Enthusiasm and friendliness is what you get when you take a trip on The Bluebell Railway.
We found this out when we entered the station at Horsted Keynes last Saturday evening to take a ride with nostalgia. We were greeted on the platform by smiling staff and throughout the evening the service was excellent. We all had a great time.
Robbie and Neal, long-time friends who live in Hove are frequent visitors to this line with Neal playing the enthusiasts part. It was he who had booked our tickets along with two friends, Amanda and Pete (alias ‘Pooks’). I was pleased to see that they were all serious drinkers which did mean that all the ale on offer was quaffed with an enthusiastic air.
For Michelle and I visiting England after 6 years in Spain to see the results of peoples’ endeavour to keep our railway history up and running was a real joy. To smell the steam, hear the toot of the whistle and hear that explosion of escaping smoke was a wonderful experience. To stand alongside one of these snorting beasts was a reminder of the power of steam and how it changed the world. To sit in one of these carriages where you can feel the history of transport and touch it.
The station buildings, platforms and all with herbaceous borders are real reminders to show how people used to care, to take a pride in what they did and I know that there are real people who still do all of that.
The Horsham Borough Brass Band added that extra bit of finesse to the evening playing under the platform canopy while the rain beat its own tune.
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