Scrapped Classmates Recreated | Spa Valley Railway - Cuckoo Line Gala - 14/06/25

The Spa Valley Railway's Cuckoo Line Gala marked 60 years since the closure of the line between Eridge and Polegate in 1965, with a host of visiting locomotives disguised as various scrapped classmates, all with ties to the local area.

Southern Railway U Class 31806 led the line-up visiting from the Swanage Railway, disguised as classmate 31803. 31803 hauled the final steam-hauled train between Eridge and Polegate on 13th June 1965, alongside N Class 31411, titled "The Wealdsman Railtour".

Bulleid Battle of Britain Class 34053 'Sir Keith Park', currently on loan from Southern Locomotives Ltd appears as scrapped classmate 34050 'Royal Observer Corps', which ran "The Wealdsman Railtour" from London Waterloo Station to Three Bridges on 13th June 1965. 34050 was withdrawn at the end of August that same year, and would subsequently meet the cutter's torch at the infamous Barry Scrapyard.

Additionally visiting the line was LMS Ivatt 2MT Tank 41313 and BR Standard 4MT Tank 80078. 41313 would appear under the guise of Tunbridge Wells West Shed (75F) resident 41319, which would have seen regular service along the Cuckoo Line, whilst 80078 would take on several identities during the gala weekend. The Saturday of the event saw 80078 carry the number of 80144, which ran the final timetabled steam service between Tunbridge Wells West and Polegate on 12th June 1965.

This event also catered to diesel enthusiasts, with the visit of Class 33 D6566 from the West Somerset Railway, the first time the loco has been away from its home line in preservation, running alongside home-based Class 207 DEMU 1317, which returns to service following recent graffiti vandalism, resulting in one side of the unit requiring a full repaint to complete her BR Blue & Grey look.

LINKS
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LOCOS & STOCK
LMS Ivatt 2MT Tank 41313 (Running as 41319)
British Rail Class 33 D6566
BR Standard 4MT Tank 80078 (Running as 80144)
British Rail Class 207 DEMU 1317
SR U Class 31806 (Running as 31803)
SR Bulleid Battle of Britain Class 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ (Running as 34050 ‘Royal Observer Corps)

VIDEO CONTENTS
0:00 - 41313 (As 41319) - Cold Bath Bridge
0:47 - D6566 - Cold Bath Bridge
1:20 - 80078 (As 80144) - Lealands
2:16 - 1317 - Poke Hill Farm Crossing
3:28 - D6566 - Lealands
3:50 - 31806 (As 31803) - Lealands
4:45 - 34053 (As 34050) - Poke Hill Farm Crossing
5:45 - 1317 - High Rocks Woods
6:29 - 31806*, 80078* & 41313* - Eridge Station
8:45 - 31806 (As 31803) - Eridge Station
9:57 - 41313 (As 41319) & 34053 (As 34050) - High Rocks Woods
10:56 - 80078 (As 80144) - High Rocks Lane
11:34 - 31806 (As 31803) & D6566 - Poke Hill Farm Crossing
12:34 - 1317 - Poke Hill Farm Crossing
13:43 - 41313 (As 41319) - High Rocks Lane

Filmed on 14th June 2025. Many thanks for the company of @TheSouthernerYTChannel