Spa Valley Railway - 'Southern Steam Up' 18/06/2023

The 'Southern Steam Up' at the Spa Valley Railway, held over the weekend of June 17th-18th, aimed to celebrate the 100th anniversary since the formation of the Southern Railway during the 'Big Four' grouping of 1923. This was certainly demonstrated in the calibre of some of the visiting locomotives for the event.
Making a trip across the Solent from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Ivatt 2MT Tank - 41313 would pay a visit to the Spa Valley for the event. Though the Ivatt tank is midland by design, 41313 is very much a southern region stalwart, having spent its entire working life allocated to sheds in the south; living out its final days of steam allocated to 71A Eastleigh. This visit, would mark 41313's first time back on UK mainland soil since it first steamed in preservation at the East Somerset Railway. Rubbing shoulders with the Ivatt, would be sole surviving O1 Class - 65 from the Bluebell Railway. Like the Ivatt, it's not often the O1 ventures away from its base at the Bluebell Railway, with its visit to the Spa Valley being only the second time the SE&CR stalwart has ventured away from the Sussex heritage line. The pair doing well to compliment resident Bulleid pacific - 34072 "257 Squadron" during the event.
Ex-Austerity Saddle Tank - 2890 "Douglas" (name not carried) has been on loan to the Spa Valley from the East Lancashire Railway. For the event, the saddle-turned-tender locomotive would be adorned by the identity of Ex-SE&CR C Class - 31592, to help carry the southern theme. The authentic 31592, being the sole surviving C Class preserved, also based at the Bluebell Railway. Rounding off the operating fleet would be BR Class 25 - D7612 from the South Devon Railway, and Caledonian Railway 812 Class - 828 from the Strathspey Railway; the latter, only recently returning to service after significant repairs, and therefore only on shunting duties at Tunbridge Wells West.
The inclusion of 828 in the line up with O1 - 65, allowed enthusiasts the rare chance to capture two pre-grouping 0-6-0 tender locomotives in steam together from opposite ends of the British isles. 828 was built in 1899 at the former Rollox works in Glasgow, while 65 was the product of Ashford works, originally consctructed for the South Eastern Railway as an O Class in 1896, subsequently being rebuilt as an O1 by the recently formed SE&CR in 1908. Between them, 828 and 65 have a combined age of 251 years at the time of recording.
The event featured an intensive timetable of regular passenger services over the line between Eridge and Tunbridge Wells West. This would be bolstered by a brake van service out of Eridge to Groombridge.
Locomotives:
Ex-Austerity Saddle Tank - 31592 (2890 "Douglas")
BR(S) 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34072 "257 Squadron"
SE&CR O1 Class - 65
BR Class 25 - D7612
BR(M) Class 2MT Tank - 41313
CR 812 Class - 828
All footage filmed on Sunday the 18th of June 2023.

[@anthonylloyd-rees]

Hello from Vancouver, Canada. I grew up in Groombridge and visited Tunbridge Wells West as often as I could during the 1950's with my trainspotting pals. Thanks for the nostalgia.

[@DJSOfficialUK]

Good video, really enjoyed and look forward in future seeing more. Keep up the good work. 😀👍

[@SouthernRailSpotter]

Very jealous I missed it, great work Southerner

[@gunterbartsch9284]

Once again a great video with nature and railways. Many thanks ❤️

[@jonathanhasnip3700]

Superb video of these iconic locomotives, it's brightened up my day, thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it, cheers

[@IowaTrainGay]

Another amazing video! Thank you for sharing!

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@SunshineArsenal]

12:08 what a line up

[@bobingram6912]

Now that's what you call a line. Another "Bluey" down south, she looks fantastic👍👍 Is there something in the Kent water that makes them run a lot of multi headers?!!!!😂😂😂😂😂 Great stuff Matthew even if the weather was a bit indifferent!!

[@SimonTog]

Very nice done :)

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you