Model Railway Weekend
THIS YEAR’S SHOW IS REFRESHED WITH MORE DISPLAYS, EXHIBITS , TRADE STALLS AND A FANTASTIC RANGE OF LIVE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES ON DISPLAY AND RUNNING AT THE RAILWAY.
NEW FOR 2024
We are introducing a significant number of new layouts and exhibits. These will be mixed with other layouts which have not been on display at The Bluebell Railway at Model Railway Weekends in the last few years, and some old friends returning to us once again!
In addition to all our work in maintaining our heritage railway here, we also see the need to support and promote interest in local model railway clubs. The aim of this is to reach out to new modellers and enthusiasts within the hobby and beyond.
This year to support our ambition, we are proud to support the NEWHAVEN & DISTRICT MODEL RAILWAY CLUB who will be show at this year’s event.
They will be at Sheffield Park station throughout the weekend, situated in LSWR Carriage No. 1520, which will be placed in the bay platform on Platform 2.
WHATS ON
Enjoy steam train rides, explore our stations and visit the exhibitions! Hop on and off trains all day with your event ticket. With this ticket you can start your journey at any of our four stations, but don’t forget to refer to the timetable for the day of travel so you can plan where and when you will catch your trains.
Come and see a variety of layouts across the railway and experience unique access to non-public areas such as the Locomotive Maintenance Shed, Locomotive Running Shed, Birch Grove Suite at Sheffield Park Station and the Carriage and Wagon Workshop at Horsted Keynes Station.
Have you ever attended a model railway exhibition before? Well expect an array of tiny worlds, all expertly modelled and brought to life by the steam and diesel locomotives that wind their way along the tracks. It takes patience, time and skill to bring these fascinating layouts to life.
We have a great selection of Model Railways featuring including N gauge, O gauge, double O gauge and gauge 1 layouts from across the country.
To complement our displays, we also have several trade stands offering a variety of modelling products including engines, rolling stock, and local produce. Don’t forget you can also visit our railway shop at Sheffield Park where we have a great selection of products available from beginners sets to full layouts.
TIMETABLE
During this event, we will be running a busy steam hauled service from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead Stations across the weekend.
A special timetable for this event is being constructed. It shall be released in due course.
2024 TICKET PRICES- ADVANCE
| Model Railway Weekend – Advanced Travel + Event – Adult | £30.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend – Advanced Travel + Event – Child (3-15 years)+ | £15.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend – Advance Travel + Event – Family (2adults and up to 3 children (3-15 years) | £70.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend – Advanced Travel + Event – Carer* | £0.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend – Advanced Travel + Event – BRPS Adult | £16.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend – Advanced Travel + Event – BRPS Child (3-15 years)+ | £8.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend – Advanced Travel + Event – BRPS Family (2 adults and up to 3 children (3-15 years) | £37.50 |
| Model Railway Weekend – Advanced Travel + Event – BRPS Life Member | £0.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend Booking Fee | £1.95 |
2024 ON THE DAY PRICES
| Model Railway Weekend – On The Day Travel + Event – Adult | £32.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend -On The Day Travel + Event – Child (3-15 years)+ | £16.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend – On The Day + Event – Family (2adults and up to 3 children (3-15 years) | £75.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend – On The Day Travel + Event – Carer* | £0.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend – On The Day Travel + Event – BRPS Adult | £16.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend – On The Day Travel + Event – BRPS Child (3-15 years)+ | £8.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend – On The Day Travel + Event – BRPS Family (2 adults and up to 3 children (3-15 years) | £37.50 |
| Model Railway Weekend – On The Day Travel + Event – BRPS Life Member | £0.00 |
| Model Railway Weekend Platform Admission Ticket (All Stations) | £10.00 |
*With regards to carer tickets, these must be purchased within a transaction containing at least one full rated fare for an adult or child
+ Our ‘Kids For A Quid’ Travel Offer will be in operation throughout this event, provided that children between 3-15 years old (accompanied by a full fare paying adult) can visit and travel during this event for £1.00 (This offer applies to groups of up to 4 children per group).
CUSTOMER INFORMATION
Advance tickets – available to purchase until midnight the day before travel.
Upgrades – Rover Tickets are for 3rd class travel only (with the exception of BPRS LIFE Member Rovers which are 1st class). Upgrades to 1st class are available at station booking offices on the day of travel (subject to availability). 1st class Upgrades are £10 per adult and £5 per child.
BRPS – Bluebell Railway Preservation Society. Enjoy many membership benefits including discounted travel. Visit our Membership page for more information and to join.
Discounts:
- Proof of discount eligibility will be required to be shown on the day of travel.
- There will be no discount available for RST card holders for this event.
Facilities:
- There are toilets at each of our stations and on some of these services (dependant on carriages on the day)
- Food and drink is available to purchase at all of our stations
Parking:
- Sheffield Park Station – free parking at the station
- Horsted Keynes Station – free parking at the station
- Kingscote – NO parking is available at this station
- East Grinstead – free blue badge parking (5 spaces). Public parking in East Grinstead
Tickets:
- Children under 3yrs (and babies) travel for free and don’t need a ticket
- Tickets are valid for the date and journey specified on the ticket only
- Advance tickets are valid for 3rd class travel only – first class upgrades are available on the day from the station booking office (subject to availability)
- For any reasons for changing any Bluebell booking, you will be required to pay a £10.00 surcharge if you wish to change/amend your booking.
Seating:
- This service offers free seating
- customers with 3rd class tickets are free to seat themselves on the trains in any 3rd class seat
- customers who purchase a 1st class upgrade on the day may seat themselves in any 1st class seat
Accessibility:
- We are pleased to offer a specially adapted area for wheelchair users on some departures of this service. Please call our Customer Service Team on 01825 720800 to check availability
- If you or a member of your party have mobility issues and would like to travel on this service, please call our Customer Service Team on 01825 720800 who will be happy to discuss your requirements with you
- Accessible toilets are available at each station, but we regret we have no “Changing Places” toilets, or accessible toilets on our trains
Dogs:
- We are pleased to welcome dogs – please keep them on a lead and don’t allow them on the seats when travelling on our services.
Prams/Puschairs/Buggies:
- Prams/pushchairs/buggies are welcome.
- Foldable/collapsible prams/pushchairs/buggies can be taken into the carriages and stowed by your seat
- Non folding/collapsible prams/pushchairs/buggies can be left in the care of the station staff at the departure station
You can find out the very latest for this event and others throughout 2024 at the railway through our Bluebell Railway NewsLetter. Click on the button below to sign up and be the first to get the latest announcements when they are released!
