Great Northern Directors' Saloon

Great Northern Directors' Saloon Private hires are arranged via the Bluebell Railway sales office. The magnificent clerestory saloon was constructed in 1897, and refitted in 1933 by the LNER.

GNR Directors' Saloon No. 43909 - Available on public services on the Bluebell Railway usually from Easter to October, generally on the third weekend each month, and some special events. It remained in the use of the GNR/LNER directors, then British Railways Eastern Region General Manager until 1969, when it was sold complete from Hornsey Carriage Sheds for the princely sum of £500. One of the few

privately owned coaches on the Bluebell, the Saloon's dedicated team of owners and friends, called the Howlden Group after the Saloon's designer, E.F. Howlden, have now become the E. F Howlden Charitable Trust (Registered Charity Number 1096851). They have lavished large amounts of time and effort over the years restoring the saloon to its GNR/LNER appearance. Maintenance work in recent years has involved refurbishing the Edwardian hot-water boiler in the kitchen, as well as re-covering and painting the exterior of the fine clerestory roof, complete electrical re-wiring, and refurbishment of the inner ceilings and fittings. All work is tackled when funds and time allow, without removing the saloon from special traffic use for long periods. In 2000 it became famous around the world as the "Old Gentleman's Coach" in the TV film of "The Railway Children"

The Saloon's owners permit its running in public a few times a year, usually the 3rd weekend of each month (March to October), and selected gala dates when homemade cream teas, cake and coffee are usually available. The Saloon is occasionally available for private hire.

22/03/2026

Now is the time to see where we can source (locally) all the Hot Cross Buns and cake we'll need for you all over the Easter period.

The other GN Saloon… which we last met when we took our saloon up to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for the Gresley C...
07/11/2025

The other GN Saloon… which we last met when we took our saloon up to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for the Gresley Centenary celebrations.

The Saloon in platform 1 at Horsted Keynes. Today is probably the first occasion since 1913 that passenger trains have u...
18/10/2025

The Saloon in platform 1 at Horsted Keynes. Today is probably the first occasion since 1913 that passenger trains have used this platform.

17/10/2025

GN Saloon in service today for the Giants of Steam Gala.

New for 2025 - available ONLY on our first round trip - Danish Pasteries and/or shortbread rounds.9am (Fri) or 9:45 (Sat...
16/10/2025

New for 2025 - available ONLY on our first round trip - Danish Pasteries and/or shortbread rounds.

9am (Fri) or 9:45 (Sat and Sun) from SP - do join us for something different.

To allow for some out of season TLC, we have acquired a couple of temporary replacement armchairs. If you've visiting th...
15/10/2025

To allow for some out of season TLC, we have acquired a couple of temporary replacement armchairs. If you've visiting the Bluebell Railway for Giants of Steam, do come along and sample them and tell us what you think.

14/10/2025

Who is getting excited for Giants of Steam?

Well we are!

The laundry has all been done, shopping expeditions are planned.

Please drop by and say hello - you'll catch us on these departures from Sheffield Park:
Friday - 9am; 12pm and 3pm
Saturday - 9:45 and 12:45 (the afternoon train starts from Horsted Keynes at 4pm)
Sunday - 9:45; 12:45 and 3:35

From East Grinstead its:
Friday - 10:05; 1:05 and 4:05
Saturday - 10:45; 1:50 and 5pm (The 1:50 only goes as far as Horsted Keynes)
Sunday - 10:45; 1:45 and 5pm

On Friday and Sunday we'll be behind 6880
On Saturday we'll be behind 2999
On Sunday's 3:35 departure (5pm from EGR) we'll have both 6880 and 2999

15/08/2025

The cakes have been purchased. The scones and Tea Cakes are all fresly baked (collected in the early hours of Friday; we must be mad!).

The old lady has been all prepped for a busy weekend - you'll catch us, both days, on the 11:45 and 2:15 from Sheffield Park and 12:45 and 3:15 from East Grinstead.

Great Northern Directors' Saloon at London Victoria? But of course!
24/07/2025

Great Northern Directors' Saloon at London Victoria? But of course!

11/07/2025

Well, we'll all equipped to be out and about tomorrow (Sat) and again on Sunday. We'll be attached to the 'B' set (the 'Mets').

26/04/2025

We're out today on a private hire; BUT tomorrow we're attached to the A set and available for all our usual comestibles.

Departing SP at 10:30; 1pm and 3:45 (East Grinstead at 11:30; 2pm and 4:40

Address

Howlden Trust, Sheffield Park Station
Lewes
TN223QL

Telephone

+441825720800

Website

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