Spa Valley Railway - Class 33 Running Day/Rare Track Excursion 2nd August 2018

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Class 33 Running Day/Rare Track Excursion

Thursday 2nd August​

Class 33 Running Day
The day before the main diesel gala takes place will see the two resident Crompton's Class 33/0 33063 'R.J.Mitchell' and Slim-Jim Class 33/2 33201 taking part in a mileage day. They will run top and tail all day between Tunbridge Wells West & Eridge with 33063 and 33201 swapping ends as the day goes on, finishing in early evening to allow for continued preparation for the following day's Gala activities. The train will be our 4 car MK1 set which will include Bar Car 'Kate' serving a range of drinks, including the real ale & cider bar!

Locomotives:
• Class 33/0 33063 'R.J.Mitchell'
• Class 33/2 33201

MORE INFORMATION
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The return of the 'Rare Track Excursion'!
Alongside the Crompton running day the 'Rare Track Excursion' will be making a welcome return to the calendar, this time visiting a lot of rarely used bits of track in one hit. Taking in areas of Tunbridge Wells West previously not usually accessed such as the East/West 2 siding (as far as something can go) and No.3 road. Both roads of the carriage siding at Groombridge will also be included along with the available space in the Groombridge Engineers Siding, the former Up Line from Birchden Junction.

A quick pop along to Eridge will also be fitted in to visit Platform 3 and the stub of track beyond the normal stopping point in Platform 2 before returning to Tunbridge Wells West. The traction for this train will be Class 10 D4389 'Colonel Tomline' and Class 73 73140. Drewry 2591 'Southerham' will be on the train as far as Groombridge from Tunbridge Wells West where it will be outstationed for the event. The Drewry works one way only.

This will be the last time a train operates on the Ashurst Spur! They will no longer be available after this!

Locomotives:
• Drewry 2591 'Southerham'
• Class 10 D3489 'Colonel Tomline'
• Class 73 73140

MORE INFORMATION

 

[A0]

One question - why is the Ashurst spur being decommissioned?

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

The owners, which bought the land from BR when the spur closed in the 1960's want the land back for their own use. We've only ever leased it and in recent times the ownership has changed hands.

 

[A0]

The owners, which bought the land from BR when the spur closed in the 1960's want the land back for their own use. We've only ever leased it and in recent times the ownership has changed hands.

Ah - makes sense. Thanks for responding.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Is the run round/drawbridge to car park at Eridge built now, the last time I went on the Spa Valley, I was told it should be happening soon. Or do they still have that shunt movement just outside Eridge Station?

 

[Spa_Jonnie]

Eridge is gaining its own mini stop board signalling system, loco changes still take place but it means the trains can depart without needing to drop the loco off the rear.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Eridge is gaining its own mini stop board signalling system, loco changes still take place but it means the trains can depart without needing to drop the loco off the rear.

Ok, Thank you.