26038 'Tom Clift' to visit Spa Valley Railway

[Spa_Jonnie]

The Spa Valley Railway is pleased to announce, courtesy of the 6LDA Group and the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway that BR Class 26 26038 'Tom Clift' will be visiting us for our biggest to date Summer Diesel Gala running from Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd August.

Also staring will other visiting locomotive Class 31 31206 and resident Class 33 33063 'R.J.Mitchell', Class 37 37254 'Driver Robin Prince MBE', Class 73 73140 (freshly re-painted), Class 10 D3489 'Colonel Tomline' and also Class 207 DEMU 1317!

Over the three day event there'll be Beer, Cider, BBQ, Rare Track, Cab Rides, Brake Van Rides, Evening Fish & Chip Supper, Driver for a Tenner and Driver for a Fiver as well as plenty of thrash all throughout the event from early morning until late evening!

Please visit: http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/events/Summer_Diesel_Gala_-_1st_-_3rd_August_2014/ for full details of our Summer Gala and to also book in advance!

 

[theblackwatch]

The weblink is excellent providing all the info required right down to what beers will be where! I presume there are no other visiting locos planned but yet to be announced?

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

There may be something in the pipeline if I can get sponsorship for a lorry to move it to us and then return it more or less straight away. Other developments are happening to do with our diesel fleet but I cannot say for sure whether it'll be in time for the Summer Gala or not.

 

[Johnny_w]

Might be worth a tickle then!

If I remember last time I got a taxi from the mainline to the station next to the B&Q...

JW

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

It's Homebase and Sainsburys which we're next to, post code is TN25QY.

Alternatively if you're coming from the London direction you can get a train directly to Eridge on Friday's and Saturday's where we're quite literally found on the opposite platform to Southern's trains!

 

[gazthomas]

Okay walk if you're able to

 

[paul1609]

The weblink is excellent providing all the info required right down to what beers will be where! I presume there are no other visiting locos planned but yet to be announced?

Indeed, spa jonnie is so good at these events Im hoping to recruit him for the KESR when the SPA get taken over by Thameslink

 

[theblackwatch]

Indeed, spa jonnie is so good at these events Im hoping to recruit him for the KESR when the SPA get taken over by Thameslink

Any chance of a Diesel Weekend at KESR some time? 03, 08, 33, DMU (if they are all runners?). Little cost but would pull in a fair number of punters...

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

Indeed, spa jonnie is so good at these events Im hoping to recruit him for the KESR when the SPA get taken over by Thameslink

Thanks although I think if Spa goes that'll probably be the sign for me to have a break! It's great fun organising the event and then seeing it actually all happen with the happy people riding up and down and having a few to drink.

Makes a pleasant change from running the railway on all the other days of the year....

 

[steamybrian]

Looking forward to it already...

...I shall be there...

 

[Techniquest]

I've been persuaded to visit, a holiday form shall be filled in tomorrow. Setting a reminder to do so on my phone now, that's how keen I am to visit!

I'm guessing there's no Southern trains from Eridge on the Sunday?

Not looked at the website, but I need the whole route and all those locos so I will have a busy time red-penning that weekend!

 

[steamybrian]

...


I'm guessing there's no Southern trains from Eridge on the Sunday?....

There is a hourly train service on Sundays between Oxted and Uckfield see NR timetable no. 186.

 

[Techniquest]

Cheers, I saw an earlier post saying about getting to Eridge on Fridays and Saturdays, but no mention of Sundays, so thought I'd ought to check in case of some weird service pattern.

Have since looked at the webpage for the gala, very detailed for a gala that's still some way off! This is how it should be done for other major railways, who could learn a lot about how to engage potential visitors and drag people in! Certainly looking forward to coming down so I really hope I can get there.

Finally, I like the idea of all the locos on the back on the last train and giving the 31 some more serious work to do!

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

I personally don't like leaving everything till the last minute hence why I've published it all in one hit. I'd actually done most of the webpage by January just left it switched off until the hire agreement for 26038 was finalised.

It also means our ticket office staff have access to all the correct information that the public need should they get any questions via phone call or in person.

There is still more information to come though regarding the likes of Brake Van tours at TWW & the Drive a Loco and Cab Rides.

The timetables are written, I'm just checking loco allocations all work and preparing the shunting notes so everything is ready.

 

[Techniquest]

Good stuff, very organised then! Hopefully I'll be there, depending on whether the parents have all booked their summer holiday yet...

 

[paul1609]

Any chance of a Diesel Weekend at KESR some time? 03, 08, 33, DMU (if they are all runners?). Little cost but would pull in a fair number of punters...

If I'm honest very little chance. Its not that we are ideologically opposed to them its just that for us they dont add up in a complicated financial/limited resources formula.

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

The first of the weekends Driver for a Tenner have gone live on the website, these are for the Friday morning with Class 10 D3489. I'll be working through the timetables and loco allocations this coming week to get further ones advertised along with the cab rides.

http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/events/Drive_a_Loco_-_Friday_1st_August/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Whilst the timetables are being put together does anyone have any particular loco combinations they'd like to see?

Also if anyone has a sales stand for loco group or model railway items/model railways themselves they'd like to bring along please get in touch with me (Jonnie) at spa_roster@ymail.com, there will be spaces at Tun Wells, Groombridge & Eridge. The more the merrier!

 

[87015]

Whilst the timetables are being put together does anyone have any particular loco combinations they'd like to see?

Single locos would be better, no daft combinations needed and maximises available thrash... So minimal ED trips as well

If it two sets then one Sulzer 26/33 and the other EE 31/37/(73) which works well at other lines?

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

Trying to fit them all in has been interesting, the ED won't do a hell of a lot but as it'll be repainted we plan to show it off a bit.

So far mind the only double heading is the Saturday night Beerex with the 33 and 26.

 

[paul1609]

Id like to do a beerex but getting back to Rye is a mare. Theres nothing worse than being sober on a beerex

 

[Techniquest]

I'd concur with no outrageous combinations (Sulzer and EE on the front makes no sense at all!), which some railways seem to enjoy doing

Apparently I've got the time off for this so when we get nearer the time I'll be booking some Advances

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

The 'Rare Track Excursion' Cab Rides for Thursday 31st July have now sold out, we are still offering tickets for this unique experience at just £20 on our website: http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/event ... xcursion!/

Further developments are under way for the Summer event so keep an eye out on this forum!

 

[Johnny_w]

Last time I went down, If I remember correctly, the cost of going direct to Eridge was much more expensive than Tunbridge!

Or am I going insane?

coming from Stowmarket

 

[steamybrian]

Last time I went down, If I remember correctly, the cost of going direct to Eridge was much more expensive than Tunbridge!

Or am I going insane?

coming from Stowmarket

I suggest you recheck it as usually fares London to Eridge are cheaper than London to Tunbridge Wells
A quick check on the fares shows-
London to Eridge day return £13.80
London to Tunbridge Wells day return £18.20.
I will leave you to add your fares Stowmarket to London or calculate through fares, any discounts, etc.

 

[paul1609]

To be honest the extra £4.40 to Tunbridge Wells is a good investment for the higher frequency. Eridge is only hourly which can lead to long waits at London bridge.
Far be it for me to comment but I have heard others say that Spa Valley Diesel Gala timetables can be a bit on the ambitious side and theres not really very much to see at Eridge itself.

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

The timetables were trialled last October and ran at most 12 minutes late on the Saturday until late evening when something too place that needed my undivided attention (I was Duty Ops Manager) therefore a train was cancelled.

This time round all trains are hauled by 25mph locos and there's make up time at both ends of the route. Our evening trains have even greater connection times at Eridge and will allow 40 minutes to get from TWW to TWC this time round.

They're ambitious but doable, people have overlooked the Class 10s limited speed and we now have a DEMU booked to do a 10/11 minute section in 15 so there's make up time there.

 

[Johnny_w]

Thanks guys.

I'll look at the timings to Eridge then! Been a couple of years since I last visited, but enjoyed it!

JW

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

Watch this space... Some exciting developments are taking place making the event even bigger!

The Beer and Cider lists currently online may be slightly altered, sort of a mini beer festival taking place!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
33202 will be visiting courtesy of the locomotives owner to star alongside two other visiting locomotives, BR Class 26 26028 'Tom Clift' and BR Class 31 31206!

The three visitors will be running alongside Class 33/0 33063 'R.J.Mitchell', Class 37 37254 'Driver Robin Prince M.B.E.', Class 73 73140 (freshly re-painted), Class 207 DEMU 1317 and Class 10 D3489 'Colonel Tomline'.

33202 is a narrow bodied Crompton built to work on the Hastings Line which is just up the way from us so its visit to the Spa is very historically appropriate to our line!

The Saturday night Beerex will now be a BR Blue Sulzer combination of Class 26 26038 leading Class 33/2 33202, for full details please see our website at: http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/events/Summer_Diesel_Gala_-_1st_-_3rd_August_2014/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I forgot to mention earlier, it is hoped to have part of Groombridge Signal Box in working order just in time for our Summer Gala, the first time moving signals have controlled trains on the Spa since 1985!

 

[jnjkerbin]

Watch this space... Some exciting developments are taking place making the event even bigger!

The Beer and Cider lists currently online may be slightly altered, sort of a mini beer festival taking place!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
33202 will be visiting courtesy of the locomotives owner to star alongside two other visiting locomotives, BR Class 26 26028 'Tom Clift' and BR Class 31 31206!

The three visitors will be running alongside Class 33/0 33063 'R.J.Mitchell', Class 37 37254 'Driver Robin Prince M.B.E.', Class 73 73140 (freshly re-painted), Class 207 DEMU 1317 and Class 10 D3489 'Colonel Tomline'.

33202 is a narrow bodied Crompton built to work on the Hastings Line which is just up the way from us so its visit to the Spa is very historically appropriate to our line!

The Saturday night Beerex will now be a BR Blue Sulzer combination of Class 26 26038 leading Class 33/2 33202, for full details please see our website at: http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/events/Summer_Diesel_Gala_-_1st_-_3rd_August_2014/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I forgot to mention earlier, it is hoped to have part of Groombridge Signal Box in working order just in time for our Summer Gala, the first time moving signals have controlled trains on the Spa since 1985!

Excellent news! I wonder if this will be the most visitors the Spa Valley's ever had at once? Looking forward to the event!

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

It certainly will be the largest number of visitors we've had in for one gala in our relatively short existence but we aim to please!

It's certainly hard work to organise but one we all enjoy.