Latest Bluebell venture is held on ice
THE Bluebell Railway went all-out during the Ferbruary half term to attract younger visitors and their parents by installing an ice rink for two weeks inside the Steamworks shed at Sheffield Park.
Locomotives that would normally be protected from the vagaries of the winter weather were moved out into the yard for the venture.
The building was originally the running shed, and was partially converted into the Steamworks museum and display area, opening in October 2018.
Half term near the Bluebell runs over two weeks because of county borders with schools having their holidays in different weeks. Skating sessions were available daily from 10am until 9pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays until 10pm, with tickets costing £12 for adults and £10 for children, including skate hire. Entry to Steamworks was included in the price, but the interactive displays about the locomotives were reduced. To warm up afterwards, skaters could enjoy a hotdog and hot drink in the Bessemer Arms on Platform 1, which opened all day until the rink closed.
On February 18, both the railway and ice rink was closed because of Storm Eunice.
To encourage passengers onto the railway over half term, the ever popular Kids For A Quid promotion was on offer when accompanied by a full fare-paying adult. A daily fivetrain service was in operation until Sunday, February 27.
The railway was geared towards children with the Elephant Van at Horsted Keynes converted into a soft play area. The children’s picnic and play area at Kingscote was also open, weather permitting.