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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/24/bluebell-railway-joins-rail-network
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| Bluebell steam railway joins mainline after 40 years | Bluebell steam railway joins mainline after 40 years |
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| Steam train enthusiasts rejoiced yesterday as the heritage Bluebell Railway line finally joined the national network. Campaigners had fought for four decades to extend the nine-mile line from Sheffield Park in East Sussex to the market town of East Grinstead in west Sussex. | Steam train enthusiasts rejoiced yesterday as the heritage Bluebell Railway line finally joined the national network. Campaigners had fought for four decades to extend the nine-mile line from Sheffield Park in East Sussex to the market town of East Grinstead in west Sussex. |
| Laying a two-mile track linking the steam railway with the mainline track was the final, most difficult hurdle for the project, which has cost more than £4m and was completed earlier this month. Hundreds of people turned out to witness the departure of the first official train on the route, formed of 1920s and 1930s Southern Railway carriages, as a band played songs including "Congratulations" and passengers quaffed champagne to celebrate. | Laying a two-mile track linking the steam railway with the mainline track was the final, most difficult hurdle for the project, which has cost more than £4m and was completed earlier this month. Hundreds of people turned out to witness the departure of the first official train on the route, formed of 1920s and 1930s Southern Railway carriages, as a band played songs including "Congratulations" and passengers quaffed champagne to celebrate. |
| Bluebell Railway Preservation Society chairman Roy Watts said "the great day" was the result of almost 40 years of work. "This is the end of a very long journey. And so many people have looked forward to this day for so long, although sadly some people will not be there to see it." | Bluebell Railway Preservation Society chairman Roy Watts said "the great day" was the result of almost 40 years of work. "This is the end of a very long journey. And so many people have looked forward to this day for so long, although sadly some people will not be there to see it." |
| Watts said two of the railway founders, Bernard Holden and Martin Eastland, died last year. Yesterday marked the start of a two-week long festival celebrating the opening of the extended line, which began in 1974 with the purchase of the old station site at West Hoathly. Major obstacles have been overcome during the intervening period, including raising the millions needed to fund the extension and clearing an area once used as a local tip. | Watts said two of the railway founders, Bernard Holden and Martin Eastland, died last year. Yesterday marked the start of a two-week long festival celebrating the opening of the extended line, which began in 1974 with the purchase of the old station site at West Hoathly. Major obstacles have been overcome during the intervening period, including raising the millions needed to fund the extension and clearing an area once used as a local tip. |
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