Spa Valley Mainline Gala 15th-16th September

[DeanGoods]

Right then guys. Following hot on the heels of our steam and diesel galas, the Spa Valley is offering its annual gala feast of both forms of motive power over the weekend of the 15th and 16th September.

Star attractions this year will be that we are playing host to THREE visiting engines. Two of the visitors will be of Great Western origin, in the form of 66XX 0-6-2T No.6695 from the Swanage Railway and Dennis Howell's large Pannier No.9466, which is making its third visit. The third visitor is this year's visiting diesel from the South Devon Railway, Class 25 No. D7612.

The visitors will be supported by a home fleet of LMS Jinty 47493 and Class 73 E6047, giving a very 50s and 60s flavour to the event.

Attractions for the weekend look set to include frequent top and tail operations with the Birchden extension in regular use, driver for a fiver in operation at Tunbridge Wells West and Fish and Chip special on the Saturday. Also the way the operation looks set to work out, means that there is likely to be some heavy loads for all the engines to haul, providing the opportunity to hear the engines work hard.

Also there is the opportunity for you to come and see the progress we are making with our plans to extend to Eridge. All profits made over the weekend will be going to this good cause, so please do come and give us your support.

I hope to see as many of you as possible. Hopefully those who visited in May and August, might be tempted back once more for something a little different. This is only the second ever opportunity to see three ex-mainline steam engines in operation along the line in preservation, and the last time, at least for this year.

Geo