Network Rail and the Bluebell Railway have signed a groundbreaking collaborative agreement, the first of its kind with a heritage railway in the south of England, promising mutual benefits and a boost to community engagement.
The landmark deal will see Network Rail’s Sussex Route donate redundant railway assets, including rails and sleepers, to the Bluebell Railway. These materials, no longer needed on the mainline, will be repurposed for use on the heritage line, preventing them from being recycled elsewhere.
Given the slower operating speeds of heritage railways like the Bluebell, the materials can be safely reused, ensuring the continued operation of the popular attraction, which welcomes around 150,000 visitors annually.
In the run-up to and during 2025 and 2026, the bicentenary of the railway, Network Rail and the Bluebell Railway will collaborate on exhibitions at London Victoria station and the Bluebell Railway’s Sheffield Park site in Sussex. Network Rail will provide historic, disused assets to enhance these exhibitions as part of the Railway 200 celebrations.
Furthermore, Network Rail will utilise the Bluebell Railway’s facilities for community engagement activities, including hosting rail experience days to promote careers in the rail industry. In return, the Bluebell Railway will benefit from Network Rail’s expertise and volunteer support, with staff using volunteering leave to assist in maintenance and operations.
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, emphasised the partnership’s significance. She said: “Wherever we can, we will work with heritage railways across our network to forge a new partnership so that materials that would otherwise be recycled elsewhere to be re-used can find a new purpose.
“In turn, the Bluebell Railway also has some excellent facilities which, because they are separate from the mainline network, provide the perfect opportunity for our colleagues to contribute to the local community.
“Working together through this ‘Route Agreement’ provides a clear framework and we are excited about the possibilities it brings, not only to Network Rail and the Bluebell Railway, but wider society – and what better time to do it than in 2025, the bicentenary of the railway.”
Neil Glaskin, Chairman of the Bluebell Railway, expressed his delight at the agreement. He said: “The Bluebell Railway is delighted to enter into this Route Agreement with our friends at Network Rail. There is a great deal of scope for cooperation between the national rail network and heritage railways. This Route Agreement provides a framework for a deeper collaboration which will benefit us both.”
This partnership highlights a commitment to sustainability, community involvement, and the preservation of railway heritage, marking a significant step in the collaboration between national and heritage rail organisations.
