Visit the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells for their annual ‘Summer Steam Up’ event which will feature a magnificent line up of steam locomotives on the weekend of 17 & 18 June 2023.  Take a nostalgic trip along the 5 mile line which crosses the Kent and East Sussex border between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge with additional stations at High Rocks and Groombridge.

Commercial Manager at the Spa Valley Railway Jonnie Pay said: “We are delighted to share the news that this year’s ‘Summer Steam Up’ will feature the Bluebell Railway’s South Eastern & Chatham Railway 0-6-0 O1 No. 65 operating alongside Caledonian Railway No. 828, Hunslet Austerity No. 2890 ‘Douglas’ and Bulleid Pacific No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron‘!

“No. 65 was built at Ashford Works in 1898 and used to operate close to Tunbridge Wells West on the Hawkhurst Branch and Kent & East Sussex Railway. This is only the second time in preservation the locomotive has visited another heritage railway and we are extremely grateful to the Bluebell Railway for making this possible.

“We are hoping to soon announce the arrival of another steam engine to join the existing line up at the Spa Valley Railway.”

Details of our Summer Steam Up can be found here: https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/5541/summer-steam-up

The steam up event will showcase steam locomotives which are based at the railway alongside those which have been hired in specially for this event.

Confirmed Locomotives:

• South Eastern & Chatham Railway O1 No. 65 – Courtesy of the Bluebell Railway
• Bulleid Pacific No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’
• Caledonian Railway No. 828
• Hunslet Austerity No. 2890 ‘Douglas’

All locomotives will be operating an intensive service between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge throughout the Saturday and Sunday and into the evening of Saturday 17th June.  Brake Van Rides will also feature as part of this event with the Queen Mary Brake Van in operation.

On Saturday 17th June enjoy an evening train ride behind visiting SECR O1 No. 65 and another locomotive whilst either tucking into a Fish & Chip supper (advance booking required) or enjoying a pint of real ale from bar car ‘Kate’ on the Real Ale Train.

Discounts available for tickets purchased in advance online.  Family rover tickets £60, adult rover tickets £25 and £15 for children with discounts available for buying two day rover tickets.

The O1 locomotive will also operate over the following weekend of 24th & 25th June alongside Caledonian Railway No. 828 on a special timetable featuring both Victorian locomotives!

Booking is now open at   www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk