{"product_id":"bluebell-railway-recollections-9781857943917","title":"Bluebell Railway Recollections","description":"\u003cp\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePORTSMOUTH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWORTHING A27\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA27\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bluebell Railway was one of the first preserved railways in the UK, beginning operations in 1960. It was started by a group of enthusiasts wishing to preserve steam railway operations for posterity. At that time, steam was still widespread on Britain's railways so the Bluebell was able to secure many historic locomotives, carriages and wagons for its collection. Many of these are well over 100 years old. Visitors to the Railway can expect to travel in steam-hauled trains that are regularly formed of vintage carriages, and in surroundings where every effort is made to create the atmosphere of a bygone era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInitially, the Bluebell Railway operated over 5 miles of track from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes, part of the former East Grinstead to Lewes route that had closed in 1958 an early casualty of the era of railway closures. Later, once this initial section was secured, the Railway began to expand northwards. This process culminated in 2013 with the reopening of the final stretch from Kingscote to East Grinstead. This link restores the Bluebell Railway's connection with the mainline rail network, making it readily accessible from London for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe railway continues to rely for most of its staffing needs on volunteers, who can be found working as platform staff, guards, signalmen, drivers and firemen. Behind the scenes, volunteers are also busy restoring the locomotives and carriages, and maintaining the signals, track and bridges. All the money raised from train operations is ploughed back into the railway. This photographic volume captures the essence of the Bluebell Railway - a steam preservation pioneer that has been operating now for more than 50 years - and the beautiful Sussex countryside through which it runs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoftback, 24x17cm, 48 pages,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: Good\/Very Good\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nostalgia Collection","offers":[{"title":"Secondhand (282)","offer_id":57780662993279,"sku":"9781857943917","price":5.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1910\/7111\/files\/9781857943917.jpg?v=1781786695","url":"https:\/\/rail-books.co.uk\/products\/bluebell-railway-recollections-9781857943917","provider":"Rail Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}