Spa Valley Railway Cuckoo Line Gala - June 13-15 2025

Not that long home from my second not quite full day at that amazing event.

And I can only endorse the very favourable comments posted above.

Truly incredible that with the constraints that @LittleRedTrain has mentioned - TWW being a 'tight site' and no run round at Eridge, such a packed timetable coud be planned and then operated.

I continued to work on the half dozen or so shots I want to get at the best quality to compare with some of the few 1962 photos I took at Groombridge.

Hopefully I'll be there tomorrow to make more progress. And to enjoy the coffee etc from the platform kiosk!

 

I like, Bryan, have not too long since got in from a great day at the Gala and I'll agree with his @LittleRedTrain and @Phil K about the packed timetable, even more so today where services were able to keep to time (or only running a few minutes late but being made back up and I was there from just before 9 until 18:30) and it never felt too long before another train came in.

Managed end to end runs behind all the steam locos and a couple of brakevan rides behind '34050' and the 33, didn't get a run behind the Thumper though. Finally got a good look around Groombridge and enjoyed the Cuckoo Line information boards, my Grandad used to live in Hailsham and we walked the old route to Hellingly a couple of times when I was younger, which was why I was so interested in this event, someone also seemed to be setting up an impressive looking model railway in one of the buildings on the NR platform at Eridge.

Another little bonus was '41319' had a brief little run beyond Eridge to the track limits towards the site of Redgate Mill Junction.

Many thanks to @Jonnie and everyone else involved for putting on such a great event. Here's a few pictures and I'll probably post a few more on another post.

 

CUCKOO LINE GALA – FATHER'S DAY SUNDAY 15TH JUNE!

DISCOUNTED FARES FROM 12:00 AND KIDS FOR A QUID ALL DAY!

On Sunday, 15th June, you can enjoy a cheaper train ride if you're visiting us for the afternoon and still enjoy all the action of the Cuckoo Line Gala. Kids travel tickets are £1 all day.

From 12:00 until 19:00, the following fares will apply:

Adult – £16.00
Child – £1.00
Family (2A+2C) – £34.00

The last up service of the day from Eridge will feature 41313, 80078, 31806 and 34050 all leading the service back to Tunbridge Wells West.

No need to pre-book but if you'd like to then you can via our website: https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/7451/cuckoo-line-gala