Spa Valley Railway - Latest News

This is quite the get! 828 was immensely popular when it went to the Severn and Llangollen. If I remember rightly, its popularity outstripped that of Tornado's. And to add, 828 will be reunited with former Strathspey resident, Lady Ingrid the one time named Clyde.

 

well looks like Im going back to the 'other' SVR again next year then

 

I will definitely be attending!

 

We're still working on a visiting locomotive for the Winter Steam Up.

828 will actually become our 2nd engine for 2022 as SKP is withdrawn for the boiler swap in February upon expiry of the current boiler ticket, the aim is to have SKP back in traffic for the Polar Express event.

Even though public trains haven't been running it has been a busy few weeks at Tunbridge Wells, our Polar Express dress rehearsal ran last week with around 500 volunteers, members and their families enjoying the experience. Lots of decorating has been done, a North Pole created, modifications done to allow 7 carriages to charge all at once, hot chocolate 'factory' created in our PMV, clear out of the shed to allow a marque to be put up, generators on hire, lighting, sound and plenty more for 32,851 visitors.

At Eridge progress has been made on the ramp with the platform dug away and a start made marking out the ramp position and heights etc.

 

The first four days of our Polar Express event has been a huge success, 4,500 happy passengers taken from Tunbridge Wells West to the North Pole by 33063 and 34053. We've 33,029 people to take on this magical journey during November and December with another four day stint starting this coming Thursday. Plenty of happy visitors and the grand arrivals are something to behold with the sheer joy on everyone's faces as SKP burst out of a cloud of steam arriving into Tunbridge Wells West.

Elsewhere the ramp at Eridge is making very good progress and will be complete in mid-December and today Andrew Barclay No. 2315 'Lady Ingrid' had its boiler returned to the frames and 09026's engine was returned to the locomotive. 2315 should return to steam in the not too distant future.

Photos of the past few days are attached with this post.

 

A very busy period from 2nd to 5th December saw 6,528 passengers taken to the North Pole, this time with 34053 and 31430. The event resumes from tomorrow through to Sunday with 31430 changing back to 33063 on Saturday, 34053 is in use throughout.

34053 is due a water change after this week so Douglas will be venturing to the North Pole for a couple of days then it is back to 34053 for the remainder of the event.

After Xmas Douglas and 33063 operate 28th, 29th & 30th December then it is 34053 and 31430 on 31st December, 1st & 2nd January 2022. The Winter Steam Up is then 8th & 9th January with Douglas, 34053 and 31430. You'll be pleased to hear we have secured a visiting locomotive for the Winter Steam Up event and we will advertise this ASAP! Keep an eye on our Facebook pages as it'll appear there first.

Not much else to report at the moment as the place is rammed with Polar Express things all taking place!

 

It wouldn't be, by per chance, a certain 2-6-2 tank that is at KESR as of this very moment?
A certain tank with lots of 4's in it?

 

I'm afraid not.

 

This is good news about the 828 it is nice to see railway with not just British railway engines and the blue is amazing it’s better than having all blacks like some railways go for these days. I hope they do some different numbers on it when it’s staying there.

 

It may come as a surprise to CoTF that Scotland (the home of 828) is actually part of Britain.
Ray.

 

We have no plans to renumber 828 when the loco is on hire to us, this is the first time it has even been spoken about as it isn't something we generally do unless asked to specifically by others with a genuine reason who finance it, transfers are not cheap! Even then it is up to the owners if they want to do it ultimately and I see no real reason to change the identity of what is already a very unique locomotive.

 

Not on website yet. Now this is settled can we expect to see the timetable soon so we can plan our annual pilgrimage back to one of my favourite lines in the early 1960s?

 

Sorry, what event are you referring to? The post quoted is regarding renumbering locos. If it’s the Winter Steam Up I’ve only just signed a hire agreement about 30 mins ago and I’m about to spend 9hrs at Spa as todays Polar R.O. So nothing will be done today.

 

What do you even renumber it to? There were only a few that carried the Caley blue (first batch?) anyway so it's hardly enhancing an experience when it's already a few hundred miles off home turf. Also, I'd not want to be the guy the person that defiles Murray Duncan's paintwork for one person who wants it for "reasons".

 

The annual winter steam up on 8th January

 

I don’t think our friend from Honiton has had chance to appreciate the magnificent paint job on 828 just yet.

 

Hopefully early next week, we're rather busy at the moment with the events that are taking place.

 

Darn! Never mind.
Still, it'll be nice to see whatever it is.

 

I just can't wait to see 828, 2890 and Lady Ingrid at that spring steam up, a TRUE Scottish theme!

Ginger wigs and kilts anybody?

 

51456 has been announced on Facebook as the visitor for the Winter Steam Up https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2299756023499938&id=302222139920013

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