Spa Valley Railway

  • ‘Series of unfortunate events’ couldn’t stop Spa Valley Railway’s steam weekend

    ‘Series of unfortunate events’ couldn’t stop Spa Valley Railway’s steam weekend

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    Gala successes are the result of untold hours and months of planning that culminate in a few final days of hard graft and fun. Owen Hayward reports in words and pictures on a visit to the Spa Valley Railway’s gala, where, despite being faced with a series of unfortunate events in the days immediately beforehand,…

  • No. 828 arrives at Tunbridge Wells

    No. 828 arrives at Tunbridge Wells

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    As the Spa Valley Railway’s 2022 operating season gets underway, Caledonian Railway 0-6-0 No. 828 has arrived this morning at Tunbridge Wells – its furthest southern holiday since being built.

  • Restored Sharpness 03 at ‘extravaganza’

    Restored Sharpness 03 at ‘extravaganza’

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    THE Vale of Berkeley Railway Trust’s Class 03 No. D2069 was displayed at the Gloucestershire Vintage & Country Extravaganza on August 2-4.  Its appearance at South Cerney airfield, Cirecncester, followed completion of an extensive restoration in the engine shed at Sharpness Docks.  Peter Nicholson’s Wickham 8S-type 4165 No. 156W was also exhibited by the Vale of Berkeley…

  • Spa Valley diesel gala success

    Spa Valley diesel gala success

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    THE Spa Valley Railway’s August 2-4 diesel gala was successful financially, attracting 1,438 visitors, including dining train passengers. The event showcased two loco types rarely seen in the South East, both making their class debuts on the railway.  Scottish Sulzer Type 2 No. 27001 appeared courtesy of the Class 27 Locomotive Group at the Bo’ness &…

  • Bo’ness & Kinneil Class 27 makes long journey to Kent

    Bo’ness & Kinneil Class 27 makes long journey to Kent

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    THE Class 27 Locomotive Group’s No. 27001 received attention at Bo’ness prior to making an extended visit to the Spa Valley Railway in Kent (RM June, p93).  It is seen outside the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway’s modern motive power depot at Bo’ness on July 12, ready for departure, set for the 29th. The Sulzer Type 2…

  • Two ‘Cromptons’ take centre stage at North Norfolk gala

    Two ‘Cromptons’ take centre stage at North Norfolk gala

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    THE North Norfolk Railway’s June 14-16 mixed traction event had mixed fortunes regarding loco availability.  ‘Deltic’ No. 55009 Alycidon had to be replaced by Spa Valley Railway Class 33 No. 33063 R. J. Mitchell, but the line-up had an unexpected boost by the arrival of another of the type.  After delivering No. 33063 on June 11 the lorry…

  • Spa Valley special remembers ‘great friend’ Roy Bell MBE

    Spa Valley special remembers ‘great friend’ Roy Bell MBE

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    THE Spa Valley Railway ran a special train on April 30 in memory of the late Roy Bell MBE, who was a great friend and supporter of the railway. He died in October 2018. Roy was the Southern Region’s last chief signalling engineer.  The four-coach ‘Roy Belle’, top-and-tailed by Class 31 No. 31430 Sister Dora and…

  • Spa Valley ‘Crompton’ replaces ‘Deltic’ at North Norfolk gala

    Spa Valley ‘Crompton’ replaces ‘Deltic’ at North Norfolk gala

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    CLASS 33 No. 33063 R.J. Mitchell will visit the North Norfolk Railway’s June 14-16 mixed traction gala in place of Class 55 No. 55009 Alycidon, following its failure while working on the main line on March 3 (RM April, p98).  The ‘33’ appears courtesy of the South East Locomotive Group, and is making a rare appearance away…

  • Brush Type 2 Sister Dora moves to Spa Valley

    Brush Type 2 Sister Dora moves to Spa Valley

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    CLASS 31 No. 31430 Sister Dora has joined the Spa Valley Railway fleet on an extended visit. The loco is owned by Martin Staniforth and arrived on October 17 from the Mangapps Railway, where a comprehensive restoration had been undertaken. Running numbers carried previously by this loco have been D5695, 31265, 31430 and 31530. The name…

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