Spa Valley Railway - Latest News

I see a few bits of news from Facebook in the last week or so.

Following on from it's unfortunate graffiti attack, the railway's Thumper unit has now been painted into British Rail Blue livery.

Secondly it seems that Class 73 73140 is leaving the railway following the Diesel Gala this weekend.

 

If anyone is interested, we have a visiting Class 47 for the next few weeks in the shape of 47580 ‘County of Essex’ visiting from the Mid Norfolk Railway.

Whilst it isn’t everybody’s cup of tea on this forum our Diesel Gala is this Friday 8th, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th August. The 47 will be operating alongside 08922, 09004, 25185, 31430, 73140, and 1317 which is appearing in its new BR Blue livery.

Cask real ale and fresh cider is available from our bar car ‘Kate’ all three days. At this time of year our cask chilling machine is put to good use!

34053 is due back sometime next week.

 

Hope its a whopping success for you Jonnie. Incidentally was it you I saw in a Spa Valley tshirt at the Greatest Gathering last Sunday?

 

I was part of the group of us that went on Sunday but I went unbranded. My branded clothing is rather work worn!

 

After three months of solid work on my BR SR and German steam memoirs books, I felt the need today to see if the world was now not just the view from my study window.

It isn't! Phew, I was getting worried that it was.

A great few hours at Groombridge, Spa Valley Railway - where that lovely station yet again was such a wonderfully friendly location to spend some time. Chatting to all on Sunday - or should that be, all and sundry - enjoying coffees and crisps from the kiosk - and getting a few photos.

The photo theme is Ctrl Alt Deleaf (it was the Model Railway show weekend) - 34053 back in action - and it wasn't just the volunteers and exhibitors who were busy bees there today.

One question remains if I may please, probably for @Jonnie. Is it planned for 80078 to arrive soon to run on normal service trains and then to assist with the Polar Express as in previous year(s)?

Bryan







The small bush the bee was on, with a lot of pollen on itself, was one that made photography of trains heading to TWW from Groombridge station a little awkward, but not impossible during the 40th anniversary Cuckoo line event. Very well worth leaving the bush!

 

80078 is only here for Polar this year.

 

Thanks for the update on that @Jonnie

I had thought the 4MT might get on some normal sevices as well as in action at the beer festival (it is still shown on the web site as being there for that event) before the Polar Express started. But I guess the arrangements have changed - as they do of course with the heritage fleet.

Well at least I don't have to worry about coming to the beer festival now - and getting an adverse reaction asking for a glass of German zero alcohol wheat bier (I've been teetotal for around 16 -17 years now).

Bryan

 

80078 will only appear on Polar Express trains; it'll head to its barn in early January for winter maintenance. Current it is still at NYMR.

 

Planning a weekend in the south-east next week to cover off the Spa Valley beer fest, Romney gala and Bluebell Giants (maybe a look in at the KESR on the way past too if timings work), crossing my fingers for 828 on the A set on Saturday as finally getting that loco while it's in England is my number one goal of dropping in at Spa and it being on the A set with the earlier start and finish would give me a few more options when I'm racing between railways. But let's see how the roster logic works out, the planning's a big part of the fun of a weekend like that for me.

 

I believe 828 is on the B set with 31430 or 33063.

 

828 is on the B Set. 34053 is on the A Set which runs a very high mileage diagram, perfect for the Bulleid.

 

A very pleasant day relaxing mostly at Groombridge, enjoying the kiosk coffee, chatting with the volunteers and watching 34053 at work. Plus a nice return to TWW behind the SR pacific on the uphill section from Groombridge to TWW. Where it was good to catch up on some of the latest SPV news with @Jonnie who was driving the big pacific today.

Very interesting on the four trains I watched with 34053 at the head to see, successively, route discs for Bournemouth line, Cuckoo line, West of England line and finally an Ocean Liner Express via Northam. All rather good to see.

A couple of low res photos. The second was taken almost directly into the lowering autumn sun - might need some more work. But I was pleased to have at least got the loco in the picture! As I was still moving a bit one way or another to avoid getting the glare of the sun getting directly into the lens when the train came into view at Groombridge Junction. I just hope no one was watching, as the sight of a dinosaur performing what must have seemed a rather strange dance could have been very off-putting.

Bryan

 

A pleasant time over near High Rocks today. I did start on the road bridge overlooking Groombridge station (the station is of course currently closed for the Polar Express service), but I couldn't get a usable shot of the lovely 80078 4MT and the Christmas tree together. I will try again.

I'd chosen my exact spot near High Rocks for my slightly going away shot of the return of the 13.00 ex TWW, but on turning I saw there was just about an approach shot too.

Really great to see 80078 working today.

My usual very low-res jpegs attached.

Bryan

 

My latest video from Spa highlighting 80078’s return if anyone is interested.

Always enjoy seeing 80078, definitely my favourite of the operational 4MTs

 

I was lucky enough to have a turn on 80078 on its last day on the NYMR - always a pleasure to be on a Standard 4MT tank. As for favorites, mine has to be 80151, the only operational Southern Region example and the only preserved one that I saw in service. It is an old Central Section friend from my childhood and could not have a better home now than the Bluebell (or the Spa Valley of course) Anyway here is 80078 at New Bridge awaiting transport to the Spa Valley as another interesting visitor waddles by

Peter

 

Great filming - including that fabulous almost night shot at the end.

Was it you I briefly chatted to at the road triangle where High Rocks Lane meets Fair View Lane?

Bryan

 

Thank you for the kind words Brian! Wasn’t me who you spoke to however I did drive past you and thought it was you!

 

Great set of video images. Loading look excellent for such an early point in the season.
I am sure for all of those that bang on about the WCRC mixed rakes, will hate it. I counted 4 liveries for those 7 coaches as it appears the one next to 80078 has a different livery each side.

 

Great set of video shots. Excellent looking loadings for so early in the season.
I am sure those who bang on about the WCRC mixed liveries will hate it. I counted 4 different schemes over the 7 coaches, as it appears the one behind 80078 was SR green one side and blue grey the other.
Not forgetting a unique 33 livery as well.

 

Looks a bit like a polar express purchased from Temu!