Spa Valley Railway, Heritage railway in Royal Tunbridge Wells, England
Spa Valley Railway is a heritage line running between Royal Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge in East Sussex. The route covers roughly 8 kilometers and uses both steam and diesel rolling stock for passenger services.
The line owes its operation to railway enthusiasts who reopened it in 1996 after regular passenger services ended in 1985. This rescue project brought trains back and allowed steam and diesel locomotives to run again.
The railway connects two terminal points in East Sussex, allowing visitors to see how travelers once moved through the Weald countryside. Riders can walk along the coaches and platforms where steam locomotives once stopped to refuel during their daily runs.
Royal Tunbridge Wells West serves as the main starting point for train journeys, and visitors should allow time to board before departure. Vintage carriages are narrower than modern trains, so comfortable footwear is worth considering for the journey.
Royal Tunbridge Wells West station displays a small collection of vintage timetables and railway memorabilia from the era before electronic booking systems. The building retains original features from the early 1900s, giving visitors a window into the station culture of earlier times.
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