To liven up children’s lives during the dull winter days, at the end of January, children’s TV favourite character Bluey will be appearing at Groombridge station on the Spa Valley Railway in Kent.

On Saturday, 27 and Sunday, 28 January 2024, visitors can travel by a train hauled by a full-size steam engine while enjoying the exciting sounds and smells of steam from the Spa Valley Railway’s Tunbridge Wells West station to Groombridge. Passengers should make sure they remember their cameras as at Groombridge they will be able to meet Bluey because he will be appearing there at intervals throughout both days.

Groombridge is a delightful historic station where the steam locomotive must change ends so that it is at the front of the train to take everyone back to Tunbridge Wells West station. As well as meeting Bluey and watching the steam engine change ends, there is a kiosk at Groombridge station that will be open for the sale of snacks, drinks and ice cream.

The Spa Valley Railway will be offering the chance to meet other favourite TV characters next year as Chase & Rubble from PAW Patrol will be visiting the railway on Saturday, 3 and Sunday, 4 February 2024.

Train Fares for these events can be booked in advance at www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk and cost:

• Adults £13;
• Seniors (60+) £12;
• Child (2-15yrs) £6;
• Family ticket (two adults and two children) £32.

Trains will depart from the Spa Valley Railway station at Tunbridge Wells West at 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, and 15:00, and after a 30-minute stopover at Groombridge will arrive back at Tunbridge Wells West one hour later.

Spa Valley Railway’s Tunbridge Well West Station is in Nevill Terrace, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY.