My first visit to the Bluebell Line in July, 1960 was via Haywards Heath and the Ardingly branch to Horsted Keynes. A fast train from Victoria or Clapham Junction to Haywards Heath would be quicker than the all stations to East Grinstead.
I think they are actually considering running vintage third rail EMUs. But that would throw up many different challenges so don't quote me on that one.
Blimey that track needs repacking and a tamper driven over it :o from what i remember there needs to be a bridge built over a road there to carry on the extension am i right? Cant wait to see them laying track panels!!!
Just saw your comment. The track through the station was renewed in February 2017 . It was realigned I understand as well due to the Flying Scotsman coming for a week . The track the diesel is going down is used to store wagons and is rarely used. It will eventually be the branch to Ardingly . The bridge sections are in store coming from a dismantled one in the midlands. The bridge supports over the road of course will need to be constructed.
i went on the extension from east Grinstead to kingscote it only did Sheffield park to kingscote when i went on it in the 90s then bus to east Grinstead well done to one and all involved in making it possible 👏i read they took out 70,000 tons of rubbish where did they put it all nice if the uckfield to lewis line was opened it should have never closed in the first place
@@likklej8 I’d love to do that myself sometime-did the Guildford to Shoreham line by bike last year. It’s a shame NR carry on like this-many disused lines across the country where they go “no you can’t have it because we MIGHT reopen it”but in reality, they rarely do.
Re-opening the Ardingly branch would be such a brilliant coup for the railway. It would give them extra income to do all the others things they want and be a brilliant local travel bonus. I wish they would start the work and get it sorted !!! The time is ripe !!
I’m not sure how increasing the track mileage with associated structures and fencing and drainage, not to mention additional miles/ wear and tear on rolling stock and engines is going to generate tons of additional income. If they did reopen to HH , within months everyone would be asking “ when you going to push through to lewes?”
@@johntcashdown1363 obviously. I wasn’t even proposing it! There’s not a steam railway in the country that’s looking at expanding. Not now or possibly even in the far future
@@highdownmartin lol 😂 Obviously I know you were not proposing it. The North Norfolk railway have not long ago bought back a few miles of trackbed for extending though….
@@johntcashdown1363 if you mean the orbital railway scheme then I’m not holding my breath. Like the Lewes uckfield link I doubt that it’ll happen. Shame.
So very pleased to see them aiming to re-open the Ardingly branch one day! I did the walk myself recently from Hayward's Heath. Just breathtaking!
If they can get to Haywards Heath it would be a huge boost to visitor numbers.
Its better by rail.
My first visit to the Bluebell Line in July, 1960 was via Haywards Heath and the Ardingly branch to Horsted Keynes. A fast train from Victoria or Clapham Junction to Haywards Heath would be quicker than the all stations to East Grinstead.
A commuter service between Haywards Heath and East Grinstead would be handy. Steam hauled, of course.
I think they are actually considering running vintage third rail EMUs. But that would throw up many different challenges so don't quote me on that one.
Blimey that track needs repacking and a tamper driven over it :o from what i remember there needs to be a bridge built over a road there to carry on the extension am i right? Cant wait to see them laying track panels!!!
True, but the roads too high so will cost way more than it should. One day.
The track was just recently relaid an extended
they should use the bridge they have from the m56 to cross theA275 to lewisth gap to srdingley could be crossed by other means
Just saw your comment. The track through the station was renewed in February 2017 . It was realigned I understand as well due to the Flying Scotsman coming for a week . The track the diesel is going down is used to store wagons and is rarely used. It will eventually be the branch to Ardingly . The bridge sections are in store coming from a dismantled one in the midlands. The bridge supports over the road of course will need to be constructed.
John Harwood 😬😬
i went on the extension from east Grinstead to kingscote it only did Sheffield park to kingscote when i went on it in the 90s then bus to east Grinstead well done to one and all involved in making it possible 👏i read they took out 70,000 tons of rubbish where did they put it all nice if the uckfield to lewis line was opened it should have never closed in the first place
Hi. Has there been any notable progress on this western extension lately??
There is, the tunnel is ok, bridges ready. Just need the money. Bluebell call it a med/long term project so a few decades away.
Hopefully one day they will re connect the line to Lewes one day.
@@johntcashdown1363 Ive walked the trackbed bit near Chailey by the wood yard back in 70s I assume that was part of the line
@@johntcashdown1363 Sorry being rude and not thanking your reply!
@@likklej8 I’d love to do that myself sometime-did the Guildford to Shoreham line by bike last year.
It’s a shame NR carry on like this-many disused lines across the country where they go “no you can’t have it because we MIGHT reopen it”but in reality, they rarely do.
They should 're connect this line, it's such a shame such lines were closed.
Nice DB diesel
Re-opening the Ardingly branch would be such a brilliant coup for the railway. It would give them extra income to do all the others things they want and be a brilliant local travel bonus. I wish they would start the work and get it sorted !!! The time is ripe !!
I’m not sure how increasing the track mileage with associated structures and fencing and drainage, not to mention additional miles/ wear and tear on rolling stock and engines is going to generate tons of additional income. If they did reopen to HH , within months everyone would be asking “ when you going to push through to lewes?”
@@johntcashdown1363 obviously. I wasn’t even proposing it! There’s not a steam railway in the country that’s looking at expanding. Not now or possibly even in the far future
@@highdownmartin lol 😂 Obviously I know you were not proposing it. The North Norfolk railway have not long ago bought back a few miles of trackbed for extending though….
@@johntcashdown1363 if you mean the orbital railway scheme then I’m not holding my breath. Like the Lewes uckfield link I doubt that it’ll happen. Shame.
how are they to bridge the gap
Michael Sandford they have some bridge spans stored at horsted keynes
59 eh never seen one of those looks and sounds like a 66 🧐
If the public had have supported the railways more in the 1950s and 60s
Instead of buying automobiles!
Maybe electrified for preserved EMUs
Why do you not go in Lynwood tunnel?
I never went on to the track there too steep.