The Seven Wonders of the Weald

27/06/2025

11/06/2025

Southern Railway U Class 31806 is on its way to Tunbridge Wells West to star at our Cuckoo Line Gala!

Visiting courtesy of the Swanage Railway and JMB Locomotive Services the 2-6-0 will be in traffic this Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June appearing for part of the event as 31803.

Seen here at Rownhams Services this evening and is being brought to us courtesy of Allelys Heavy Haulage.

📷 David Stretton

11/06/2025

Don't miss the Spa Valley Railway's Cuckoo Line Gala this Weekend with the opportunity to explore this historic Heathfield Tunnel

Volunteers have been hard at work this evening giving the surface of Heathfield Tunnel a much needed sweep ahead of the opening this Friday.

Heathfield Tunnel is open from 10:00 to 17:00 on Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June.

This coincides with 60yrs since the Cuckoo Line between Eridge and Hailsham, including this tunnel closed. Freight of course carried on north from Hailsham until April 1968 so locos probably used part of the tunnel for running around.

There has of course been costs associated with this opening by the Spa Valley Railway and we are charging a small admission fee to help support this.

It is just £1 per adult and 50p per child. We'll be able to accept cash or card at the Southern portal entrance. The Northern portal is not open.

Throughout the event the Spa Valley Railway is running a FREE bus service thanks to the Bromley Bus Group linking Heathfield Tunnel to Tunbridge Wells West (Sainsbury's).

If you're into your disused railways this is as close as we're probably going to get to recreating the Cuckoo Line. There are visiting steam and diesel engines, all prototypical of what ran on the Cuckoo Line including a recreation of the last steam train on 12th June 1965 with BR Standard 4MT 80144 and 13th June 1965 with U Class 31803. There'll be photographic displays of the line, vintage films being played and a very intensive train service.

Thousands of volunteer hours have gone into making this possible and we hope you're able to join us.

https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/7451/cuckoo-line-gala

05/06/2025

https://www.yourworld.net/national/spa-valley-railway-celebrates-200-years-of-train-travel-with-the-cuckoo-line-gala-including-rare-access-to-the-heathfield-tunnel-120026

Visitors and volunteers will be stepping back in time to the 1960s when steam still ruled supreme when they come along to the ‘Cuckoo Line Gala’ at th...

15/05/2025

Back in service this weekend is Caledonian Railway No. 828!

Hauling trains alongside Class 31/4 31430 'Sister Dora' this 125 year old Victorian engine is always a delight to see in steam.

No need to pre-book, just come a along and enjoy the Spa Valley Railway between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge.

www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

📷 David Cable

05/04/2025

2025 will mark 80 years since the first Thomas the Tank Engine Books were published and released for public sale. Tickets are now available for a fabulous day out with Thomas at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells in April and May

02/02/2025

We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported our Stride the Line event raising money for Broom Lane Bridge!

175 people took part and together we've raised over £4,000 towards our appeal!

We'll be repeating this event one evening later this year with our Summer Evening Stride event, date and further details to follow.

Thank you everyone for your ongoing support with our major appeal. If you weren't able to walk with us today but would like to help, please visit our JustGiving page via the link below.

https://spvr.link/broomlane

21/01/2025

We've had a fantastic response to our 'Stride the Line' event on Sunday 2nd February, where you can walk from Tunbridge Wells West to Birchden Junction to Groombridge in aid of our Broom Lane Bridge Appeal!

Not signed up yet? It is just £20 or you can raise funds via JustGiving too!

https://spvr.link/stridetheline

📷 Nick Burgess

21/01/2025

Book Your Free Tickets Now! >>>>

13/11/2024

The ultimate family Christmas event has arrived in Tunbridge Wells but be quick to book your Polar Express tickets as many dates are already sold out!

24/10/2024

A fabulous ‘Model Brick Show’ is taking place this weekend at the Spa Valley Heritage Railway in Tunbridge Wells.

Head down to the Victorian Engine Shed at Tunbridge Wells West on either 26 or 27 October and marvel at all the impressive LEGO® models made by some of the UK's Adult Lego Fans!

The show will feature many different models of varying sizes, including trains, planes and so much more.

Entry to the show is included within the price of the railway’s standard travel tickets and with train services operating throughout the weekend you can explore the High Weald at your leisure on any of the five return trips operating on Saturday and Sunday between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge.

To book visit https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/6587/the-spa-valley-model-brick-show