Spa Valley Railway, West
Station, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY
Telephone: 01892 537715
Email:
enquiriesatspavalleyrailway.co.uk
(Please
replace at with the '@' symbol)
So What's Required???
To return trains to Eridge is going to require a lot of input both in terms of finance and new installation of infrastructure. This has been broken down into three strands of work - Track, Signalling and Operations - which are outlined more, in detail, below. Many of these strands cover works away from the Birchden-Eridge section of the line, but are all influential in providing a suitable service between Tunbridge Wells and Eridge! A lot of the £500,000 raised will be spent in these areas.
So what's been achieved? Click here to find out about the progress made on the Eridge extension over the last 2 years.
Latest
Eridge Extension News
BV Point Installation - Winter 2009
2008
Eridge News
2009
Eridge News
'Return to Eridge' Project Home Page
Eridge Project Requirements
Read
the Steam Railway Magazine Article "Great Eridge-pectations" outlining
the project
Track - Eridge Section
Like the railway was between Tunbridge Wells and Birchden Junction, The track between Birchden and Eridge is still in situ but will require bringing up to passenger carrying standard, having laid out of use now for over 22 years. The track in Eridge bay platform will need to be replaced as this is now life expired. To do this, we will need to hire recognised Network Rail contractors to undertake the work to the required standard.
Track - Groombridge Point
Away
from the Eridge section, the railway's Permanent Way
gang are working on another major project. For many years the platform length at
Groombridge has been tight when running four coach trains, with the locomotive
being off the end of the platform in both directions. An extension has been
constructed but it has been unable to bring this into operation due to the track
layout with a right hand point, and curve away from the platform immediately at
the Eridge end of the station.
Left:- The new platform wall at Groombridge, for the extension, can be seen in this photo. The track will need to be slewed towards this wall and the new point will start in this location - Photo M. Dives
Therefore the Permanent Way are currently building a replacement point at Tunbridge Wells, which will be left handed and allow the track at the Eridge end of Groombridge station, to be slewed towards the new platform extension and give a better run into the passing loop beyond.
This
project has major impacts on the other strands of the Eridge project. The
position of the point will dictate where various signals will be positioned in
the station area at Groombridge and the signalling installed around the new
signal box (see below). Finally, as outlined above, the platform extension
cannot be used until the track is slewed.
Right:- The new point under construction at Tunbridge Wells in mid-October 2007. This is awaiting the arrival of further components before work can continue - Photo M. Dives
Forge Farm Crossing
This crossing is an occupational crossing, allowing access to some houses on one side of the track. It is hoped that Invensys Signalling Systems (formerly Westinghouse) will undertake the work that is needed to upgrade the crossing to incorporate the Spa Valley's operation, alongside the Network Rail one.
Signalling - Groombridge
Above:
The proposed initial signalling installation planned for Groombridge
To provide a frequent suitable service between Tunbridge Wells and Eridge, the railway ideally wants to run a two-train operation from day one. This requires a passing loop to be installed at Groombridge and for this to be fully signalled to prevent two trains entering the same section. The loop is already in situ, having been used as a run-round loop since the railway opened to Groombridge in 1997. However signalling is still needed.
Left:- The signal box base in mid October 2007. The blockwork is at a height ready for the wooden beam to mount the lever frame on. Work is now focusing on building the passage for the wires and rodding at the front of the signal box - Photo M. Dives
In
June 2007, construction started on the new signal box, which will control the
signals at the station. This will be located at the Eridge end of Groombridge
platform, where the base has already been laid and the blockwork begun to be
erected. Materials are still needed to build the signal box, and buy all the
components needed to install the signalling system. 
Right:- One of two signals now built as part of the new Groombridge signalling system. The distant signal stands ready for commissioning in mid October 2007 - Photo M. Dives
Signalling - Eridge
An initial basic signalling system needs installing here, which will control the pointwork and the signals allowing access to the station.
Signalling - Tunbridge Wells
Very little is required here, although the main focus is on transferring the operation of the main point at the entrance to the station, from the groundframe, into the signal box as a first stage of installing the signalling here.
Operations
To run the two train service that we wish to operate from day one, the Operating department, in conjunction with the Engineering and Carriage and Wagon departments, need to be able to provide at least two trains of three coaches, and have available 5 engines. The latter allows for two in service, one spare/standby, one undergoing a washout/maintenance and one which maybe failed etc.
Work is currently centred on the return to traffic of TKh 'Spartan' and the overhauls of RSH 'Ugly' and J94 68077. These three engines, along with the Jinty will provide the basis for a stable locomotive fleet capable of hauling the trains to Eridge for many years. In the short term it is envisaged that the railway will need to hire in additional motive power to support the Eridge operation. To cover this initially Great Western Pannier Tank 7715, has been secured on a long term hire from the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre and South Coast Steam, Portland. More details are available on these engines on the 75F shed page.
The railway accepts this may not be possible initially but work is underway to provide this motive power as soon as possible. Therefore some services will be provided by the heritage diesels which we have based on the line, and some hired-in steam engines.
Civils
As
well as restoring the track into Eridge and installing the signalling at
Groombridge, there will be quite a lot of work required to the building
infrastructure at Eridge. Already part of the old down building has been
converted into the new booking office with a window for selling tickets. But
there is still a need to install toilets and restore the old down waiting room
to provide our passengers with some indoor accommodation.
Left:- An overall view of the building progress at Groombridge station in mid October 2007 - Photo M. Dives
Access for wheelchair visitors will need to be provided so that they can get onto the platform. This will be provided through a level crossing and up via the platform ramp.
A water supply will be needed for the smaller engines working to Eridge. Initially this can be provided through a tanker wagon, but a more permanent installation will be needed in the medium term with the installation of a suitable water supply and a storage tank.
So What's
Been Achieved???
The last 2 years has seen the most rapid and visible progress made on the Eridge extension than at any other time, with work advancing on a number of different fronts. This does not include all the behind-the-scenes discussions that have taken place between the Spa Valley Railway and the other parties involved in the project, namely Network Rail, Southern, Gramm Interlink and Westinghouse Invensys. Below is a brief outline of the progress made by Spa Valley volunteers during 2008.
Track - Eridge Section
The track on the Birchden Junction to Eridge section was possibly the most visible sign of the Spa Valley's intention to return services to Eridge. In June 2008, Network Rail recognised contractor Gramm Interlink, started work on bringing the track up to a running standard once again. This work has included the clearance of vegetation which had grown across the track on which we will run and long siding at Eridge. Other works included renewal of 100 yards of track at Birchden Junction which also include removing the final parts of the former junction pointwork. Gramm also oiled every fishplate and renewed all pads and insulators between Birchden and Eridge, removed the remaining redundant point that once formed the crossover between the mainlines at Eridge, and installed a buffer stop beyond Eridge station.
Above Left and Right:- The trackwork being undertaken at Eridge throughout the summer of 2008 - Photos B. Halford
The track in the former bay road has been upgraded. This has included the clearance of vegetation, re-sleepering and the replacement of timbers under the points at the end of the station.
Track - Groombridge Point
The project to replace the point at the Tunbridge Wells end of Groombridge run-round loop got off to a slow start in 2008 when it was realised that a number of components were not available. Over the first half of 2008, most of these parts were sourced and construction resumed on the point on its assembly site. This culminated in completion of the point in late October 2008, followed by dismantling and transportation to Groombridge in December.
Above Left:- The new BV point for
Groombridge seen in the latter stages of assembly at Tunbridge Wells in late
October - Photo M. Dives
Above Right:- A view of the newly installed BV point
at Groombridge on 11th January - Photo R. Sharpe
Work commenced in January 2009 to install the point and it is hoped to have this all completed in time for the beginning of the 2009 season in late March. Already at the time of writing, the old point has been removed and the base for the new point prepared to receive the turnout.
In March 2009, this job was completed ahead of the season opening. A major undertaking by a relatively small group which was kept to a plan and completed without any major problems. The railway now has a newly aligned track layout with the potential to commission the new platform extension upon completion of the signal box building.
Forge Farm Crossing
The modifications are yet to take place on the crossing to enable our trains to operate. However, during September 2008, work was undertaken to restore the former crossing keeper's hut for use by our volunteers when manning the crossing on running days.
Above: - The refurbished crossing keeper's hut at Forge Farm in November - Photo M. Dives
In the summer of 2009, Westinghouse undertook the modifications to the level crossing with the fitting of the control cabinet. Warning signs, cattle guards and additional fencing was erected in the area around the crossing for the protection of the public.
Signalling - Groombridge
2008 saw most work concentrated on the new signal box at Groombridge. This included advancing the structure of the building further and beginning to install the lever frame. The year was capped off with the first parts of the cabin structure being erected.
Above Left:- The signalbox in mid
June 2008, showing the installed lever frame and the first of the floor timbers
- Photo M. Dives
Above Right:- The refurbished bracket signal in the yard at
Tunbridge Wells West - Photo M. Dives
Work on the signalling installation itself saw the addition of the signal pulley stumps from the Down Groombridge distant signal towards the Up Groombridge distant signal. At Tunbridge Wells West, a team have refurbished the bracket signal that was recovered from Cuxton last year, so that it is ready for installation at Groombridge as soon as the base is ready. The signal will control all departures from Groombridge, towards Eridge.
In 2009 the external building works was completed on the signal box and internal fitting out commenced in December. This includes the fitting of the former Birchden Junction lever frame.
Throughout the year, a number of concrete bases were cast in preparation for the erection of the new signal posts. Following theses bases, the bracket signal at the Eridge end of Groombridge station and the Up Distant signal, on Birchden Bank, were erected and now await final fitting out.
Signalling - Eridge
Little work on the signalling installation was carried out here in 2008. However, our contractors removed some signalling equipment so that it can be overhauled for the new installation that will operate Eridge in due course.
Signalling - Tunbridge Wells
The work outlined above was completed in early 2008, enabling the former groundframe to be retired from service. Further work on installing wires and pulleys for ground signals was progressed whilst the signalling department waited for the Groombridge signal box to advance to a stage where equipment could be installed.
Operations
The locomotive department continued to restore and overhaul its engines throughout 2008 with a view to providing sufficient locomotives to operate the service when Eridge opens. The overhauls of "Ugly" and "Spartan" continue to progress at pace. The former being delayed in 2008 by essential boiler works to the Jinty. As well as these two locomotives, as outlined above, the railway hired in Pannier tank 7715 to supplement the Jinty.
In late 2009, both "Spartan" and "Ugly" were approaching the completion of their overhauls and should enter service in the first half of 2010. The Pannier tank's hire contract was extended through 2010 to provide cover for the Jinty.
Civils
Another sign of progress was witnessed in the restoration of Eridge station during 2008. Work turned from the freshly renovated ticket office, towards the former Waiting Room, Ladies and Gentlemen's toilets. The waiting room has been restored to replicate its former glory from the Southern Railway days. Other items developed have included the acquisition of replica station running-in boards and the manufacture of a range of other signs.
In 2009, the group continued work on restoring the Gentlemen's toilet and finishing off the waiting room. The station was also on the receiving end of a grant from the Railway Heritage Committee and refurbishment works by Southern trains. The latter resulted in the glass roof in the canopy being restored/replaced, a new platform surface and the whole of the station receiving a new coat of paint in the same colours as the mainline side.
Above Left:- The former Gentleman's
toilet undergoing renovation in late November 2008 - Photo M. Dives
Above
Right:- The interior of the former Waiting Room in late November 2008, showing
the standard of restoration that is being put into the buildings by the team
concerned - Photo S. Pay
Over the winter of 2008/09, work will be progressed on providing a water supply for the steam engines at Eridge. A tanker wagon has been identified and this will be converted over the winter to supply water at a suitable rate to the engines when trains are at Eridge.
For more detailed information about any aspect of these above works, or how you or your company can get involved in this exciting project, please contact the railway by any of the above methods.
This is possibly one of the most exciting times to get involved with volunteering at the railway. For more details on how to join the railway, click here.
Last Updated 4th February 2010. İM. Dives