Bluebell Railway timetable

[62484GlenLyon]

I am looking at the Bluebell Railway's timetable for next Monday. The Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes shuttles are shown as "OBO" in the heading above the times. What does this mean, please?

 

[David Burrows]

I am looking at the Bluebell Railway's timetable for next Monday. The Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes shuttles are shown as "OBO" in the heading above the times. What does this mean, please?

Prersumably the Observation coach with 'Stepney'.

 

[sash5000]

Prersumably the Observation coach with 'Stepney'.

Almost. Not Stepney, but Fenchurch. Stepney is awaiting overhaul.

 

[62484GlenLyon]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[158760]

Almost. Not Stepney, but Fenchurch. Stepney is awaiting overhaul.

That’s optimistic .

I am looking at the Bluebell Railway's timetable for next Monday. The Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes shuttles are shown as "OBO" in the heading above the times. What does this mean, please?

OBO is our LNWR Observation Car 1503. This will be with LBSC Terrier Fenchurch, doing 4 round trips between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes.

As a note, if you are interested the locos and coach sets are available on the Public Train Information page. Hope you enjoy your visit!

 

[DJ_K666]

That’s optimistic .

OBO is our LNWR Observation Car 1503. This will be with LBSC Terrier Fenchurch, doing 4 round trips between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes.

As a note, if you are interested the locos and coach sets are available on the Public Train Information page. Hope you enjoy your visit!

Fenchurch was doing that on the Model Railway weekend. Is there a supplement to be paid to ride on the observation coach?

I've actually got vague memories of travelling in it back in the 80s, as well as equally vague and confused memories of an A4 way back when. I know no A4 never visited during that decade though. It's possible it might have been something else like a picture or a display or something.

I remember watching the loco run round at HK asking my dad where the loco went and what was 'up there' and pointing towards Leamland bridge. He said there was no more track that way and they were going to extend the line to East Grinstead 'one day'.

Must have been 1986 or 87.

 

[UP13]

I did the observation car shuttle with Fenchurch last Wednesday. I would highly recommend it!

 

[158760]

Fenchurch was doing that on the Model Railway weekend. Is there a supplement to be paid to ride on the observation coach?

I've actually got vague memories of travelling in it back in the 80s, as well as equally vague and confused memories of an A4 way back when. I know no A4 never visited during that decade though. It's possible it might have been something else like a picture or a display or something.

I remember watching the loco run round at HK asking my dad where the loco went and what was 'up there' and pointing towards Leamland bridge. He said there was no more track that way and they were going to extend the line to East Grinstead 'one day'.

Must have been 1986 or 87.

There doesn’t tend to be a supplement anymore because (among other things) not as many people carry coins anymore. When the Observation Car is running in push pull like that, it’s often running as an extra to the normal services to help with overcrowding so there is never a supplement charged.

 

[DJ_K666]

There doesn’t tend to be a supplement anymore because (among other things) not as many people carry coins anymore. When the Observation Car is running in push pull like that, it’s often running as an extra to the normal services to help with overcrowding so there is never a supplement charged.

That's good to know. I'll come and have a ride in it next time, if it's running. I did sample the GNR Directors saloon once. Must have been 1995.

 

[62484GlenLyon]

That’s optimistic .

OBO is our LNWR Observation Car 1503. This will be with LBSC Terrier Fenchurch, doing 4 round trips between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes.

As a note, if you are interested the locos and coach sets are available on the Public Train Information page. Hope you enjoy your visit!

I went yesterday as I intended to. The three steam locos that I was hoping to scoop were in traffic so they are all now in the book, so to speak. 33108 is very dud for me so I was happy to give that a miss. I particularly enjoyed the heritage coaches of the former Metropolitan and South Eastern & Chatham railways. I had a very enjoyable day, thanks for all the helpful posts on this thread.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2025 ==

I have one further question. The link 158760 posted to the Public Train Information page is very helpful and I wish I had known about it before my visit yesterday. I have had a good look at the railway's website but cannot find a link to it - have I missed something? I would like to be able to find it when planning visits in the future. Many thanks.