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Spa Valley Railway

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Coordinates: 51°07′26″N 0°14′13″E / 51.12384°N 0.23706°E / 51.12384; 0.23706
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Spa Valley Railway
British Railways 0-6-0 Class A No. 52322 at Eridge
Commercial operations
Original gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Preserved operations
Stations4
Length5.5 mi (8.9 km)
Preserved gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Commercial history
Closed1985
Preservation history
December 1996Re-open first 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Tunbridge Wells West to near High Rocks
August 1997Open to Groombridge
2005line to Birchden Jn open for special services
25 March 2011Open to Eridge
HeadquartersTunbridge Wells West railway station
Spa Valley Railway
Legend
Hastings line
to Tonbridge
Wells Tunnel (
823 yd
753 m
)
 Tunbridge Wells National Rail
Grove Hill Tunnel (
287 yd
262 m
)
Grove Junction
Grove Tunnel (
183 yd
167 m
) (closed 1985)
Hastings line
to Hastings
 Tunbridge Wells West
(original site)
Car Park Road
 Tunbridge Wells West
A26
 High Rocks
(original site)
High Rocks
Groombridge
(original site)
Groombridge
Oxted line
to London Victoria
Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells Central Line
to Three Bridges
Ashurst Junction
Birchden Junction
 Eridge National Rail
Redgate Mill Junction
Cuckoo Line
to Polegate
Oxted line
to Uckfield

The Spa Valley Railway (SVR) is a standard gauge heritage railway in the United Kingdom that runs from Tunbridge Wells West railway station in Royal Tunbridge Wells to High Rocks, Groombridge, and Eridge, where it links with the Oxted Line.

It crosses the Kent and East Sussex border, covering a distance of 5 miles (8 km), along the former Wealden Line between Tunbridge Wells Central and Lewes. The railway headquarters is also at Tunbridge Wells West railway station.

History

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The original Tunbridge Wells West station building

The railway was engineered by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) Chief Engineer Frederick Banister, as part of the East Grinstead, Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells Railway (EGGTWR). This being an extension to the Three Bridges–Tunbridge Wells line which had been completed in 1855.

The EGGTWR was part of a regional race between the LB&SCR and the SER, and a specific race to access the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells:[1]

The LB&SCR opened Tunbridge Wells West in 1866 as the eastern terminus of the EGGTW; there was also an extension to Tunbridge Wells Central. From Tunbridge Wells West railway station. There were direct services to the South Coast at Brighton and Eastbourne and to London Victoria. The Victoria services ran via Groombridge and Ashurst. A sign outside the station proudly proclaimed, "New Route to London: Shortest, Quickest and Most Direct. Frequent Express Trains".[2]

Closure

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Derelict locomotive shed, c. 1986

As the popularity of the motor car increased, train services were severely cut back due to the lack of patronage, and the number of services passing through Tunbridge Wells West railway station declined as one line after another was closed from the 1950s onwards. First, the East Grinstead to Lewes line closed in 1958, then the Cuckoo Line in 1965, the Three Bridges to Groombridge in 1967, and finally the Wealden Line south of Uckfield in 1969. The line between Tunbridge Wells and Eridge was itself listed for closure in 1966, only to be subsequently reprieved. The line remained open, although in its latter years passenger services were mainly confined to a shuttle service between Tonbridge (via the single line connection to Tunbridge Wells Central – now plain Tunbridge Wells) and Eridge with a few through trains to Uckfield. However, there was a depot at Tunbridge Wells West which housed rolling stock for services on the Uckfield– and East Grinstead–London (via East Croydon) lines, and there were several empty stock moves early and late in the day.

By the early 1980s, the track and signalling needed to be replaced and British Rail were planning an upgrade of the Tonbridge to Hastings Line. British Rail therefore, announced the proposed closure of the line (including Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells West stations) from 16 May 1983 which was later deferred after public objections. It was announced in February 1985 that the Secretary of State for Transport agreed to the withdrawal of passenger services deciding that the cost of keeping the line open from Birchden Jn to Grove Jn and undertaking renewing Grove Junction did not justify the outlay. The passenger service was withdrawn from 8 July 1985 although the section between Tunbridge Wells West and Birchden Jn remained open for rolling stock movements until 10 August, when the depot at Tunbridge Wells West station was shut.[3] At the time of closure, Tunbridge Wells West station had gas lighting, which was in operation in the ticket office and under the canopy.

Preservation

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Restoration

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The SVR has its origins in a charitable society formed on 13 September 1985, to purchase and reopen the Tunbridge Wells West to Eridge line. Named the Tunbridge Wells and Eridge Railway Preservation Society (TWERPS), it began a long struggle to reopen the line. The campaign received a setback in the late 1980s when Tunbridge Wells Borough Council gave planning permission for the construction of a large Sainsbury's supermarket complex on the site of the derelict station site of Tunbridge Wells West. While the 1891 locomotive shed and station building were protected as listed buildings, the remaining area of the site was obliterated, including the goods shed and signal boxes. However, planning permission was subject to the condition that the developer pay for construction of a new station platform and restoration of the engine shed.[4]

The North Downs Steam Railway relocated from Dartford in 1996, where it was experiencing vandalism problems, and merged with TWERPS. It transferred its assets and helped establish a base in the former LB&SCR locomotive shed. The group had also acquired the line as far as Birchden Junction during that year. Alongside the loco shed, a new platform was built, from where services began running to Cold Bath Bridge (about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) away) in December 1996. Services were extended to Groombridge in August 1997 and to Birchden Junction in 2005.

In 2007, SVR marked the 10th anniversary of the opening of the line by transforming Groombridge into a busy interchange station, with trains arriving or departing every 15 minutes.[5] The funds raised from this event went towards the "Return to Eridge" appeal to raise £500,000 for the extension to the Uckfield main line at Eridge. On 25 March 2011 the SVR extended passenger services to Eridge, where there is a footbridge interchange with Southern services on the London Bridge to Uckfield line.

In August 2017, a special event (20th Birthday Bash) was held to celebrate 20 years since the reopening of the line to Groombridge, starring a variety of home and visiting locomotives, including BR Standard 4 Tank 80078.

Rolling stock

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Steam

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Operational

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Identity Former operator Class Builder Works
Number 		Built Wheel
Arrangement 		Notes Image
34053 303 Squadron BR Battle of Britain Brighton Works 1947 4-6-2 The locomotive arrived in September 2020 and is now permanently based at the Spa Valley Railway following an agreement between the line and its owners. Returned to the railway in July 2024 following completion of overhaul.[6]
34072 257 Squadron BR Battle of Britain Class Brighton Works 1948 4-6-2 Moved to Spa Valley Railway in late 2022 and will be based there for the foreseeable future.[7] Currently on hire to the Watercress Line until January 2025.
80078 BR Standard Class 4MT Brighton works 1954 2-6-4T Visiting for the Polar Express season, based at the Mid-Norfolk Railway. Owned by Stewart Robinson.
2315
Lady Ingrid 		South of Scotland Electricity Board Andrew Barclay 2315 1951 0-4-0ST Underwent overhaul in 2009.[8] Returned to service in 2024. Has been sold.
828 Caledonian Railway 812 Class St Rollox 1899 0-6-0 On long term hire since 2022.[9]

Non-operational

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Identity Former operator Class Builder Works
Number 		Built Wheel
Arrangement 		Notes Image
50
Sutton 		LB&SCR A1X 'Terrier' Brighton Works 1876 0-6-0T Undergoing overhaul since 2011.[10]
47493 LMS 3F 'Jinty' Vulcan Foundry 4195 1927 0-6-0T Underwent overhaul 2014.[11] Originally numbered 16576, later 7493.

Expected to return to steam by 2025.

68077 LNER J94 Andrew Barclay 2215 1947 0-6-0ST Stored.[12]
1589
Newstead 		NCB Hunslet 1589 1929 0-6-0ST Undergoing overhaul.[13]
No.57
Samson 		Stewarts & Lloyds Ltd, Corby 'Ugly' RSH 7668 1950 0-6-0ST Stored.[14]
No. 62 Ugly Stewarts & Lloyds Ltd, Corby 'Ugly' RSH 7673 1950 0-6-0ST On display since 2021 awaiting overhaul.[15]

Diesel

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Operational

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Identity Class Builder Built Livery Notes Image
08922 Class 08 1962 BR Railfreight Grey The locomotive arrived in September 2023 on hire from the Great Central Railway (Nottingham).[16]
31430 Sister Dora British Rail Class 31 Brush Traction 1961 BR Blue Owned by Martin Staniforth.[17]
73140 Class 73/1 English Electric Vulcan Foundry 1966 BR Blue Owned by the Class 73 Locomotive Group.
2591 Southerham Drewry Unlined Black
189C Vanguard Thomas Hill Blue

Non-operational

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Identity Class Builder Built Livery Notes Image
09026 Cedric Wares Class 09 1962 BR Green Currently undergoing overhaul. Was previously named William Pearson during its career at Brighton Lovers Walk TMD.
15224 Class 12 Ashford Works 1949 BR Green Stored.
33063 R. J. Mitchell[18] Class 33/0 BRCW January 1962 Railfreight Triple Grey Owned by the South East Locomotive Group. Undergoing repaint.
33065 Sealion[19] Class 33/0 BRCW January 1962 BR Blue Owned by the South East Locomotive Group. Undergoing overhaul.

Multiple Units

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DMU s are diesel multiple units. EMUs are electric multiple units but these are only being used as static or hauled stock on this line.

Type Identity Origin Class Code Notes Photograph
EMU 69306 BR Class 421
(4-BIG) 		TRB Used as a static cafe as Tunbridge Wells West station until 2019, now for sale.[20]
EMU 12275 BR 6-PAN TFK Underframe only, converted to crane wagon.[21]
DEMU 1317 BR Class 207 3D (currently operating as 2D) In service. Formed of DMBSO 60142, TC 60616, DTSO 60909/60916. TC 60616, the unique centre car, is currently being internally restored.
DEMU No. 1302 BR Class 207 N/A Built in 1962. In service until destroyed in a fire on 20 May 2016. Arrived from Swindon and Cricklade Railway in February 2024.

References

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  1. ^ Oppitz, Leslie (2003). Lost Railways of Kent. Newbury, UK: Countryside Books. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-85306-803-4.
  2. ^ Oppitz, Leslie (2001). Lost Railways of Sussex. Newbury, UK: Countryside Books. p. 74. ISBN 978-1-85306-697-9.
  3. ^ "Disused Stations: Tunbridge Wells West Station". www.disused-stations.org.uk.
  4. ^ "Spa Valley Railway".
  5. ^ Kent and Sussex Courier, "Full steam ahead for anniversary", 14 September 2007, p. 21
  6. ^ "Southern Railway Bulleid Pacific 4-6-2 No. 34053 'Sir Keith Park'". Spa Valley Railway. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Southern Locomotives Ltd | Latest News". southern-locomotives.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  8. ^ Dives, M (28 September 2009). "Lady Ingrid". Spa Valley Railway Website. Spa Valley Railway. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Spa Valley Railway to welcome Caledonian Railway steam locomotive No. 828". RailAdvent. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  10. ^ Dives, M (15 August 2011). "LB&SCR A1X Terrier No. 32650 Sutton". Spa Valley Railway Website. Spa Valley Railway. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  11. ^ Dives, M (19 January 2011). "LMS 'Jinty' No. 47493". Spa Valley Railway Website. Spa Valley Railway. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  12. ^ Dives, M (6 September 2006). "LNER J94 No. 68077". Spa Valley Railway Website. Spa Valley Railway. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  13. ^ "Hunslet 0-6-0ST No.1589 'Newstead'". Spa Valley Railway. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  14. ^ Dives, M (22 January 2008). "RSH Ugly Class No. 57 'Samson'". Spa Valley Railway Website. Spa Valley Railway. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  15. ^ Holden, Michael (26 January 2021). "Steam locomotive No 62 'Ugly' withdrawn from service".
  16. ^ "Shunter News". Railways Illustrated (via PressReader. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Brush Type 2 Sister Dora moves to Spa Valley". The Railway Magazine. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Class 33/0 33063 'R. J. Mitchell'". Spa Valley Railway. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Class 33/0 33065 'Sealion'". Spa Valley Railway. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  20. ^ "VCT". Vintage carriages trustWebsite. Vintage Carriages trust. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  21. ^ "VCT". Vintage carriages trustWebsite. Vintage Carriages trust. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
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51°07′26″N 0°14′13″E / 51.12384°N 0.23706°E / 51.12384; 0.23706

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