Spa Valley Railway - Latest News

If the Spa Valley were loco rich it would make sense to say maybe too big, but my impression is that the Spa Valley does not have a big fleet.

I think it is unfair to compare with the Ffestiniog which has approx 7 small locos and 2 large locos available. The FR is using small locos because it has them. Not all lines are as well supplied with motive power.

If the deal works for SLL and Spa Valley then who is to complain. Bodmin on Arlesford-Ropley wasn’t so bad back in the old days either.

 

I should have clarified TWW compared to Herston. That one is on me.

 

There is a strong chance, subject to all being well, that over the 16th to 18th October 'Sir Keith Park' will be operating at our 'Not Quite a Beer Festival, Festival' on load 6 + diesel (that'll be idling) so equivalent of around load 8 or 9. Whilst we're not the steepest line (1 in 88 is the most between High Rocks and Tunbridge Wells) it'll make 34053 work a bit.

It is totally true what has been said that 47493 is ideal but being able to have something 'big' with such an iconic name as part of our fleet will no doubt pull in visitors.

I have uploaded the Spa Valley Railway's Gradient Profile to our website just now if you're interested. https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/shopimages/SVR MAP 2012 - portrait - colour - DPP.pdf

In terms of cost, based on the facts and figures I've obtained from other users of Bulleid's, the outgoing on coal won't be much of an increase as it is now. We're using a Bulleid (and I've fired these things elsewhere so I'm familiar with how much they burn) on a much lighter load than say something like 'Ring Haw' or the Y14 which were working at the time and to get an industrial up our 5 miles of the line you do end up using a decent amount of coal. The cost to fill the Bulleid's tender to the brim, based on our water bill, is £42.72.

The photo attached shows the 4MT outside 75F this afternoon ready for a steam test and exam this week and also the yard as it is now, taken the other week looking out towards the Signal Box. Up until this was completed 80078 couldn't go into anywhere other than 2RD due to the tight curvature on 3RD (where it was today in the photo) and 4RD (where the Class 20 is stabled behind). I think this was the first time in around 53yrs that a 4MT had sat in this part of the depot.

 

Just an update regarding 'Sir Keith Park', we are intending to use the locomotive on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September. Tickets will go on sale soon for either all-day travel in a specific carriage/seat or one return trip.

Trains will be top and tailed to Eridge with 33063, itself named 'R. J. Mitchell', and the dates chosen to launch the Bulleid have been done due to the close proximity of Battle of Britain Day. 'Sir Keith Park' will be on the Tunbridge Wells West end of the train all day, the rake will be 5x MK1 and the 33 will be just idling on the back on the return to Tun Wells.

The loco is expected to arrive sometime in the next week and prior to this running will be out on driver/fireman training and assessment to enable use over this event, in line with our Competence Management System. We're very lucky in that our Chief Inspector is also the Chief Inspector on a very well-known heritage railway and has many years experience on locomotives like this so training and assessment can be done 'in house' with support from SLL.

 

Brilliant news for the SVR. I certainly look
forward to visiting one of my favourite lines with a bulleid in steam.

 

Very much the same experience on the Bluebell with their BR 9f 2 -10 -0
You did have to put quite a bit of coal on the grate lighting up but after that quite surprisingly little.
Excellent locomotive that used the steam - 250psi - well. Also a 16 ton axle load sparing the track - comparable to the WD WWII 2-10-0.

The 9f is 40 square foot grate area & for comparison on the Bluebell:
the Brighton Radial, the Dukedog, both the 0-6-0s and the 0-4-4 in SECR livery are all about 17 sq ft
The Maunsell 2-6-0s are 25 sq ft, the BR 4s are 27 sq. ft. and the Schools and the S15 are 28 sq ft
the BR standard 5 is 29 sqft and a Bulleid Light Pacific would be also 250psi and 38 sq ft

 

Tickets are now available for the launch of 'Sir Keith Park'. https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/237/sir-keith-park-launch-weekend

Trains operate at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30 and 16:00 from Tunbridge Wells West on both the Saturday & Sunday, an additional evening train will depart at 19:00 on the Saturday (which can be booked online here: https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/242/fish-chip-suppers (price is £25 per person for food and two return trips to Eridge).

You can either purchase a one return trip ticket for 2, 4 or up to 6 persons (works out at £10 per person) or an unlimited travel ticket for 2 or 4 persons which works out at £17.50 per person for travel all day* (*from 10:00 to 17:00 excludes the 19:00 dining train).

It took some working out to try and give the most cost effective ticket but still generate us much needed income, I'm afraid we can't justify selling single tickets or accepting any form of discounted travel at the moment.

 

I've just put on sale individual tickets for the launch of 'Sir Keith Park' so for £10 you can book an individual seat on board any of the trains running that day, these are one return trip tickets. We'll monitor the progress of the Unlimited travel tickets and we *might* be able to offer individual tickets for these trains but they are proving popular in 2s at the moment.

Please note, if you book an individual seat, it is set up on our system to accept two seats being ticked, this is so we can manage social distancing so when you book please ensure you select the seat opposite you in Coach C too (you can then sit in either if you want in theory). Coach C will be around the middle of the train. Coach A is nearest the Bulleid for those purchasing unlimited travel tickets.

https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/237/sir-keith-park-launch-weekend

 

Individual Unlimited Travel tickets are now available for the Sir Keith Park launch event, these can be booked online here. If anyone would like the option of boarding at Eridge then please contact me on jonnie.pay@spavalleyrailway.co.uk and I can arrange a specific ticket and seat for you.

https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/...unch-weekend/8aa9d3fc8526a071b2135603be6ac18e

When booking individual seats you will need to select two seats at the checkout rather than just one, this is to maintain social distancing. It will be your seat for use all day.

 

I doubt I’ll be travelling on the trains but I would like to see and film Sir Keith Park in action.
Will Groombridge and Eridge stations be open for visitors?

 

It says that Groombridge will be open but no boarding of trains there or Eridge, on the website

 

Other than our own passengers alighting or using the Southern access, Eridge Platform 2 and 3 will be only accessible to our own passengers. Groombridge will be open for people to view the trains however we'd love a donation for those visiting us and not riding on the trains.

 

The Bulleid has landed! 80078 has now departed heading for the MNR, she'll no doubt return at some point soon.

Sir Keith Park will now be prepared for operations over 12th & 13th September with testing and crew training starting next week.

 

34053 & 33063 seen at Eridge during Sir Keith Parks Launch Weekend, great to see a big loco on the line.

 

Out and about chasing the new toy myself today.

 

Nice to see SKP in it's new home.

 

Visited today, took a few photos from the lineside and then travelled on the train. Was an enjoyable time all round.


First train of the day at Pokehill crossing.


1130 departure near Groombridge, 34053 on the back.


1400 train returning from Eridge.

 

Presumably, if the Spa Valley is now SLL's second home a second Bulleid will arrive there at some point. A rebuilt and and original at both the Spa Valley and Swanage with any spares hired out wherever work can be found for them would be a more sensible arrangement than concentrating most at Swanage.

 

It would be nice to know how much extra custom comes to the SVR as a result of having a "Big Chuffer"! It certainly looks at home there.

 

A post on the Spa Valley Facebook group says that income for the weekend was over £10,000. A very welcome boost to the coffers no doubt.