Spa Valley Railway - Latest News

Hi Spamcan, is that where your name on NP comes from then?

 

The next step presumably to earn enough to buy out Sainsburys from their site in Tunbridge Wells?

 

As posted last night, the Class 25 D7535 from South Devon Diesel Traction is visiting the railway from August to October this year making it the 5th SDDT heritage diesel to pay a visit to Tunbridge Wells West since our diesel events began back in 2006.

There is going to be a lot of blue around Tunbridge Wells West this year it seems!

 

For anyone interested, 'Sir Keith Park' had a boiler ticket extension the other week and now has until 17th May before the locomotive is withdrawn for overhaul.

34053 will operate on the remaining days it has left on its current washout cycle up until then after which 828 and 2890 become our two engines for the 2022 season.

34053 Operating Dates

• 19th March
• 20th March
• 2nd April
• 3rd April
• 30th April
• 1st May
• 2nd May
• 14th May
• 15th May

There is a photo charter and private charter day in this period too. 34053 will then temporarily depart from Tunbridge Wells West to have the boiler swapped for that of 'Sidmouth' and if all goes to plan will then return to traffic at Spa Valley in 2023. Another Bulleid is expected to operate the Polar Express this year.

The final weekend is 14th & 15th May, there is a different timetable maximising the use of 34053 and evening services that enthusiasts are more than welcome to travel on at no extra cost. Here are the details for the last weekend of running for 34053.

Caledonian Railway No. 828
828 will be arriving in a couple of weeks time and enter service at our Scottish Steam Up on 2nd & 3rd April alongside No. 419, the following weekend on 9th & 10th April both Caley engines will operate a 6-round trip 100% steam hauled timetable with evening services too. Details of the Scottish Steam Up are here and the Caledonian Steam Weekend are here. You can travel on both weekends evening services at no extra cost to the standard day rover ticket. Due to the sudden price hike in coal we've had to increase our fares from those previously posted.

After these two events No. 419 will be heading off on a tour elsewhere, it isn't my place to say where but 828 is on hire until after our Beer Festival in October (7th to 9th) and the engine will see regular work between these two events, there'll be a number of running days over Easter and our Loco Roster can be found here.

 

You might have seen 419 is visiting the Battlefield Line either side of our two Caledonian events, it wasn't my place to say but it might now explain why the visit of 419 is financially achievable alongside 828 with 419 not having to come all the way to or from Scotland to appear at our events.

419 is arriving the week before our Scottish Steam Up, 828 is due to arrive in a couple of weeks time and will be in steam for crew familiarisation before the event but will not haul passenger trains with us until 2nd April.

I've finished the events timetable, it'll be published next week. Before anyone asks, whilst the price is extortionate per ton, we do have enough coal to run this event.

 

You will have all heard about the rising costs facing the heritage railway sector (and many other sectors) recently.

This has been published to all of our volunteers this evening but I think it is equally important that people are aware what the current costs of running our railway have risen to. We as a railway remain financially sound but like many others have a challenging year ahead. We intend to carry on as planned, put on a great show and most importantly do what we love for the thousands of people that visit us each year.

I extend my best wishes to all with everything that is going on.

 

Hi Jonnie, It seems wrong to 'like' your post when there is nothing to like about the content, but thank you for publishing it as I certainly didn't fully appreciate the figures involved until I read this.

 

Yes, I think it is very stark. Pitching the numbers in terms of extra passengers brings it home. I was having a discussion on our railway and potentially we have to find £3,000 extra per week just to cover the rise in the coal bill; in passenger terms that is perhaps 120 extra passengers every week at full price.

Tom

 

In very positive news, Caledonian Railway No. 828 is leaving Aviemore heading to Tunbridge Wells West tomorrow, this will be the furthest away from Scotland the loco has ever been. She'll first be in steam for the public on Saturday 2nd April as part of the Scottish Steam Up alongside No. 419 which has already come as far South at the Battlefield Line and will be arriving at 75F next week.

It is for most probably cheaper to book tickets online in advance for the Scottish Steam Up. Click here for the link to the website.

I'm working on the timetable tonight so it'll get published later this week I hope. We've 8 cask Ales and 6 Ciders coming from Scotland to be enjoyed throughout the event and the subsequent Caledonian Steam Up on 9th & 10th April.

Photo shows 828 ready for the lorry all freshly polished, courtesy Aileen Scott.

 

Saw your Instagram post yesterday @Jonnie, genuinely hope you’ll be in your happy place on 828’s footplate, hope it all goes well for you and your team, I’ll have to sound the missus out for a visit!

 

Thank you I've got driving turns on 419 on Saturday 2nd and 828 Sunday 3rd, followed by 828 the following Saturday. Something I'm very much looking forward to!

 

Did you roster yourself?

 

From the 30742 Charter today with 34053 as 35095 Brentnor. Thanks to the Railway, the Crews and Martin.
Approaching Groombridge by Paul Simpson, on Flickr
Lealands 1 by Paul Simpson, on Flickr
Lealands 2 by Paul Simpson, on Flickr
Pokehill Farm Crossing 1 by Paul Simpson,
on Flickr
Pokehill Farm Crossing 2 by Paul Simpson, on Flickr
Highrocks by Paul Simpson, on Flickr
Harrison's Rocks by Paul Simpson, on Flickr

 

Cracking photo’s there Paul, love that first one.

 

I might have had a say on who did what

No. 828 has been loaded today at Aviemore, both bits, tender and loco. She's due to arrive on Thursday, quite surreal this is actually happening!

All photos copyright of Robert Law

 

Something very special arrived at Tunbridge Wells West earlier – I didn't take any photos of the tender but that arrived at the same time and both parts will be unloaded tomorrow. 828 is facing chimney first out of Eridge towards Tunbridge Wells West (the same way most things face).

 

Some photos from Monday's photo charter to add to Paul's excellent contribution above. Was a lovely spring day, thanks to all at the railway involved in running it. Have changed the smokebox number plate in photoshop to match with the 34053 side which we did after lunch.

 

Lovely photographs - thanks for posting.
Quick question though, is the first carriage behind the engine green on one side and blue/grey on the other?

 

Not sure of the reasons for why but yes, it is.