Spa Valley Railway - Latest News

The website has a picture of the loco by itself outside the main shed as well.

Also worth mentioning that the website says 75069 is only visiting for the 4 days of the event and also says the resident Class 73 has been repainted BR Blue.

 

75069 is being collected from Kidderminster the Wednesday before the event and returning on the Tuesday. It really is a flying visit first discussed with the SVR in 2021 as part of the 25th Anniversary event. The locos needed back for their own services.

As Dan has said above, if you go to this webpage you'll see the photo of 75069 at 75F. The original SR buildings behind the locomotive are also still in use today, albeit have had repairs done to them over the years. The engine therefore facing Eridge is to in essence give us the chance to recreate history with this engine.

We hope to bring you news of another visitor for the 25th Anniversary Gala very soon.

 

2890 is operating this weekend vice 828, the latter should run next weekend if all goes to plan.

 

Class 24 D5054 is visiting for our Summer Diesel Gala 12th to 14th August, the 24 will join already announced Class 25 D7535 and a GBRf Class 73/1. The 24 is on loan until the end of August.

Full details here

 

another one from 26d......!!!!

 

Lovely old job!

 

We are delighted to bring you the news that Caledonian Railway No. 828 will be in steam this weekend hauling trains between Tunbridge Wells West and Groombridge!

Due to the recent dry conditions the freshly cleared lineside between Birchden Junction and Eridge hasn't had a chance to turn green so our historic Class 207 DEMU 1317 will be operating between Groombridge and Eridge whilst steam works between Tunbridge Wells West and Groombridge. Visitors to the Spa Valley Railway this weekend can still enjoy travelling along the railway just by changing trains at Groombridge!

A special timetable is in use and can be found on our website, standard train fares apply.

Steam Train Times:
Steam trains will depart from Tunbridge Wells West at: 11:05, 12:45, 14:20 & 16:00.
Steam trains will depart from Groombridge at: 11:40, 13:20, 14:55 & 16:35.

Diesel Electric Multiple Unit Train Times:
The Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) will depart from Tunbridge Wells West at 10:30 and travel to Eridge, this will be the only train of the day to run as a complete journey from Tunbridge Wells West to Eridge. The DEMU will then spend all day shuttling between Groombridge and Eridge.
DEMU trains will depart from Groombridge at 10:41, 11:35, 12:25, 13:15, 14:00, 14:50, 15:40 & 16:30 they will travel to Eridge.
DEMU trains will depart from Eridge at 11:05, 11:55, 12:45, 13:35, 14:20, 15:10 & 16:00 they will travel to Groombridge only. A further departure from Eridge at 16:55 will travel to Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells West, this will be the only train of the day to run as a complete journey from Eridge to Tunbridge Wells West.

https://bit.ly/3udjs1V

 

I've been considering a day trip from London, but the connections at Eridge don't look good. It's very tight between the 11:03 arrival and the 11:05 departure, with the best part of an hour to wait if the London train is late. Subsequent departures from Eridge don't really fit with arrivals from London at all.

 

They do a good meal at The Huntsman next to Eridge Station. Nice beer garden too.

 

Try the Tunbridge Wells end. Half hourly trains from Charing X, even on a Sunday, plus a fairly easy walk down.

Andrew

 

13 minute walk( 0.6 miles) according to Google maps between stations

 

Even I could still walk it in 13 mins! Nice toddle through The Pantiles ...

 

I wrote this two or three hours ago but neglected to "Post Reply".

Thanks for that suggestion. I hadn't realised the stations are so close.

 

Jonnie, I hate to sound pedantic or anything but on the website says about a GBRF 73 twice, is this a mistake?

Also, I cannot wait to see 75069 at Spa Valley, It will be nice to see another Swindoner in the South East (again).

 

Where is it listed twice as I can't see it?

 

It was on the initial website, but seems to have been rectified.

 

BULLEID PACIFIC 34092 ‘CITY OF WELLS’ TO VISIT FOR OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT!

We are thrilled to announce that West Country Bulleid Pacific No. 34092 ‘City of Wells’ will visit the Spa Valley Railway to star alongside BR Standard 4MT No. 75069 at our 25th Anniversary Gala taking place from Friday 26th to Monday 29th August!

Now owned by and based at the East Lancashire Railway, Bury No. 34092 was constructed at Brighton Works in 1949 being named ‘Wells’ later that year and ‘City of Wells’ in 1950. The 4-6-2 express passenger locomotive was initially allocated to Stewarts Lane where it worked out of Victoria to the Kent coast so a visit of the Bulleid to the Spa Valley Railway will take it back right onto its former stomping ground!

The West Country will operate at our 25th Anniversary Gala and remain on hire for a further weekend for our ‘City of Wells Steam Up’ on Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th September when a special timetable will be in operation with the unique opportunity for you to dine behind No. 34092 on Saturday 3rd September too!

We are extremely grateful to the East Lancashire Railway for the loan of ‘City of Wells’ and also to Community Care Boiler Services who completed a re-tube on 80097 allowing 34092 to become available for our 25th Anniversary event.

For full details of our 25th Anniversary event please click here: https://bit.ly/3zuqUa2
For full details of our ‘City of Wells Steam Up’ please click here: https://bit.ly/3Q4uTRF
For full details and to book to dine behind ‘City of Wells’ please click here: https://bit.ly/3PgoUbv

 

Another Coup for the SVR!
Well done on arranging what I'm sure will be another very popular visitor.

 

Jonnie, not a complaint but an observation. Why are kids fares for the diesel gala £15 but £12.50 for the 25th gala? Adult fares are £25 for both. I don't mind you're welcome to the extra £2.50 and we should be at both (I've never met a 4 year old girl who's so excited about 2 73s until mine.. clearly her Grandad's granddaughter!)

 

Fabulous! What a lineup. If I lived closer I’d be there!