Hastings 1001 'The Ardingly Arrow' - Haywards Heath to Ardingly & Return - 18/09/16

In this video, I ride behind Hastings Diesels Limited Thumper 1001 from Haywards Heath, down the Ardingly branch line.
The Ardingly branch line was once connected to the Bluebell Railway, joining up at Horsted Keynes. Today, the line is split, with no passenger workings and only a few aggregate trains.
In this video, we see part of the Ardingly terminus.
This train was run for the 175th Anniversary of Haywards Heath Railway Station, this year also commemorates the 175th Anniversary of the Brighton Main Line.
Apologies for any jerky movements in this video, the Thumper is quite bouncy. I have attempted to remove any shaking wherever possible.
Rest assured, no risks were taken during the making of this video, all body parts were inside the train at all times.

[@davidmeachen2896]

I was born at borde hill cottages, just around the corner from the bridge in the video, I used to watch the trains there as a kid. 😊

[@hornbytrainlovers7285]

An amazing video as always. Sure looked like a great event. Great onboard footage. Great work. Thanks :) Ryan

[@trainmania100]

Thank you for watching :-) it was a grand day out

[@likklej8]

I lived in Brighton for four years in the 70s I knew the line as an aggregates industrial line but didn’t realise it connected to the Bluebell

[@johntcashdown1363]

Trainmania they messed it up big time with revising the London phase. The original plan was to bypass Croydon altogether via a disused railway, making it desirable for commuters from Brighton but they went for going to EC instead, just like the BML already does. Ridiculous!

[@ZathGB]

The line needs laying up to full modern status to allow trains through from East Grinstead and down to Brighton. Imagine how much money Bluebell could earn when the route is used for diversions etc. Maybe even have their own regular service from E.G to Haywards Heath instead of just spring/summer months. There's quite a bit of latent demand out there, hospital trips, shopping trips et al.

[@trainmania100]

That would be good, there are people wanting to make uckfield to Lewes again called Bml2

[@ZathGB]

Hehe, nice. If I had my way, all the lines around here would be reinstated. With Siemens depot at Three Bridges, the link to Grinstead seems a must !

[@Mike_Anton]

Annoyed I was away and missed this whole weekend. Trip along the actual branch looked to have been about 9mph?

[@1supertone]

Thanks for getting me in it!!!! Lol

[@trainmania100]

lol Thank you for watching ;-) if you have any privacy concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch :-)

[@mrtransportguy8824]

Very nice!!

[@trainmania100]

Thank you :-)

[@do5995]

Could the building aggregate company relocate to some place, other than the track bed and station, and then the trains could run on through to the Bluebell Line ...

[@trainmania100]

D O If they double the tracks they could possibly run alongside the aggregate trains ☺️

[@billcobbett9259]

The Sherriff Mill bridge has to be rebuilt first, and there are embankments to fix.

[@LordHartfield]

One day!