn of speed as it heads into Merstham tunnel.

•Facebook:   / themodsterrailwayvideos