Spa Valley Railway

[sb67]

Had a good day at the Spa Valley yesterday, due to the weather they'd stopped running steam trains, bit unfortunate but understandable. However I enjoyed the diesels and they've got a gala coming up next week with a few interesting visitors! Worth a visit.

Steve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[johnlambert]

I was there a couple of weeks ago with my family and we had a lovely day out, including a great meal at the restaurant at High Rocks.

 

 

[greatcoleswoodhalt]

From e-newsletter No 2 dated May, 20th: -

 

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To date through your kind generosity we’ve received over £6,000 in donations to support us whilst we remain closed, a huge thank you to everyone that has donated.

 

We have also received a business support grant from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and looking ahead to August we have allocated this money to paying our annual Public Liability and Employers Liability Insurance, a fixed cost and something we cannot do without.

 

Whilst this has taken the pressure off slightly we still have fixed costs of around £5,000 per month which we need to pay. This is for items such as electricity (which takes quite a large portion), bookkeeping, fixed term direct debits, telephone lines and internet (so we can remotely view the CCTV).

 

The railway remains closed pending government advice on when attractions such as ours can reopen. Upon reopening it is highly likely a limited train service will operate, if it is financially justified.

 

We have received a number of requests with regards to re-opening or a form of train service during 2020.

 

Currently, all 'Events' previously advertised have been removed due to the ever changing situation, our website has been updated to reflect this.

 

The Spa Valley Railway has considered options that will allow a limited return to public service when we're permitted to do so and to indicate our initial plans, if any train service does operate later this year it will consist of our Class 207 DEMU 1317. This in itself, to comply with the expected Social Distancing measures will be of limited capacity and a very limited service would operate.

 

This is subject to further UK Government advice, ORR/HMRI Guidance and whether or not such a service is financially justified. We will not risk the Railway.  We are extremely grateful to everyone donating to support our railway throughout this unprecedented situation.

 

We will not be providing a date until we:

- Get the go ahead to re-open.

- We are satisfied we can safely resume train services with our Recovery Plan in place, that sits with our Safety Management System.

 

We will not be rushing back into a Gala or Special Event scenario so please do not expect our railway to burst back into life with all the locomotives in steam or running.

 

Our pre-booked customers will be contacted in due course with their available options.

 

It is costing around £5,000 per month to keep the Spa Valley in a 'sleeping' state, items such as the WiFi to view the CCTV remotely, electricity to power them and other fixed term costs still go out but without the trains we have no income.

 

If you are able to help us in anyway, even if it is a small donation, all the £10's add up and help cover costs, then please do consider donating to us via PayPal:

 

PayPal here:

 

Please only help us if you are in a position to do so, your own health and wellbeing must come first.

 

We will operate again and when that day comes, whilst it will be very calm and steady, we hope you will be able to support us.

If you wish to setup a regular standing order to assist us, you can use the following details:
Account name: Crisis Fund SVR

Account type: Business reserve account 

Account number - 8 5 5 0 7 4 7 4

Sort code - 5 5 - 7 0 - 1 3

IBAN - GB42NWBK55701385507474

BIC - NWBKGB2L

Bank address

Natwest
89 Mount Pleasant Road  
Tunbridge Wells  
Kent  

Please ensure you enter the correct name when setting up a standing order/bank transfer, as with the new rules, they need to match.

You can of course Gift Aid your donation if you are eligible, our Gift Aid forms can be DOWNLOADED HERE.

 

 

Even though we are an Heritage Railway, we have adopted modern methods for keeping in touch.

The Railway's Leadership Team are meeting regularly using Microsoft Teams, they are openly discussing everything related to this Crisis, included but not limited to, government advice, guidance and support from ORR/HMRI, our own experiences.

British Rail closed our line in July 1985 and Corona Virus in 2020, but we will operate are Heritage Steam and Diesel Trains again soon.

 

[deltic17]

I will look forward to returning to the Spa Valley for a train ride as soon as the rules allow. 

A great line and great people running it and for me running diesel heritage services too which is a great bonus.

[greatcoleswoodhalt]

From e-newsletter No 3 dated June, 19th: -

 

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VOLUNTEERS NEWS:

With the restrictions eased slightly and with appropriate social distancing measures in place, our fantastic, hardworking and truly dedicated volunteers have been able to undertake some essential lineside clearance at a variety of locations across the railway!

 

This will open back up some great photographic locations when our train services recommence.

 

We are always on the lookout for more volunteers and maintenance of our lineside is something often missed when people join a railway.

 

We are particularly looking for someone to take charge of our Lineside Clearance, so if anyone out there enjoys volunteering, working outdoors, in an area of outstanding natural beauty and would like the opportunity of being in charge of 4 1/2 miles of lineside maintenace which includes:
• Keeping on top of vegetation.
• Managing various teams of lineside volunteers.
• Following appropriate railway rules and regulations.

 

Then please get in touch! We’d be delighted to hear from you.

 

Working on the lineside is a very rewarding task, makes the views even better for our passengers and if you’re into photography you get access to otherwise off limit areas to take photos of our beautifully restored steam and diesel trains!

 

If you’d just like to join us to help keep on top of our lineside clearance or are interested in taking the lead on Lineside Clearance at our heritage railway then please email jonnie.pay@spavalleyrailway.co.uk or direct message our page.

 

Thank you to all our volunteers for your hard work!

Regards 

Jonnie Pay
Commercial and Finance Manager

 

Crisis Fund Update - Provided by David Cross - Treasurer of Tunbridge Wells & Eridge Railway Preservation Society

As at the 3rd June 2020, you had raised at least £8,432 for the Crisis appeal, and further donations have come in since then.  There will also be Gift Aid to be claimed for many of these donations.
 
We have also had one off, COVID-19 grants and a COVID-19 business rates holiday. This amounts to £37,123, and means that the railway can meet, large one off costs like the insurance.
 
We have managed to meet the first step of the appeal, which was to cover fixed costs and very essential maintenance.
 
The Leadership Team led actions have also minimised costs.  However they are looking to the future at the next steps, and there will be a need to fund essential works, and take advantage to carry out works that would normally have to wait until January when there would be no services.
 
The next stage is to raise between £3000 to £5000 per month to cover regular fixed costs, and essential volunteer work. There will also be the continuing need to:-
 

- Have one off appeals such as hiring a 360, and the materials for the yard work, again my thank you to the very quick and generous response to this appeal - Led by Paul McKinnell

- Continued fund raising for the Jinty Appeal

- An appeal to help the landslip works, where significant further work is anticipated from January 2021.

 
We would also look to secure further grants, but when we look into these we are excluded from applying for many of these, however if you would like to help the railway, by preparing bids where we you think, we could qualify for a grant, please contact me via finance@spavalleyrailway.co.uk.

 

Edited June 20, 2020 by jafcreasey

[greatcoleswoodhalt]

From e-newsletter No 4 dated June, 25th: -

 

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Groombridge Kiosk is reopening for take-away hot & cold drinks and ice creams

Opening times are Saturday and Sunday 09:00 - 16:00 - These will be subject to review

Even though we won't be operating/running any trains for a while yet, our well known refreshment kiosk at Groombridge is reopening this Saturday 27th June 2020.  This is the first time we have been open since the Lockdown in March.

We take our responsibilities very seriously and have installed a clear shield for our volunteer working in the kiosk and will be observing all Government guidelines, including the 2 metre Social Distancing Rule.

We will only be able to accept card payments, this is to reduce the risk of handling cash by our volunteers.

Please do pop by and have a welcomed break at our lovely country station, I'm sure you will find it nice and relaxing.

 

[greatcoleswoodhalt]

 

[Chris116]

Spent my Bank Holiday Monday on the Spa Valley with Sir Keith Park hauling the train towards Tunbridge Wells and Class 20 D8188 heading it back to Eridge in top and tail formation. Each time I tried to get a photo of the diesel it was off the end of the platform or the sun was in exactly the wrong place. Thankfully I did not have the same problem with 34053 which is shown below. 

It was good to see the train comfortably and safely full all day with the staff getting full marks from me for the way they helped people. 

[MrTea]

Managed to catch SKP on a service near High Rocks this afternoon renamed as 34095 ‘Brentor’ for the weekend. 
 

 

 

 

Looks like a line worth investigating on a future visit to the area. 

Edited June 27, 2021 by MrTea
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