Recently announced is the visit of a Deltic locomotive, 55019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’ to the Tunbridge Wells based line this year courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society!
The Deltic will be the star attraction at the lines 15th annual Summer Diesel Gala taking place from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th August 2017. Not only that the locomotive will then operate Deltic Driver Experience on the 12th & 13th August, where members of the public can take to the controls of this iconic 3,300hp locomotive for just £375, four of these experiences have already sold out! The following two weekends, including the lines 20th Birthday Bash event will see 55019 operating regular passenger services on the Spa Valley line.
General Manager at the Spa Valley Railway, Jonnie Wesson said: “The visit of 55019, courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society, will see one of Britain’s most iconic diesel locomotives take to the tracks of our 5 mile line. The Deltic will become the most powerful locomotive to have ever hauled a train on the line and we are looking forward to hearing its characteristic Napier engine at Tunbridge Wells West”.
The Spa Valley Railways Summer Diesel Gala will also feature two other visiting locomotives, Class 20 D8188, courtesy of the Somerset & Dorset Loco Co.Ltd and Class 33/0 D6501 courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction. The former will be the fourth Class 20 to visit the line in preservation and the latter will be the first time a Green Class 33/0 has operated over the route since the 1970s.
Other loocmotives that will see action over the four day event are:
Drewry 2591 ‘Southerham’, Class 09 09026, Class 10 D3489, Class 31 31289, Class 33/0 33063, Class 73 73140 & Class 207 DEMU 1317.
Take a ride from Tunbridge Wells to High Rocks or Groombridge Place Gardens by steam train. Special events in the year include 'A Day Out with Thomas'.
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