James,
the Bluebell Railway is, IIRC, the first preserved standard gauge railway in Great Britain and most certainly one of the best known also outside of the UK. They have a number of smaller, but also larger steam engines in service and only recently were able to extend.
Modeling the Bluebell Railway is certainly a rewarding project!
Here is what you can do to get a start.
Visit the Bluebell Railway home page and other sourcers for detail information. There is tons of info available online.
Check the track plan using the following link: OpenRailwayMap Type in the station name, select signalling and you will get the track plan including signalling.
Watch videos of the Bluebell railway. There are plenty available on Youtube. You will get a feeling for the operation, bust also the setting of this line.
With all that info digested, you should be able to sketch out a first idea of a track plan for your layout!
Have fun!
So I've made the decision after a fair bit of thought that the reason I'm so unhappy with my model railroading experience so far is because I don't have a specific goal. Right now I have a random assortment of Bachmann Thomas engines and a boring 4x8 double loop of track with no real intent to get anything done. Therefore, I've decided that I'm going to get rid of all my Thomas stuff and use the funds to start up a new project. I truly admire the Bluebell Railway in East Sussex and I have a real desire to model it in HO/OO. I have never modeled a real railway before, so I would love help regarding exactly where to start. Thanks!