Steam line raises Battle of Britain memorial funds

Two raffle winners will be given driving lessons on the locomotive 303 Squadron

A heritage railway has given driving lessons to raise funds for a Battle of Britain memorial event.

The Spa Valley Railway's locomotive 303 Squadron ran from Tunbridge Wells, with the two novice drivers having been chosen by a raffle.

The funds will go towards the Polish Heritage Flight, which is hoping to fly a Hurricane to Poland in August.

Summer 2025 is the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, with pilots from the Eastern European nation forming 303 Squadron.

The Polish Heritage Flight plans to fly a Hurricane to Poland in August

Peter Spowage, a director of Southern Locomotives who are custodians of the Battle of Britain class engine, said: ""We dedicated it to 303 squadron because it was one of the highest scoring squadrons during the battle of Britain in August and September 1940.

"We felt it was our duty as these locomotives are not just name engines they are actually living breathing world memorials to remember the dedication and what the lads did for us in 1940."

Peter Spowage says steam trains are "living, breathing memorials"

Dave Harvey, a pilot for the Polish Heritage Flight, said this memorial event is "particularly special".

He said: "They call them the few, 3000 pilots that fought in the Battle of Britain, but they came from all over the world not just England, but all over Europe.

"It is very important just to keep the story alive just so that people don't forget what these guys did."

The train will carry the name 303 Squadron for a year

In September the Spa Valley train Sir Keith Park had its name changed for a year to honour members of the squadron during the anniversary.

About 20 guests joined the two round trips on the Spa Valley's line between Tunbridge Wells and Eridge, including the son of 303 Squadron's commander during the Battle of Britain.