55 years after the line was closed by British Railways, steam trains will once again operate into the market town of East Grinstead.
Extending to East Grinstead first commenced in 1974 with the purchase of the old station site at West Hoathly.
The track bed between Horsted Keynes and East Grinstead was sold by British Railways to more than 30 different land owners.
The major obstacle involved the clearing of a cutting just outside East Grinstead which was once used as the local amenity tip.
Following opening on the 23 March, the railway will run daily for three weeks, but then will
temporarily close between Kingscote and East Grinstead for three weeks to enable a concerted effort to tidy
up and clear as much of the site as possible. Even this programme will
not clear all debris, but at least it's a start because there is a lot
of material to clear (and yes, the class 33 should be with the railway on 8
February). The line to East Grinstead will continue to be open at
weekends and for a couple of previously booked evening charters. Bluebell Website hereLink to Festival webpage from Tony Wilson here
