Spa Valley Railway members moved quickly to secure an original station sign after it appeared for sale online.
An original 15ft Tunbridge Wells West station sign has been brought back to the Spa Valley Railway following a member-led fundraising and recovery effort.
The enamel sign is believed to have once been mounted on the side of the building now occupied by the Smith & Western hotel. It was presumed lost after the station closed in 1985 and the station, yard and engine shed were acquired by Sainsbury’s for redevelopment.
The discovery was recently made by steam locomotive department member and volunteer Vicky Skinner, who spotted the sign on Facebook Marketplace while sitting in the railway’s mess room at Tunbridge Wells West Station. After discussions with the trustees, members swiftly raised the money needed to secure it.
“It is not often that someone sees a sign of this scale and thinks, ‘We must have that,’ but everyone immediately recognised its importance to our local railway heritage,” said Vicky Skinner. “The response from members was remarkable.”
Vicky spotted the sign for sale online and once purchased it was collected from Crowborough and brought to Tunbridge Wells West where it has been securely stored until it can be restored and mounted at the station by some of the skilled railway volunteers.
The railway is hoping to put the sign on temporary display during the railway’s annual beer festival, which opens this Thursday 15 October and runs until 18 October 2026, featuring 200 real ales, 40 Kent Green Hop beers, 14 keg beers and 70 ciders.
The Spa Valley Railway is always keen to welcome new volunteers across a wide range of roles. Anyone interested in helping to preserve and share the railway’s heritage – including projects such as preparing the Tunbridge Wells West sign for display – is encouraged to get involved.
To find out how to become and member and volunteer at the Spa Valley Railway to help preserve its future as an important Heritage railway please visit https://spavalleyrailway.co.uk/events/volunteer-find-out-more-days/
