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

Steam Gala 2005

The steam gala returned again this year over the weekend of the 25th and 26th June. This year's line-up included three engines from the home fleet, which were LMS Jinty 47493, Peckett 'Fonmon' and Andrew Barclay 'Lady Ingrid'. 

This year's event included the first passenger trains over the new extension to Birchden Junction, as well as a Mixed Train each day. There was also fitted goods trains and double heading throughout the weekend. The Saturday night finished off with a fish and chip special, one of the railway's first public dining specials.

Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Saturday 25th June

25-6-05-3.jpg (86438 bytes)    The end of the line..... for now. The gates at Birchden Junction mark the point where the railway meets the mainline - Photo M. Dives    47493 sits at Groombridge on the early morning goods train - Photo M. Dives    47493 works the goods up the bank towards Tunbridge Wells from High Rocks - Photo M. Dives

47493 works the goods up the bank towards Tunbridge Wells from High Rocks - Photo M. Dives    Lady Ingrid rests in the sidings outside Tunbridge Wells - Photo M. Dives    47493 rests by the water tower in between duties - Photo M. Dives    47493 and Fonmon prepare to haul the first train to Birchden at Tunbridge Wells - Photo M. Dives    47493 waits in the loop at Groombridge prior to departure to Birchden for the first time - Photo M. Dives

47493 rests at Birchden with Harrisons Rocks in the background - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon rests at Birchden with the first passenger train - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon rests at Birchden with the first passenger train - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon looks up the climb from Birchden towards Groombridge - Photo M. Dives

The view up Birchden Bank through Fonmon's cab window - Photo M. Dives    The view up Birchden Bank towards Groombridge - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon works up Birchden Bank with the return train to Groombridge. 47493 is on the rear - Photo C. Nye    Fonmon works up Birchden Bank with the return train to Groombridge - Photo C. Nye    Fonmon rests at Groombridge having hauled the first train from Birchden Junction - Photo M. Dives

47493 runs into Groombridge sidings to wait for the next train - Photo C. Nye    Lady Ingrid arrives at Birchden - Photo C. Nye    47493 departs Tunbridge Wells with the mixed train - Photo C. Nye    47493 approaches Pokehill Farm crossing with the mixed train heading towards Groombridge - Photo M. Dives

47493 passes Pokehill Farm crossing with the mixed train heading towards Groombridge - Photo M. Dives    47493 approaches High Rocks with the mixed train - Photo M. Dives    47493 waits in High Rocks with the mixed train - Photo M. Dives    Lady Ingrid and Fonmon leave the yard to couple onto a train - Photo M. Dives    47493 rests in the loop at Tunbridge Wells with the mixed train - Photo M. Dives

47493 approaches Pokehill Farm crossing with the mixed train heading towards Groombridge - Photo M. Dives

Sunday 26th June

Fonmon prepares to depart with the early morning goods train - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon waits in Groombridge prior to departure for Birchden - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon waits at Birchden - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon waits at Birchden - Photo A. Cottenham    Fonmon waits at Birchden - Photo M. Dives

The goods train viewed from behind the buffer stops at Birchden - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon waits at Tunbridge Wells West - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon waits at Tunbridge Wells West - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon and 47493 wait at Birchden prior to departure for Groombridge - Photo M. Dives

Fonmon waits at Tunbridge Wells West - Photo A. Cottenham    Fonmon and 47493 wait at Groombridge having arrived from Birchden - Photo M. Dives    47493 waits at Groombridge - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon rests in the sidings at Groombridge inbetween trains - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon waits with the mixed train in the loop at Tunbridge Wells West - Photo M. Dives

Fonmon outside Tunbridge Wells West with the mixed train - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon outside Tunbridge Wells West with the mixed train - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon approaches Tunbridge Wells with the mixed train - Photo M. Dives    Lady Ingrid and 47493 approach High Rocks with a Groombridge train - Photo M. Dives

47493 passes Adams Well with a Tunbridge Wells bound train - Photo M. Dives    Fonmon outside Tunbridge Wells West with the mixed train - Photo M. Dives    47493 coasts down Ramslye Bank with the evening goods train - Photo M. Dives    47493 coasts down Ramslye Bank with the evening goods train - Photo M. Dives    47493 approaches Pokehill Farm crossing with the evening goods train - Photo M. Dives

47493 approaches Pokehill Farm crossing with the evening goods train - Photo M. Dives    47493 passes Pokehill Farm crossing with the evening goods train - Photo M. Dives    47493 passes Pokehill Farm crossing with the evening goods train - Photo M. Dives    Lady Ingrid and 47493 pause under School Lane bridge prior to forming the goods train for Birchden - Photo M. Dives

47493 is showered in sunshine as it runs round its train in Groombridge loop - Photo M. Dives    47493 and Lady Ingrid wait at Birchden with the evening goods train - Photo M. Dives    47493 and Lady Ingrid wait at Birchden with the evening goods train - Photo M. Dives    47493 and Lady Ingrid wait at Birchden with the evening goods train - Photo M. Dives    47493 and Lady Ingrid wait at Birchden with the evening goods train - Photo M. Dives

One of our younger members Thomas standing on the flat wagon he has a half share in during the Steam Gala

 

 

 

Last Updated 7 July 2005. İM. Dives