Bluebell Railway
Overview
The volunteer-run Bluebell Line was the UK's first preserved standard gauge passenger railway, re-opening part of the Lewes to East Grinstead line of the old London Brighton & South Coast Railway in 1960. Since then it has developed into one of the largest tourist attractions in Sussex, yet it still remains true to its objectives of the preservation for posterity of a country branch line, its steam locomotives, coaches and goods stock, signalling systems, stations and operating practices.
The notes below are gleaned mainly from the official website of the Bluebell Railway and as such cannot describe more of the detail normally expected on these pages. Nevertheless the Railway seems to have generally exceptionally good arrangements.
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Car Parking
It does appear that visitors would be advised to park at Sheffield Park. Marked parking bays adjacent to the main station entrance at Sheffield Park are reserved for wheelchair passengers. Parking at Horsted Keynes may be arranged with staff upon arrival. There is no parking at Kingscote.
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Getting Tickets
Visitors to Sheffield Park should experience no difficulties accessing the booking office. Level access is available from each of the station drives.
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Platforms
The stations have bridges or subways connecting the platforms, but in each case wheelchairs can be escorted by station staff via a ramped crossing between the platforms. On occasions, at Sheffield Park, such access may be blocked by the position of a steam locomotive on the end of its train, and patience may be required. It is therefore advisable to ask staff to help you cross well before the train is due.
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The Train
One carriage has been extensively modified with double-doors, wheelchair lifts and an open saloon. Please give the Sheffield Park office a ring in advance to find out if this new wheelchair-accessible saloon is operating, and if so on which train, if more than one is in the timetable. At present wheelchair passengers are also carried in any carriage brake-van, with access via a portable ramp. Thus all of our trains can carry at least a couple of wheelchairs, but the special saloon provides a much more enjoyable way to travel, and can accommodate larger parties with entirely flexible seating and a panoramic view from the windows.
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Other information
Future plans include the major overhaul of a vintage LSWR coach, and possibly also a Southern Railway Maunsell Brake, which will be modified during the course of restoration to provide further wheelchair-accessable accommodation. These coaches will each take a few years and many thousands of pounds to bring into service.
Buses on Service 246 - runs Monday to Fridays only, Uckfield-Sheffield Park - are equipped to carry passengers in wheelchairs. For more information and bookings telephone Lewes 01273 478007.
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Suitable toilet facilities are available in the ground floor of the "Bessemer Arms" restaurant building at Sheffield Park. Ramped access and paved gangways are available to view the locomotives within the main Loco Shed. The shop on platform 1 and the museum on platform 2 are both accessible, as is the bar on the ground floor of the Bessemer Arms, where a full meals service is normally available. The staff may be able to assist in arranging for the buffet service from the first floor to be made available in the ground floor dining area.
At Horsted Keynes, the mid point on the railway the toilet facilities all date from the 1880s, and are spacious but otherwise not converted. Being based around old railway coaches, the various exhibitions and shop on Platform 1 are not wheelchair accessible. The shop and buffet on platform 2/3 are small but none-the-less are at platform level.
Kingscote has a recently built disabled toilet.
Contact information
The above comments are not necessarily those of the Bluebell Railway. No responsibility is accepted by this web site, the host web site or the Railway for any inaccuracies or ommisions or misinterpretations. The information is simply provided as a guide and any visitors to the Railway are encouraged to check with the Railway before making a visit or journey.
Last updated 3 November 2001
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