7th September 2011 - by Chris Tomkins
Step Back in Time With the Bluebell Railway
The Bluebell Railway is an adventure for all ages. The youngest child will marvel at the
wondrous machines while the oldest adult may conjure up a bit of nostalgia. Guests can ride by way of a real steam
engine in a fully restored and historically accurate carriage. Off the actual train, the guests can explore and
become actively involved in the Steam Age industry.
The Bluebell Railway has much to offer to tourists and locals alike. Over 30 working locomotives with 150 carriages
travel across 9 miles of tranquil territory. The trains depart from Sheffield Park in East Sussex and head to
Kingscote in West Sussex with a single stop in Horsted Keynes. However, the appeal of the Bluebell Railway is not
that the train simply transports its passengers from location to another; it is more of a time machine that sends
the guests back to the Steam Age.
The carriages of the Bluebell Railway are perfectly preserved to be used just as they were originally intended.
While this means operating off of steam engine, it also means a few other things. It means that there is a
distinction between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class seating. It also means that goods/products trucks are on the line since
that was the main purpose of these machines in their beginnings.
Of course, it would not be a trip to a train museum if the guests could not peruse the carriages at their leisure.
While 3 5 out of the 30 locomotives are reserved for rides, the vast majority are stationed for guests to walk
through and examine at a standstill. A museum building also houses pictures of the trains in their prime and
corresponding facts and stories.
The railway is simply one way to revert back to the 1920s. While the Bluebell Railway is renowned for the train
ride, even the days when the trains aren't running, there is still numerous opportunities to learn, have fun, and
step out of modernity for a while. Where else are the guests allowed to drive a steam engine? At the Bluebell
Railway, guests can join the volunteers and work up the corporate ladder of railroading. Begin as a cleaner, work
up to fireman, and receive the final promotion as driver.
The Bluebell Railway is an adventure for all ages, but kids receive a bit of special treatment. Two separate clubs
are offered for the avid train lover. For children 8 years old and younger, there is the Stepney Club. Children up
to 15 years old can join the 9F Club. Both allow the members to get more actively involved by offering special
exhibits and discounted prices.
Adults can make the most of the Bluebell Railway with a few events that are not open to children. Car clubs often
hold their meetings and celebrations at the Bluebell Railway. There have even been weddings and receptions at this
historic location.
The most important aspect of the Bluebell Railway is that it is a completely family friendly environment. The
Bluebell Railway accommodates wheelchairs and other handicaps. The youngest children will smile alongside their
teenage siblings and oldest grandparents. Even dogs are welcomed. All the activities of the Bluebell Railway
combine to create a recipe of enjoyment with a side of education.
Source: http://articlesabroad.com
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