The funds raised from this event went towards the "Return to Eridge" appeal to raise £500,000 for the extension to the Uckfield main line at Eridge. On 25 March 2011 the SVR extended passenger services to , where there is a footbridge interchange with Southern services on the London Bridge to Uckfield line. In August 2017, a special event (20th Birthday Bash) was held to celebrate 20 years since the reopening of the line to Groombridge, starring a variety of home and visiting locomotives, including BR Standard 4 Tank 80078. Operations The SVR provides a way of getting to other local tourist attractions, such as Groombridge Place, High Rocks and the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells. The railway holds a number of special event days throughout the year, including Transport Film Festivals, Santa Specials, a Summer Diesel Gala and also real ale and cider festival (jointly organized by CAMRA) which is combined with the railway's autumn diesel gala and held each October. The railway operates between February and October, as well as on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the summer months. In December the railway operates Santa Special services until Christmas, and then runs on selected days between Christmas and/including New Year's Day. During November and January, the line is usually closed to the public. This allows the railway's infrastructure department time to carry out major track renewals such as installation of new point work, something that Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells West have both benefited from in recent times. Future Whilst the Spa Valley Railway certainly has no current plans to extend its operational railway line, it has a stated aim "...to continually develop its railway services and facilities". Its business plan states that the SVR "will seek to protect the alignment of the closed railway lines around Eridge, that may at some future time provide the basis for an extension of our railway". Rolling stock Steam Operational Non-operational Diesel and electric locomotives Operational Non-operational Multiple Units DMU s are diesel multiple units. EMUs are electric multiple units but these are only being used as static or hauled stock on this line. Carriages References External links Spa Valley Railway website. Heritage Railway Association website. Heritage railways in Kent Heritage railways in East Sussex Railway companies established in 1996 Borough of Tunbridge Wells Standard gauge railways in England Rolling stock on the Spa Valley Railway British companies established in 1996