Bluebell Steam Railway Edwardian Weekend 23rd June 2013 East Grinstead-Horsted Keynes-Sheffield Park

Originally uploaded June 2013. Views to November 2020 21300 88 likes 6 dislikes.
New upload in higher definition November 2020
Description below as written in June 2013

With the opening of the extension to East Grinstead in March, the Bluebell Railway in Sussex has never been easier to get to. Under an hour by train direct from London Victoria. This "Edwardian Weekend" was a new idea for the railway this year which saw most of its older rolling stock, dating between 1880 and 1935 used in a three train service. This included the coaches used in the filming for the popular TV series Downton Abbey where Horsted Keynes station became Downton. Also seen is the "Chesham Set" or Metropolitan Railway carriages which were steam hauled on the London Underground back in January, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its opening. See my other films for that event. Traditional fairground rides (16:50), sideshows and swing boats, were provided by the Harris family fair which is still owned by 5th and 6th generations of the same family. They bought the swing boats in 1907 and they're still going strong. Music was provided for the people taking afternoon tea by the East Grinstead Concert band aka The Bluebell band. We hear them play "The Galloping Major". A tune appropriately written in 1906.
The most enjoyable part of the day for me was finding myself alone on Kingscote station (27:33). To sit and enjoy the peace and quiet and experience a country station as it would have been is to be highly recommended. Away from the crowds you really get time to look around and appreciate the detail that makes the Bluebell Railway so special. Kingscote is one of the best assets the railway has in my view. Try it next time you visit. Maybe have a picnic lunch there.
Each station on the line is set in a different railway era. Sheffield Park in Victorian years of the late 1800s, as opened by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. Horsted Keynes in Southern Railway days of the 1920s and 30s and Kingscote in British Railways' days of the 1960s.
We end with a view from the 1913 built L&NWR observation car (34:30), through the cutting recently cleared of near on 100,000 tons of domestic waste dumped there in the 1960s and 70s, the last and greatest hurdle in the 43 year battle to get the railway back to East Grinstead.
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk