Spa Valley Railway - Branchline Weekend 23rd & 24th October

The Spa Valley Railway will be holding its annual branchline weekend over the 23rd and 24th October.

We had hoped that some preview services to Eridge would be in operation but this will not now be possible. However we do have a few other attractions to entice you all down to Kent.

Highlights include ex-London Transport Pannier L.99 hauling our beautifully restored LT goods train and the operation of our vintage 1930s London Transport T-Stock coach.

Other attractions are as follows:-

-'Pannier' tank L.99, 'Jinty' 47493 and TKh 3135 'Spartan' all in operation. The latter will be appearing for the first time since its repaint.
-The return to steam of RSH 7673 'Ugly' (Subject to completion of overhaul). *
-Intensive service from 10:30 until 17:30 (19:50 on Saturday).
-Early morning goods at 09:30 with another later in the day.
-Limited services to Birchden Junction, which is the railway's boundary with Network Rail. Two trains will operate over this part of the line each day.
-Real Ale bar on most services.
-Experience a branchline feel aboard our vintage 1930s ex-Metropolitan T-Stock coach. This will operate three return trips to Groombridge each day of the weekend.
-London Transport goods train in operation behind L.99, operating twice a day.
-The Queen Mary brake van will be marshalled into the passenger train and visitors will have the chance to experience the different views of the railway offered by this vehicle (Small supplement applies).
-Colour coded trains featuring a parcels van (Subject to availability).
-Timetable and loco roster available in the next week or so.

*If Ugly is in steam, it is likely to act as yard shunter during the weekend as it will not have been run in and tested in time.

As its loan period is due to end in October, this could be the last chance to see L.99 hauling original London Transport vehicles for quite some time. It may also be the only opportunity you get to ride behind it working trains on the Birchden extension. So get it whilst you can.

We recognise the Bluebell are holding their Giants of Steam Weekend at the same time but we also hope that you all might come over and see what we have to offer whilst your in the area.

Matt

 

Dear All,

The timetable for this coming weekend is now available on the railway's website - http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/SpaWhatsOn_04.htm

Spartan is fast approaching the end of it's repaint and Ugly was in steam last weekend for tests prior to the visit from the boiler inspector. Fingers crossed for later this week!

See you there

Matt

 

Matt, which way do the locomotives face?

 

Unless any of them have been turned since I was last there in September, they all face up the gradient ie facing Tunbridge Wells West...I think.

 

At the April The Jinty faced Groombridge, while the others faced TW( see my fotopic site)

 

And from another fotopic that is exceedingly useful...http://www.75f.fotopic.net/p66338198.html taken in August. I can also confirm that unless it was turned since 02/09/2010 as I have a photo from that date where the smokebox faces the shed....

 

The Jinty was turned following its visit to KESR in May, so Ross is correct that all face Tunbridge Wells (ie uphill) now