Spa Valley Railway - Latest News

Could almost make a passable Maude look-alike, add some cosmetic wheel splashers......bit of NB style livery ;-)

 

Nah we don’t need a WR engine to bring the tone down

Douglas is regularly dressed up as 52322 at ELR galas, apparently purely for the owner’s entertainment and to mess with people!

 

I hear stories of one 'spotter' at an ELR gala asking when the actual 52322 was arriving at whichever station (Douglas having taken the number for the event) and would not have it that the loco he was stood next to was the exact loco he was looking for.

 

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it on here but the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's Ivatt tank 41313 is making a very rare trip away from the IOW, the first since it went over there in 2017 to feature at our Southern Steam Up on Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th June alongside SECR O1 No. 65, Bulleid Pacific No. 34072 '257 Squadron', Caledonian Railway No. 828 and LBSCR C2X No. 2890 'Douglas'.

The Ivatt hasn't left the Isle of Wight since 2017 when it returned to service and the O1 hasn't left the Bluebell since 2009 so the pair of engines at Tunbridge Wells West is quite a rare opportunity to see the engines away from their regular railways. Both are returning to their home bases after 25th June so if you want to see them you best get to Kent that weekend or the one after!

 

The Ivatt tank 41313 from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway is due to be moved on Monday next week, the O1 is then due to move in the middle of next week. A busy few days for Reid Freight so keep a lookout on the roads and even the ferry to see this all happening.

257 Squadron is due back from the KESR this week and the repairs to 828 are well advanced with the lifting jacks now positioned and a slight lift has taken place underneath the engine ready for the final lift to put the wheel set back underneath. This is due to happen this week.

 

Photo charter with Ivatt Tank 41313!

Monday 19th June, from 1400 onwards is a charter with 41313 using our MK1 BCK and SO, two green coaches. The Ivatt is expected to face Tunbridge Wells West.

Anyone interested should book directly with 30742 Charters. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spa-valley-ivatt-tickets-646262347077

 

Just the one gala that I’m aware of …3855 will
be fully aware of the facts.

 

Presume the air pumps will still be in situ

 

Yes, none of that is being removed as they need it in place for its return.

 

So not a quick job to take them off and put them back on again then.

 

I would suggest it is more of an effort to take it off for no real benefit or gain to anyone, it works in vacuum mode for us and is ready for switching over back to air when it returns to the Island.

 

I was just wondering about the photo charters. You know how some people are sticklers for detail.

 

They can always just take photos of the side that doesn't have the air pump...

 

The Ivatt tank is due to set sail for the mainland tomorrow, the O1 is due to arrive on Wednesday and Thursday (one lorry going back and forth).

828 is due to be re-wheeled tomorrow and steam tested Friday, all being well the locomotive will move around Tunbridge Wells West throughout the event light engine.

 

So long as you get six wheels each day!

Left the loco yesterday evening cooling down after Bluebell on Parade; I believe the workshop intention was to split it today.

Tom

 

The Ivatt tank is on the way!

 

The Ivatt tank has arrived and has been unloaded. The O1 is starting to arrive tomorrow.

The timetables for this event are now online.

https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/shopimages/SpVR Public Timetable - Southern Steam Up.pdf

 

The Ivatt and O1 (the first part of it) at Tunbridge Wells West tonight.

 

Thanks for your updates Jonnie.

 

The O1 is together following the arrival of the tender earlier this morning. 828 is warming through for the first time in 10 months, the Ivatt and Bulleid have warming fires in and the O1 and Douglas are to follow.