Spa Valley Railway hosts Model Railway Weekend this September

On Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September, to the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, will host a Model Railway Weekend.

On display at the Railway's three regular stations – Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge and Eridge – will be a collection of intricate model railway layouts in a variety of different scales. Several trade stands will also be present, tempting the model railway enthusiast with their products.

The largest layouts will be inside the engine shed at Tunbridge Wells West. Visitors will be able to view them between 10:00 and 17:00 on both Saturday and Sunday.

Entry tickets can be bought on the day or online via the Spa Valley Railway website.

Trains will run in passenger service between 10:15 and 17:00 over the weekend. The Railway is planning for the services to be operated by steam locomotive Caledonian Railway No. 828 and heritage diesel locos Class 25 D7535 or and Class 207 DEMU 1317. D7535 is a Sulzer Type 2 locomotive, built at Derby works in 1965. It was first allocated to Nottingham and withdrawn from service during the early 1980s, and was then used in the training of loco maintenance apprentices.

Trains will run at the following times:

Tunbridge Wells West departures: 10:15 (diesel), 11:00 (1317), 11:45 (steam), 12:30 (1317), 13:15 (diesel), 14:00 (1317), 14:45 (steam), 15:30 (1317) and 16:15 (diesel).

Eridge departures: 11:00 (steam), 11:45 (1317), 12:30 (diesel), 13:15 (1317), 14:00 (steam), 14:45 (1317), 15:30 (diesel), 16:15 (1317) and 17:00 (steam).

Model Railways exhibiting at the event (provisionally) are as follows (MRS/C = Model Railway Society/Club):

• Brinklow: N, Milton Keynes MRC
• Bad Eichewald am See: N gauge, David Farmer
• Hockenbaum: Nm/, River MRC
• Underpass: HO, Rob Strachan
• Thornbury Hill: OO, Graham Barnes
• Modular layout: N, West Sussex NGG,
• Pitley Steam Railway: OO, Joe Pitura-Riley
• Paystow & Jonnieoaks Halt: O, Jonnie Pay
• Merstone: OO, Mark Pretious
• Tarring Neville: OO, Andy Jones
• Foldham: OO, Steve Rogers
• Hallam Town: 2mm finescale, Michael Druiett
• Brixcombe: P4, Farnham MRC
• Tom's Props: Gauge 1, Tom Jedski
• LSUR Club Layout: Lego, LSUR Club
• A Load of Balls: Interactive marble runs, Bob Vine
• Daleside: N, Andy Harlow
• Royal Albert Bridge: N, Basingstoke MRS
• Monsal Vale: N, Dartford MRC
• Ffordd Felin: N, Dartford MRC
• Bryn Cwmreig: OO9, Tony Davies
• Swanswell NSE: N, Phil Gardner
• Live Laugh Lego: Ben Kinderman
• Crumbling Edge: N, EMRS
• Bletchinghurst: OO, EMRS

Trade stands at the event are as follows (provisional):

• Invicta Model Rail
• Kent Garden Railways
• David Wills Railways
• Andy Lynch Railways
• Cambrian Model Rail
• Doug's Model Trains & Tools
• Supercast
• Spa Valley 2nd Hand Stand
• Models U Drive
• Rapido Trains
• Classicrail
• Roxley Models.

Train fares are as follows:

• Adult All Day Travel + Tunbridge Wells West Model Railways: £15
• Senior (60+) All Day Travel + Tunbridge Wells West Model Railways: £14
• Child (2-15yrs) All Day Travel + Tunbridge Wells West Model Railways: £7.50
• Family (2A+2C) All Day Travel + Tunbridge Wells West Model Railways: £38
• HRA passes, Virgin Vouchers, reciprocal travel arrangements and other local discount to travel schemes will be accepted at this event.

The Spa Valley Railway is inviting visitors to the Model Railway Weekend to also enjoy a return trip between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge on the evening of Saturday 23 September. There will be two trips, with steam and heritage diesel, with either a Fish & Chip Supper or a pint of ale or cider on the Real Ale & Cider Train. Passengers must book in advance.st.

Tickets for all events available from the Spa Valley Railway's website.