Bluebell opens Horsted appeal

A PUBLIC appeal to raise £500,000 to safeguard the Bluebell Railway’s Grade Ii-listed Horsted Keynes station has opened.

An initial £50,000 is targeted to repair leaking roofs and rotting beams on the station house and Platform 5.

Later work will cover the other platforms.

Members of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society have already pledged £20,000 and the railway’s charitable arm is promising to matchfund on a pound-for-pound basis all public donations between now and the end of January up to a total of £150,000. One of the largest stations in preservation and the only junction station in preservation, it has starred in numerous films and TV shows. Says appeal co-ordinator Trevor Swainson: “For

its age, Horsted Keynes station is in remarkably good condition but now is the time to get on top of the deterioration. We view Horsted Keynes as our ‘jewel in the crown’ and hope this appeal puts the sparkle back into the station.”

Left: In a scene that could be from BR steam days, Merchant Navy 4-6-2 35028 Clan Line ‘races’ through Horsted Keynes station on the evening of October 14, just as the moon is rising, while at the railway for its very successful ‘Giants of Steam’ gala. Dave Bowles