A Visit to the Spa Valley Railway - 9/7/2011

On the 9th July 2011, I visited the Spa Valley Railway, which runs for around 5 miles between Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent and Eridge in East Sussex. The line is often overshadowed by the nearby Bluebell, and is a very young line. Despite it being a recent addition to heritage lines, it has already opened it's full potential length with the opening to Eridge in East Sussex completed in March 2011, allowing cross bridge interchange with trains to London Bridge.

In service on the day of my visit were RSH 62 Ugly and Class 37 37254, with the Jinty 47493 in light steam at Tunbridge Wells West. The timetable was altered slightly due to the first train being 15 late of Tunbridge Wells and a wedding party to High Rocks Inn with some of the advertised 37 trains being Ugly and vice versa.

This video is more of a record video so there are less line side shots and more station shots, as well as a short piece of the new extension to Eridge. Shots in the video are:
Ugly at Pokehill Crossing (oh and sorry for the whistle making me jump, must learn not to get scared at noises so easily!)
Ugly returning near Groombridge Distant Signal
Ugly and the 37 on a bridge near High Rocks
Ugly arriving back into Groombridge
Arrival into Eridge alongside the London -- Uckfield main line
And a station shot at Eridge.

The Spa Valley Railway is a excellent line, and was well worth my travel from South Wales despite it's relatively small length, and I would more than recommend you visit the line if you are in the area. It shows off a southern English country branchline excellently and has friendly staff, as well as a good selection of locos. Also if you book in advance like I did, you can get there and back via London and the Underground for only £23!

Thanks to JBTEvans for company, the man at the riding centre for help after accidentally going down the wrong road trying to find Pokehill, and it was nice to meet Youtuber GWSR55 (I think it was, apologies if wrong, will look for your video later) at Groombridge.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Spa Valley Railway
• SVR
• 32
• Ugly
• 37254
• BR
• Tunbridge Wells
• Royal Tunbridge Wells
• High Rocks
• Groombridge
• Eridge
• Preserved Railway
• Pokeshill
• station
• steam
• diesel
• train
• Kent
• England
• UK

[gwsr55]

i was there when you filmed this!

[jamielw143]

@gwsr55 Thanks, it was nice meeting you at Groombridge. Also thanks for subscribing!

[wentonmastermind]

What a wonderful introduction to the Spa Valley Railway. Magnificent and evocative videoing plus helpful captions. Now all I need is an excuse to leave Toronto and visit the railway... 

[squareboffin]

I'm planning a visit to the SVR at the weekend and I was wondering how to get to Pokehill Crossing? many thanks, great video

Stuart