The distinctive hiss and huff of a steam locomotive drifts across the rolling Sussex countryside. An immaculate engine cuts through fields of sheep and wildflowers pulling a series of polished wooden carriages behind it. It could be a scene from a film or television series, which is fitting since the Bluebell Railway – 11 miles of preserved line running between stations at Sheffield Park and East Grinstead – is no stranger to the silver screen.
The railway line between East Grinstead and Lewes was closed by British Railways in 1958. Local people had fought hard over several years to keep the line open but ultimately lost their appeal, and their railway. Almost exactly a year later, the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society was formed with the intention of reopening the route. When restoring the entire line proved impossible, the team instead settled on reopening a section of it as a tourist attraction. In 1960, the Bluebell Line was reborn.
Over the following years, the Preservation Society leased or purchased more and more of the line, extending first to Horsted Keynes, then on to Kingscote and finally, in 2013, reaching East Grinstead. Today, the Bluebell Railway is one of the top attractions in Sussex. Reviewers on TripAdvisor rave about the experience and staff, as well as the varied events run by the railway throughout the year. From fish and chip suppers to murder mystery evenings, the railway caters for all tastes. Throughout November and December, the vintage engines and carriages are decked out in lights for the Santa’s SteamLights specials and you can even see in New Years Eve with an elegant evening aboard the Golden Arrow dining train.
With a host of historic locomotives and carriages and three restored Victorian stations, it’s little wonder the Bluebell railway is a popular choice as a filming location. Since 1960, over 500 productions have made use of this versatile site.
One of the best known television shows to feature the railway was Downton Abbey. The popular ITV drama, which followed the lives of the Crawley family and their staff, used Horsted Keynes station for many memorable scenes. It was here that Lady Mary Crawley waved off her (spoiler!) future husband Matthew when he went to fight in the First World War. It was also here that Mr Carson the butler put the past to rest when he arrived to wave goodbye to his old friend Mr Grigg as he left for a new life in Ireland.
A trip to the Bluebell Railway allows us all a taste of period drama-style romance.
The Hattie 