The winter 2009 issue has U Class No. 1638 on the cover, heading north with a Santa Special, having just passed through West Hoathly tunnel.

One of the railway's stalwarts - Chris Cooper - is featured having retired from his full time position of Carriage Presentation Officer after 46 years of keeping our rolling stock clean. And on the topic of rolling stock, the Bluebell's success in the Big Millions People's Lottery grant competition is noted. £49,500 will be spent on coverting a London, Chatham and Dover Railway coach to provide accommodation for disabled passengers in our Victorian train.

The Locomotive Department report highlights the imminent return to service of the E4 in Southern green livery and carrying the number B473. The workshop is very busy at the moment with the overhaul of H Class No. 263, P Classes Nos. 323 (Bluebell) and 178 plus Stepney.

On the rolling stock front, SR 100-seater No. 1098 has been rewired and will, with our three Maunsell coaches, comprise an authentic Southern train of the 1930s. On a slightly more prosaic front, click on the cover image for a photo of a recently repainted SE&CR 7-plank wagon.

And in this 50th aniversary year, there's a double page spread recalling the early days of the Society as Sheffield Park station was prepared to receive passengers.

Bluebell Railway Preservation Society, 2009, 34 pages. Paperback.