Last train to Ashurst! Spa Valley Railway "Rare Track Excursion" 2/8/2018

On the day before the start of their annual "Summer Diesel Gala", the Spa Valley Railway ran a "Rare Track Excursion", visiting the various loops and sidings along the line, including the soon to be removed former Ashurst spurs, now the Groombridge carriage sidings. BR Class 207 2D DEMU no. 1317 was used, with Drewry shunter no. 2591 "Southerham" and BR Class 10 no. D3489 "Colonel Tomline" piloting the train between Tunbridge Wells West and Groombridge, before assisting with moving stock to allow the excursion to visit the sidings. BR Class 73 no. 73140 was also supposed to be in the formation, but brake problems prevented it from being. This video shows the sequence of shunts around Groombridge, and includes a shot of the service train running on the day, top and tailed by BR Class 33/0 no. 33063 "R.J. Mitchell" and BR Class 33/2 no. 33201. My thanks, as always, go to the dedicated Spa Valley volunteers for their efforts to run this unusual working.
My main video from the Diesel Gala: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaLId6J9jK91kMU
Hope you enjoy!

[@Southerntrainspotter315]

6:24 wow thats awsome a ex-gx GLV still in the Gateick livery

[@milehighclassics]

I was on the last BRITISH RAIL day and it’s always stuck in my head and a few visits over the years I was shocked the trees grew in front of the signal box, am I that old now

[@AndreiTupolev]

When you said Ashurst I thought you meant Ashurst New Forest. I like that little shunter, I'd like one of those.

[@jrrailwayvideos8762]

That'd be a very long excursion from Tunbridge Wells West if it was! And agreed, the Drewry is great and is always nice to see

[@keithjas25]

I am quite shocked that the Ashurst connection has been removed, even more shocked that Eridge has no actual connection between SV and NR. The SVR seems a bit of a strange setup to me. They are an island and have no signals, or connections to NR even though they run over NR land. Why dont they cab experience and other revenue means to be more like railways are meant to be and also work with NR to possibly run to Uckfield. Perhaps they should look at NYMR and what they do. Even though I know one member personaly I just dont get who they are.

[@jrrailwayvideos8762]

What remained of the Ashurst spur was removed as it sits on land not owned by the SpVR, previously borrowed by them from an agreeable landowner, but the new landowner wanted it back. As for a connection at Eridge, these are expensive to install as they involve track replacement and changes to signalling, at the end of which a connection which might be used twice per year for railtours or visiting locomotives is the result. Running to Uckfield would require mainline certification of locomotives and rolling stock which would again be very expensive for limited gain. The upshot is that, in my opinion, the Spa Valley Railway has a very resourceful setup (in terms of making the most of its limited length) and does a very good job of running a preserved railway.

[@europeantransporttv212]

I missed it. I looks great

[@jrrailwayvideos8762]

It was a nice one to see!

[@nails6365]

all gone now. very sad.

[@jrrailwayvideos8762]

Seeing photos of 2 Road completely gone is saddening, 1 Road is still in place as far as I know but not for much longer

[@jameshodgson5644]

What do you mean?

[@jameshodgson5644]

Are they closing down the Spa valley??

[@jameshodgson5644]

Was that a spur of track laid on the old Groombrdge - Ashurst direct link used as a parking place for rolling stock?

[@jrrailwayvideos8762]

@@jameshodgson5644 don't worry, the Spa Valley Railway is still there! Yes that's the old Ashurst Spur, also known as Groombridge carriage sidings, the vast majority of track from which has now gone as the land was not owned by the Spa Valley and new landowners wanted the land back.

[@1984cu]

What is that hiding under the green covers at 09:10, a 121?

[@jrrailwayvideos8762]

A 115 DMU, sold on last year as far as I know

[@1984cu]

@@jrrailwayvideos8762 Was it ever active at the Spa Valley?

[@angelsone-five7912]

That`s a a shame, why is the spur being removed?

[@jrrailwayvideos8762]

The spur was on land not owned by the Spa Valley and when this land changed hands the owners wanted it back, hence the track had to be removed

[@johntcashdown1363]

@@jrrailwayvideos8762 as of March 2022, planning permission has been granted to its new owners to build on the old spur. This coincides with the cancellation of the 10 yr windmill junction improvement project at Croydon and yet another failed attempt to reopen Uckfield/Lewes so the SWR should be safe for years to come. The Bluebell railway will reopen Horsted Keynes to Haywards Heath long before this sadly fragmented southern rail network ever finds its original intention in the world once again.