Kent’s Spa Valley Railway will host its Summer Steam Gala between Friday 12 and Sunday 14 July 2024, and features some iconic locomotives.

GWR Large Prairie 4144

GWR Large Prairie 4144 will be visiting the Railway for the first time, courtesy of the Didcot Railway Centre in Oxfordshire. 4144 was built at Swindon in September 1946 and withdrawn from service in March 1965.

The 2-6-2 locomotive is not often seen in the Southern region, and is one of four similar classes built between 1903 and 1949, known as 31xx, 51xx, 61xx and 81xx.

Their numbering began with 3100, which was introduced in 1903 as one of the new Churchward standard designs.

Churchward’s successor Collett continued building this type continued, and sometimes incorporated parts from earlier engines as they retired from service.

The 51xx class locomotives worked from many depots across the Great Western system, often forming the mainstay of suburban services.

They were also used to bank heavy trains uphill in Somerset, Devon, and through the Severn Tunnel. They were eventually replaced by diesel locomotives from 1957 onwards.

4144 spent time as the Severn Tunnel banker, and after being withdrawn from Severn Tunnel Junction, was sent to Woodham Bros. of Barry for scrap.

The Great Western Society and one of its members bought the locomotive for preservation in 1974. Rebuilt by 1997, it was used on the ‘Steam on the Met’ in 1998.

In August 2010, 4144’s boiler was removed for overhaul. It officially re-entered service on 2 May 2015, and since then has visited several heritage railways as well as being used at Didcot.

‘Sir Keith Park’ and more

Rebuilt Bulleid Pacific 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’, which joined the Spa Valley Railway’s home fleet in 2020, will also appear at the Gala, returning to service after an overhaul. 

Also appearing during the weekend will be:

• original Bulleid Pacific 34072 ‘257 Squadron’
• Caledonian Railway No. 828
• Andrew Barclay No. 2315 ‘Lady Ingrid’ (if it is still at the Railway)

Gala activities

Visitors can book a place on a Brake Van Ride, and on the Dining Trains with Fish & Chip Suppers, and the Kent Cheese Train.

Real Ale trains will run on the evenings of Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July from Tunbridge Wells West. The trains will depart at 19:30.

Non-dining passengers may travel on these services without booking an additional ticket.

Tickets

Daytime fares start at:

• £17 for children
• £27 for adults.

Evening (after 5pm) tickets are:

• £8 for children
• £17 for adults. 

Family tickets cost £50. 

Discounts are available when buying tickets for more than one day of the Gala.

All tickets are valid for unlimited travel on the date shown on the eTicket. 

Tickets are now available to book at the Spa Valley Railway website.

The Gala is the ideal day out for families and train enthusiasts who can all enjoy the sights and sounds of some incredible steam locomotives which will be taking passengers along the picturesque line between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge throughout the day with stops at Groombridge and High Rocks stations.

Spa Vallley Railway