Spa Valley - The Cuckoo Line Gala Contender for Gala of 2025?
Back in 1965, British Railways faced sweeping changes under the infamous Beeching Report. Across the country, hundreds of branch lines were deemed unprofitable and closed—casualties of a new, efficiency-driven vision for the rail network. Among them was the much-loved Cuckoo Line, a rural gem stretching from Eridge in the north to Polegate in the south, weaving through Sussex towns such as Heathfield.
Spa Valley resident 34053 “Sir Keith Park” (Masquerading as 34050 “Royal Observer Corps”) approaches the crossing at Poke Farm.
Camera settings: Focal Length: 35mm Shutter Speed: 1/500th Aperture: F/6.3 ISO: 200
For months, the rumour mill had been in full swing. Whispers in the railway community grew louder—speculation about which locomotives would be loan out to bring this much anticipated event to life. One engine was a sure bet: 34053 "Sir Keith Park" a resident of the Spa Valley. But the rest of the line-up? That remained deliciously uncertain.
Then came the trickle of confirmations. 80078 was making the journey from the Mid-Norfolk Railway. A classic BR Standard 4, always a crowd-pleaser and I am reliably informed the best Standard 4 due to carrying the early BR emblem. Not long after, we had news of 41313, visiting from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway—a beautifully kept Ivatt tank that has already made a great return to the mainland at Bluebell and Swanage earlier this year.
Then, in April, the news I’d been hoping for finally arrived: 31806, the only steam-worthy U-Class locomotive from Swanage, was officially confirmed to be joining the line-up at Spa Valley.
With that, the final piece of the gala puzzle clicked perfectly into place.
For me, this wasn’t just another loco announcement—it was something personal. I’ve held a deep affection for the U-Class ever since I first saw 1638 in action at the Bluebell Railway years ago. There’s something about their understated elegance and raw Southern charm that’s always captured my imagination.
The star of the show 31806 (masquerading as 31803) stands at Eridge awaiting her next train with the lovely Wealdsman Rail Tour headboard proudly displayed.
Camera settings: Focal Length: 50mm Shutter Speed: 1/500th Aperture: F/6.3 ISO: 160
Running from 13th to 15th June, the Cuckoo Line Gala wasn’t just another event on the heritage calendar—it was a journey back in time. An attempt to re-create the final days of the Cuckoo line.
The date held deep significance. On 13th June 1965, steam bowed out on the Cuckoo Line, as U-Class No. 31803 and an N-Class locomotive double-headed the final leg of the Wealdsman Tour to Polegate. It was the end of an era, as the last steam-hauled service of the Cuckoo Line.
Fast-forward to 2025, and that moment was being honoured with style, sound, steam and the same headboards that were on the No.31803.
The gala weekend kicked off under increasingly warm skies—classic British summer weather. While that meant brilliant conditions for visitors and photographers tans, it also brought one challenge: steam exhaust was going to be at a premium. With higher temperatures and thinner air, that dramatic column of steam so beloved by enthusiasts would be more elusive—but the atmosphere more than made up for it. The gala was a great community atmosphere with lots of friends and new friends making it a gala to remember.
To mark the historic occasion, a stunning array of authentic headboards, Cuckoo Line destination discs, and rare historical railway artefacts were on display. Every detail, from the numbers on the locos, paid homage to the line’s legacy and the golden age of Southern steam. My particular favourite was the lack of number on the smokebox door of 80078 and the painted lettering around the end of the Cuckoo Line, please enjoy the photo below to see the artisanship that went into this.
A perfect example of the end of British Railways days (although without the grime) 80144 without numberplate and with painted on messages on the smokebox highlights the final days of BR steam.
Camera settings: Focal Length: 50mm Shutter Speed 1/500th Aperture: F/6.3 ISO: 160
Friday kicked off the gala weekend with a blend of exploration, steam, and well lots of sweaty walking (nice I know)
Most of my day was spent filming and rediscovering the line from both familiar and fresh perspectives. Of course, I couldn’t resist visiting the tried-and-true spots like Lealands, High Rocks, and the ever-reliable Poke Farm—all favourites among Spa Valley photographers. But this time, I made a point to venture beyond my usual haunts, and I’m glad I did.
Forge Farm offered a more modern way of seeing the line, especially as you see class 171s blast past. However, wandering through the High Rocks forest, camera in hand, felt more akin to Gravetye Woods near Birch Farm crossing on the Bluebell, than the Spa Valley. A nice home away from home. These lesser-known locations gave the railway an almost cinematic backdrop—well worth the detour (even if my legs disagreed by the end).
Speaking of discomfort: Friday’s humidity? Brutal. Great for tanning —not so great for hiking around with gear. But that’s all part of the fun, right?
Along the way, I had the pleasure of meeting a new friend of the channel, @thetrainguy2025. He's been producing some fantastic content lately, so definitely take a look at his YouTube if you haven’t already.
Later in the day, I caught up with someone whose enthusiasm for this event definitely eclipsed my own: @chaileystowe. A true Cuckoo Line local, his passion for the railway shines through in his latest YouTube video—a 45-minute tour de force that’s nothing short of his best work yet. Trust me, it’s a must-watch for anyone with even a passing interest in the history of this line.
Friday was hot, sweaty, and absolutely brilliant. A perfect start to a weekend steeped in steam and stories. And this was especially the case with the Wealdsman Tour, a link to this amazing run is below for you all to enjoy.
Saturday was, without doubt, my longest—and perhaps most rewarding—day of the gala.
It began with a detour: a good friend had suffered an unfortunate accident and couldn’t make his own way in. Given how much he’d been looking forward to the event, there was no question—I jumped in the car, picked him up, and we made our way straight to Groombridge for the first shot of the day.
Except… I’d misread the movement. I was expecting the U-Class on a passenger set at Lealands, but instead got the U-Boat hauling the Queen Mary Brakevan. Not quite the image I was aiming for—but that's railway photography for you. The U-Class at Lealands remains on my wishlist. Hopefully not for long.
While waiting, I bumped into @chaileystowe3026 again, as well as the ever-improving @72bphotography, whose work has really come into its own over the past six months. It’s genuinely inspiring to see young photographers and videographers take their craft so seriously.
Despite forecasts promising heat, Saturday morning was surprisingly chilly, jumpers and all. But there was an upside—cooler temperatures meant better steam exhaust, particularly for the U-Class and Ivatt runs at Lealands. Sometimes, a bit of cloud cover and cold air is just what a shot needs. But sun is always the preferred choice.
We later headed to Cold Bath Bridge (not Cold Harbour Bridge, as I had mistakenly typed in a post earlier—easy to get distracted when you’re juggling photos, people, and trains). I wasn’t convinced by the location at first: too tight, too leafy. But reviewing my Standard 4 shot later on a big monitor proved otherwise—sometimes your camera’s tiny screen just doesn’t do justice to what you’ve captured.
Standard 4 No80078 (masquerading as 80144) passes Cold Bath Bridge with a service to Tunbridge Wells West
Camera settings: Focal Length: 60mm Shutter Speed 1/500th Aperture: F/6.3 ISO: 160
As always at these events, it turned into a bit of a race from spot to spot. We aimed to go from High Rocks to Lealands in 35 minutes, but heat and conversation shaved it down to 25. At Poke Farm crossing, I reconnected with 72b, as well as familiar faces @benjenden and @themodster—to be honest, it felt like half the Bluebell Railway’s photographers had migrated to Spa for the weekend!
But the highlight for me—the shot I’d been eyeing since the timetable dropped—was a sunset shot at Poke Farm. I’d bookmarked it: if I missed it Saturday, I had a fall-back shot the following Friday. Still, it’s always better to get the image in the bag early.
Before the U-Class arrived, I tested the lighting with Thumper 1317, one of those underrated yet fascinating DEMU units that roamed Southern metals in their day. The light was perfect and 20 minutes later, the U-Class came through and everything clicked: the shutter, the setting, the steam. Not a bad shot, if I say so myself.
As with any gala, the real joy isn't just in the locomotives—it’s the people. This time, I finally met @carryonsteaming, whose work I’ve admired for a while. Their gallery is packed with top-draw images—well worth checking out.
Take a look at the shot below. Let me know what you think—I’d love to hear your thoughts.
U-Class No31803 catches the evening sun as she approaches Poke Farm Crossing with the Ivatt on the rear as the two locos undertake the evening services on the Saturday.
Camera settings: Focal Length: 70mm Shutter Speed 1/500th Aperture: F/6.3 ISO: 160
After a packed few days, Sunday was a one-shot day for me—sometimes, you just need to recharge. But there was no way I was missing the quadruple header at Poke Farm—a classic Spa Valley tradition and always a fitting crescendo to one of their galas.
I took a slow stroll from Groombridge to Poke Farm, and everything about the evening felt right: golden light, cool breeze, and that end-of-gala buzz you can only get when the steam community come together. It wasn’t just about the locos—the lineside was filled with familiar faces, old friends, and new ones alike. The evening unfolded into a mix of jokes, stories, and shared anticipation.
And then it came—the grand finale.
Ivatt 41319 led the charge, backed by 80011 (80078), 34050, and 31803, with D6566 tucked at the rear to add a bit more weight. As the formation rounded the curve at Poke Farm, a wall of sound hit us—whistles echoing through the trees, and the Ivatt roaring past with toots a plenty.
Let me say this plainly: the Ivatt stole the show. The sound, the power—it’s got to be the finest example of its kind in preservation.
It was the perfect end to a memorable weekend. One last shot. One unforgettable moment.
🎥 Enjoy the clip below, and relive the magic as the stars of the gala gave the crowd one final, thunderous salute.
On the day of finally finishing this blog, Friday. I sit with camera gear being prepared for what should be a scorching hot day for 31803 charter at Spa today. Hopefully there is some good footage/photos to come out of it. But if anything it is nice to give something back to the railway that has given us one of the best galas of the year so far. Therefore, the final word is especially for all the Spa Valley volunteers, but equally to the volunteers that travelled from the Swanage, Isle of Wight, West Somerset and Mid Norfolk railways to help. Thank you for exceeding my very high expectations for this gala, you have done yourselves proud.
