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Spa Valley Railway - Latest News

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by matt41312, Jan 15, 2014.

  1. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    Not for the Summer/Autumn, 2890 and 828 are the main steam locos being used after SKP is withdrawn. Hopefully, there’ll be some other visitors popping in.

    For the Winter season though, watch this space…
     
  2. TheModster

    TheModster Member

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    Is there a rough ETA on when the website will show the loco roster for beyond May? Hoping to catch 828 again over the summer while its still down south.
     
  3. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    Both 'Douglas' and 828 should be running on the Summer Steam Up, just waiting on sorting out other bits before confirming what is running.
     
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  4. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    As you’ll see from Facebook and I’ve hinted at it a fair amount before, 257 Squadron will be coming to cover for SKP on our festive season trains this Winter.
     
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  5. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Excellent news.
     
  6. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    Good day today with SKP top and tail with 31430. As far as could tell the 31 wasn't pushing at least not on the main climb past High Rocks as SKP sounded nice on the 5 coach train plus the weight of the 31. 828 and 2890 dead in the shed. Lots of families but very few gricers
     
  7. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    Last day for 34053 tomorrow before withdrawal for overhaul, six return trips from Tunbridge Wells West, it is the Class 73 in action tomorrow alongside the Bulleid (top and tail). Trains depart Tunbridge Wells West at 09:30, 10:50, 12:10, 13:30, 14:50 and 16:10. Trains depart Eridge at 10:10, 11:30, 12:50, 14:10, 15:30 and 16:50.
     
  8. 3855

    3855 Member

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    Is there a 9 elms send off for the Bulleid?
     
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  9. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    It’ll be a lovely old job!
     
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  10. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    We're now well into June and the website is still showing only the roster for May, not even for the current month. I am thinking of going one weekend but not if I can't tell what's running.
     
  11. TheModster

    TheModster Member

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    The roster for June and July has appeared. 2890 running for June and beginning of July. 828 running in the second half of July
     
  12. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    Apologies for the lack of updates, it has been rather busy for me lately.

    Douglas is running alongside 31430 this weekend and after that 828 should be running for the majority of July. Class 31/4 31430 'Sister Dora' is currently our main serviceable diesel. The Class 73 is having a repaint in preparation for our 25th Anniversary events in August, however remains available for service if required. The events in August will also see a GBRf Class 73/1 visiting (before anyone asks, it will go to a road/rail interchange and come in by lorry as 73136 did in 2017). The Class 33 33063 'R. J. Mitchell' is currently having engine work undertaken and a liner was pulled last week to undertake some repairs.

    Our Polar Express bookings opened last week and we've sold over 22,000 seats already so it is going to be a very busy November and December for us! Visitor numbers for the year to date are over 80% up on previous years including pre-COVID so we must be doing something right.

    If anyone is intending to visit this Saturday, please check our website for the latest train running information as currently we will be operating to Groombridge only.
     
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  13. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    Saturday 25th June – Industrial Action impacting mainline services
    The Spa Valley Railway is a 100% volunteer run organisation and is not affiliated with any union, however, we do operate on Network Rail infrastructure between Birchden Junction and Eridge and have to liaise with Oxted Signal Box to operate beyond our boundary gate and on that section of line. Oxted Signal Box has to be open, not just to give us permission to open the gate but to monitor the safety of our line and the Uckfield Line. Due to the industrial action taking place on Saturday 25th June our train services will only operate to Groombridge. Eridge Station will be closed and no trains will operate to Eridge on Saturday 25th June.

    Trains will depart Tunbridge Wells West at 10:30, 11:55, 13:25 (Diesel Hauled), 14:45 and 16:15 and trains will depart Groombridge at 11:26, 12:46, 14:16 (Diesel Hauled), 15:36 and 17:06 with a pause at Groombridge for around 35 minutes whilst the locomotive runs around the train, Groombridge kiosk will be open throughout the day serving drinks and light refreshments and time permitting there will be an opportunity to visit the footplate of 'Douglas' once the train returns to the station.

    No trains will stop at High Rocks.
     
  14. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thinking of visiting the railway this weekend.
    Anyone know the locomotive roster for Saturday, and which way the locos are facing?
     
  15. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Member

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    2890 - facing Tunbridge Wells West.

    Groombridge-Eridge section is SHUT so trains will be terminating at Groombridge and running round the loop outside the station
     
  16. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thanks Ben, although I may postpone my visit if trains aren’t running to Eridge. Presumably the NR engineering works are still ongoing at Eridge?
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2022
  17. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    It’s PAW Patrol this weekend so isn’t an event I recommend for enthusiasts. The following weekend is Bing & Flop so again, not one I’d recommend unless you want to bring the family along of course.

    There is engineering works on the Uckfield Line over the next couple of weekends (I think they’re doing the upgrade to Forge Farm) which means our trains will only operate to Groombridge. Last Saturday they didn’t go to Eridge due to industrial action.

    We’re back to normal on 16th & 17th which should be 828 and 31430. Both steam face Tunbridge Wells West.
     
  18. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thanks @Jonnie. Weather permitting, I’ll postpone my visit until the 16th July.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2022
  19. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    I see that Std 4 75069 has been confirmed as a guest for the line's 25th Anniversary Gala. It's intended to face towards Eridge, with the possibility of recreating a photograph of the loco outside TWW shed during BR days.
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2022
  20. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    There is a photo taken by Tony Butcher( a lot of photographers on here will have met Tony on Charters ) in his book" Last Days of Steam: Western & Southern", leaving Tunbridge West passing the shed. It would be nice to have a charter, if the Spa Valley have crews available.
     
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