Bluebell Railway General Discussion

What is the best condition Sharpthorne has ever been since she arrived at the Bluebell?

 

It has always been a loco on static display at the Bluebell, though has had various cosmetic attention in that time on a number of occasions.

As far as I can see, it was a working loco until 1958, by which time it must have been fairly knackered. It then went on display at Dagenham docks; there are a few photos of it there, in the open but under a large roofed structure. (i.e. it had a roof, but no walls). It spent 12 years at Bressingham, but I have never seen a photo of it there, so I don't know if it is was outside or in.

In 1981 it moved to the Bluebell on loan to take part in the upcoming centenary celebrations. Subsequently, the owning company went into liquidation and the Bluebell purchased the loco from the receivers for £1500, and it stayed on the railway ever since, except for a period in the 1990s when it went away to a specialist contractor for asbestos removal. It has been moved around at various times, spending time in the top car park, at Horsted Keynes, outside the Bessemer Arms etc. Currently it is in the down yard at Horsted being worked on; I believe the intention is that in due course it will go into SteamWorks and finally be under cover, though I am not aware of an imminent move; it would take some rearrangement of the current exhibition.

Tom

 

A couple of my pictures of Sharpthorne in 1982 (in green) and 2009 (in blue).

 

It went to a national exhibition in the early 80s to be part of a Bluebell stand and there’s a picture of it with Bernard Holden and the Queen, so it must have looked ok back then…

Alan Bloom’s book about Bressingham does say they steamed it there, but I’d take that with a pinch of salt. Although from some of his stories about steaming dilapidated rollers (safety precaution: hide behind the wheels of something else and see how high the pressure goes) there’s every chance he gave it a go!


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The March issue of The Bluebell Times is now available. With an absolutely cracking cover photo from David Cable - having struggled for photos last month, this month I had am embarrassment of riches and had to leave out plenty of stunning shots. There were two days of photo charters earlier in the month with 65, 72 and the Victorian carriages which really showed off the line at its best.

March 2026

• Half-term marks a strong start to the Railway’s year
• Early thoughts from new Company Chairman Paul Everington
• Restoration updates from the Maunsell Locomotive Society
• Archive becomes "The Bluebell Railway Museum – Southern Railways Archive” - and has a new website to help explore the collection
• Photo charters showcase our Victorian heritage by night and day
• The Railway is a double winner at the HRA awards

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/issue-79.pdf

Tom

 

There’s been a last minute change to motive power for this weekend - it’s now booked to be 2999 on Set A, 65 on Set B and 80151 on the dining services.

 

B*ll*cks!

Nothing wrong with 65, but I was hoping to be on Fenchurch with the Mets, since I've also got a gala turn on the loco and wanted to get my head back round it as I get on it so rarely!

Tom

 

Well that's twice now the Terrier has been swapped out when I'm making a visit - same happened over half term. Not having much luck with this one so far!

 

Yes, but where else could you lose a 154 year-old loco, but at least have it replaced by a 130 year-old one!

(Were you planning to visit Saturday or Sunday, by the way?)

Tom

 

I'm not volunteering to crew that one!

(Booking on time is likely to be - yesterday!)

Tom

 

It’s certainly an interesting new offering, similar in a way to the old Bluebell Special/Autumn Tints services. From a quick glance at HOPS the service is given two hours (07:30-09:30) for a round trip between Sheffield Park and Three Arch Bridge (just south of Horsted Keynes). I would assume they stop en route!

A good thing it’s diesel traction then - I wouldn’t envy a steam crew!

 

Am there tomorrow with a possy for a friend's birthday, most of whom were quite excited to see 72. As you say, 65 is a good alternative to have though.