The Spa Valley Railway at Tunbridge Wells in Kent has announced the line-up of magnificent steam engines that will appear at its ‘Winter Steam Up Festival’ next February.
Services will be running between Tunbridge Wells West station and Eridge from Friday 9, to Sunday, 11 February 2024 with several locomotives that have never visited the line before. Among the locomotives operating during the festival will be BR Standard 2MT No. 78019, courtesy of the Great Central Railway, which is a type that was rarely seen on the Southern region. Other locomotives will include:
- BR Standard 4MT No. 80078;
- Andrew Barclay No. 2315 Lady Ingrid;
- Caledonian Railway No. 828;
- Bulleid Pacific No. 34072 257 Squadron.
On Friday, 9 and Saturday, 10 February, the railway’s popular Fish & Chip Supper trains will operate, departing from Tunbridge Well West at 7 pm at a cost of £25 per person; advance booking for these trains is essential.
The 7 pm departures from Tunbridge Well West on Friday, 9 and Saturday, 10 February will also provide guests to sample the experience of Real Ale Trains. Real ales and ciders will be sourced from from local breweries and cideries including Westerham, Cellar Head, Harveys, Pig & Porter and High Weald.
The journeys on these trains last approximately two and a half hours, and there will also a buffet carriage Kate selling a selection of hot beverages, soft drinks and snacks.
Tickets for the Fish and Chip Supper Trains are £25 for adults and £20 for children, and £15 for adults on the Real Ale Trains. Special weekend tickets are also available that provide for one, two or three days travel over the weekend and cost £27 for one day, £37 for two days, £47 for all three days all day travel £47, with a £10 reduction for children £37.
The railways buffet carriage Kate will be offering passengers the opportunity to order drinks and light refreshments throughout the day.
Services will take passengers through the High Weald Winter landscape during the daytime but also into the evening when the Real Ale Trains and Fish and Chip Supper experience will also take place.
Tunbridge Wells West station is a pleasant 15-minute walk from the mainline railway station in Tunbridge Wells on the line between Tonbridge and Hastings. The station shop serves teas, coffees, hot chocolate and light snacks, and there are also catering outlets at Groombridge and Eridge that serve hot and cold drinks and light refreshments.
Further details about the festival, and booking details are online at www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk
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