4F 44422 visit to Spa Valley Railway

4F 44422 is visiting the Spa Valley Railway this October and November to star in our Autumn Steam Gala. This will be the first tender locomotive to visit the Spa Valley in the preservation era.

October 27th and 28th will see the 4F join resident LMS 3F Jinty 47493 and RSH No62 'Ugly' on an intensive two train service between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge. Rides in our Queen Mary Brake Van will be available on both days of the gala.

On the Sunday morning of the gala we are running a photo charter with the 4F using our two Maroon MK1 coaches and possibly a couple of our vans. For futher details please PM me.

The following weekend will see the 4F running alongside the Jinty at our Fowler Weekend on our final operating day to Eridge of the 2012 season.

We hope to see you there!

 

Sounds superb, my Dad and myself have contacted David Staines to hopefully get on the photo charter with the 4F. Looking forward to the gala & hopefully the mini photo charter in the morning, just hope for some decent weather.

 

All,

Further to Jonnie's email, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE support this gala and the following Fowler Weekend. The Spa Valley is taking a big risk in hiring a tender loco and we need to ensure we at least re-coup our costs. If this gala is a success, then there will be a willingness to take the risks for next year's steam and diesel galas.

Our Queen Mary brake van is also due some TLC and we hope the money it makes at the gala will go towards this so that it can run more next year.

Matt

 

A few more details, the first trains on the Saturday will be 0905 and 0955 to Eridge and the first trains on the Sunday will be at 1000 and 1055, on the Sunday if you fancied an extra trip with the 4F then catch the first down train at 1000 which will be passing the 44422 at Groombridge, this is the return of the photo charter to Tunbridge Wells that will also then form the 1055 service. Working timetables will be available on the website very soon.


There is still space on the photo charter so for anyone else interested in this unique opportunity please send me a PM.

Jonnie

 

It's very tempting. Regrettablly, the Spa Valley is no longer on my doorstep, and a 150-mile drive each way won't be too wonderful if the weather is bad, but I'd love to pay a visit on the Sat if this isn't the case. I hope 44422's visit is a success.

 

If anyone fancies a quieter day behind the 4F the weekend after the gala, The Fowler Weekend, which is the 3rd and 4th November then 44422 will me hauling the following services from Eridge: 1110, 1410 and 1706. The Jinty will be operating alongside the 4F hauling the 1230 and 1530 services from Eridge. Departures from Tunbridge Wells West on both the 3rd and 4th will be at 1010 (Jinty), 1155 (4F), 1319 (Jinty), 1455 (4F) and 1619 (Jinty). Southern services from London and Oxted will take you to our cross platform interchange at Eridge.

This will also be the last opportunity to travel to Eridge of our 2012 season and at the same time the last time to travel behind our first visiting tender engine. Remember the more support we get then the chances are we'll repeat something similar in the future.

If anyone else is interested then the photo charter on the morning of Sunday October 28th still has space so if you'd like the details of what should be a good morning deep in the Wealden countryside then please PM me.

Details for both events should appear on our website Spa Valley Railway - Home very soon.

Jonnie

 

Not really "cross platform" - it's over the footbridge. Not a problem for most people I accept, but not suitable for wheelchairs etc.

 

Timetables and fares for the gala are now available on the railways website, please visit: Spa Valley Railway - Diesel Gala 2011 for details. Two errors have appeared on the timetable from copying over from Word/PDF, the 0905 from Tunbridge Wells West on Saturday is Double Headed with 62 and 44422, the 4F will be leading. Also the 1715 from Eridge is top and tailed and not double headed as shown on the website. A brief summery of the event is Adult day rovers are £15, Child £7.50 and seniors £14, rides are also available for a small supplement in our Queen Mary Brake Van on trains shown as Set A. The planned service is two trains over the whole line. There is still space available on Sunday mornings photo charter with 44422, please PM me for further details and to secure a space. On the Saturday night of the gala we are also operating one of our very popular Fish and Chip specials, if you fancy a couple of round trips behind 44422 whilst tucking into a lovely meal why not get in touch to book? Details on how to book are available on our website http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/SpaChips_05.htmDo come along to what should be a great two day of intensive train running!

 

Which direction will 44422 be facing, out of interest?

 

Further to Jonnie's comments, although visitors for next year are not confirmed, the list has some pretty special ideas on it if they come off!! So please support us



Matt

 

The 4F should be facing towards Tunbridge Wells West. Other locos running are 47493 which also faces TWW and RSH No 62 'Ugly' which towards Eridge.

Jonnie

 

The 4F has arrived! She was unloaded earlier today and is now the first Tender locomotive to sit in 75F since 1966. The gala kicks off at 0900 next Saturday morning.

 

Are there any seats remaining on the Saturday evening Fish & Chip special ?

 

Saw the 4F in the end of the shed yesterday whilst at the Real Ale Festival - looking good standing next to the Jinty. Looks much bigger than one up the power rating would suggest so the comparison with the Jinty will be interesting. Came across this pic on 68077s site showing the 4Fs arrival.

404605_10151067051756567_1657076888_n | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Ugly was out on the train and with 5 on plus a 37 in tow was LOUD. Looking good for next weekend.

 

As far as I know there are spaces still available on Saturday nights F&C special, which is booked to be hauled by 44422. For details and to book please ring the railway on 01892 537715.

We're glad you enjoyed Ugly's performance yesterday, a lot of people were window hanging!

The first train this coming Saturday will be at 0900 and then 0955 both from Tunbridge Wells West, the first departure from Eridge is at 1010. Sunday everything will run 1 hour later than the Saturday with a photo charter first thing.

 

If there aren't spaces on the Fish & Chip train on Saturday night, there should be space for people to turn up and ride. Unfortunately the Bar Car is now away for overhaul at Cranmore but there should be a trolley service available on board.

Matt

 

I understand that there is steam out running today but nothing is shown either for the normal services or the Gala - have I missed something ?

 

Today was a Steam Experience Course being run at the railway, you've not missed anything so don't worry.

It all begins tomorrow at 0900 from Tunbridge Wells with Ugly and the 4F double heading, the first train from Eridge will be hauled by Ugly at 1010 and the second train at 1110 will be hauled by the 4F. The second departure from Tunbridge Wells West will be hauled by the Jinty.

tomorrow nights evening services will also be using the 4F.

 

Here's two video clips and a link to my web gallery from this morning's photo charter with the visiting 4F paired with two Maroon Mk1's and a van. Many thanks to David Staines and the crew for putting on a superb show.

https://picasaweb.google.com/105454...leyRailwayPhotoCharter4FNo44422October282012#

Spa Valley Railway. Photo Charter with 4F no.44422. 28/10/12 - YouTube

Spa Valley Railway. Photo Charter with 4F no.44422. 28/10/12 - YouTube

Cheers

 

Some further photos from the Photo Charter with 4F 44422 this morning can be found at http://paulsimpson.zenfolio.com/p242646005
Thanks to David Staines and the crew .