The Spa Valley Railway (SVR) is a standard gauge heritage railway that runs from Tunbridge Wells West railway station in 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[]
The original Tunbridge Wells West station building
The railway was engineered by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway's (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 to East Grinstead Railway 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:
The LB&SCR opened Tunbridge Wells West in 1866 as the eastern terminus of the EGGTWR; 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".
Closure[]
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 signaling needed to be replaced. British Rail — at the time carrying out an upgrade of the Tonbridge to Hastings Line which included the renewal of Grove Junction — decided that the cost of keeping the line from Eridge to Grove Jn open and undertaking the works, some £175,000, did not justify the outlay. BR therefore, announced the proposed closure of the line (including Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells West station) from 16 May 1983 which was later deferred after public objections. The Secretary of State for Transport agreed to the withdrawal of passenger services, which took effect from 6 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. 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[]
Restoration[]
The Spa Valley Railway (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 goods yard 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.
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. 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 Template:Stnlnk, 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.
Operations[]
The SVR provides a way of getting to other local tourist attractions, such as Groombridge Place, High Rocks and the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells.
The railway holds a number of special event days throughout the year, including Transport Film Festivals, Santa Specials, a Summer Diesel Gala and also Real Ale & Cider festival (jointly organized by CAMRA), which is combined with the railway's autumn diesel gala and held each October.
The railway operates between February and October, as well as on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the summer months. In December, the railway operates Santa Special services until Christmas, and then runs on selected days between Christmas and/including New Year's Day.
During November and January, the line is usually closed to the public. This allows the railway's infrastructure department time to carry out major track renewals such as installation of new point work, something that Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells West have both benefited from in recent times.
Future[]
Whilst the Spa Valley Railway certainly has no current plans to extend its operational railway line, it has a stated aim "...to continually develop its railway services and facilities". Its business plan states that the SVR "will seek to protect the alignment of the closed railway lines around Eridge, that may at some future time provide the basis for an extension of our railway".
Rolling stock[]
Steam[]
Operational[]
| Identity | Former operator | Class | Builder | Works
Number |
Built | WheelArrangement | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2890 ''Douglas'' | ex-Hunslet Saddle Tank | 1943 | 0-6-0 | Operational. The locomotive was purchased for use on the Mid Hants Railway in the late 1990s.
The locomotive was then rebuilt and converted from a saddle tank to an 0-6-0 tender engine. This enabled it to be used as "Douglas" from the Thomas the Tank Engine stories. The tender frame was formerly LMS Fowler 3,500 gallon tender which had been purchased from British Railways. After several years on the Mid Hants Railway, the locomotive was sold to a private owner and was subsequently moved to the Ribble Steam Railway at Preston in 2012. As part of an overhaul at the Ribble Steam Railway so cosmetic changes to its appearance were made to make it look more authentic. The locomotive returned to steam numbered 2890 at the Ribble Steam Railway in September 2017. The locomotive is to be based on the East Lancashire Railway, although from June 2020 it is based long-term to operate on the Spa Valley Railway. |
 | |||
| 34072 257 Squadron | SR | Battle of Britain Class | Brighton Works | 1948 | 4-6-2 | Arrived at the Swanage Railway in 1990 and owned by Southern Locomotives Limited. Recently returned to steam following completion of her overhaul at Herston works. Returned to the Swanage Railway in August 2017 and after having final work completed and running in trials completed, she returned to service on 26 September 2018. Moved to Spa Valley Railway in late 2022 and will remain there for the foreseeable future. | 
|
Non-operational[]
| Identity | Former operator | Class | Builder | Works
Number |
Built | WheelArrangement | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34053 Sir Keith Park | SR | 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. Currently out of service as of May 2022.
Southern Locomotives Ltd.
|
File:34053 Sir Keith Park at Bridgnorth.jpg | |
| 50
Sutton |
LB&SCR | A1X 'Terrier' | Brighton Works | 1876 | 0-6-0T | Under overhaul (2011-08-15) Originally named Whitechapel, it also carried the numbers 650, B650, 2650, W9, 515S and (for British Railways) 32650. | File:The Hayling Billy - geograph.org.uk - 1379778.jpg | |
| 47493 | LMS | 3F 'Jinty' | Vulcan Foundry | 4195 | 1927 | 0-6-0T | Under overhaul (2014-01-09) Originally numbered 16576, later 7493. | File:Spa Valley Jinty.JPG |
| 68077 | LNER | J94 | Andrew Barclay | 2215 | 1947 | 0-6-0ST | Stored (2006-09-06) Previously numbered 8077 and 14. | File:Harringay West, with ex-WD 0-6-0T geograph-2890663-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg |
| 2315
Lady Ingrid |
South of Scotland Electricity Board | Andrew Barclay | 2315 | 1951 | 0-4-0ST | Under overhaul (2009-9-28) Operated at the Braehead Power Station. | File:1215 Andrew Barclay 2315 0-4-0ST LADY INGRID 30587 Tunbridge Wells West.jpg | |
| 1589 | Woolley Colliery | Hunslet Engine Company | 1929 | 0-6-0ST | Under overhaul (2020-1-14) | |||
| No.57
Samson |
Stewarts & Lloyds Ltd, Corby | 'Ugly' | RSH | 7668 | 1950 | 0-6-0ST | Stored (2008-01-22) |  |
| 2193
Topham |
West Cannock Colliery | W. G. Bagnall | 2193 | 1922 | 0-6-0ST | Stored |  | |
| 62 Ugly | Stewarts & Lloyds Ltd, Corby | RSH | 7673 | 1950 | 0-6-0ST | Stored following 10 years in service (2021-01-25) | File:01I07I2017 SPA VALLEY RAILWAY Summer Steam Festival E3.jpg |
Diesel and electric locomotives[]
Operational[]
| Identity | Origin | Wheel
arrangement |
Class | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southerham | 0-4-0DM | Drewry/Vulcan | Works number 2591. | File:Tunbridge Wells shed - Southerham.JPG | |
| D3489
Colonel Tomline |
BR | 0-6-0DE | Class 10 | Worked at Felixstowe Docks 1969-2001 and still carries BR black livery with Felixstowe Docks logos. | File:Tunbridge Wells shed - 3489 right side.JPG |
| 31430
Sister Dora |
BR | A1A-A1A | Class 31 | BR blue livery | File:Eridge - 31430 ready to depart.jpg |
| 33063
R J Mitchell |
BR | Bo-Bo | Class 33 | BR Railfreight livery. | frameless |
| 73140 | BR | Bo-Bo | Class 73 | Network South East livery. Built in 1966. | File:73140 at Tunbridge Wells West - Spa Valley Railway (20195331276).jpg |
.jpg){kind=link}
Non-operational[]
| Identity | Origin | Wheel
arrangement |
Class | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09026 Cedric Wares | BR | 0-6-0DE | Class 09 | Entered preservation 22 May 2016. Under overhaul. |  |
| 15224 | BR | 0-6-0DE | Class 12 | The only surviving Class 12 locomotive, stored awaiting overhaul. | 
|
| 33065 Sealion | BR | Bo-Bo | Class 33 | Built in 1962. Under overhaul. | frameless |
Multiple Units[]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU | 1317 | BR | Class 207
(3D) |
DMBSO
TCL DTSO |
Renumbered 207017 under TOPS system. Car numbers 60142, 60616, 60916. This is the only three-car unit class 207 in preservation (although in 2019 in service with just two cars). | File:Tunbridge Wells shed - 1317 (2 car).JPG |
| EMU | 9104 | BR | Class 489 | GLV | Stored at Groombridge, used as S&T equipment stores | File:9104 at Clapham Junction.JPG |
| EMU | 69306 | BR | Class 421 (4-BIG) | TRB | Used as a static cafe as Tunbridge Wells West station. | File:BEP TRB 69306 at Tunbridge Wells West.JPG |
| EMU | 1497 | BR | Class 421 (3-CIG) | DTC
MBSO DTC |
Leased July 2017 for long term. To be used both as hauled coaching stock or, with suitably equipped locomotives such as 73140, as a 'Push-Pull' train. | File:Tunbridge Wells West - 1497 in the siding.JPG |
| EMU | 12275 | BR | 6-PAN | TFK | Underframe only, converted to crane wagon. |
.JPG){kind=link}
Carriages[]
| Number | Design | Type code | New | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1864 | BR Mark 1 | RMB | 1962 | Purchased from the Llangollen Railway 2021, in service in Chocolate and Cream livery | |
| 3131 | BR Mark 1 | FO | 1963 | Undergoing a complete overhaul, to be painted crimson and cream | |
| 4828 | BR Mark 1 | SO | 1959 | In service in 2019, painted in BR green. | File:BR Mark 1 SO 4820 at Eridge.JPG |
| 4999 | BR Mark 1 | TSO | 1961 | In service in 2019, painted in BR blue and grey on one side and BR green on the other | File:BR Mark 1 TSO 4999 at Eridge.JPG |
| 5037 | BR Mark 1 | TSO | 1962 | Undergoing overhaul with conversion to allow wheelchair access | |
| 9414 | BR Mark 2 | BSO | 1966 | In service in 2019, painted in BR green | File:BR Mark 2 BSK 9414 at Eridge.JPG |
| 21214 | BR Mark 1 | BCK | 1958 | In service in 2019, painted in BR green | File:BR Mark 1 BCK 21214 at Eridge.JPG |
| 25843 | BR Mark 1 | SK (RB) | 1962 | Converted to a Buffet with second class open seating. In service in 2019, painted in BR green and named Kate, | File:BR Mark 1 SK (now RB) 25843 at Eridge.JPG |
| 25845 | BR Mark 1 | SK | 1962 | Awaiting overhaul | File:BR Mark 1 SK 25845 at Eridge.JPG |
| 4949 | BR Mark 1 | TSO | 1962 | Ex-Riviera trains, hired in for use on the Polar Express. Under purchase agreement with PNP Events | |
| 4946 | BR Mark 1 | TSO | 1962 | Ex-Riviera trains, hired in for use on the Polar Express. Under purchase agreement with PNP Events | |
| 35289 | BR Mark 1 | BSK | 1960 | Heavily Altered ex. Department Vehicle (last number DB977168), arrived 2019, due to become brake/kitchen car for dining trains. | |
| 81214 | BR Mark 1 | BG | 1957 | Arrived in 2021. Will be broken up in time for spare parts for the other carriages on the railway. | |
| 92111 | BR Mark 1 | BG | 1967 | Original number 81432. In store. |
_25843_at_Eridge.JPG){kind=link}
