Spa Valley Railway (SpVR) 22nd March 2014

Due to the Spa Valley Railway not having completed repairs on their Thumper unit in time for the start of the season their loco fleet had an early press into service with the Thumper being dragged on all services for the first two weekends of their timetabled season in March. 73140 & D3489 shared the honours over the weekend of 15/16 March with 31206 & 33063 sharing the work over the weekend of 22/23 March.

The timetable was 5 round trips from Tunbridge Wells West; departing TW at 1010, 1145, 1315, 1445 & 1600 with return trips from Eridge at 1110, 1220, 1410, 1520 & 1635.

The set was propelled from Tunbridge Wells to Eridge and hauled back up the hill.

31206 was in fine shape and sounded well after its winter hibernation; it ran clean and was driven well, very well on a couple of trips; despite the short rake! There was a very good turnout for ‘206 and it only had one niggly issue all day; which was only a load regulator issue where it didn’t wind back properly; other than that it was faultless.

Photos from the day can be found below: