Visitors and volunteers will be stepping back in time to the 1960s when steam still ruled supreme when they come along to the ‘Cuckoo Line Gala’ at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells between Friday 13 and Sunday 15 June 2025, to celebrate the 200-year anniversary of Train Travel in the UK.

General Manager at the railway, Jonnie Pay, said: “We are also delighted to announce that during the Gala, the 265-yard-long Heathfield Tunnel will be open to the public for the first time in around 10 years. The tunnel will be open from 10am to 5pm for visitors to explore and walk through the most significant piece of infrastructure on the Cuckoo Line. The last time a steam train passed through was almost exactly 60 years ago! There will be a small charge payable at the tunnel on the day, £1 per adult and 50p per child to walk through as a charitable donation to help cover the costs of opening the tunnel.”

How to get to the Heathfield Tunnel?

A dedicated free rail replacement bus service will operate between Tunbridge Wells West Station and Heathfield every 50 minutes courtesy of the Bromley Bus Group. This means you can hop on board a bus as many times as you like to travel between the railway and the tunnel throughout the day. The buses will connect with arriving trains at Tunbridge Wells West.
Parking is available in Heathfield for those visiting by car.

The Cuckoo Line Gala will see one of the most interesting timetables ever to operate on the Spa Valley Railway line between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, incorporating early morning and late evening services.

On the first day of the Cuckoo Line Gala on Friday 13 June, resident locomotive at Spa Valley Railway, Bulleid Pacific 34053, will swap identity to that of 34050 ‘Royal Observer Corps’, which hauled the London Waterloo to Three Bridges leg of ‘The Wealdsman Railtour’ which was the last steam-hauled train to traverse the Cuckoo Line on 13th June 1965.

60 year events

The event commemorates 60 years since the closure of the famous Cuckoo Line, which once ran between Tunbridge Wells West via Eridge and Hailsham to Polegate and other events will include:

Friday 13 June – Take a journey behind 80078, but without its shed code plate, returning it to a time when it was on test between Brighton and Tunbridge Wells West in 1954.
Saturday 14 June – Take a journey behind Locomotive 80144, the last timetabled steam service engine that ran between Tunbridge Wells West and Polegate on 12 June 1965.
Sunday 15 June – Take a journey behind locomotives 80140 and 80011, who were both regular visitors to Tunbridge Wells West in the 1960s.

You will have the opportunity to see the following magnificent steam locomotives:

• Southern Railway U Class 31806 – Courtesy of the Swanage Railway and JMB Locomotive Services
• Southern Railway Bulleid Pacific 34050 ‘Royal Observer Corps’
• British Railways Ivatt 2MT Tank 41313 – Courtesy of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
• British Railways Standard 4MT Tank 80078 – Courtesy of Stewart Robinson
• Brake van rides in the Queen Mary Brake Van will be available all weekend.
• Also taking to the tracks will be Class 33/0 D6566 – Courtesy of the DEPG and Class 207 DEMU 1317.

Timetable & tickets

Trains will be running from early morning until late evening; evening dining trains can also be booked for Friday 13 or Saturday 14 June 2025 including for Fish & Chip Suppers on the Real Ale Train. The railway is currently fundraising and has an emergency appeal to raise £300,000 to replace the vital Broom Lane Bridge between High Rocks and Groombridge. By taking part in this event you will be helping the railway to reach their fundraising target.

Various tickets are available including below with entry to the Heathfield Tunnel. Tickets are discounted when booking in advance and allow passengers to travel on any train as often as they like throughout the day. www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

Adult 1 Day Rover & Heathfield Tunnel Entry – £33.00
Child 1 Day Rover & Heathfield Tunnel Entry – £20.00
Family (2A+2C) 1 Day Rover + Heathfield Tunnel Entry – £72.00
Adult Heathfield Tunnel Only – £1.00 (Pay on the day at the tunnel)
Child Heathfield Tunnel Only – 50p (Pay on the day at the tunnel)

Spa Valley Railway, Nevill Terrace, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY
Members of the Tunbridge Wells & Eridge Railway Preservation Society and HRA Privilege Pass Holders can obtain a 25% discount on tickets purchased on the day. See below for website where you can buy tickets.

What are the top things to see as a family with children at the Cuckoo Line Gala?

• Take part in the Cuckoo Line quiz for your chance to win a prize
• Watch historic films of the Cuckoo Line and discover its fascinating history
• Visit the historic photo displays and information boards of the Cuckoo Line
• Visit the footplate of some of our locomotives
• Get up close and personal with real steam and diesel locomotives in our engine shed at Tunbridge Wells West
• Visit the historic restored station building at Groombridge
• Take part in spotting the locomotive numbers, the 4MT 80078 tank changes identity each day
• See the stationary engines visiting Groombridge on Saturday 14 June, and Sunday 15 June
• Visit and walk through the 265-yard-long Heathfield Tunnel which can be reached on a vintage bus from Tunbridge Wells West

To find out more about the railway visit www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk