57 Members assembled at Tunbridge Wells West for 12.15 on a bright autumnal day. Some late loading of trestle tables for the weekend's Model Railway Show delayed departure until 12.30, when Class 25 D7535, hauling four Mk1s & 08922, left for Groombridge. For me, recently retired from my day job, it was a little bizarre - the first fixture I had organised since the Bala Lake Railway on 14 Nov 2021; I was effectively coming out of retirement!

The signal box at Tunbridge Wells West is former Midland Railway one that was originally at Buckden, on the Huntingdon to Kettering line. Groombridge box was a new build by Spa Valley Railway.



Arrival at Groombridge was nine late, where the Class 25 was removed to haul a long rake of rarely moved wagons (so, a rare move), weighing some 500 tonnes, out of the Engineer's Siding (part of the former Up line in double track days) in readiness for our own move into the siding propelled by 08922, making its first known public passenger run. A few minutes later, the usual suspects proceeded to the leading end of the train to enjoy our traversal of the Engineer's Siding, covered almost in its entirety except two or three buried frames; 19ch was the measured distance achieved, almost ¼ mile. Of note, the two Carriage Sidings that emerge from the loop (the remains of the double track Ashurst Spur, which once formed the third side of the triangle) and were well-covered on our previous tours, are now merely stubs of about 1ch as the landowner has reclaimed his land (TRACKmaps 5 p15B 2019).

After a short leg stretch at Groombridge (long legs excluded?) we resumed with D7535 again at the helm for the trip via the normal bidirectional running line to Eridge. There, the Class 25 was detached and the rake propelled to the stop blocks (35m 68ch) past the end of P2, originally the Down track to Uckfield - the route was singled with 6 Jan 1990 resignalling. This was followed by a similar shunt manoeuvre to Eridge bay P3 (years ago there was a matching Up side bay here too). With the Class 25 attached to the rear, 08922 led us back to Tunbridge Wells West via Groombridge Up Loop The 08 worked hard uphill from Groombridge and was glad of a little assistance from the Class 25 at the rear.









During a break at Tunbridge Wells West, the Class 25 shunted stock to facilitate our visit to East/West Siding No2 - adjacent to the running line on the Down side, west of Tunbridge Wells West (!). Returning to the station, we alighted from the Mk1 stock and, after the ground crew had effected some shunts, we boarded a Queen Mary brakevan with traction now provided by a Thomas Hill Vanguard & Drewry 'Southerham' (originally at Southerham Cement Works, near the eponymous junction at Lewes).






An intensive series of shunts followed, including P2 road (not usually used), the loco release crossover to P1, Shed Roads 1-4 inclusive to the shed doors (except Road 1 where 09026 was stabled), the 'Coal Road' and East/West Siding No1 which was part of the Up line in double track days - to its operational extremity (just before the A26 - appropriately Eridge Road - underbridge). By now the weather had turned somewhat inclement but, to their credit, this did not deter the Spa Valley Railway ground crew.












With that, the fixture concluded in Shed Road 4 (at the door), 30 mins ahead of schedule, allowing an earlier departure home for those not staying on for the evening Fish & Chip Supper Specials. All the advertised track and traction had been covered and some very welcome extra 'on the day' bonuses achieved too. Huge thanks to the Spa Valley Railway for hosting the event and delivering a productive and enjoyable afternoon. When we return, we will make it inside the shed (already agreed for our next visit) - not possible on this visit because of the model railway exhibition being set up. But for now, back to my retirement! [We hope it won't be so long until your next fixture, Darren, they are very good.]