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

• 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. 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. 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 - 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 the two RSHs 'Samson' and 'North Downs' and J94 68077. These four engines, along with the Jinty will provide the basis for a stable locomotive fleet capable of hauling the trains to Eridge for many years. More details are available on these restorations 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 - 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.

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.

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Last Updated 29th October 2007. ©M. Dives