Spa Valley Railway - Latest News

34072 is keeping busy at Swanage although part of the event did plan for it to be at Spa. However, I've asked for 31806 instead if a loco from Swanage is able to visit for the Cuckoo Line event as it'd be a new class to the line in preservation and a U Class (31803 I think) worked the last railtour with an N Class.

80078 will probably pop back for the event during its Summer at Mid Norfolk; it isn't really a secret that the loco does regularly come and go; it'll be back for the Beer Fest and next Polar in any event.

 

Thanks Jonnie. It's an event I'm looking forward to. My Grandad used to live in Hailsham and we walked up to Hellingly a couple of times.

 

Wow, 31806 sounds good to me!

Bryan

 

A few photos from a trip down to Tunbridge Wells yesterday afternoon. I put a small bit of money towards the Broom Lane Bridge too.

34053 at High Rocks.


31430 approaches Pokehill.


34053 on the rear.


The train returns with 34053 leading.

 

Stunning photos, thank you for braving the cold weather to get them!

For anyone interested, 34053 and 31430 are running again this weekend.

 

Another one of 34053 from last Saturday with the second train of the day at Pokehill Farm Crossing:

 

Whilst I've been a bit quiet on here (I suffered a second session of this awful flu/winter bug that is going around after first coming down with it on Xmas day), the Spa Valley has been running trains and carrying people through the High Weald over the rather long month that January seems to be.

Our financial year ends today, and I'm delighted to say our final passenger count for the year was 91,200 people. Whilst Polar does contribute a good 50% of that number, and it is a joint venture with PNP Events, the money it makes gets ploughed straight back into the railway, which at present is mostly on infrastructure repairs or replacement. The Broom Lane Bridge Appeal launched 3 weeks ago is just shy of £20,000, which is most of the design cost covered, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated. We know £300,000 is a huge target to reach, but every small amount donated goes a long way to helping the project.

This weekend is Class 31 and 73 on Saturday, and there will be no trains on Sunday whilst our Stride the Line fundraiser for Broom Lane takes place; all are welcome to join us on the walk if you buy your ticket online. Details can be found here.

Hopefully, next week should see the first of some visiting engines for 2025 announced. Planning for our Cuckoo Line Gala is well underway too

 

Are those visiting engines some residents for the season or one off visitors for events?

Also, am I correct in thinking that, barring major setbacks both Newstead and the Jinty could return in 2025?

 

They wouldn't be long-term visitors. Newstead and the Jinty are progressing well. A timescale for returning to service hasn't yet been set as we've seen all too many changes in people's personal circumstances that have a knock-on effect on projects.

 

We held a highly successful event last Sunday called 'Stride the Line' where 175 people walked from Tunbridge Wells West to Birchden Junction and back to Groombridge, a total of 5 miles. We were blessed with a stunning frosty but sunny morning and everyone enjoyed themselves and made it to our Network Rail boundary.

We raised over £4,000 towards our Broom Lane Bridge Appeal, which, with that money added to the JustGiving pot, gift aid, a grant from Tunbridge Wells Together, and a private donation, pushes the fund so far to over £21,000, which is fantastic for an appeal only launched 4 weeks ago. If anyone would like to help support us, the £10 donations soon add up you can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/spvr-broomlane

 

31806 and 80078 do turn up for this event, I am so there.
Though, it does start on Friday 13th and I am superstitious.

Especially after Chinnor did the same thing last year and it didn't go... well.

 

Me very much too as well, race you to the ticket office!

But please @Jonnie if you do get 31806, have it facing uphill to TWW.

 

IT'S ON!!

 

The dates for the Cuckoo Line Gala (13th to 15th June) reflect that the line originally closed on 14th June, although I believe the last trains ran on Sunday 13th June 1965.

It is our intention to try and recreate what we can as is possible in the modern world to the last days on the line. This includes the Class 33 and Class 207 taking part. 80078 should be there, and 34053 will be running, too; the latter might appear as another locomotive for the weekend... Watch this space...

In other news, a locomotive that hasn't to my knowledge appeared in the South East before will be making its way to us for a visit and will be running in April.