SCOTS ON TOUR:

As part of their visit ‘down South’, two Caledonian Railway locos kicked off the Spa Valley Railway’s 25th anniversary celebrations, starring in two weekends of action in early April. The line reported that its April 2/3 Scottish Steam Up was its most successful ever enthusiast event, breaking records set by previous galas/festivals and bringing in much needed revenue for the Kent railway. While the Scottish Railway Preservation Society’s No. 419 returned to the Battlefield Line from mid-April until May 2, it was then booked to star in the West Somerset Railway’s May 5-8 Spring Steam Gala. Strathspey Railway-based No. 828 is contracted to remain in Tunbridge Wells until October and will see regular use on passenger services. Nos. 419 and 828 are pictured at Groombridge on April 2.