The Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells in Kent has announced an impressive line-up for its annual ‘Summer Steam Up’ on 17 and 18 June.

The event will showcase steam locomotives which are based at the railway alongside guests hired in specially for this event. Confirmed locomotives are:

• South Eastern & Chatham Railway O1 No. 65, courtesy of the Bluebell Railway
• Bulleid Pacific No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’, which began its visit to Spa Valley last year
• Caledonian Railway No. 828, which joined the railway in 2022
• 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 17 June.  Brake Van Rides will also feature as part of this event with the Queen Mary Brake Van in operation.

The five-mile line crosses the Kent and East Sussex border, and has additional stations at High Rocks and Groombridge.

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

Discounts are available for tickets purchased in advance online.  Family rover tickets cost £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 24 and 25 June alongside Caledonian Railway No. 828 on a special timetable featuring both Victorian locomotives!

Details of the Summer Steam Up can be found here. Booking is now open here.

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.”