Visit to the Spa Valley Railway

Alan Cudlipp, Civil Engineering Manager, Spa Valley Railway

Ashford Section in-person meeting

11.00am, A warm welcome to Tunbridge Wells West Station, where there will be a short presentation on the history of the route, including closure under British Rail, reopening as a heritage railway, through to the present day. Alan Cudlipp will explain some of the Civil Engineering assets and the challenges they present, together with a summary of engineering projects; complementary tea and coffee will be provided.

Assisted by Operations colleagues, and as there are no scheduled trains running on 3rd July, we will be pleased to provide a Works Train for you to view the line. This will allow us to stop at key points through the route, so you can get off and view the assets and projects first hand.

We will also stop at Groombridge Station where, providing numbers are sufficient, we can open the refreshments stall so you can purchase food and drinks.

We will then return to Tunbridge Wells West, where you can have a look around the Engine Shed. The Gift and Model Shop will be open, where snacks and drinks are also available.

Please note that access to our Training Room for the presentation is via steep stairs; additionally, the Works Train is likely to include a Brake Van for your travel along the line, which will require access to/from track level at worksites. We therefore recommend that attendees have adequate mobility for these locations.

This visit for the Ashford Section is kindly put on free of charge by the SVR, however donations to our Broom Lane Bridge Appeal would be greatly appreciated.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/spvr-broomlane

Booking is essential as spaces are limited. To secure your space please contact Dan Fosdike, by 20th June 2025 ashford@thepwi.org