Bluebell Railway NSE Diesel Gala 4-6 September 2026

[SECR 65]

I think a 2EPB with an MLV (Motor Luggage Van) on each end ?.

That's correct. Formation from 1120 onwards is 73-MLV-EPB-MLV-73. The exact order of the vehicles varies.

So just two coaches with seats in ?.

That's correct.

Gotta keep it authentic (as in full and standing).

I fear that today, assuming it is busier than yesterday, passengers could be left unable to board.

The 0855 OBO from Horsted hauled by the MLV was rammed yesterday.

 

[158760]

The evening trains last night were worked by 33108 vice 50026. 50026 was having power issues yesterday, which have hopefully been fixed for today.

There’s talk of 50026 working the evening trains tonight since it didn’t work last night - will update if I find out any more. If anyone else finds out any info, please do reply to this message

The 50 has reportedly failed again. Post updated to include this.

 

[D1537]

Gotta keep it authentic (as in full and standing).

UPDATE: 50026 has failed again.

Definitely going for NSE authenticity!

 

[LUYMun]

The 50 has reportedly failed again. Post updated to include this.

50’s journeys appear to be replaced by 31210

 

[rmHawk765]

Wonder if the 50 can somehow be fixed for tomorrow or if it will keep doing 50 things...

 

[158760]

It’s due to be back this afternoon - probably on the 14:20 service off Sheffield Park.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Definitely going for NSE authenticity!

Brilliant!

 

[SECR 65]

31108 is on this evening's trains vice 60028+E6040 due to shortage of loco crew.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Thank you for the parking info will probably go to Sheffield Park

What is the walk up fare on the day, website says

• Adult: £38.50 / £42.50

Is that £38.50 in advance and £42.50 on the day? It doesn't specify but I assume that is what is means?

 

[LUYMun]

£38.50 is the price paid for booking online (though you’ll also be charged £2.75 in booking fees so the saving is minimal) while £42.50 is on the day.

Be aware that those coming with an e-ticket will be met with mixed messages as East Grinstead staff insist on you collecting a physical ticket from the booking office, the queue stretching to the main road, however the signs at Sheffield Park state that one can simply walk through to the platform.

Bold for corrected

 

[SECR 65]

£38.50 is the price paid for booking online (though you’ll also be charged £2.75 in booking fees so the saving is minimal) while £42.50 is on the day.

There could be large queues at the booking office.
At Sheffield Park, yesterday and today the queues have seemed manageable.
At Horsted Keynes, around lunch there was a short queue - it could well be busy.
I believe the East Grinstead booking office can become very very busy on gala days.

Be aware that those coming with an e-ticket will be met with mixed messages as East Grinstead staff insist on you collecting an e-ticket from the booking office, the queue stretching to the main road, however the signs at Sheffield Park state that one can simply walk through to the platform.

I am interested to hear that this is the case at East Grinstead.

At Sheffield Park, we always are happy to see the emailed e-ticket as proof of travel and will clip it (if printed).

I understand that the Edmonson card tickets come at considerable cost to the railway.

 

[JonathanH]

I am interested to hear that this is the case at East Grinstead.

At Sheffield Park, we always are happy to see the emailed e-ticket as proof of travel and will clip it (if printed).

I understand that the Edmonson card tickets come at considerable cost to the railway.

I showed the electronic ticket to the platform staff at Sheffield Park and was allowed access, but on returning from Sainsburys at East Grinstead later in the day was asked to have the barcode scanned for an exchange ticket.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

£38.50 is the price paid for booking online (though you’ll also be charged £2.75 in booking fees so the saving is minimal) while £42.50 is on the day.

Be aware that those coming with an e-ticket will be met with mixed messages as East Grinstead staff insist on you collecting an e-ticket from the booking office, the queue stretching to the main road, however the signs at Sheffield Park state that one can simply walk through to the platform.

Thank you for confirming that!

 

[Islineclear3_1]

My wife and I arrived at East Grinstead this morning with barcode e-tickets and were denied boarding until we had swapped for a bluebell ticket. We nearly missed the first train. Staff could have let us board and exchange the tickets at Horsted or Sheffield Park. Otherwise a very good day was had.

 

[Ted633]

Just realised I didn’t show my ticket at all yesterday! Turned up at HK about 9.15 and just walked straight through onto the platform.

 

[158760]

Interesting feedback regarding tickets, thanks everybody.

Clearly this needs to be raised and policy standardised across the railway.

It’s due to be back this afternoon - probably on the 14:20 service off Sheffield Park.

To follow on from this, the loco workings have been altered to ensure 50026 does not run solo. I don’t have a copy of this new version, but please be aware that some engine workings tomorrow may not be as booked on the public timetable.

 

[Falcon1200]

Formation from 1120 onwards is 73-MLV-EPB-MLV-73. The exact order of the vehicles varies.

I would happily have travelled (standing obviously) in one of the MLVs, but they seemed to contain equipment and no doubt there are other reasons why this is not possible.

No delay buying a ticket at East Grinstead yesterday morning but as the next train (booked 50026) was cancelled it didn't matter anyway!

One thing I find strange, not just on the Bluebell, is clipping Day Rover tickets - What is the point, they are valid all day anyway?!

 

[SECR 65]

One thing I find strange, not just on the Bluebell, is clipping Day Rover tickets - What is the point, they are valid all day anyway?!

Fair point. I suppose we just always clip tickets as a matter of course. It's a nice thing to do and children often enjoy watching us do it.

 

[fb2126]

So is it a good idea to print tickets out? Ours are on email.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

So is it a good idea to print tickets out? Ours are on email.

That's what we did, thinking we could just board, especially as we only had 10min connection time between getting off a Southern train at East Grinstead, queuing at the Bluebell ticket office and rushing to board the train that nearly left us behind

 

[SECR 65]

So is it a good idea to print tickets out? Ours are on email.

If starting your journey at Sheffield Park or (I imagine) Horsted Keynes, you will be able to enter with your e-ticket by showing it to platform staff. It's fine either digitally or printed.

If starting your journey at East Grinstead at a busy time, I suspect printed or digitally won't make any difference - I think it's the barcode they want to scan.

This comment is not made on behalf of the railway and is purely my own, but I do appologise for any inconvenience caused by having to queue for tickets. Be assured that this will be raised with the relevant people and ensure there is a uniform approach going forward.

It is possible that, depending on the staff on the day, the ticket policies could be different. In theory this should not be the case, but as identified, things can vary across the railway.

 

[rmHawk765]

Does this mean I should head to Haywards Heath then bus tomorrow instead? I have an e-ticket.

 

[StephenHunter]

They had two kiosks open at East Grinstead to speed things up.

Got my first ride in an EPB, as well as Maunsell stock. I'm not a fan of EPB and commuter Thumpers; too cramped inside.

 

[fb2126]

If starting your journey at Sheffield Park or (I imagine) Horsted Keynes, you will be able to enter with your e-ticket by showing it to platform staff. It's fine either digitally or printed.

If starting your journey at East Grinstead at a busy time, I suspect printed or digitally won't make any difference - I think it's the barcode they want to scan.

This comment is not made on behalf of the railway and is purely my own, but I do appologise for any inconvenience caused by having to queue for tickets. Be assured that this will be raised with the relevant people and ensure there is a uniform approach going forward.

It is possible that, depending on the staff on the day, the ticket policies could be different. In theory this should not be the case, but as identified, things can vary across the railway.

No worries thanks for the advice, will just try to come a bit earlier to avoid any queues

 

[Islineclear3_1]

If starting your journey at East Grinstead at a busy time, I suspect printed or digitally won't make any difference - I think it's the barcode they want to scan.

This comment is not made on behalf of the railway and is purely my own, but I do appologise for any inconvenience caused by having to queue for tickets. Be assured that this will be raised with the relevant people and ensure there is a uniform approach going forward.

It's okay, they held the train for about 5-6 min, so we were lucky, but felt sorry for the queue of people behind us.

A great day otherwise; had a ride on the EPB and behind the 50 on the way back to East Grinstead. Thanks to all the staff and planners who made this happen

 

[rmHawk765]

What will the East Grinstead queues likely be like around 10am (assuming the bus from Oxted actually takes 30 min as planned) given the queues on Friday and today? And what is the chance the ticketing situation is sorted out?

 

[SECR 65]

What will the East Grinstead queues likely be like around 10am

Long, I imagine!
There are two people in the booking office again tomorrow, and I'm sure they'll do their best.

(assuming the bus from Oxted actually takes 30 min as planned) given the queues on Friday and today? And what is the chance the ticketing situation is sorted out?

In terms of a long term standardisation of ticket policy, that will take months to achieve I'm afraid.
The staff on the day could feel differently today. My theory is that tomorrow at East Grinstead it will be the same as today.
It could be tight to get a train if you don't have long.
That said East Grinstead will often hold services if there are passengers waiting. Today apparently they closed the barrier 2 mins before departure.
Also be aware trains could be closed early due to overcrowding, especially the 0945 I suspect and anything on the EPB set.
If you arrive at East Grinstead around 10, in my opinion you are almost guaranteed to get on the 1040 without issue.

First trains from Sheffield Park are quieter than first trains from East Grinstead (in the case of this event - that's not a rule for always).

 

[rmHawk765]

If you arrive at East Grinstead around 10, in my opinion you are almost guaranteed to get on the 1040 without issue.

I am weighing up leaving slightly earlier or later to be there either by 10:10 or 10:45 - seems like there won't be a huge difference in crowding?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

First trains from Sheffield Park are quieter than first trains from East Grinstead (in the case of this event - that's not a rule for always).

I can get to Haywards Heath and then take a bus and the total journey time would basically be identical but I am planning to exit at East Grinstead and will need a 'proper' ticket for re-entry anyway in case they ask, so I'd rather just get that over and done with first.

 

[SECR 65]

I am planning to exit at East Grinstead and will need a 'proper' ticket for re-entry anyway in case they ask, so I'd rather just get that over and done with first.

Any booking office at any station (possibly not Kingscote) is able to issue an exchange e-ticket. If they try to dissuade you explain you need to re-enter at East Grinstead and they should be happy to do it for you.

 

[frankmoh]

It's a shame they couldn't have the MLVs hauling the EPB on their own. Did no one bring a charger for the batteries?