Spa Valley Railway - Summer Diesel Gala 2017

The Spa Valley Railway's annual 'Summer Diesel Gala' has always been a popular event for the diesel enthusiast, and this year was no exception! As usual, the Gala was held over the first weekend in August, from the 5th - 8th of the month.
The 2017 event was by far the biggest Diesel Gala held by the Railway so far. The star attraction was Paul Spracklen's Class 50 No. 50026 'Indomitable', which arrived in the High Wealds earlier in the year. Class 31 No. 31101 arrived from the Avon Valley Railway as a late replacement for Class 55 No. 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier'. The 'Deltic' was unavailable to attend due to ongoing work. 31101 would rub shoulders with sister loco no. 31289 'Phoenix', which has been on long term hire to the Spa Valley since early 2016. Class 20 No. D8059 was a substitute for sister loco no. D8188 - both of which are owned by the Somerset & Dorset Locomotive Company. The final visitor arrived in the shape of GB Railfreight's Class 73 No. 73136 'Mhairi'. This broke new ground as this was the first main line loco to traverse Spa Valley metals! The 'Electro Diesel' travelled down to Brighton, where it was then transported to Tunbridge Wells West via a low loader.
Making its first public trips since arriving on the Railway was Class 421 '3-CIG' No. 1497 'Freshwater'. The unit will spend the next five years in the South East, whilst the line's rolling stock is gradually overhauled. It was also one of the very last 'Slam-Door' EMUs to be withdrawn, back in May 2010. With a visiting Class 73, the opportunity was taken to utilise the unit on 'Push-Pull' trains throughout the event.
Also joining the party were the home fleet, consisting of Class 33s nos. 33063 'R.J. Mitchell' and 33201 and Class 207 'Thumper' No. 1317 - the latter also being used as rolling stock on certain days. A pair of 'Shunters' were also in operation, with Drewry No. 2591 'Southerham' and Class 10 No. D3489 'Colonel Tomline' being utilised on brake van rides at Groombridge and shunting at Tunbridge Wells West respectively.
The full line-up for the Gala was:
Visiting:
- Class 20 No. D8059 (Somerset & Dorset Locomotive Company)
- Class 31 No. 31101 (Avon Valley Railway)
- Class 31 No. 31289 'Phoenix' (Rushden Transport Museum)
- Class 50 No. 50026 'Indomitable' (Paul Spracklen)
- Class 73 No. 73136 'Mhairi' (GB Railfreight)
Resident:
- Drewry No. 2591 'Southerham' *
- Class 10 No. D3489 'Colonel Tomline' ^
- Class 33 No. 33063 'R.J. Mitchell'
- Class 33 No. 33201
- Class 207 'Thumper' DEMU No. 1317
- Class 421 3-CIG EMU No. 1497 'Freshwater'
* used on brake van rides at Groombridge - does not feature
^ Tunbridge Wells West shunter - does not feature
An intensive timetable was put in place across all four days. This would also include the Spa Valley Railway's usual centrepieces for this event - the 'Multi Header' and 'Load-Ex' trips - these taking place on the last round trip from Tunbridge Wells West to Eridge on the 8th August.
All scenes were captured over the 5th - 8th August 2017.
Several sequences are captured within the boundary fence - a lineside permit for the Spa Valley Railway was organised in advance.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:25 50026 + 33063 - High Rocks (Load-Ex)
01:16 Title Card
01:30 50026
08:21 50026 + 73136
09:24 73136
13:31 73136 + 33201
14:07 1497
16:45 D8059 + 73136
17:31 D8059
27:16 31101 + D8059
27:57 31101
34:18 31101 + 31289
35:25 31289 + 31101
37:15 31289
39:36 31289 + 33063
40:26 33063
42:27 33063 + 33201
44:27 33201 + 33063
44:50 33201
46:30 1317
47:50 50026 + 33063 + 33201 + D8059 + 31101 + 31289 (Multi Header)
Shots included:
- 50026+33063 - High Rocks (Load-Ex)
- 50026: High Rocks, Poke Hill, Lealands, Harrison's Rocks, Groombridge, Adams Well, Tea Garden Lane and Coldbath Bridge
- 50026+73136: High Rocks
- 73136: Lealands, High Rocks, Ramslye Bank, Poke Hill and School Lane Bridge
- 73136+33201: Tea Garden Lane
- 1497: Groombridge, High Rocks and Ramslye Bank
- D8059+73136: High Rocks
- D8059: Ramslye Bank, Coldbath Bridge, High Rocks, Poke Hill, Harrison's Rocks, Groombridge, Lealands, Poke Hill, Adams Well, Tea Garden Lane and Coldbath Bridge
- 31101+D8059: Ramslye Bank
- 31101: Lealands, Poke Hill, Adams Well, Tea Garden Lane, Coldbath Bridge, High Rocks and Harrison's Rocks
- 31101+31289: Tea Garden Lane
- 31289+31101: Poke Hill (x2)
- 31289: Tea Garden Lane, High Rocks and Poke Hill
- 31289+33063: Adams Well
- 33063: High Rocks and Lealands
- 33063+33201: Groombridge and Forge Farm
- 33201+33063: Harrison's Rocks
- 33201: Poke Hill and Lealands
- 1317: Groombridge
- 50026+33063+33201+D8059+31101+31289 - Poke Hill (Multi Header)
Special thanks go to everyone at the Spa Valley Railway for putting on another fantastic show!
#LittleRailwaysCanDoBigThings
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[@TheZacDJ]

Brilliant brilliant video. Beautifully shot, thoughtfully edited, exceptionally high production values. There are some really creatively framed shots , and I love the cut-aways of the beautiful scenery, flora and fauna. It's so refreshing to watch a Diesel Gala video where the camera is held steady, not waved about like a flag, and without the constant zooming in and out (I call it tromboning!!!!). So many KZbin railway videographers seem to be obsessed with digital effects and out of control graphics, so it's so nice to have watched this video where the content is the star, not the latest whiz-bang button on the editors vision mixer. I hope other videographers watch this and learn how to produce a gala video properly. Thank you for sharing, you really captured the atmosphere of the event, this was a joy to watch.

[@GreenAspectVideos]

Thank you very much Zac, your comments are very much appreciated! I always try to be creative, always looking at trying something different to make the video more interesting. The aim is always to keep the content as the main attraction!

[@TheZacDJ]

JS Rail Videos Brilliant, you really have achieved a great product here. You've set the 'bar' significantly higher for the genre. Honestly, this is so well shot and edited I can not give any higher praise. I really do hope that others watch this and learn something from it, I really cannot praise the production values enough. Many thanks for sharing.

[@neilfoord9181]

A great film, however the final scene of the load ex sums up exactly why I refuse to go to events like this.

[@GreenAspectVideos]

Thanks Neil. It's become commonplace at most Diesel Galas, but with the exception of the 'Load-ex' there was barely any flailing or bellowing, though the Spa Valley have been very strict on that behaviour at recent events.

[@VehicularBrit]

Brilliant stuff mate. Thoroughly enjoyed. That 3CIG running "on its own" looks so good!

[@GreenAspectVideos]

Thanks Louis. It was brilliant to see the 'Push-Pull' in action. I grew up with Slam Door trains so it did bring back a few memories!

[@steamybrian]

Nice video of trains at High Rocks and Groombridge but I would like to have seen the locos in action at the two terminals of Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge.

[@GreenAspectVideos]

Thank you Brian. I had planned to film at those stations, but I never got round to doing it! Mixture of linesiding and riding at the event. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@russparsons1703]

Nice video, but who invited the football hooligans in the end shot? what's all that about?

[@GreenAspectVideos]

Thanks Russ. I believe the term is "flailing", but with the exception of the 'Load-Ex' there wasn't much of that. However the Railway have strict rules on that behaviour.