Words and pictures by Mark Richards

The Bluebell Railway officially opened its new station at East Grinstead on Saturday 4th September 2010 with a special shuttle service provided by 73208 Kirsten and 4-VEP 3417 Gordon Pettitt running from the newly opened platform at East Grinstead to/from Imberhorne North, the current limit of the line. Between here and Kingscote a landfill site needs to be cleared with the movement of the waste by rail likely to recommence from October following a successful trial in July 2010.

2010 marks the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Bluebell Railway; the original Bluebell Railway Preservation Society was founded in 1959 with steam services commencing between Sheffield Park station to just outside of Horsted Keynes in 1960. The extension to East Grinstead will realise the ambitions first envisaged fifty years ago.

A formal opening of the new station platform took place at 10.45am and was marked by the arrival of 73208 leading VEP 3417 into the platform following the running of the first passenger carrying service at 10.10am. Hourly shuttles then ran all day with an additional 11.40am shuttle also provided.

Hundreds of locals and enthusiasts turned out to celebrate this special event.

The new East Grinstead station is the town's fifth and is located on the site of the former Lower Goods Yard. Currently there are no permanent facilities at the platform and there is not a convenient walkway to and from the nearby Network Rail station however it is hoped that the facilities and access will be improved in due course.

The following is a selection of images taken of the very first passenger shuttle on the newly opened section of line, together with the 11.10 and 11.40 shuttles.