Present-Day Spa Valley Railway
The Spa Valley Railway operates regular steam and diesel services between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, with intermediate stops at High Rocks and Groombridge. It hosts special events, themed experiences, and dining trains, making it a popular attraction for tourists and railway enthusiasts alike.
Preservation Efforts and Expansion
In response to the closure, a group of enthusiasts formed the Tunbridge Wells and Eridge Railway Preservation Society with the goal of restoring the line as a heritage railway. Restoration began in the 1990s, and the first section of the line, from Tunbridge Wells West to Groombridge, reopened to passengers in 1997. The line was extended to Eridge in 2011, reconnecting the railway with the mainline at Eridge Station, providing access to and from Southern Railway services on the Uckfield line.
History of the Spa Valley Railway
The railway line originally opened in 1866 as part of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR). It provided passenger and freight services between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, with further links to other towns and cities. The line was popular for both local travel and transporting goods, playing an important role in the region’s transportation network. Like many rural and branch lines, the route faced declining passenger numbers due to increased car ownership and competition from buses. Passenger services between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge were closed in 1985, and the line was left abandoned.