Spa Valley Railway Winter Steam Gala: 9th - 11th February 2024

They have said this event is happening, so it is certainly one to look forward too!

Line-up:
Visiting Engine [Subject to availability].
828.
2315 "Lady Ingrid".
34072 "257 Squadron".
80078.

Now that's a lot of bang for ya buck!
https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/6507/winter-steam-up

 

UPDATES:
1. 78019 is visiting from Great Central.
2. It is now a 3 day event.
3. It is a "Gala" not an "Up" now.

I will personally enjoy riding 78019, 80078 and 828.

 

5552 and 5553 at Bodmin .

 

41312 and 41313
Hopefully 35005 and 35006 very soon.

 

6989 and 6990.

 

Ahem, not on the same pres line but standard tanks 80079 and 80080 did work together on the mainline in the mid ‘90s… we just needed 80078 to go for the hatrick

 

https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/6680/winter-steam-gala-brake-van-rides

Brake van rides been announced.

 

Great day out at Spa Valley yesterday, lots going on and the rain mostly held off... even saw the Sun briefly around lunchtime. All the staff friendly and a great positive atmosphere.

Turns out there were indeed plenty of people mad enough to go for a brake van ride in February (myself included) and it seemed well loaded every time I passed it. The complimentary tea at Groombridge definitely helped with warming up.
My Mrs did say I looked like a Victorian chimney sweep when I got home though!

It's not surprising the timetable slipped a bit with the late start of the two Standards and all the shunting required, however, one nice thing about the Spa Valley is that you never have to rush between platforms for a connection, so even if the timetable slips, you can still travel on everything you plan to.
Trains weren't hugely busy and there wasn't a need to share tables at any point, but on a Friday with a wet weather forecast, it wasn't surprising. Hopefully the weekend will be busier and it'll be a worthwhile event.

On a personal note, it was great to finally get a ride behind 828... every time in the past I've gone to an event she was at, she failed beforehand, I'd been starting to think I was cursed!

Thanks to Jonnie and all the Spa Valley team for putting on such a great event, and I look forward to my next visit.
They've always made the long train journey from Oxfordshire worth my while!

 

Yes indeed, whether you agree with me on the theme or not, this was the best Scottish gala I have ever been too!
[I missed the 2022 one. ]

 

Lovely day on Saturday, had two round trips all in with time at Forge Farm, Groombridge, Eridge and Tunbridge Wells in between. Certainly always feels like there isnt much time with nothing going on when we visit the Spa Valley. My video, photos to follow...

 

Photos from last Saturday… https://flickr.com/photos/29320881@N07/sets/72177720314798194

 

My take on Sunday's proceedings. Not a lot of sun unfortunately.
2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY BARCLAY 0-4-0ST 2315 + CR 812 0-6-0 828 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY BARCLAY 0-4-0ST 2315 1403 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY BR 2MT 2-6-0 78019 1390 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY BR 2MT 2-6-0 78019 1395 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY BR 4MT 2-6-4T 80078 1310 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY CR 812 0-6-0 828 BR 2MT 2-6-0 78019 1458 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY SR BB 4-6-2 34066 (34072) 1364 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY SR BB 4-6-2 34066 (34072) 1430 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

 

I was planning to attend tomorrow but the wife has roped me in on equestrian duties.

 

At long last I've had time to edit some of my video footage and get some clips on YouTube:









Hope they're of interest.

TTFN,

Ron.

 

A few more clips from the Spa Valley:







Hope you like 'em.

TTFN,

Ron.