The Bluebell Railway is a heritage line West Sussex and East Sussex in England.

Steam locomotives

Operational

Origin Wheelarrangement Class Notes Photograph BR Standard Class 4 No. 80151. Built at Brighton in 1957, withdrawn in May 1967 and sent to Barry Scrapyard in October that year. It was purchased for preservation in 1974 and leaving Barry the following year. Overhaul began after the completion of 73082 "Camelot" in September 2015 and the overhaul saw replacement of its tyres and some new firebox plate-work. The loco was tested in June 2019 and returned to service the following month. Boiler ticket expires in 2029. SER O1 Class No. 65. Built in 1896 and rebuilt in 1908. Arrived at the Bluebell in 1996. The locomotive is seen as a reliable and remarkably powerful performer, as well as one which will complement the other SE&CR engines currently in traffic. The locomotive returned to service in July 2017. Boiler ticket expires in 2027. BR 5MT No. 73082 Camelot. Built in 1955. Arrived at the Bluebell in 1979, and owned by the 73082 Camelot Locomotive Society. The locomotive returned to service following its overhaul in October 2015. However, in 2020, persistent foundation ring leaks required the boiler to be lifted to attend to these as well as gaining a further ten-year ticket and undertaking any additional work required. The loco returned to service in September 2021. Boiler ticket expires in 2031.

The engine was on loan to the West Somerset Railway for the steam gala between 27 and 30 September 2018. The engine departed for by rail while in steam on 18 September. With 73082 not being mainline certified the move had to be done with the engine being towed behind a BR no 37668. LB&SCR A1 No. 672 Fenchurch. Built in 1872. Arrived at Bluebell 1963. Returned to traffic in 2001 after a rebuild. This engine was withdrawn at the end of January 2011 following expiry of its boiler certificate. In early December 2019 she entered the Locomotive works and was dismantled to remove the boiler for assessment, and the remainder of the locomotive reassembled for a return to public display in the newly refurbished display shed. The overhaul was formally completed in January 2023. SR Rebuilt Bulleid Light Pacific No. 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair. Built in 1947. Arrived at the Bluebell in 1979. Relaunched and renamed on 24 April 2009 and entered public service the following day after a 10-year rebuild from Barry condition. 34059 was the first rebuilt Battle of Britain Class locomotive to steam in preservation. After only 2 years of service on the Bluebell, 34059 was withdrawn from traffic in October 2011 with firebox problems. Remedial work on the boiler (thought to take around nine months) was undertaken, with the boiler being lifted and taken to Crewe. In early 2016, it was discovered the locomotive needed a new inner firebox, and the boiler was transferred to the South Devon Railway for work to be undertaken. The boiler was returned to Sheffield Park toward the end of 2019 and is being prepared for lifting onto the chassis. 34059 officially re-entered service on 1 January 2024. LB&SCR H2 A replica of No 32424 Beachy Head (Brighton, 1911) is under construction at Sheffield Park. Work on the frames is currently under way with new holes being drilled into the tender frames. Re-tubing of the boiler is also in progress. In April 2013 the cylinders, bogie and trailing wheels had been fitted and the driving wheels had been delivered. In June 2014 the main driving wheels have been fitted & motion & frames completed. The boiler underwent testing throughout 2018. The locomotive is expected to be operational by Autumn 2024. In early 2020 the owning group announced plans to build an SECR E class as their next project once 32424 is complete but this was abandoned in 2024.

32424 was moved out of Atlantic House on 6 March and onto Bluebell Railway tracks to be connected with its tender for the first time. Running In is expected to commence during spring 2024. 32424 entered service in August 2024.

Undergoing overhaul, repair or restoration

Origin Wheelarrangement Class Owner Notes Photograph SE&CR Wainwright P class No. 27 Primrose. Built in 1910, and last worked in 1974. Arrived at the Bluebell in 1961. An overhaul was prepared and started in 1978 with the locomotive being dismantled, but it was paused for over 30 years due to the overhaul and maintenance of other locomotives before being restarted in 2012. This is a long term overhaul similar to those carried out on 672 and 178 due to the poor condition of the locomotive, it having been stored in pieces for many years. Amongst the many tasks undertaken for the overhaul have included replacement of sections of the frames and a new cylinder block. LSWR B4 The Bulleid Society No. 96 Normandy Built in 1893. Arrived at Bluebell 1978. Funds are now being raised by the owning society, and it is hoped that any overhaul may commence after 21C123 Blackmoor Vale and 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair are complete and the good condition of the loco is established. The need for this locomotive has become less with the acquisition of a small diesel locomotive for shunting duties and the use of other tank engines for steam shunts.

In October 2023, it was announced that Normandy alongside two other Bluebell engines are to be sent into the works for overhauls for a return to service.

On 5 March 2024, 96 and 30583 were moved into Atlantic House taking the places previously occupied by 32424 Beachy Head. Normandy's overhaul is to be undertook first with it not expected to be a major job like 30583. Normandy's overhaul is expected to cost around £110,000. SE&CR Class H No. 263. Built in 1905. Arrived at the Bluebell in 1976, and returned to traffic after overhaul in July 2012. Boiler certificate expired 13 February 2022. Overhaul was started in November 2022 as the loco is in good mechanical condition but the boiler does require some minor attention. LSWR 0415 Bluebell Railway No. 488. Built in 1885. Arrived at Bluebell 1961. The locomotive is thought to require at least a new boiler barrel (if not a new boiler entirely) and possibly new wheels. No. 488 was painted as 30583 in BR Black for the 2019 Branchline Weekend. In October 2023, it was announced that 30583 alongside two other Bluebell engines are to be sent into the works for overhauls for a return to service. On 5 March 2024, 96 and 30583 were moved into Atlantic House taking the places previously occupied by 32424 Beachy Head. 30583 is to undergo an assessment to determine the extent of the work required to return the engine to steam. Its overhaul is to commence at a later date while work focuses on Normandy. SR Maunsell Q Class No. 30541. Built in 1939. Arrived at the Bluebell in 1978. Owned by the Maunsell Society. The volunteer Loco Workshop Working Group carried out the overhaul of the locomotive, beginning in July 2011. The locomotive returned to service in April 2015 and ran until late 2022. It was withdrawn from service due to stay issues in the firebox and moved offsite for an overhaul by external contractors on 6 July 2023 it is planned that the overhaul will take 12 to 18 months. SR SR V Schools class No. 928 Stowe. Built in 1934. Arrived at the Bluebell in 1980. Last worked in 1991. Owned by the Maunsell Locomotive Society. An examination of the locomotive has shown that a new inner firebox will be required at a cost of up to £75,000. 928's tender has undergone a major rebuild in recent years. The boiler tubes, cab fittings and smoke deflectors have been removed prior to overhaul. The boiler is currently being worked on in the locomotive workshops. The driving wheels were sent for turning in August 2017. BR (was ) Standard Class 2 (formerly 2-6-0) No. 84030 (formerly 78059). Recovered from Barry Scrapyard without a tender in May 1983. Was originally a tender engine. None of the original Standard Class 2 tank engines (84000–84029) survives, so this conversion will create the sole representative of the class. Reconstruction as a tank engine is well under way, with work currently focused on the frames, to which the new extension has now been welded.

Stored or on display