The Spa Valley Railway at Tunbridge Wells in Kent is to hold a Bulleid Pacific Steam Weekend on Saturday, 20th and Sunday, 21st of July featuring the return of Bulleid Pacifics Battle of Britain Class 34053 Sir Keith Park after a £350,000 overhaul and 34072 257 Squadron.

Operating alongside the Bulleid Pacifics on an intensive train service along the picturesque five-mile line between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge will be Great Western Railway Large Prairie 4144, courtesy of the Didcot Railway Centre.

As well as at the terminal stations, passengers can alight at the delightfully authentic station Groombridge, where the historic village is only a few minutes’ walk from the station and has a delightful children’s playground.

Refreshments will be available on trains from a catering carriage named Kate where some of the railway’s dedicated volunteers will serve drinks and light refreshments.

Teas, coffees, hot chocolate, and light snacks are also available at Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge, and Eridge.

Tickets offer unlimited travel all day and can be purchased in advance from the railway’s website at www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk or on the day from the station ticket offices.

Adult tickets cost £19, child tickets cost £13, and a family ticket for two adults and two children costs £49. Evening tickets cost £15 for adults and £8 for children, and two-day tickets cost £29 for adults and £18 for children.

34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’

Battle of Britain Class No. 34053 Sir Keith Park was built in 1947 and withdrawn from service in October 1965.

Destined for the cutter’s torch, it was towed to Barry scrap yard in South Wales but was saved for preservation and returned to steam in 2012 at the Severn Valley Railway. 34053 moved to the Spa Valley Railway in 2020.

34072 ‘257 Squadron’

Battle of Britain Class No. 34072 257 Squadron was built in April 1948, initially being allocated to Dover shed to work the Continental Boat Trains to London.

After being transferred to Eastleigh in June 1964, it was withdrawn in October 1964 and rescued for preservation by Southern Locomotives Limited.

Great Western Railway Large Prairie 4144

Built at Swindon in September 1946, 4144 was a banker through the Severn Tunnel until withdrawn from service in March 1965.

4144 was bought for preservation by the Didcot Railway Centre Society and one of its members in 1974, rebuilding took until 1997 and used on the ‘Steam on the Met’ rail tours in 1998.