The Bluebell Railway in Sussex has benefited from a donation consisting of 4,000 tonnes of ballast from HS2 as part of the Railway 200 celebrations.

The ballast donated was used in HS2’s sidings at West Ruislip and was the foundation for the tracks that were used to carry building materials to build the now complete Northolt West Tunnel, on part of the HS2 route from London to Birmingham.

The sidings played their part in the tunnel construction, hosting and transporting 59,000 ring tunnel segments used to build the tunnel.

These segments were made on the Isle of Grain and transported to West Ruislip around London by rail.

The donation of ballast to the Bluebell was arranged as part of a joint venture between three of the top construction companies in Europe, SCS JV, with the Skanska Costain STRABAG organising the donation.

The ballast is very much welcomed by the Bluebell Railway and is being used to relay the tracks and one of the sidings through and behind platform one at Horsted Keynes.

Platform 1 has not seen passenger use since 1914, but this July that will change, with the ‘Inspiration’ Exhibition train due to arrive and be stabled in this platform for a couple of days as part of its tour around the country.

This donation not only reuses the ballast that would have otherwise gone to waste, but it also highlights the Railway 200 campaign, showcasing how railway travel has changed the world from 1825 to 2025.

Bluebells’ preparations for their Railway 200 celebrations are continuing apace. Not only have platforms 1 & 2 been fully restored as part of the Horsted Keynes Jewel in the Crown appeal.

Back in March, the Railway also signed a contract with Network Rail to receive surplus rails and sleepers from the national network, which will also be very welcome in relaying the same lines behind Horsted Keynes station and out on the line itself.

Bluebells Railway 200 celebrations will take place from Wednesday, 4 June to Wednesday, 2 July. Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between these dates, up to 9,000 children will visit the railway thanks to an agreement with Govia Thameslink Railway.

There will be a careers fair and apprenticeship teams from HS2, Network Rail, GTR and many others at the event talking to the students about considering a career in the rail industry.

 

“This donation of ballast shows the continued importance of industry partners working together to help and promote rail travel not only for future generations but also to help educate those about its proud heritage.  

“While we’re busy constructing Britain’s modern high-speed rail line, we’re pleased to be able to help play a part in helping to the Bluebell Railway which has a proud track record as a tourist destination showcasing how train travel used to be back in the day. 

“We look forward to seeing the four platforms in operation and the exhibition come to fruition and we’re pleased to have been able to play a small part in helping to bring these exhibits to life.”  

Arlo Dew, Senior Project Manager at HS2 Ltd

“Our team at West Ruislip worked closely with the volunteers at the Bluebell Railway, jointly developing the logistics plan to safely transport the ballast to the Railway 200 exhibition area. We’re extremely proud to support the celebration of 200 years of train travel in the UK and look forward to seeing visitors learn about rail past, present and future.” 

Martin Baughurst, Project Director for SCS JV

“We are very grateful to HS2 for making this ballast available to us. It represents a crucial contribution to our Railway 200 event, which runs from June to September, and there is sufficient remaining to help us relay a section of our running line this autumn.” 

Neil Glaskin, Chairman of Bluebell Railway