Caledonian 0-6-0 No. 828 to visit Spa Valley Railway next year

CALEDONIAN Railway 0-6-0 No. 828 is to make its furthestever foray south next year to spend the season on the Spa Valley Railway.

The unique surviving McIntosh 812 class, which is owned by the Caledonian Railway 828 Trust and based at the Strathspey Railway, will be at the Tunbridge WellsEridge line from late March until October, filling the gap created by the withdrawal of Southern Locomotives Ltd's Bulleid Battle of Britain Pacific No. 34053 Sir Keith Park for its 10-yearly overhaul.

The furthest south that No. 828 has previously ventured was to the Severn Valley Railway during late 2011 and early 2012.

Its first operating days at the Spa Valley will be for the line's Spring Steam Up on April 2/3, followed by the Summer Steam Up on June 18/19, the railway's 25th anniversary celebrations on August 26-29, and the Real Ale Festival on October 7-9. In between the special events, it will also work normal service trains alongside on-hire converted Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0 No. 2890 Douglas.

The line stated: “The Spa Valley Railway first started discussing the prospect of 828 visiting back in 2019 and we are extremely grateful to the Caledonian Railway 828 Trust and Strathspey Railway for making this visit possible.”