But the doubters hadn't reckoned with the determination and the commitment behind the whole enterprise - the qualities which have made the Bluebell Railway consistently so successful down the decades ever since.

This summer, the line finds itself in the best of health as it celebrates its 50th birthday.

Very quickly, the line won the affection of the general public, and on the back of that affection from humble beginnings, the Bluebell has developed into one of the largest preservation centres in Great Britain.

Its collection of vintage locomotives and coaches is rivalled only by those in the National Collection - a sign of its success as it now looks forward to its next 50 years.

But before it moves on, the enthusiasts are happy to look back, with the publication of the history so far, The Bluebell Railway by Michael Welch (£16.95, ISBN 978-1-85414-336-5).

Re-opening part of the Lewes to East Grinstead line of the old London Brighton & South Coast Railway, the line was launched in 1960.

As Michael says, a key date was May 17 1960 when a former LBSCR locomotive left Brighton with two coaches in tow, bound for Horsted Keynes and a new home at the fledgling Bluebell Railway.

"Voluntary railway preservation at that time was confined to a few Welsh narrow-gauge lines and the goods-only Middleton Railway at Leeds, so the concept of operating a passenger service on a standard-gauge line was a leap into the unknown.

"The train's arrival marked not only the start of the Bluebell venture but also, arguably, the start of voluntary standard-gauge railway preservation in Great Britain."

Before any public train could operate, the preservationists had to obtain a Light Railway Order from the Ministry of Transport, which involved a thorough inspection to verify the Bluebell Railway's ability to operate the line safely.

This took place on July 9 1960; the railway passed with flying colours; and the grand opening day was set for August 7.

"The pessimists had suffered the first of many defeats!

"When the opening day came, there were unprecedented scenes at Sheffield Park station, with around 2,000 people thronging the platforms, and it is estimated that 900 passengers were carried as far as the newly-constructed Bluebell Halt, just south of Horsted Keynes.

"It was clear that the idea of a steam-operated line run by enthusiasts had caught the imagination of the general public.

"It is fair to say that after such a spolendid start, the Bluebell has never looked back!"