Steam opening for new East Grinstead footbridge

THE formal opening on September 2 of a new footbridge and lifts at East Grinstead station was marked by SECR ‘O1’ Class 0-6-0 No. 65 running on the main line.

Funded by the Government’s Access for All scheme, the new infrastructure has cost £4.5m. Additionally, a plaque was unveiled in memory of Eric Mackie MBE, who set up the East Grinstead Access Group and was dedicated to improving access for people with mobility issues in his home town .

In 2013, the Bluebell Railway completed the rebuilding of the line from Kingscote to East Grinstead, giving the heritage line an end connection with the national network – although with its own platform.

To celebrate the footbridge opening the 1896-built loco was allowed to run into platform two, the first time the loco had been on the main line since 1963.

NETWORK RAIL SECR ‘O1’ 0-6-0 No. 65 in platform two, looking towards London, with the new footbridge and associated lifts in the distance on September 2.