A novel feature at the Spa Valley Railway’s March 25-26 mixed traction gala was passenger trains worked by track machines. Here, Tamper No. DR73434 leaves Groombridge Loop with passengers conveyed in ‘Queen Mary’ brake van No. ADS56296, with Class 33 No. 33063 R. J. Mitchell on the rear.
JAMES KINDRED
THE Spa Valley Railway’s March 25-26 mixed traction gala featured a varied selection of motive power.
South Devon Railway’s Class 25 No. D7535 (25185) was unavailable and replaced by GWR ‘Small Prairie’ No. 5526. Long-term visitor from the SDR, Class 25 No. D7612 (25262) was in operation however, along with resident diesels, Class 10 No. D3489 Colonel Tomline, Class 31 No. 31430 Sister Dora,Class 33 No. 33063 R.J. Mitchell and Drewry 0-4-0DM No. 2591 Southerham, plus Class 207 DEMU No. 1317.
The most unusual haulage was Plasser & Theurer 07-16 Tamping Machine No. DR73434 (builder’s No. 1581) which took turns with P&T 392, USP5000C Ballast Regulator No. DR77329. Visitors rode behind, paying a premium for the novelty, travelling in a Southern Railway ‘Queen Mary’ brake van.