The Bluebell line used Goods trains as an
important source of
revenue, the movement of livestock, wood and produce was normal practice from
the 1880's. The
Goods Train day was set up with two vintage goods trains, a newspaper train which
included passenger accommodation and a second passenger service running with
the Standard Class 4MT locomotive (No. 75027).
Goods train One was of pre-grouping stock from London Brighton
and South Coast Railway and South Eastern & Chatham Railways, hauled in the
morning by LBSCR A1 Class 'Fenchurch' (No. 672) and in the afternoon by SECR O1 Class locomotive
(No. 65).
Goods train Two consisted of E4 Class locomotive (No. 32473)
built in 1898 and wagons of grouping stock from Southern Railway and
London Midland and Scottish Railway. This locomotive has recently been painted
in the black of British Railway livery from the 1950's.
In addition to this various road deliveries took place using
Mechanical Horses and a Fordson Van, these having completed their duties
thought-out the day then returned to Horsted Keynes station for a display on the station
forecourt.
The day started with clear blue skies which by
lunchtime frustrated the many photographers with cloud cover and small
pockets of sunshine which did not seem to coincide with the passing trains. That said, yet again the Bluebell Railway put on very good display of
what was once an everyday occurrence in the Sussex countryside.
