Spa Valley Railway - 25th Anniversary Gala 26th - 29th August

Cracking day yesterday, many congratulations to all involved in putting it on. Photos now available here - https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/SpaValleyRailwayphotosets/25th-Anniversary-Gala-August-2022/

 

Agree with all the other comments here, it was a great event and congratulations to everyone involved in putting it on.
The Spa Valley really has come on leaps and bounds since my first visit, amazing to think it's one of the younger preserved lines.

Highlight for me was probably riding behind the Standard 4 on the open verandah of the brake van. It really is a very different,visceral, experience to riding in even the front coach.

Shame that 828 wasn't able to run, but can't be helped. At 123 years old she deserves a bit of slack! Hopefully I'll get to catch her some other time soon.

It was also interesting watching the shunting required to put the loco parade together in the very tight confines of Tunbridge Wells West station and yard. Hats off to whoever had to coordinate that!
Unfortunately, because the last bit of shunting took place in the sidings outside the station, it wasn't possible to see the full thing together at TWW without driving further along the line, but it's always nice to see a railway trying something a bit different for a gala!

Looking forward to my next visit!

 

I can remember travelling on the final Eridge-Tunbridge Wells services on July 7th 1985 and recall a number of people leaning out of the windows of one of the "Thumpers" working the service shouting "Save the Eridge Line!" They were obviously trying to publicise the setting up of what has become the Spa Valley Railway. I would reckon at the time, that a good few people thought "You don't have much chance!" After all, this part of the world already had the Bluebell and the K&ESR and indeed, the Bluebell was part of the same "Oxted Line" network as these routes were known in BR days.

Well, the naysayers have been proven wrong and even a perennial optimist such as myself has been surprised by how well the Spa Valley has done. The arrival and return to steam of 47493 was a big "plus" moment - an ex- BR loco and ideal for the line, albeit with no historical connection to the area. The diesel galas have been very popular for some years now and have attracted some high-profile visitors. The extension to Eridge was a massive challenge but one the railway has risen to - giving it a most charming southern terminus with bags of atmosphere. Furthermore, who would have guessed, even when trains first ran to Groombridge 25 years ago (and I was on one of the first services that day), that a Bulleid Pacific would one day be based on the line?

The success of this gala and the willingness of the SVR and ELR to provide two such star visitors really show just how far the Spa Valley has progressed. There is still the potential for it to get even better - the installation of a run-round loop at Eridge for example, but it really has become a railway well worth a visit. For anyone yet to do so, while neither the scenery, the length of line nor the gradients are up to, e.g., NYMR standards, it's a very pleasant ride and even a Bulleid will make quite a decent noise on the 1 in 88 climb up to TWW.

 

A couple of Youtube videos now up covering the gala and the parade

 

Really great day yesterday, had two travelling stints alongside time at all three stations. Short video is up now, photos to follow...

 

Thanks to everyone who organised the Spa Valley gala over the last few days. It really did feel relaxed after some gala's and with a frequent service made it possible to walk out to photo locations and not feel we were missing anything. Attached are a few grabbed phone pictures between using other cameras.

Cheers, Neil

 

I had a great time on the Spa Valley Railway on Monday for their 25th anniversary gala. It's fantastic to see how far this line has come in a (relatively) short time in preservation. All the volunteers seemed like they were having a great time as well! It was fab seeing 75069 and 'City of Wells' on the line.

Here's my video from the day:

 

Some photos from Monday... https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/albums/72177720295915496