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47493
catches the winter sun as it stands in Tunbridge Wells West yard during a test
on the 28th December. - Photo ©M.
DivesSpa Valley Railway, West
Station, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY
Telephone: 01892 537715
Email enquiries@spavalleyrailway.co.uk
News Archive 2003
Welcome to the Spa Valley News Page. This is where details of the latest developments on the railway and website are posted.
30th December - JINTY UPDATE AND GENERAL NEWS
47493
catches the winter sun as it stands in Tunbridge Wells West yard during a test
on the 28th December. - Photo ©M.
Dives
The final adjustments on 47493 are being carried out now and running in is expected to commence between now and the middle of February, prior to the locomotive's launch on the 14th March. The engine has been running up and down the yard at Tunbridge Wells West. Now sporting its' final top coat, there are a few more fiddly bits to paint before the numbers and crests can be applied, as well as the final varnishing. The locomotive now bears a brand new 75F shedcode plate, representing Tunbridge Wells West, which it will carry whilst on the railway.
Other News:
School Lane Bridge repairs are continuing steadily. The bridge has had the deck and the two end spans removed, whilst the centre span has now been grit blasted and painted in red oxide. Work is currently halted until the end of the current winter train service.
The railway has purchased an original LB&SCR platform water crane built at Brighton in 1880. Bought with funds raised by the working members, it has not been decided where it will be eventually erected.
27th December
- FIVE
29th October - 2004 TIMETABLE AND EVENTS ANNOUNCED
The 2004 timetable has just been announced, and the season opens on the 14th March with a bang! The day sees the long awaited launch of LMS Jinty 47493 into traffic following the completion of a 3 year overhaul. Over the course of the winter, the loco will undergo final completion and testing following its recent appearances in light steam at the Mixed Traction Gala.
The new season also sees an extra train added at the lunchtimes on Timetable A and evening trains on Saturday nights, during the peak summer period, all hauled by one of our heritage diesels.
Also returning for 2004 will be the steam gala, cancelled in 2003 due to various locomotive failures, over the weekend of the 3rd/4th July. The diesel gala also returns for a second year following the huge success of last year's event. Thomas will visit again on 27th/28th March, 3rd/4th April and 2nd/3rd/9th/10th October.
For further details on next year's event click on the links below.
2004 Timetable 2004 Special Events
Other News:
Santa Specials booking form now available for download.
The railway closes after this coming weekend for maintenance, and to prepare for the Santa Specials.
1st October - SPA VALLEY APPEAL FOR FUNDS TO REBUILD BRIDGE
The Spa Valley
Railway is appealing for funds towards the replacement of a footbridge over
their line. School Lane Bridge in Groombridge, carries the High Weald Walk over
the railway close to the site of the former Ashhurst spur, and has been closed
by the County Council due to it's condition. A recent assessment by the
railway's consulting bridge engineers has shown that complete replacement is
more economic than repair. This has left the volunteer run railway facing a bill
estimated to be at least £60,000. SVR Director Jon Nye said "The number of
bridges that we are liable for is a major problem for us. Unfortunately School
Lane Bridge which was second hand when it was installed by British Rail, has
reached the end of it's life and we urgently need to raise funds to replace it".
The current bridge is excessively wide, having originally been located in
the South London area. The intention is to replace it with a 1.5m side new steel
construction bridge. A further headache for the railway is that the site has no
road access, and the only access is by rail. Any donations or offers of
assistance should be addressed to:
Spa Valley
Railway,
West
Station,
Tunbridge Wells,
Kent.
TN2 5QY.
9th September - JINTY OVERHAUL PROGRESSING WELL
The overhaul of Jinty 47493 has progressed further with some initial steam tests being carried out following the re-assembly of the engine. There is still a lot of work left to be carried out on the engine, as well as running in and further testing. A date for its' return to service has not been set.
47493
sits outside the shed at Tunbridge Wells West in steam on the 9th September,
alongside the railway's Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST 'Lady Ingrid' - Photo ©M.
Dives
6th September - NEW PHOTO GALLERY AVAILABLE
Photos of the recently successful 'Southern Diesels' Gala are now available to view. These can be found in the photo gallery page or by following the link below.
Southern Diesels gala - August 2003
28th August - SPA VALLEY RAILWAY WEBSITE
The railway's website maybe unavailable to viewers over the next week of so. This is because we are changing hosts to ensure a better service provision for the people who come to view this website, and to also increase the amount of information and pictures available to you for viewing. In the meantime we are sorry for any inconvenience caused to you whilst we carry out these alterations.
Matt Dives
Website Manager
20th August - DIESEL GALA BREAKS RECORDS FOR THE SPA VALLEY
The Tunbridge Wells, Kent, based Spa Valley Railway is celebrating the success of its ‘Southern Diesels Spectacular’ event, the line’s first ever diesel gala. It was not only the temperatures during the weekend that reached record heights (over 99 degrees in the county) – the railway sold the greatest number of rover tickets in its history, easily outstripping previous steam gala sales, and beer sales in the bar car soared to new heights.
The railway’s decision to ‘theme’ its first diesel event to feature only Southern locomotives saw visitors enjoying the first ever passenger turn of Class 12 15224, and the first running of 73140 on the Spa Valley. A principal attraction was 33063, visiting from the East Kent Railway. This loco ran with miniature snow ploughs fitted and was repainted for the event, appearing with its pre-TOPs number 6583. As part of the event the opportunity was taken on the first day of the gala to utilise both the Class 33 and 73 on the recreation of an authentic air braked engineers train which ran the length of the line.
The second day of the gala also saw the running of a private charter featuring Class 10 D3489 ‘Colonel Tomline’ although reliability concerns saw it double headed with 09004 which itself ran booked services during the weekend.
One further running day for 6583 has been announced, it will haul one return working on the line on September 13th.
10th August - SPA VALLEY RAILWAY - ALL MULTIPLIED UP
The Spa Valley Railway celebrated running a class 73 and class 33 in multiple for what is believed to be the first time in preservation. The two locomotives performed the task during the railway's successful 'Southern Diesels' Gala which also starred classes 09 '09004' and 12 '15224, all hauling passenger trains on an intensive timetable. The gala was the first time that all the diesels had run together since the arrival of the 73 and 09 from the Lavender Line, and visitor class 33 '6583' from the East Kent Railway.
The weekend incorporated a tight timetable that included trains hauled by the by the class 73 and 33 both in tandem and in multiple. Both engines also hauled trains individually, alongside the class 09 and 12. It is believed that it is the first time that the class 12 has hauled a passenger train in all its' life. There was also the opportunity to drive the class 12 in the yard at Tunbridge Wells throughout the day.
All trains featured the railway's bar car 'Kate' did a good business serving teas and coffees, as well as a real ale from a local brewery.
16th July - FIRST ‘CROMPTON’ FOR 18 YEARS RETURNS TO TUNBRIDGE WELLS WEST
Class 33 33063 was delivered to Tunbridge Wells West on 8th July at the start of a 4 month loan from the East Kent Railway. To mark the occasion the locomotive has been repainted into its pre TOPS BR blue livery and carries the number 6583. A successful test run from Tunbridge Wells to Groombridge was immediately conducted. The last occasion when a ‘Crompton’ visited the line was after the cessation of passenger services in 1985 when 33061 worked a component recovery train to remove redundant fuel storage tanks from the fuelling point in the carriage sidings at Tunbridge Wells West.
6583 is booked to star in the Spa Valley’s ‘Southern Diesel Spectacular’ gala over the weekend of 9th and 10th August.
6583
stands at Groombridge following a test run on the day of its' arrival on the Spa Valley
Railway - Photo - M.Dives
25th June - A NEW BUFFET - Don Foreman writes:
The Spa Valley Railway has a new buffet car at its West Station headquarters.
The former buffet, a converted parcels van, has been replaced by a resplendent BR purpose-built Restaurant Buffet carriage, which ran on the Southern Region. Built at York in 1965, it was acquired from the Colne Valley Railway, Essex, by a group of members and brought to the SVR in February 2002. Since then it has been completely restored and re-fitted by volunteers in the Spa Valley's carriage and wagon department. Its interior is complete with posters and photographs evocative of the sixties.
Permanently parked alongside the platform, the new buffet car opened for business on Saturday 21st June and serves tea, coffee, soft drinks, sandwiches, cakes and other light refreshments. It complements 'Kate', the licensed bar car which forms part of most trains.
The buffet car, like the railway as a whole, is staffed by volunteers, and new catering team members would be very welcome.
After remedial work to the old buffet it will return to the fleet of goods wagons and take its place in demonstration freight trains which run during the railway's popular gala events.
The buffet car welcomes visitors whether they are travelling or not, and is an ideal venue for children's parties and other celebrations.
13th June - NEW BUFFET ALMOST READY
On Monday 9th June, the new buffet car, purchased by society members last year, was shunted into position in preparation for its' launch into public service over the next couple of weeks. The coach, located in the same position, will provide better comfort and service facilities for the visitor, as well as allowing the visitor to watch the engines in action. The exterior is finished to a high standard in Southern green with Spa Valley Railway crests. A picture of the coach freshly out shopped is available on the Mark 1 page in the stock list.
30th May - CLASS 33 TO VISIT FOR DIESEL GALA
The railway is to hire in Class 33 33063, for the diesel gala and will stay for a period of around 4 months. The loco currently in small logo BR blue will haul a number of trains over the weekend. The loco has been kindly made available by its' owners the South East Locomotive Group (SELG). More details about this locomotive are to follow.
33063 At Shepherdswell, East Kent Railway - Photo -
I.Kennett (Courtesy of SELG)
SOUTHERN DIESEL SPECTACULAR ON SPA VALLEY
The Tunbridge Wells based Spa Valley Railway are pulling out all the stops with their first ever diesel gala on the weekend of 9th and 10th August. The line has been home to the unique Class 12 shunter 15224 for several years, and 09004 arrived during March. They have already been joined by 73140 which arrived from the nearby Lavender Line on 6th May. In order to complete a Southern line up, the railway will be hiring in Class 33 locomotive, 33063 for the event. 33063, currently at the East Kent Railway will arrive on the Spa Valley Railway in July and stay for four months. Subject to availability all four Southern locomotives will be in service each day including at least one 33/73 double header.
The August gala is planned to be the passenger debut for 73140. It is also likely to be the only chance to sample the locomotive running in existing “Intercity executive livery” prior to a repaint later in the year.
The appearance of a Class 33 on the line will also be a first in the preservation era. The class were regular visitors in BR days with engineers trains, the High Brooms tank train, and even on at least one occasion with the VSOE Pullman stock.
In addition to the visiting Class 33, another major attraction will be what is believed to be the first ever passenger working by the railway’s resident 1949 built Class 12 shunter 15224 which is booked to work one return trip over the line each day in tandem with 09004. It is also planned to offer visitors the chance to experience driving one of the line’s shunters within the yard at Tunbridge Wells West when the locomotives are available.
The Spa Valley will operate an intensive service each day from approximately 10:00. All passenger services will include the line’s award winning Mk I bar car conversion ‘Kate’ stocking cask real ale for the first time. As a further bonus for the first time services will run into Saturday evening to link Tunbridge Wells with both Groombridge’s selection of village pubs and the High Rocks Inn, adjacent to the halt of the same name. Normal return fares apply, but in addition Rover tickets will be available at £10 for one day or £15 for the whole weekend.
The Spa Valley Railway is located close South Central’s Oxted – Uckfield line, and Diesel enthusiasts may wish to combine a visit to the Spa Valley gala with one of the last chances to sample a full weekend of vintage Class 205 and 207 ‘Thumper’ DEMU action. New Turbostar units are scheduled to start taking over from the Thumper’s on the line from late summer. Eridge station is only 2 miles by road from the Spa Valley.
22nd May - NEW PHOTOS ADDED
Some more photos have been added to the website. This includes the return of the photo gallery and the Thomas event pictures from last year, as well as some new ones of the special events at the railway. More to follow soon including this year's Thomas event in April.
STEAM GALA REPLACED BY A 'SPECIAL WEEKEND OF STEAM'
This year's steam gala over the weekend of 21st and 22nd June has been replaced with a 'Special Weekend of Steam'. This will see an hourly train service from 10:30 through until 17:30, with two steam engines working the trains.
15th May - STEAM GALA CANCELLED
Following some unexpected locomotive failures, it has been decided to cancel this year's annual steam gala, due to be held over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd June. The temporary withdrawal of TKh 'Spartan' for a boiler re-tube meant that the railway was likely to be unable to roster as many locomotives as it has done in recent years, and did not want to disappoint visitors.
There will be a chance to see many of the railway's serviceable steam engines in action at the annual 'Anything Goes' gala later in the year.
ELECTRO-DIESEL FOR SPA VALLEY RAILWAY
Privately owned Class 73, 73140 arrived by road at the Tunbridge Wells West headquarters of the Spa Valley Railway on 6th May, having been transferred from the nearby Lavender Line together with 09004 which arrived in March.
The following morning the locomotive was unloaded and ran a successful clearance trial the length of the line to Groombridge and back.
The ‘ED’ will feature prominently in the Spa Valley’s forthcoming diesel gala over the weekend of 9th / 10th August when it is expected to make its debut in passenger service on the railway. This will be the last chance to see the locomotive in its current early ‘Inter city executive’ livery.
10th April - NEW AMENITIES AT SPA VALLEY HQ
Work is at an advanced stage on the re-building of facilities for both visitors and staff at Tunbridge Wells West.
This season will see a dramatic improvement in amenities inside the Victorian locomotive shed at Tunbridge Wells West. A new two storey structure has been constructed inside the 1891 built shed over the former ticket office and shop at the rear of the building.
At ground level an extensively refurbished gift shop, circulating area and booking office has been provided, while at first floor level there will be a private office, kitchen and meeting / conference room, the latter being available for private hire and providing a bird’s eye view of the line’s rolling stock berthed in the shed. The new upper level facilities will satisfy a need for a meeting place for VIPs, guests of the railway, small groups and commercial interests to conduct meetings or training events in congenial surroundings.
Departing the Spa Valley is the line’s 1931 built ‘Hastings gauge’ Maunsell Brake 3rd No 3690. Later converted to departmental use as ADS70163 it is moving to a new home on the nearby Rother Valley Railway at Robertsbridge.
CLASS 09 FOR SPA VALLEY
The Spa Valley Railway has welcomed preserved Class 09 09004 to the line.
The SVR has signed an initial one year operating agreement with the owners of the locomotive which was formerly in use at the nearby Lavender Line.
The locomotive, in full working order will not be immediately put into service. The Spa Valley is holding its first ever Diesel Gala on Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th August and is planning to feature celebratory first public passenger turns for the 09 as a feature of the weekend. The railway will be gauging visitor numbers at the gala to look carefully to see whether further such events or more regular diesel running is justified and, if successful may well consider the hiring in of a visiting main line diesel to boost a future such event.
29th March - 1000 Hits in a month!!! The railway's website passed the 1000 hits a month, for the first time ever on March 21st and may even pass the 1500 mark before the beginning of April. This is due to the availability of details of the forthcoming 'A Day Out With Thomas' event being available to a wider audience. The website has undergone radical changes in the last year, having been completely redesigned and launched last September, by webmaster Matt Dives.
Other News:
The railway is now open for the 2003 season. The commercial area has undergone a complete renovation and redecorating - More details to follow soon.
This weekend there is a mother's day event running at the railway, where Mothers get special treatment.
Some of the Spa Valley Railway's younger volunteers appear in the latest edition of Heritage Railway under their 'Younger View' column by Gareth Evans.
22nd February - The railway is currently closed until March 23rd for essential maintenance, and to continue with the track renewal programme. This has been a rolling programme over the last few years, replacing wooden sleepers with concrete ones between Tunbridge Wells West and High Rocks.
Details of forthcoming Mother's Day event added.
A Day Out with Thomas details available online. Online booking form available.
For up to date news from the railway, please click here.
Last Updated 30 December 2003. ©M. Dives