Bluebell Railway NSE Diesel Gala 4-6 September 2026

[rmHawk765]

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.

Ah alright, thanks for the information! Perhaps I will be able to fit another train in.

 

[43096]

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.

Of course it would be a lot easier if the railway was just consistent on its ticketing/access to platforms policy, rather than allowing East Grinstead to seemingly make up its policy as it goes along.

 

[158760]

Outbound Moves

07/09:
0M31 - 47701, 31108, 31210
0Z33 - 73128
5Z85 - 33207, 9001, 5759, 9002

08/09:
1Z69 - 1001 (Mini railtour to Hastings)

10/09:
Timings TBC - 60028, 50026

 

[Falcon1200]

It's a nice thing to do and children often enjoy watching us do it.

That's a good point, thanks.

Thoroughly enjoyed my day on Friday, also appreciated the heritage bus ride from Sheffield Park to Haywards Heath.

 

[Rail_Sussex]

Outbound Moves

07/09:
0M31 - 47701, 31108, 31210
0Z33 - 73128
5Z85 - 33207, 9001, 5759, 9002

08/09:
1Z69 - 1001 (Mini railtour to Hastings)

10/09:
Timings TBC - 60028, 50026

Thanks for posting, this I was actually going to ask when stock was leaving the BB!
Would anyone know if the 33+MLVs will be waiting on Monday before they head back to Southall?

 

[SECR 65]

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?

The battery life is not very long. It was decided that it was best to do a single trip in the morning when they're fully charged. You wouldn't want any failures in section!

The MLVs are being charged at Horsted Keynes so they're ready for the next day's moves.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2026 ==

Of course it would be a lot easier if the railway was just consistent on its ticketing/access to platforms policy, rather than allowing East Grinstead to seemingly make up its policy as it goes along.

It is unfortunate that there seem to be discrepancies. Please be assured that it will be sorted and a standardised policy put into practice as soon as possible.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2026 ==

Would anyone know if the 33+MLVs will be waiting on Monday before they head back to Southall?

I don't quite understand what you mean by this??? The 33+MLVs+EPB will remain on the Bluebell - likely at Horsted Keynes - before returning on the mainline. They will leave for East Grinstead maybe 45-60 mins before their NR departure, but that's me guessing.

 

[Rail_Sussex]

The battery life is not very long. It was decided that it was best to do a single trip in the morning when they're fully charged. You wouldn't want any failures in section!

The MLVs are being charged at Horsted Keynes so they're ready for the next day's moves.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2026 ==


It is unfortunate that there seem to be discrepancies. Please be assured that it will be sorted and a standardised policy put into practice as soon as possible.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2026 ==


I don't quite understand what you mean by this??? The 33+MLVs+EPB will remain on the Bluebell - likely at Horsted Keynes - before returning on the mainline. They will leave for East Grinstead maybe 45-60 mins before their NR departure, but that's me guessing.

Sorry for the confusion, you’ve answered my question as I wasn’t sure if they’d be moved along the line or basically stay at Horsted Keynes till they move off to East Grinstead on Monday.

 

[rmHawk765]

The 50 has failed again... and apparently the track circuits at Horsted Keynes have failed in way or another (just now heard this from platform staff)... so the 12:05 to East Grinstead is very much not the 12:05 anymore

 

[fb2126]

Was told that the 31s have a fault by someone at Kingscote

 

[rmHawk765]

Have now departed with the 31 in front.

 

[fb2126]

Have now departed with the 31 in front.

Thanks
Thumper due to depart Kingscote apparently in 15 mins

 

[43096]

Thanks
Thumper due to depart Kingscote apparently in 15 mins

I didn’t think the 207 was restored yet?

 

[fb2126]

I didn’t think the 207 was restored yet?

I meant the Hastings diesels one, 1001

 

[158760]

I meant the Hastings diesels one, 1001

The Hastings Units aren’t actually known as Thumpers, even though they have the same engines! I believe they predate the nickname, having been mostly withdrawn by 1986.

 

[jbqfc]

I had a very good today even with the late running
so well done to the bluebell for a great event
But why where 33207 and 47701 hidden in the yard south of Horsted Keynes station

 

[rmHawk765]

Thanks to all who helped organise the event, had a great day out!

 

[SECR 65]

But why where 33207 and 47701 hidden in the yard south of Horsted Keynes station

No owners rep available.
There were loads of engines running anyway.
No Bluebell crews sign a 47.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2026 ==

Thanks to all who helped organise the event, had a great day out!

I'm not here to take credit for organising the event, because it was colleagues who had the big challenges to overcome, but I'm glad you had a good time.

 

[jbqfc]

No owners rep available.
There were loads of engines running anyway.
No Bluebell crews sign a 47.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2026 ==


I'm not here to take credit for organising the event, because it was colleagues who had the big challenges to overcome, but I'm glad you had a good time.

I was not expecting them to be running but it would of been nice to have parked them at the back of the station where 33052 was so you could get photos

 

[fb2126]

The Hastings Units aren’t actually known as Thumpers, even though they have the same engines! I believe they predate the nickname, having been mostly withdrawn by 1986.

Thanks

No owners rep available.
There were loads of engines running anyway.
No Bluebell crews sign a 47.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2026 ==


I'm not here to take credit for organising the event, because it was colleagues who had the big challenges to overcome, but I'm glad you had a good time.

Yes it was very much an amazing event. Well done to those who organised it. The variety of traction available was very nice, you don't often get to ride behind a 60 and a 31 together

 

[SECR 65]

I was not expecting them to be running but it would of been nice to have parked them at the back of the station where 33052 was so you could get photos

That's fair enough - although there wasn't much siding space left! -1 road at Horsted had stuff in, and the other sidings in the up yard are not currently available.

 

[marshlinker]

The 50 has failed again... and apparently the track circuits at Horsted Keynes have failed in way or another (just now heard this from platform staff)... so the 12:05 to East Grinstead is very much not the 12:05 anymore

This is authentic Network SouthEast, when i first joined the navy a class 50 departing Salisbury had a 50% chance of making it to Exeter St Davids.
For maximum authenticity (not the rosetinted enthusiasts) NSE the Bluebell would be leaving its passengers marooned in the middle of nowhere with no information for 3 hours until they climbed over several field fences to get to the A30 where they could hitchike to Exeter.

 

[158760]

I was not expecting them to be running but it would of been nice to have parked them at the back of the station where 33052 was so you could get photos

There wasn’t any space unfortunately - the locos needed to stay at Horsted Keynes and every platform was in use over the weekend, plus -1 siding being used for stock storage. -2, -3 & -4 sidings have either been lifted awaiting renewal or are out of use.

 

[Falcon1200]

This may be heresy, but I (fortunately) had no interest in travelling behind 50026 at all - I lived in Oxford and worked in Reading from 1980 to 1984 so was hauled by every single Class 50 multiple times! But the trains I did travel on made for a wonderful day out, many thanks to all involved.

 

[ExRes]

Does anyone know when 60028 & 50026 are leaving? I'm probably just being dozy but I don't see any departure schedules other than for 47701 and the 31s

Thanks

 

[158760]

Does anyone know when 60028 & 50026 are leaving? I'm probably just being dozy but I don't see any departure schedules other than for 47701 and the 31s

Thanks

Due out on Thursday - I’ve listed the departures in a post upthread.

Outbound Moves

07/09:
0M31 - 47701, 31108, 31210
0Z33 - 73128
5Z85 - 33207, 9001, 5759, 9002

08/09:
1Z69 - 1001 (Mini railtour to Hastings)

10/09:
Timings TBC - 60028, 50026

 

[ExRes]

Due out on Thursday - I’ve listed the departures in a post upthread.

Thanks @158760

 

[Cymroglan]

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit on Friday. My journeys in the Hastings unit Were the real highlight for me. It is a really high quality train and a real credit to the owners.
I was really looking forward to finally having a ride behind 50026 which always evaded me on the Exeter - Waterloo line back in the day, but these things happen.
In my opinion the Bluebell brought real imagination to the Gala, I loved the whacky exhibits, notably the bus/underground/Train publicity vehicle, so characteristically Network South East! I ran out of time so didn’t catch the NSE miniature trains.
I particularly enjoyed the unit on display in Sheffield Park near the museum and the very friendly team there, one of who kindly took my photo in the cab.
I really hope this event has made a significant amount of money for the Bluebell. Thanks to all involved!

 

[Ted633]

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit on Friday. My journeys in the Hastings unit Were the real highlight for me. It is a really high quality train and a real credit to the owners.
I was really looking forward to finally having a ride behind 50026 which always evaded me on the Exeter - Waterloo line back in the day, but these things happen.
In my opinion the Bluebell brought real imagination to the Gala, I loved the whacky exhibits, notably the bus/underground/Train publicity vehicle, so characteristically Network South East! I ran out of time so didn’t catch the NSE miniature trains.
I particularly enjoyed the unit on display in Sheffield Park near the museum and the very friendly team there, one of who kindly took my photo in the cab.
I really hope this event has made a significant amount of money for the Bluebell. Thanks to all involved!

You didn’t miss out on the NSE miniature trains (I assume you mean the 5 inch gauge ride on ones), they weren’t there on the Friday (Unless I was being incredibly blind!)

 

[Islineclear3_1]

There was a NSE miniature train at Kingscote if that's the one you mean

 

[Crawley Ben]

Not sure what’s happened to 31210, but it wasn’t with 47701 at St Albans this afternoon, only 31108 in tow.