“Time Travel” to the Age of Steam.

Although it is easy to travel to places all over the world, time travel is not yet possible……..unless you happen to be in West Sussex where you can visit the Bluebell Railway.

The Bluebell Railway is about an hour’s drive from London and  joins together the small  towns of East Grinstead , Horsted Keynes  and Sheffield Park.

The original line was opened in 1882. It was, however, one of the many rural but unprofitable railway lines that were closed down in the late 50’s. It was re-opened by a non-profit making preservation society in 1960,

The line was extended to reach East Grinstead in 2013 enabling a link to the present British Rail mainline system.

It is the home of numerous functioning steam engines, and allows one to travel to the time before the invention of diesel and electric locomotives.

You feel the time warp the moment you arrive and pass through the ticket office ……….

and go out onto the platform.

While waiting for the incoming train, you can browse the advertising posters which add to the feeling of having been transported back to the 1920s.

There are even piles of luggage waiting to be taken on board.

Looking down the track you can see the old signal gantries, with their two options,,,,,,, , down for stop, up for go.

And then chugging slowly into the station our first locomotive, spouting smoke as it pulls into the station.

The illusion of time travel comes from there being no visible evidence of anything modern in view,  just how it was a hundred years ago.  No wonder so many films have been shot here!

There are regular trains between the three stations. On the day we visited there were three locomotives in action.

If you are visiting, I suggest you start at the central station, Horsted Keynes. You can then take a train to Sheffield Park, return passing through Horsted Keynes to East Grinstead, about a forty minute journey, and then return again on another train to Horsted Keynes to pick up your car. Therefore,  three train rides in all, through the beautiful Sussex countryside.

The staff running the station are volunteer enthusiasts. They wear  uniforms coming from the same era as the locomotives and all show their passion for this historic venue. Yes, the guards have red and green flags and the train pulls out of the station with the shrill whistle blown by  the guard.

The engine drivers man the locomotives shovelling coal into the furnace. Again,  they are always open to answer questions or allow you to take a closer look.

On the platform there is a sale of amazing donated books all about railways and at almost “give away” prices. Every little helps to keep this railway line maintained and in working order.. Needless to say, as we were travelling in a “time warp”, there was no need for a  pay desk for the books…… you simply and honestly  put your money in the little box provided!

What made this visit all the more enjoyable was that I was there with my two grandchildren from Peru, Noa who is six and Paulo who is four. Here  Paulo is enjoying the comfort of the First Class carriage. Look at that upholstery!

However, if you want the full treatment you can  take the Pullman train,  enjoying a top class meal as you journey along.

Back in Fist Class, Noa has a conversation with the Guard.  “Tickets please!”

Noa is the artist of the family. As I have mentioned in previous posts,  he has a  fanatical interest in London and Big Ben. He is now also mad about  about steam engines.

In fact, he loves all trains, whether it be  a steam engine…. or this  modern machine leaving London for Chelenham,

Or indeed the London Underground  where he knows all  the names of the stations from Putney Bridge to Victoria on the District Line. Paulo is our expert on the Picadilly line!

On Noa’s  bedroom door he has the underground sign  for the station South Kensington. ( “Mind the gap!”)

As a crowning glory we had another surprise on arriving at our friends’ farm house near Cheltenham. Tim and Gloria, our friends still had, hidden away,  the train set their now  grown-up sons had when they were small.

We set it up. After some track cleaning……it worked…. and Noa and Paulo “guided” the express along the track with destination Lima…….. well at least to London!!!

When the family left to return home to Peru, I continued my travelling to various counties. As much as I loved this little trip into the past, I must admit, I did appreciate the 300 kph train that whisked me from Valencia to Madrid. No smoke in my eyes either!