Scottish Steam Up!

2nd and 3rd April - with visiting Scottish Steam Locomotive No. 828 & 419!

The Scottish Steam Up took place on 2nd & 3rd April 2022, this event and the following Caledonian Steam Weekend brought in a total of 2,700 visitors to the Spa Valley Railway and subsequently became the biggest and busiest enthusiast event in our railways history. This page has been left available to look back on this incredible weekend for those who may have an interest in this piece of preservation history. 

Enjoy reading through what took place when both Caley engines visited the South East. No. 419 departed in mid-April, however, No. 828 remains on hire until mid-October 2022.

Join us for a weekend of steam hauled services with visiting Caledonian Railway No. 828 and No. 419!
STOP PRESS: No. 828 and No. 419 HAVE ARRIVED!
We're delighted to bring you the news that both Caledonian Railway No. 419 and Caledonian Railway No. 828 will be visiting the Spa Valley Railway and featuring at our Scottish Steam Up on 2nd & 3rd April 2022! 

NOTE: IT IS CHEAPER TO BOOK ONLINE AHEAD OF THE EVENT! ONLINE BOOKING WILL SWITCH TO FULL PRICE AT 22:00 ON FRIDAY 1ST APRIL


Based at the Bo’ness & Kinnell Railway No. 419 was built by the Caledonian Railway at St Rollox Works, Glasgow, in 1907. The locomotive was designed by J. F. Mcintosh for branch line work, fast suburban and banking duties and is now the flagship of the Scottish Railway Preservation Society.


Owned by the CR828 Trust No. 828 was built by the Caledonian Railway at in 1899. The locomotive was designed by J. F. Mcintosh to handle a variety of stopping passenger and express goods workings and is now the flagship of the Strathspey Railway, Aviemore. 828 is visiting our railway until October. The Spa Valley Railway first started discussing the prospect of 828 visiting back in 2019 and we are extremely grateful to the Caledonian Railway 828 Trust and Strathspey Railway for making this visit possible.


No. 828 has arrived in Royal Tunbridge Wells, the locomotive has been passed fit for traffic and is ready for our Scottish Steam Up!


Trains will be operating from 08:50 until 21:30 on Saturday 2nd and from 09:30 until 17:45 on Sunday 3rd April. 

No. 419 and No. 828 will be joined by resident Bulleid Pacific No. 34053 'Sir Keith Park' and Hunslet Austerity No. 2890 'Douglas' operating an intensive train service between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge. You can expect to see double heading of 419 and 828 and a unique pairing of two 0-6-0 tender engines with 828 and 2890 double heading too! 

You can take a ride in our Queen Mary Brake Van which will make two return trips per day to Eridge on the Saturday and three return trips to Groombridge on the Sunday, there is an additional charge to travel on the Queen Mary Brake Van. Click here for further information.

Travel on our Saturday evening trains is at no extra charge for Day Unlimted Travel ticket holders unless you wish to dine with us, there are joint Day Unlimited Travel and Fish & Chip Supper tickets available via this link here.


Our main station and the location of the Victorian locomotive shed, built in 1866 and still in operational condition as it was built to do. During the gala you will be able to walk through the centre aisle of the engine shed to view the under restoration locomotives and carriages, including LBSCR Terrier 650 'Sutton', LMS Jinty 47493 and Class 33/0 33065 'Sealion'.

Also at Tunbridge Wells West is our shop selling a variety of bespoke Spa Valley Railway items, books, DVDs and a large range of model railway items. Our buffet car is not open pending work to the kitchen so we are unable to offer the usual range of catering facilities at this station.

At Tunbridge Wells West:

Our principle intermediate station and the passing place for trains. Alight here to change from trains going from Tunbridge Wells West to Eridge to a train going back to Tunbridge Wells West or to just enjoy the atmosphere with a cup of tea from the station kiosk. Our kiosk also sells a range of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, crisps, snacks and ice creams. 

At Groombridge:

Our mainline station with connections to Southern Railway (GTR) to bring you to our event from London Bridge. Locomotives will swap trains at this end of the line and there will be plenty of opportunity to take photographs when they're taking water in Platform 3. 

At Eridge:


Our on train bar car 'Kate' will be back in service for this event on one set of carriages and our RMB on another, both serving a selection of hot and cold drinks and light refreshments, including sandwiches, chrisps and snacks throughout the day. A range of Real Ales and Ciders will also be available on board the RMB, we are intending to bring in beers all the way from Scotland and we've arranged Ciders from none other than Thistly Cross Cider in Scotland.

At Groombridge the kiosk on the station platform will be open both days serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, crisps, snacks and the all important ice cream!


You can join us on Saturday 2nd from 19:00 for a Fish & Chip Supper on a steam hauled train or just hop on board and grab a pint from our on train bar! We've even arranged a selection of Scottish Real Ales & Ciders. 8 cask ales from Cairngorm Brewery, Aviemore (where 828 usually lives!) and 6 ciders from Thistly Cross, Dunbar will be available for you to enjoy.

WANT TO TRAVEL IN THE EVENING AND HAVE A MEAL TOO? We are now selling combined Day Rover and Evening Supper tickets for just £35 per adult and £30 per child. Click here for details and to book a combined Day Rover & Evening Supper ticket, plus there is a selection of Scottish Real Ales & Ciders on tap!

Click here for details of the Fish & Chip Supper – Scottish Real Ales & Ciders on tap!
Click here for details of the Real Ale Train, first pint FREE with your ticket – Scottish Real Ales & Ciders on tap!

Note: Day Rover ticket holders can travel on the evening trains at no extra charge and purcahse Real Ale & Cider from the bar.


We're offering visitors the unique opportunity to travel on our Queen Mary Brake Van on trains hauled by No. 419 and No. 2890 'Douglas'. There is an additional charge of just £5 for a whole round trip to enjoy this opportunity which isn't something we can do all that often! Click here to book!

Saturday Brake Van Rides
These depart Tunbridge Wells West at 08:50 & 16:37. Both trips travel the whole length of the line to Eridge, the 08:50 trip is double headed with 419 and 2890, the 16:37 is hauled by 419.
Sunday Brake Van Rides
These depart Tunbridge Wells West at 10:47, 13:17 and 15:47. All three trips will be hauled by 2890 and travel to Groombridge only, they will return to Tunbridge Wells West from there.
How do I book a Brake Van Ride?
CLICK HERE TO BOOK


A full working timetable with locomotive allocations is below, there is no extra charge to travel on the evening trains if you are not dining with us. Access to the bar to purchase Real Ale and Cider will be available too!

Timetables are now available! PDF version here.



If you book an online fare in advance it will be cheaper than buying tickets on the day! Please note there is an additional charge to travel on the Queen Mary Brake Van which can be booked combined with a Day Rover here.


Adult 1 Day Unlimited Travel: £20.00
Child 1 Unlimited Travel: £10.00
Family 1 Unlimited Travel: £40.00
Adult 2 Unlimited Travel: £30.00
Child 2 Unlimited Travel: £15.00
Family 2 Unlimited Travel: £60.00
Adult Saturday Evening Unlimited Travel from 16:45: £10.00
Child Saturday Evening Unlimited Travel from 16:45: £5.00
Adult Sunday Afternoon Unlimited Travel from 14:00: £10.00
Child Sunday Afternoon Unlimited Travel from 14:00: £5.00
Society Members Unlimited Travel: N/A on the day only
HRA Members Unlimited Travel: N/A on the day only
Recipricol Travel Unlimited Travel: N/A on the day only
Brake Van Ride Unlimited Travel: £5.00 (contact us by email if you've already bought an Unlimited Travel ticket and want an upgrade)


Adult 1 Day Unlimited Travel: £25.00
Child 1 Day Unlimited Travel: £12.50
Family 1 Day Unlimited Travel: £50.00
Adult 2 Day Unlimited Travel: £40.00
Child 2 Day Unlimited Travel: £20.00
Family 2 Day Unlimited Travel: £75.00
Adult Saturday Evening Unlimited Travel from 16:45: £10.00
Child Saturday Evening Unlimited Travel from 16:45: £5.00
Adult Sunday Afternoon Unlimited Travel from 14:00: £10.00
Child Sunday Afternoon Unlimited Travel from 14:00: £5.00
Society Members Unlimited Travel: £20
.00
HRA Members Unlimited Travel: £20.00
Recipricol Travel Unlimited Travel: £20.00
Brake Van Ride Unlimited Travel: £5.00 (SOLD OUT ON SATURDAY)

Please note we do not accept BR Privs.

Book now for this exciting chance to see two Caledonian Railway locomotives operating in South East England!

Book tickets

Booking information

WANT TO TRAVEL IN THE EVENING AND HAVE A MEAL TOO? We are now selling combined Day Rover and Evening Supper tickets for just £35 per adult and £30 per child. Click here for details and to book a combined Day Rover & Evening Supper ticket, plus there is a selection of Scottish Real Ales & Ciders on tap! 

On the day of your visit you MUST have your eTickets available to show either in a print out or on a mobile device, both will be checked visually by a member of staff before boarding the train.

Note that a £10 admin fee applies to all booking alterations.

Click here to view our refund, cancellation and alterations policy

FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAN BE FOUND VIA THIS LINK