July 2025 – RailwayWorld.net

Super Spa Valley Railway

Caledonian Railway 0-6-0 828 storms away from Groombridge with the 14.35 from Eridge

A little more than 40 years ago, on the night of Saturday, 6 July 1985, I managed to miss the last train from Tunbridge Wells to Eridge, when I paid a farewell visit to the line, but had not realised that there was a replacement bus service from Tonbridge to Tunbridge Wells on that day.

I was working on The Observer at the time and having to work on Saturdays meant only being able to travel late in the evening. I dashed across from Tunbridge Wells Central station but was too late, and had to settle instead for a short trip back on the last ever service from Tunbridge Wells West to Tunbridge Wells Central.

Poacher Line debut for EMR Aurora

810004 passes West Street Junction Signal Box with 5Q61 from Old Dalby to Skegness

Thursday, 17 July 2025 proved to be an historic day on the splendid East Midlands Railway (EMR)-operated Grantham-Skegness Poacher Line, with a first ever visit to the route by one of the new EMR Class 810 Aurora units.

A fleet of 33 bi-mode 5-car Class 810s is destined to replace the Class 222 Meridian units on longer distance EMR services, but introduction of the Hitachi-built units has been beset by repeated delays.

Diesel-hydraulics at Medstead

D821 “Greyhound” arrives at Medstead with 2A24 from Alresford (12.32) to Alton

Glorious sunshine and guest appearances by some marvellous diesel-hydraulic traction are making for a highly popular gala weekend on the Alton-Alresford Watercress Line, where I have worked as a volunteer booking for the past decade.

Not normally being someone who relishes the crowds, I paid a 90-minute visit on Saturday (12 July 2025) to the footbridge at Medstead & Four Marks station in order to savour some of the remarkable heritage diesel action.

Summer stone traffic at Peak Forest

Freightliner 70005 storms away from Peak Forest and passes the century old signal box and DB 66106 hauling 6H52 from Dowlow Quarry to Ashburys SS.

Only days after the Midland Railway signal box was celebrating its 100th birthday (5 July 2025) it is time to pay a return visit (on 8 July 2025) to fascinating Peak Forest, near Buxton, and hope to photograph again some of the heavy stone traffic passing the semaphore signals controlled by Peak Forest South Signal Box.

After two highly enjoyable visits in August and November 2024, my ambition this time was to capture a train passing up signal PF16, the motor-worked distant that is mounted beneath Great Rocks Junction’s section signal GR14, and is one of less than a dozen surviving working home and distant signals on the national network.

Semaphores and loco action on the Settle-Carlisle Line

37508/418 power away from a brief stop at Appleby on 1 July 2025 propelling Inspection saloon Caroline with 2Z01 from Derby (09.14) to Preston

Almost three years on from my visit to the two southernmost outposts of mechanical signalling on the spectacular Settle-Carlisle Line (Settle Junction and Hellifield, September 2022) and time for a long overdue return to the northern end of the S&C. My quest this time is to capture some loco-hauled action at Appleby and also pay a brief visit to Kirkby Stephen.

Since its reprieve from closure in 1989 the S&C has developed into a major tourist artery, with active support from the Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company, which provides guides on certain trains, a refreshment trolley service between Settle, Appleby and Carlisle and buffet services at a couple of stations.

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