Locomotive No.1982 'Ring Haw' to visit the Spa Valley this year!

Just announced is the visit of Hunslet locomotive ‘Ring Haw’ to the Tunbridge Wells based line this year. Built in 1932 ‘Ring Haw’ comes to the Spa Valley on loan from 22nd May to the end of October 2017 boosting the railways operational steam fleet to three locomotives. Usually based at the North Norfolk Railway this is the locomotives first visit to the South East of England.

The locomotive, which is visiting to assist in the operation of the railway No.1982 will also feature alongside resident locomotives RSH No.62 UGLY and Vuclan Austerity No.72 at the railways 2nd Summer Steam Festival taking place over the 1st & 2nd July.

The Steam Festival brings together miniature steam on the road and rails with at least 10 road engines now booked to attend. A selection of vintage vehicles, model and miniature railways will also feature with the railways full sized steam locomotives running an intensive service on the 5 mile line.

General Manager at the Spa Valley Railway, Jonnie Wesson said: “It will be fantastic to see such an array of steam action over the line this summer, during our 20th anniversary year. Alongside RING HAW during 2017 we will have our own UGLY and No.72 in action which will provide the unique contrast between different types of industrial steam locomotives, often unseen in favour of glamourous classes of engines it is these very industrials which contribute so greatly to keeping steam on heritage railways alive”

Steam Engineering Assistant at the Spa Valley Railway, Matt Dives said “The visit of RING HAW will assist our locomotive department greatly throughout the summer months, meeting the demands made by our commercial department to provide steam services. During RING HAWs visit the locomotive will feature during our Summer Steam Festival with UGLY & 72, this event will be West Kent’s biggest gathering of road steam engines in 2017. We’re preparing quite a show with the event shaping up to have at least 10 road engines, 3 steam locomotives plus vintage vehicles, miniature railways and more!”

The Spa Valley Railways Summer Steam Festival takes place over the weekend of 1st & 2nd July 2017, based primarily at Eridge Station where the car park becomes a steam dream with spectacular traction engines, steam rollers, vintage cars, miniature railways and event miniature steam engines.