1. Bluebell Railway

The Blue Belle - March 2013

The first incoming railtour to the Bluebell since 1963 arrived over the newly opened East Grinstead extension hauled by GBRf class 66 no. 66739 (which was named "Bluebell Railway" in a ceremony at Horsted Keynes) and class 73s nos. 73207 and 73119.

GBRf had proven to be key partners in the extension project, and were responsible for moving a significant amount of waste by rail from the tip. In addition to the tour the 73s also ran a special round trip using the Bluebells own stock.

A video of the day can be found here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VotekQ7Lgf4
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  • 1638 brings the first train of the day north

    1638 brings the first train of the day north

  • 263 with the vintage train. A perfect fit!

    263 with the vintage train. A perfect fit!

  • 66739 heads south from Horsted Keynes

    66739 heads south from Horsted Keynes

  • The 66 (with hidden nameplate) bound for Sheffield Park

    The 66 (with hidden nameplate) bound for Sheffield Park

  • 66739 heads toward Three Arch Bridge

    66739 heads toward Three Arch Bridge

  • 66 and generator car

    66 and generator car

  • The 73s tail the tour

    The 73s tail the tour

  • The electro-diesels in place to drag the tour back up from Sheffield Park, the train being too long for the loop

    The electro-diesels in place to drag the tour back up from Sheffield Park, the train being too long for the loop

  • The 73s return

    The 73s return

  • 73207 leading 73119 into Horsted Keynes. Possibly the first ever Mk.2 carriages to use the Bluebell?

    73207 leading 73119 into Horsted Keynes. Possibly the first ever Mk.2 carriages to use the Bluebell?

  • The sun briefly threatens an appearance as the 73s pull into Horsted

    The sun briefly threatens an appearance as the 73s pull into Horsted

  • The 66 banks the train into Horsted Keynes

    The 66 banks the train into Horsted Keynes

  • The 73s burst out of the tunnel with the special in tow

    The 73s burst out of the tunnel with the special in tow

  • The 73s in large logo blue and BR blue pass the remains of a station closed before such liveries came into being

    The 73s in large logo blue and BR blue pass the remains of a station closed before such liveries came into being

  • The special heads for Kingscote and East Grinstead

    The special heads for Kingscote and East Grinstead

  • The E4 providing steam heating with the original headboard from the 1963 tour

    The E4 providing steam heating with the original headboard from the 1963 tour

  • The U coasts toward the tunnel

    The U coasts toward the tunnel

  • An unusual treble header!

    An unusual treble header!

  • 263 canters north at West Hoathly

    263 canters north at West Hoathly

  • 1638 makes haste trying to recover lost time

    1638 makes haste trying to recover lost time

  • The 66 brings the tour out of the tunnel at the start of the return leg back to the capital

    The 66 brings the tour out of the tunnel at the start of the return leg back to the capital

  • 66739 brings the train out of the tunnel

    66739 brings the train out of the tunnel

  • The 73s tail the tour back to Victoria

    The 73s tail the tour back to Victoria

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