Spa Valley Railway - Latest News

Lovely feedback, thank you that is appreciated. The unsung hero of the weekend was the Class 10 which appeared occasionally from very early to the end of service on the Saturday mainly shunting stock and hauling SKP trains into Tunbridge Wells West.

 

I've chimed on about it a bit but this weekend No. 419 and No. 828 are in steam again hauling trains this weekend, this is the last time 419 is in service with us before she heads off back to the Battlefield Line for Easter. 828 is staying with us on her loan until October, the final weekend of 828 operating will be at our Beer Festival from 7th to 9th October.

The 09:30 from Tunbridge Wells West and the 16:50 from Eridge will be double headed, 419 leading 828. I'm 828s driver on Saturday so feel free to come and say hello.

Departures from Tunbridge Wells West: 09:30 (419+828), 10:50 (419), 12:10 (828), 13:30 (419), 14:50 (828) & 16:15 (419).
Departures from Eridge at 10:10 (419), 11:30 (828), 12:50 (419), 14:10 (828), 15:30 (419) & 16:50 (419+828).

One thing I will say to anyone giving this heritage railway thing a go is that giving up isn't an option, one thing that has always driven my own determination is various comments I've overhead and read that say the Spa Valley won't ever get anywhere or sort of viewing us as a nobody line. It is purely people saying things like that which drive not just me but all of us there, to do our best and make things happen, like the various big diesels that have visited, the Bulleid moving in, the L&Y tank visiting and the Caley pair coming together to name but a few.

 

Actually this reminds me of a question I was going to ask with regard to Forge Farm crossing. Why is it that Spa Valley trains have to stop here and be signalled through whereas NR trains speed through?

 

I believe its to do with the fact that the Spa Valley doesn't trigger the crossing 'properly' (the alarm goes off for about 4 seconds), so a hand signaller has to make sure its clear before letting a train through, whereas NR trains do trigger the crossing.

 

The Uckfield line over Forge Farm is controlled via treadles and track circuits, our line isn't it just has the box at the crossing which our attendant can operate to turn the lights from green to red and then display a green flag. A big factor in why it was done this was was down to cost, the LCU and mods to get what we have today were around £25K from memory (it was done in 2009/10 by Westinghouse as a training project). It would be excellent to automate our side too but that isn't something we can do just yet. The reason trains stop and then go once the flag is up rather than a continuous slower movement is down to the way the current level crossing order is written.

 

Two more clips from my visit to the Spa Valley on Sunday:





Hope they're of interest.

TTFN,

Ron.

 

You've managed to catch me and my dog in the 828 arrival sequence. We're in the end vestibule of the leading carriage.

 

The £25k was to install what we have now, I dread to think how much a full automation would cost. We just about manage staffing wise, indeed the hut has had the internet for quite sometime and basic amenities to make it as homely as it can be. Some volunteers we have just do Forge Farm and quite enjoy spending time there.

One day maybe we’ll see it automated. Bridges that need replacing, a earthworks to repair and various other infrastructure projects keep coming along. The storm managed to write off one of our roller shutter doors last month so that’s another £4,500 gone thanks to something out of control. Not worth the hassle of an insurance claim.

 

What causes the brief alarm to go off when a Spa Valley train is near, is that also controlled by the attendant or a trigger on the track?

 

I've sometimes seen myself in other people's snaps and clips at railway galas!

 

The key being turned by our crossing attendant, it does the same as a train striking in on the Uckfield line. It’s a yodal alarm, the SSI output tells it to do it.

 

Another clip from the Spa Valley Railway last Sunday; trains at Groombridge where the passing loop is situated this time:



TTFN,

Ron.

 

The Caley pair have been warmed through and are ready for tomorrow. First train from Tunbridge Wells West is at 09:30, I'm on 828 feel free to say hello, my best mate is 419s driver and my other half is 419s fireman.

 

I'm sorry to be unable to get there after all.

 

Here's my final clip from the Spa Valley:



Ron.

 

I really enjoyed my day out at the Spa Valley yesterday. Woke up early and decided on a 60 mile trip around the M25 and it was well worth it to see and ride behind the 2 caley engines on a double header. The loadings by mid morning were very good. TWW station platform was a tight squeeze with the crowds. I can see most locos have to be stored outside with the engine shed being used for restoration projects. Will be back later in the year for some diesel action.

 

Had a really enjoyable day at the line today and was impressed with how lovely the line was and the interesting shunting movements, both at TWW and Eridge (the one to set up the double header for the last departure to TWW being one and allowed some good chances to get pictures of the 2 locos together). Although trains ended up being half hour late pretty much from the start and the final couple of trips were eventually top and tailed, the trains were busy with standing room only on some and the stations seemed to be well populated.

The 2 Caley locos are really lovely locos and both liveries look stunning, was also nice to see the Scottish Region running in boards were still in place until the last trips. Definitely looking forward to another visit to the railway soon.

 

It's been an outstanding two weekends and my full praise goes to the bods who made this all happen.

The final double header after starting off from Forge Farm Crossing this evening.

 

Nice. hadn't noticed the oast houses there before.