Spa Valley Railway

Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY
Telephone: 01892 537715
Email enquiries@spavalleyrailway.co.uk

Visit of Ex-LB&SCR Terrier No. 662 'Martello'

During June and early July, the railway was visited by former LB&SCR Terrier 'Martello' for six weeks. The engine became the first former LB&SCR steam locomotive to steam in the former Brighton shed, in preservation. 'Martello' visited the railway from the Bressingham Steam Museum at Diss, Norfolk. The locomotive arrived at the Spa Valley after visiting a number of other railways in the South East, and returned to the shed it had been based at over 80 years ago.

Here are some pictures from its visit.

Martello arrives on 30th May - Photo M. Dives Martello sits outside the shed after unloading - Photo P. McKinnell

Above Left:- Martello arrives on 30th May - Photo M. Dives
Above Right:- Martello sits outside the shed after unloading - Photo P. McKinnell
Below Left:- Two eras of Eridge line motive power - Martello stands alongside Thumper 1317 - Photo P. McKinnell
Below Right:- Martello is shunted down the yard with the other locomotives - Photo P. McKinnell

Two eras of Eridge line motive power - Martello stands alongside Thumper 1317 - Photo P. McKinnell Martello is shunted down the yard with the other locomotives - Photo P. McKinnell

Martello outside the shed with Fonmon - Photo P. McKinnell Martello stands inside the shed it was based in over 80 years previous - Photo P. McKinnell

Above Left:- Martello outside the shed with Fonmon - Photo P. McKinnell
Above Right:- Martello stands inside the shed it was based in over 80 years previous - Photo P. McKinnell
Below Left:- Former LB&SCR engine inside a former LB&SCR shed - Martello inside 75F after arrival - Photo P. McKinnell
Below Right:- The controls of the Martello - Photo P. McKinnell

Former LB&SCR engine inside a former LB&SCR shed - Martello inside 75F after arrival - Photo P. McKinnell The controls of the Martello - Photo P. McKinnell

Martello stands outside the shed on 3rd June - Photo M. Dives Martello adorned with an LB&SCR headcode sits outside the shed in light steam on 4th June - Photo M. Dives

Above Left:- Martello stands outside the shed on 3rd June - Photo M. Dives
Above Right:- Martello adorned with an LB&SCR headcode sits outside the shed in light steam on 4th June - Photo M. Dives
Below Left:- Martello sits in steam outside the shed at Tunbridge Wells on 4th June - Photo P. Reynolds
Below Right:- Martello arrives on a test run on 4th June - Photo T. Harrison

Martello sits in steam outside the shed at Tunbridge Wells on 4th June - Photo P. Reynolds Martello arrives on a test run on 4th June - Photo T. Harrison

Martello stands at Birchden on a test run on 4th June - Photo M. Dives

Above Left:- Martello stands at Birchden on a test run on 4th June - Photo M. Dives
Above Right:- Martello stands at Birchden on a test run on 4th June - Photo M. Dives
Below Left:- Martello stands at Birchden on a test run on 4th June - Photo M. Dives
Below Right:- Martello arrives at Groombridge from the run round loop - Photo T. Harrison

Martello stands at Birchden on a test run on 4th June - Photo M. Dives Martello arrives at Groombridge from the run round loop - Photo T. Harrison

Martello rests at Groombridge before returning to Tunbridge Wells West with its test train on 4th June - Photo T. Harrison Martello runs round its train at Groombridge - Photo P. Reynolds

Above:- Martello rests at Groombridge before returning to Tunbridge Wells West with its test train on 4th June - Photo T. Harrison
Above Right:- Martello runs round its train at Groombridge - Photo P. Reynolds
Below Left:- Martello heads out of Groombridge on its way back to Tunbridge Wells West - Photo P. Reynolds
Below Right:- Martello sits at Tunbridge Wells West with an evening special on the 24th June - Photo M. Dives

Martello heads out of Groombridge on its way back to Tunbridge Wells West - Photo P. Reynolds Martello sits at Tunbridge Wells West with an evening special on the 24th June - Photo M. Dives

Martello catches the evening sun as it sits at Tunbridge Wells with an evening special on the 24th June - Photo M. Dives

Above:- Martello catches the evening sun as it sits at Tunbridge Wells with an evening special on the 24th June - Photo M. Dives

Wings, Wheels and Steam - July 16th

Martello's final appearance on the railway was on the 16th July when it appeared as part of the Wings, Wheels and Steam event in conjunction with Groombridge Place. The locomotive operated an intensive hourly service alongside LMS Jinty 47493 which returned to service following its major axlebox overhaul. The final train of the day saw both engines double head.

Martello and 47493 sit at Tunbridge Wells West prior to departure of the final train - Photo S. Pay Martello couples up to 47493 prior to departure - Photo S. Pay

Above Left:- Martello and 47493 sit at Tunbridge Wells West prior to departure of the final train - Photo S. Pay
Above Right:- Martello couples up to 47493 prior to departure - Photo S. Pay
Below Left:- Martello and 47493 sit at Tunbridge Wells West prior to departure of the final train - Photo S. Pay
Below Right:- The opportunity was taken to pose Martello with Sutton so that people could see what the final product will be at the end of the latter's overhaul - Photo S. Pay

Martello and 47493 sit at Tunbridge Wells West prior to departure of the final train - Photo S. Pay The opportunity was taken to pose Martello with Sutton so that people could see what the final product will be at the end of the latter's overhaul - Photo S. Pay

The opportunity was taken to pose Martello with Sutton so that people could see what the final product will be at the end of the latter's overhaul - Photo S. Pay

Above Left:- The opportunity was taken to pose Martello with Sutton so that people could see what the final product will be at the end of the latter's overhaul - Photo S. Pay
Above Right:- The opportunity was taken to pose Martello with Sutton so that people could see what the final product will be at the end of the latter's overhaul - Photo S. Pay
Below Left:- A feature of the event was a former London Routemaster, operating a service between Groombridge station and Groombridge Place - Photo D. Hayward
Below Right:- Sutton and Martello pair up for one last time as the latter is shunted in preparation for its departure - Photo S. Humphrey

A feature of the event was a former London Routemaster, operating a service between Groombridge station and Groombridge Place - Photo D. Hayward Sutton and Martello pair up for one last time as the latter is shunted in preparation for its departure - Photo S. Humphrey

Just three days after its final appearance on the railway, Martello sits on the low loader in preparation for its trip back to Bressingham - Photo S. Humphrey "Bye Bye Martello". Martello makes its way down Broadwater Lane, as it starts on its journey home to Bressingham - Photo S. Humphrey

Above Left:- Just three days after its final appearance on the railway, Martello sits on the low loader in preparation for its trip back to Bressingham - Photo S. Humphrey
Above Right:- "Bye Bye Martello". Martello makes its way down Broadwater Lane, as it starts on its journey home to Bressingham - Photo S. Humphrey