The weekend of the 25th - 26th March saw the Spa Valley Railway host a 'Spring Mixed Traction Gala', which featured some rather unusual motive power!

The event would include the opportunity to travel behind both a Track Tamper and a Ballast Regulator! Based on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tamping Machine No. DR73434 and Ballast Regulating Machine No. DR77329 had arrived in the High Wealds in early March, before being put to use on infrastructure work during the month. The Gala would provide the opportunity for visitors to travel behind these machines, with the pair taking charge of brake van shuttles between Tunbridge Wells West and Groombridge.

The original plan was for Class 25 No. D7535 to visit from the South Devon Railway, with an opportunity to run alongside classmate No. D7612. The latter is also based at Buckfastleigh, but has spent the last few months in the South East, arriving in August 2022. Unfortunately, ongoing repairs meant that D7535 was unavailable to attend this event. However, the SDR provided a backup, with GWR Small Prairie No. 5526 becoming the replacement at the eleventh hour. D7535 is set to visit the Spa Valley later this year, once the repairs are complete.

The rest of the line-up consisted of SR Unrebuilt Battle of Britain No. 34072 '257 Squadron', Drewry Shunter No. 2591 'Southerham', Class 10 No. D3489 'Colonel Tomline', Class 31 No. 31430 'Sister Dora', Class 33 No. 33063 'R.J. Mitchell' and Class 207 'Thumper' No. 1317.

The lineup for the event:

Visiting:

- GWR Small Prairie 2-6-2T No. 5526 (South Devon Railway)
- Class 25 No. D7612 (South Devon Railway)
- Plasser & Theurer 07-16 Tamping Machine No. DR73434 / Works No. 1581
(Kent & East Sussex Railway)
- Plasser & Theurer USP5000C Ballast Regulating Machine No. DR77329 / Works No. 392 (Kent & East Sussex Railway) *

Resident:

- SR Unrebuilt Battle of Britain 4-6-2 No. 34072 '257 Squadron'
- Drewry 0-4-0 No. 2591 'Southerham'
- Class 10 No. D3489 'Colonel Tomline'
- Class 31 No. 31430 'Sister Dora'
- Class 33 No. 33063 'R.J. Mitchell'
- Class 207 'Thumper' DEMU No. 1317

* Does not feature

All scenes were captured on Saturday 25th March 2023.

Timestamps:

00:00 2591, 33063 & D3489 - Poke Hill
01:12 5526 & 34072 - Poke Hill
03:15 2591, D3489 & 33063 - Poke Hill
04:48 D7612 - Poke Hill
05:51 33063 & DR73434 - Adams Well
06:45 31430 - Adams Well
07:39 34072 - Adams Well
09:57 D7612 - School Lane Bridge
11:42 5526 - School Lane Bridge
13:16 31430 - High Rocks Lane
14:14 DR73434 - Tea Garden Lane
14:47 33063 & D7612 - Tea Garden Lane
15:56 DR73434 - High Rocks
16:57 5526 - High Rocks
17:48 34072 - High Rocks
18:51 D7612 & 33063 - Groombridge
20:20 31430 - Forge Farm
22:38 D7612 & 33063 - Forge Farm
24:20 1317 - Eridge

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