Spa Valley Railway - Latest News

Rain beautiful rain,glorious rain marvellous rain! Moss covered chimneys and fogged up windows! and great steam images A couple of good dehumidifiers should sort those carriage windows. They are a necessity of living in some areas of North America at cerain seasons.

 

Yes it is

 

Yes it is - I noticed it for the first time ever when I was stood next to 34053 on the Saturday at Eridge - despite having seen 34053 many times at the Severn Valley. It appears in my video at 9:17

 

'Sold Woodhams' I think was still there when I visited in July last year. The original paint ate in to the metal...

 

Was that applied by BR at Eastleigh when it was withdrawn in October 1965, Only 34053 was removed from the scrapped loco's train heading for South Wales at Romsey along with Standard 4MT 76068 and spent several weeks in the down sidings because it's coupling rods stored in the tender were striking the underside of all the overbridges between Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford. 34053 eventually arrived at Woodhams March 1966, 76068 was less lucky probably scrapped at Newport.

 

No mention of the number stamped on the combination lever. Seems it came from fellow Barry resident, 34027

Peter

 

Whoops, well spotted, I've corrected it. Thank you

 

Yes, it is still there. If that photo was the one from Facebook earlier then it was taken recently.

 

Our next quite big event is the visit of Caledonian Railway No. 828. The loco will depart Strathspey in late March I suspect and will become our second engine once 'Sir Keith Park' is withdrawn operating throughout the 2022 season alongside 'Douglas'.

The L&Y Class 23 No. 51456 is running again on 12th & 13th February before heading back to the East Lancs. As things stand I believe 'Douglas' will operate trains on 15th, 16th, 17th February and then 'Sir Keith Park' on 19th & 20th February. It is hoped the Bulleid will get a short boiler ticket extension and operate up until and including the Scottish Steam Up event.

 

Little off topic but did 34053 and 828 meet at the other SVR? Would be a strange reunion if they could talk

 

I think the answer to that is "No". 828 appeared at the ASG in 2011, then had some contract repairs done before appearing again at the SSG in 2012. She then moved to Llangollen for Steel, Steam and Stars III in April. SKP arrived at the SVR in May 2012. So, nearly but not quite!!

 

I thought so but wasn’t sure, there’s usually someone on here who knows the definitive answer

 

This weekend, 12th & 13th February the visiting Lancashire & Yorkshire engine No. 51456 will be operating for one last time before returning to the East Lancs for their gala at the end of the month.

51456 was built without the ability to provide steam heating and to ensure the carriages are kept nice and warm we are also running Hunslet Austerity No. 2890 'Douglas' this weekend. All trains will be top and tailed with 51456 leading out of Eridge and 'Douglas' out of Tunbridge Wells West.

Timetable 12th & 13th February
Tunbridge Wells West departures: 10:30, 11:55, 13:25, 14:45 and 16:15 - Douglas hauled + 19:00 Saturday only.
Eridge departures: 11:15, 12:35, 14:05, 15:25 and 16:55 - 51456 hauled.

There is an additional train on Saturday evening departing Tunbridge Wells West for two return trips to Eridge, departing at 19:00 returning at 21:30. This is a Murder Mystery train but there is space on board for anyone who fancies an evening out by steam, the second trip doesn't have a departure time as it goes at the end of a performance which can vary in time by a few minutes. Just £5 to ride on the Saturday evening if you come and speak to me or the Guard or free if you've got an all day ticket anyway.

This is a unique opportunity as our Green timetable is usually steam and diesel operation, the Class 31 will operate mid-week on 15th, 16th & 17th alongside Douglas and then 'Sir Keith Park' on 19th & 20th February.

 

Quick question - is there a particular reason why the SpVR has a brown & cream coach set (generally associated with the Western region) when they’re in the south east?

I’m sure there is a perfectly logical explanation - just curious what it is!

 

They were two on hire TSOs from Riviera for Polar.

 

Great, thank you!

 

W4946 (clearly visible in post behind 2820 in post 448) was a WSR based and owned coach last time I saw it, so did they hire from there as well or has the coach moved on to pastures new do you know?

Curious becuase I've seen no mention of it leaving the WSR elsewhere.

 

4946 is owned by Riviera Trains. It was loaned to the WSR for a few years with a couple of others around ten years ago.

 

Two were hired from the Mid Norfolk, two were hired from Riviera. 4649 and 4949 are owned by Riviera.