TERRY SMITH goes to meet someone special at his local station...
Living close to Eridge Station on the East Sussex/Kent border has its benefits. It my nearest station to catch trains direct into the heart of London, and it is also the southern end of the Spa Valley preserved line.
The Spa Valley has an eclectic mix of steam and diesel traction, which is often bolstered by guest locos and weekend events. One of these I always try to get to is the Diesel Gala Weekend, which the Spa usually pulls out all the stops for. In 2018 they brought in, amongst others, a Deltic - last year I was treated to a Class 42 Warship. I have always had a soft spot for the 1960s Western Region diesel hydraulics since I used to see them in period down at Dawlish Warren while on family holidays. I especially liked the Class 52 Westerns but seeing a Class 42 Warship up close and personal at my local station was still a treat.
The 38 Warships were built at Swindon between 1958 and 1961 and were nearly all aptly named after famous vessels from the Royal Navy. Their German-designed Maybach engines were actually built in the UK by Bristol and were coupled to a Hydraulic transmission drive system to the wheels. It was the uniqueness of the transmission that mostly led to the early retirement of the class, as BR standardised on electric traction motors. The class was completely retired by 1972 and while the last of them was scrapped by the mid-1980s, thankfully two survived into preservation.
My first view of the Warship, heading towards Edrige station. It is hauling a mixture of Mk1 and Mk2 coaching stock in Southern green livery.
The train pulling into the station, this platform only serves the Spa Valley. Passengers wanting the Southern service from Uckfield to London must use the trains that stop on the right-hand track.
This shot from the bridge shows the preserved platform, there is also a bay platform on the other side of the awning – the bridge offers a great angle of D821 ‘Greyhound’.
The view from the cab, thanks to a friendly crew. Of the 38 built only two Warships survived into preservation this one, and D832 ‘Onslaught’.
The driver controls of a Class 42. For a £350 fee you could have had full instruction and then taken charge of the Locomotive on the 10-mile journey between Eridge and Tunbridge Wells.
One of the two Bristol Siddeley Maybach 1,135 hp engines. Ever wondered how large a diesel locomotive engine is? These are 64,500cc each!
Looking stunning in the late summer sun of 2019, D821 is running light to pick up its next train waiting in the platform at Eridge.