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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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    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.
     
  2. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    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.
     
  3. The Gricing Owl

    The Gricing Owl Member

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    Wow, 31806 sounds good to me!

    Bryan
     
  4. David likes trains

    David likes trains Member

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    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.
    [​IMG]
    34053 at High Rocks.

    [​IMG]
    31430 approaches Pokehill.

    [​IMG]
    34053 on the rear.

    [​IMG]
    The train returns with 34053 leading.
     
  5. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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

    For anyone interested, 34053 and 31430 are running again this weekend.
     
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  6. BR 73082

    BR 73082 Member

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

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    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 :)
     
  8. alexl102

    alexl102 Member

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    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?
     
  9. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    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.
     
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  10. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    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
     
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  11. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
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  12. The Gricing Owl

    The Gricing Owl Member

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    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.
     
  13. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    IT'S ON!! :cool::cool:
     
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  14. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    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.
     
  15. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    VISITING LOCOMOTIVE - 52044!

    We're delighted to announce the 1887 built Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway 'Ironclad' 52044 is to visit the Spa Valley Railway courtesy of our friends at The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and the 957 Bower's Trust this April!

    Famous for its starring role as the 'Green Dragon' in the 1970 feature film 'The Railway Children', 52044 will be operating on 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th, 20th & 21st April.

    Over the long Easter Weekend (18th to 21st), the 'Ironclad' will join fellow Victorian locomotive Caledonian Railway No. 828 operating our services.

    Keep an eye on our website and social media pages for further details.

    www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk
     
  16. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    The ability of the Spa Valley to secure locos from elsewhere that don't normally appear in the south is really commendable. Long may it continue. This line is starting to become my 'go to' railway in the south despite bigger brothers elsewhere.
     
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  17. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

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    I would echo those words Al. Challenge for @Jonnie is to secure Scottish engines 46512, 46464 or 45025 for a visit to the South. Holding 828 as ransom might work? ;-)

    And I'm still looking forward to seeing where 68078 is going to run?
     
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  18. Phil K

    Phil K Member

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    This is my feeling as well. The journey to Spa Valley, Bluebell and Mid Hants for me is pretty much equal, and its Tunbridge Wells West that has been getting the most repeat custom from me over the last 12 months.

    I will definetly make sure one of my weekends in April sees another vist to 75F.
     
  19. alexl102

    alexl102 Member

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    I just wish I didn’t live at the opposite end of the country to you!
     
  20. Jonnie

    Jonnie Member

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    Thank you for your kind words of support, it means a lot to us.

    The visit of 52044 means that all the currently operational 'mainline' L&Y engines (not the Pug) will have traversed our line with 52322 having visited in 2018 and 51456 in 2022.

    I've just had a count up and this'll be the 33rd steam engine to visit. When you add in the various Thomas the Tank engines (4 different ones) and our past or current residents the total goes to 48 that have operated on our railway over the last 28yrs.
     
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