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September 2026
Defiance poses in the sun at Hampton Loade with the 1145 ex Kidderminster. David Bissett
Welcome to your latest edition of Branch lines!
They say that life is just a series of challenges, and that’s never been more applicable than the run-up to this year’s Autumn Steam Gala.
Granted a reprieve from the steam ban of last month, organisers then had to find two replacement locos at very short notice when two of the planned guests were unable to appear. Read all about it in September’s Branch Lines!
The SVR has stolen more than a few headlines recently with the launch of the Bewdley Express commuter trial and we’ve a full report on the momentous occasion, together with an evocative poem, written to commemorate the trial services by Worcestershire’s Poet Laureate.
We also look forward to an Autumn Diesel Bash that gives centre stage to the SVR’s mighty home fleet, we find out how C&W coped with a recent flood and we go behind the scenes at Bridgnorth MPD. Another packed edition! Hope you enjoy reading…
Lesley Carr, editor
The Branch Lines team is Lesley Carr, Karen Crick, Gary Essex, Amy Baker,
Pete Cherry, Athelyn Hackney and Nicola Fox.
Contents
Scroll down or click on the item to be taken straight to it
What's new?
Bewdley Express launches with a flying start
The SVR’s Bewdley Express commuter trial got off to a flying start on 1 September, as the first heritage train carried passengers from Bewdley towards Birmingham.
The inaugural 6.40am departure attracted press and photographers, as well as representatives from Bewdley Town Council, Worcestershire County Council, the SVR, West Midlands Railway (WMR) and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE), who have worked together to make the eight-week trial possible.
The service runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with morning departures from Bewdley at 6.40am and 7.40am.
Passengers connect with WMR services at Kidderminster, reaching Birmingham Snow Hill at 7.46am and 8.46am respectively.
Evening services leave Birmingham at 4.46pm and 5.46pm, connecting at Kidderminster with SVR trains to Bewdley.
The SVR’s chief executive officer Gus Dunster said: “To see the first Bewdley Express leave Bewdley this morning, with people using it to begin their working day, is a fantastic moment after months of planning and preparation.
“This trial could make a real difference to people in Bewdley and the surrounding area, but we need people to use it. The demand we demonstrate over the next eight weeks will be hugely important in determining whether there is a case for making services like this permanent.”
Early passengers were enthusiastic about the new service. Clinical scientist Sarah Graham, who commutes to Birmingham Women’s Hospital, said: “Linking up with the main line is a no-brainer. It’s taking cars off the road, and I’d love to see it become permanent.”
Catrina Ferris, travelling to Birmingham for her role with the Environment Agency, said: “I think it’s important to reduce road traffic. I’ll be spreading the word because it’s important for as many people as possible to use this service.”
Matt Green, who was travelling to Rowley Regis, added: “Bewdley station is only walking distance from my house. Decent public transport is what we need and would make a huge difference.”
The Bewdley Express is believed to be one of the first arrangements of its kind in the UK, allowing passengers to use normal main line rail tickets for a journey that includes a heritage railway. The trial is testing whether existing heritage railway infrastructure can play a role in improving connectivity with the modern rail network.
See our separate article – View from the Bewdley Express cab – for driver Bob Dunn’s impressions of the first day of service.
Steam returns as the SVR’s Autumn Steam Gala gets the green light
Steam operations were able to return last week, on Wednesday 2 September, following significant rainfall across Worcestershire and Shropshire.
This means the Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala will go ahead as planned next week.
The Gala takes place from 17 to 20 September, and the SVR is now confident that the four-day event can run safely as planned.
During August, the railway’s resident heritage diesel locomotive fleet stepped up to cover all regular service trains, supported by their various volunteer owning groups.
They played a vital role in keeping the Railway running throughout the period when steam operations were suspended.
Paying tribute to them, CEO Gus Dunster said:
“I want to give a huge thank you to all the diesel groups and their volunteers who have picked up every one of our service trains during this challenging period.
“They have done an absolutely amazing job, keeping our Railway moving and our visitors travelling while we waited for conditions to improve.
“Their support has been hugely appreciated, and it’s a great example of the teamwork and commitment that makes the SVR special. We’re now delighted to be able to start bringing our steam locomotives back into operation, and especially pleased that this means the Autumn Steam Gala can go ahead as planned.”
The phased return to steam is now underway, with the Railway continuing to monitor conditions closely.
Additional measures will be introduced during the Autumn Steam Gala to further mitigate the risk of lineside fires. These will include water spraying trains and monitoring the line by volunteer fire marshals at locations known to be more susceptible to fires.
The Autumn Steam Gala promises an intensive timetable, featuring four visiting locomotives alongside the pride of the SVR’s home fleet.
Services will run into the late evening on Friday and Saturday, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of steam on the railway after dark.
Further details of the Autumn Steam Gala timetable and visiting locomotives are available at svr.co.uk.-
Commuting by STEAM! The 5.45 pm train under the SVR's commuter trial was hauled by steam loco 7714 on Wednesday 2nd September. It carried the headboard "Steam Commuter Special". Keith Wilkinson
New arrivals boost Autumn Steam Gala as 4150 prepares for long-awaited return to service
The Autumn Steam Gala is set to deliver a spectacular celebration of steam, with two major new visiting locomotives joining the line-up and the highly anticipated return to service of GWR Prairie tank No 4150 adding a landmark moment to the four-day event.
Taking place from 17 to 20 September, the Gala will now feature the much-anticipated visit of LMS ‘Royal Scot’ No 46115 Scots Guardsman and GWR ‘2884’ Class No 3850, alongside the locomotives already announced for the event.
The arrival of the two new visitors has been made possible thanks to the efforts of West Coast Railways, the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway and Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd, who have worked at short notice to help create an impressive line-up for the Gala.
CEO Gus Dunster said: “The past few days have certainly kept everyone on their toes, but what the team has achieved is quite remarkable.
“The additions of Scots Guardsman and 3850 give our Autumn Steam Gala an even greater range and variety, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has gone above and beyond to make these visits possible.
“There has been an extraordinary amount of goodwill and generosity from organisations and individuals across the heritage railway movement. I want to pay tribute to everyone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make these last-minute changes happen. Their commitment will ensure that visitors can look forward to a highly enjoyable and successful Gala.”
The new arrivals will join Ivatt Class 2 tank locomotive No 41313, making its first-ever appearance at the SVR, and BR(W) pannier tank No 9681. The line-up will also provide opportunities for 9681 to be paired with the SVR-based pannier tank No 7714, adding further variety to the intensive steam programme.
The Gala is also expected to mark a momentous occasion for the SVR with the debut in service of newly restored GWR Prairie tank No 4150.
The locomotive is the last unrestored ex-Barry scrapyard locomotive at the SVR and, if all goes to plan, its return to traffic will come 61 years after it was withdrawn from British Railways service in 1965.
The return of 4150 to steam represents the culmination of an extraordinary restoration journey and a significant milestone for the 4150 Fund, as well as an important moment in the history of the SVR.
The SVR has expressed its thanks to the East Lancashire Railway, Bury Steam Loco Group and South Devon Railway for their efforts in seeking to bring BR Standard Tank No 80097 and GWR Small Prairie No 5526 to the Gala. Unforeseen circumstances have meant that those planned visits cannot now go ahead.
More information on the event with an updated timetable and loco allocations are available at svr.co.uk.
Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
The home fleet takes centre stage at Autumn Diesel Bash
The SVR’s remarkable home diesel fleet will be the star of the show this autumn, as the Autumn Diesel Bash brings four days of intensive diesel action to the Railway from 1 to 4 October.
With timetables and locomotive allocations now available, the event will provide a unique opportunity to experience the sheer variety and strength of one of the UK’s finest heritage diesel collections, with the SVR’s own locomotives doing all the work.
The Bash will showcase an extraordinary cross-section of British diesel railway history, from iconic mainline diesel-electrics to some of the rarest surviving diesel-hydraulics. Classes 14, 17, 20, 33, 42, 50 and 52 will all feature during the event.
For CEO Gus Dunster, it is a chance to celebrate a fleet that’s second-to-none.
“We’re incredibly proud of our diesel fleet, and this year’s Autumn Diesel Bash gives us the perfect opportunity to let it shine.
“There’s something particularly exciting about seeing a whole range of locomotives from our own collection working together in an intensive timetable. It’s a fantastic demonstration of just how much depth and variety we have here at the SVR.”
Behind the scenes, the Railway’s multi-million-pound Kidderminster Traction Maintenance Depot and the expertise of its staff and volunteers are vital to keeping these locomotives in such impressive operational condition.
That importance has been particularly clear during the recent hot, dry weather, when diesel traction has stepped in to operate passenger services.
Gus will also be getting involved from the cab. A long-standing volunteer diesel driver, he is looking forward to driving during the Bash.
“I’m especially looking forward to being part of the event from the cab. It’s a real privilege to be able to combine my role as chief executive with something I’ve always loved doing, driving these magnificent locomotives.”
The full timetable and locomotive allocations are now available at svr.co.uk.
Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
Other News
View from the Bewdley Express cab
Among those playing a key role in delivering the first Bewdley Express service was Bob Dunn. The SVR’s most senior diesel driver took the controls of the inaugural train. Once the two morning trips were over, Bob reflected on the momentous nature of a commuter train on SVR metals:
Back in my main line driving career, I was very used to setting my alarm, and this morning it went off at 3.30am. We had plenty to do to get the DMU ready for our first departure at 06.40.
Tuesday 1 September of course is something very special and I am extremely proud to be a cog.
Our can-do, will-do approach has ensured that volunteers will be in place throughout the eight-week trial period at Bewdley and Kidderminster during the mornings and late afternoons to man the platforms, signal boxes, trains and of course the coffee shop.
I was first trained on Diesel Multiple Units in June 1980 when at Saltley traincrew depot in Birmingham. The saviour of many a branch line in the 1960s, these lightweight versatile trains worked a myriad of intensive suburban services across the West Midlands and outer suburban services.
An added feature is that passengers can sit behind the driver and get a wonderful view of the line ahead. We called them Wacky Racers after the 1970s animated series in which small cars racing each other zip all over the place.
The class 101 DMU that provided the first Bewdley Express is owned and maintained by the volunteers of the DMU Group (West Midlands). These units were built by Metropolitan Cammell at their factory at Washwood Heath in Birmingham between 1956 and 1959.
This example arrived on Severn Valley Railway in September 2024 and has been fully restored externally and internally by the group. Numbered 101692, in main line service it was one of the last to be withdrawn from the duties when DMU passenger services between Manchester Piccadilly and Marple ceased on Christmas Eve in 2003 and were handed over to more modern units.
Today felt extremely special and I’m extremely proud to be a part of it all. It’s almost 50 years since the last commuter services on the SVR, and here we are, doing it all again. Happy days!
Driver Bob Dunn preparing to leave with the first Bewdley Express service. Keith Wilkinson
Some things never left: a poem for the Bewdley Express
Among the guests at the launch of the Bewdley Express commuter trial on 1 September was Worcestershire’s Poet Laureate for 2026-2027, Jay Rose Ana.
Inspired by the launch and by the people and places brought together by the new service, Jay has written a moving poem, Some Things Never Left, which captures the sense of continuity between the Railway’s past and its new role connecting Bewdley with the wider rail network.
With its evocative images of steam, station life and everyday commuters, the poem reflects on the many generations of people who have stood on Bewdley station’s platform, while recognising that, although times and technology have changed, the fundamental reasons for travelling by train have not.
Lesley Carr, head of communications, said: “We’re so grateful to Jay for taking the time to write this beautiful poem to mark the launch of the Bewdley Express. It’s evocative, poignant and full of wonderful observations about the Railway, the people who use it and the connections it creates.
“There is something particularly special about having our Railway inspire writing of this quality. Jay has captured so beautifully the feeling that, although the world around us changes, some things remain remarkably constant.
"Her words connect the SVR’s heritage with its role today, and remind us that railways are ultimately about people, places and possibilities. We’re delighted to be able to share her poem with our supporters and passengers.”
Worcestershire's Poet Laureate 2025-26 Jay Rose Ana
Some Things Never Left
The station remembers everything.
Coal smoke caught in its patchwork brickwork,
boots beating along the busy platform,
porters calling places, and people,
into Worcestershire rain.
It remembers when leaving Bewdley
meant watching the town
blur behind billowing steam.
Morning moves differently now.
The driver climbs into the cab, pauses for a gentle pat
on familiar metal,
checks the dials and displays
and runs a practised hand
through the business of beginning.
There are no brass watches,
no curling clouds above the platform,
but there is still a timetable
and somewhere people need to be.
A woman scrolls the morning news.
Someone wrestles with a coffee cup.
Someone checks the time for the third time
in a minute, between bites of a bacon bap.
Two lovers linger beneath the station clock,
shoulders touching, quietly making plans
for a tomorrow they dare to dream here.
They could have stood here
fifty years ago.
A hundred.
Different clothes.
Different promises.
The same impossible hope
that somewhere ahead
life is waiting for us.
The century has changed.
The reason hasn't.
People still need people.
Places still need connecting.
The Bewdley Express pulls alongside,
opens its doors,
and lets Tuesday climb aboard.
Some things are worth bringing back.
Some things never left.
Taking customer service to the next level
What makes a visit to the SVR memorable? Of course, there are the heritage locos and carriages, the scenery, the stations and the whole experience of stepping back in time. But just as important can be the people who passengers meet along the way.
The SVR is building on its range of existing customer-focused volunteering roles, adding in some extra staffing in new areas to make sure visitors feel welcome, well-looked after and able to get the most from their time on the Railway.
This follows customer service training delivered to volunteers and staff earlier this year.
Event train managers have now developed successfully beyond the established Santa Train role to support events including Halloween, Boogie Lights Express and Engine House experiences. These customer-facing roles work alongside station staff, welcoming passengers aboard, providing information and helping to create an engaging atmosphere, particularly for visitors who may be experiencing the SVR for the first time.
Footplate experience hosts are also well established, and they welcome participants, provide the safety briefing and then spend time chatting with them and their family and friends. Their role helps turn an exciting experience into a personal and lasting memory.
Station hosts have been trialled as a new initiative, initially on the Kidderminster concourse. Acting as friendly and approachable sources of information, they can answer questions, offer assistance, and help visitors find their way around.
Meanwhile, travelling train hosts have also been recently trialled on busy morning services, providing an additional point of contact for passengers and supporting station staff and travelling ticket inspectors when trains are particularly crowded.
Peter Evans, who has experienced all four roles, believes they demonstrate how much difference volunteers can make.
“I was Initially a member of Bewdley station staff before becoming a TTI, then decided to give all four hosting roles a try,” he says.
“These roles help the Railway of course, but they’re also great fun and very rewarding. Knowing that you’ve made a difference to someone’s day, helped create a special memory or encouraged them to come back is a fantastic feeling.”
For the SVR, these initiatives are about recognising that the visitor experience is about much more than the journey itself. Every friendly greeting, helpful conversation and small act of assistance can help shape how someone remembers their day, and whether they want to return.
For existing volunteers, the new roles offer another way to contribute to that experience. And for everyone who cares about the Railway, they are an important part of its continuing ambition to make every visitor feel genuinely welcome.
Highley Station Staff Dan Barker, Ann Davison & TTI Peter Evans with members of the cast from Wise Owl Theatre
What's coming up?
Christmas is coming!
Christmas is returning to the Railway with several festive, fun events.
Santa’s Steam Specials run from Kidderminster to Arley on selected dates from 28 November to Christmas Eve.
At Kidderminster, you can enjoy the festive decorations before boarding the train to Arley.
On arrival, relax and enjoy The Recipe for Christmas show, then the adventure continues on the return train with a Christmas gift for every child.
Relaxed Santa’s Steam Specials are on 6, 13 and 20 December.
Providing a very similar experience and all the fun, they offer the opportunity for a quieter ride to Arley, with lower volume, dimmed lighting and reduced carriage capacity.
On the train, you will receive your own family space to enjoy the journey, while still feeling part of the event.
Looking for a special encounter with Santa and his elves? Look no further than the Elf Express which operates from Bridgnorth station.
On board, you can experience Christmas magic with the family by meeting Santa and his elves in the luxury of your own private compartment. It’s a great festive adventure for all the family.
Are you up for some singing? There are Carol Trains on selected dates between 4 and 19 of December, from Kidderminster and The Engine House at Highley. Musicians from both Shropshire and Worcestershire will join passengers and sing carols during the journey.
Meanwhile, Festive Afternoon Tea trains depart from Kidderminster. Whilst enjoying the many sights and landscapes that the Railway has to offer, you can enjoy a feast of scones, sandwiches and sweet treats.
Finally, for schools, nurseries and playgroups, the Christmas Cracker Express promises an adventure like no other.
Departing from Kidderminster, a steam train will carry groups to Highley. The journey will include creative Christmas activities and Santa will make an appearance! Perhaps you know a children’s setting that would like to join in?
Information about all events can be found at svr.co.uk and booking is open
Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
Across the Railway
Vintage Transport Extravaganza
Last month’s Vintage Transport Extravaganza proved, as always, to be a popular event at the Railway.
Many thanks to Nigel Cripps who has sent a selection of images from the event, and he’s included some very interesting information about the vehicles shown.
Photo 1: Kidderminster station forecourt is an excellent backdrop for this impressive line-up. Prominent is Foden tractor No 12770 of 1927, converted from a lorry to a tractor during its working life.
Photo 2: Most locomotives were restored to showroom condition. An exception was Marshall 29944 of 1898, the oldest at the event. Sold at auction last year, it was a pleasure to see it in steam.
Photo 3: Compare and contrast two celebrated 1950s motor cars. The bulk of a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air made by General Motors is obvious when compared with an MG Magnette. No surprise that the heavyweight Chevrolet’s fuel consumption of 15 to 17 mpg was poor by UK standards. The MG Magnette looks much more businesslike and eye-catching in its day but may not have been a commercial success, selling less than 13,000 units.
Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
Mini flood in Carriage and Wagon
After months of dry weather, the rains finally arrived towards the end of summer, and on 27 August the heavens opened in a deluge that felt rather biblical.
Thankfully this particular rainstorm did not match the Old Testament’s for length, but it did have the unfortunate result of flooding the carriage works.
This is not the first time the staff at carriage and wagon (C&W) have had to contend with water ingress and, as the rain hit early in the morning, upon arrival C&W staff discovered a temporary and unexpected paddling pool had been installed across a large section of the floor!
To clear the flood, LMS 26921 had to be shunted out of the workshop, before a mix of people and machine power could be used to return the works to a considerably drier state. Head of traction and rolling stock engineering Martin White said:
“The rain was very welcome to most but not inside the carriage works! However, thanks to the determined application of brooms, the worst of the water was swept out of the door and following the use of Dan Noy's amazing scrubber drier machine (donated to SVR by Nilfisk) things were looking considerably better 90 minutes later.”
Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
An update from Kidderminster C&W
In the paint shop, activity on LNER Gresley carriage No. 24506 continues with paid and unpaid personnel working side by side.
The replacement roof canvas has been fitted and leaking windows removed and re-bedded.
Repairs to split and water-damaged teak panels are also taking place, to be followed by a light sand-down ahead of revarnishing. 24506 is expected to be back in traffic in time for the festive season.
Meanwhile, on the mechanical side of the works, the bogie adjustments on BR Mark 1 restaurant miniature buffet (RMB) 1853 continue to be troublesome.
1853 has BR commonwealth bogies, which use coil springs instead of the easier-to-adjust leaf springs.
Whilst trying to resolve the ride height of the carriage, the team discovered that the buffet has had the wrong springs on ever since it arrived at the SVR!
The cost and lead-time to have replacements manufactured meant that replacements were instead obtained from some of the spare bogies stored on the siding spur at the Bewdley end of the carriage shed.
This necessitated a considerable logistics exercise to retrieve them, including clearance of undergrowth by Bewdley permanent way volunteers.
LMS Brake Corridor Third 26921 has also been receiving some special attention.
Asbestos lagging on a steam heat pipe needed to be removed so, following lifting, removal of bogies, brake cylinders and dynamo, it was handed over to an asbestos-removal contractor.
To mitigate the risk of asbestosis and other aggressive conditions, contractors spent two days setting up a cocoon underneath the vehicle to perform the task.
Several days were needed after for cleaning and testing before the cocoon can be dismantled; all for a job that takes less than a day to complete!
Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
S&T to the rescue!
SVR videographer Tom Wellings spent a day with Matt Morgan and the S&T team on a problem-solving mission to deal with a points failure.
Watch our film for a fascinating insight into how the team identify the problem, diagnose the fault and put things right.
The film is doing incredibly well on the SVR official YouTube channel and is heading for 40,000 views already.
And keep watching in the weeks to come, because another S&T film is currently in the post-production stage.
This time the task is routine maintenance on a location cabinet, and the film promises to uncover the unseen side of what keeps the Railway running!
SVR’s starring role
Planned filming work brings in more valuable income for the SVR, and the end of summer sees not one but two jobs on the calendar.
The SVR has featured in a wealth of film and TV productions over the years, from Enola Holmes to the 28 Days Later franchise, and on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 September the SVR once again hosted a film production company.
Kidderminster took on the starring role, with the entirety of the station given over to the film crew.
Former Port Talbot Railway locomotive GWR 813 provided the motive power, whilst several sets of SVR carriages also had their time to shine.
At the time of writing the production name is being kept under wraps, with the site closed to all but essential personnel during the filming.
This is not the only production the SVR team are currently working on.
Arrangements are in process for filming with a main line operator that would see some SVR-based carriages flying the flag for the SVR whilst earning income offsite.
813 was used in filming at Kidderminster Town station. Kieran Hardy
Rolling stock
SVR cameras go behind the scenes at Bridgnorth MPD
SVR videographer Tom Wellings paid a visit to Bridgnorth MPD recently, where team leader Will Marsh took him on a tour of all the steam locomotives in residence.
It’s a fascinating insight into the work that’s carried out there, and you’ll discover plenty of detail about the current projects and the status of each.
There’s a bonus look into the machine shop too.
A new lease of life for 16202
Passengers on the Severn Valley Railway can once again enjoy BR Mk 1 Coach No. 16202 at its best, following an extensive restoration and refurbishment programme funded by the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust.
The work forms part of the SVR’s programme to improve the condition of Set C, identified through carriage assessments as most in need of attention.
Work began at the Carriage Works in January 2025, bringing together paid staff, volunteers and specialist contractors.
The refurbishment went far beyond a repaint. The passenger interior was extensively renewed, with original veneer panelling in the first-class compartments carefully restored and Formica panelling in the third-class compartments cleaned and repaired.
The seating was completely retrimmed and new flooring installed.
Significant structural work was also required. Removing the gangways revealed corrosion to the coach’s metalwork, while several crash pillars within the end walls needed repair.
Corroded steel was replaced and new flooring installed in the end vestibules.
Volunteers overhauled the doors and sliding windows, while the Carriage Works apprentice manufactured and fitted new timber bearers for the gangway tunnels, helping to pass traditional railway skills to a new generation.
The running gear and steam-heating pipework also received attention before 16202 was given a complete repaint in its distinctive carmine and cream livery.
Judith Meredith, chair of the SVR Charitable Trust, said: “It is wonderful to see 16202 back in service looking so good. Much of the work has involved repairs passengers will never see, but which are essential to keeping our historic carriages safe and operational.
“This project demonstrates why the support provided by the Charitable Trust is so important. It also shows what can be achieved when the skills of our paid staff and volunteers are brought together. Everyone involved should be very proud of the finished coach.”
Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
While steam ‘rested’, work behind-the scenes was as busy as ever!
During the extreme fire risk, the operational steam fleet was temporarily stood down, and the testing and running-in of 4150 was put on hold. However, within the loco works at Bridgnorth, activity continued on routine repairs and maintenance, and various other projects, as Bridgnorth’s volunteer shed master Martin White reports:
The repairs to the broken horn block on 1450 have been completed.
A specialist welding contractor has ‘stitched’ the broken components back together and the wheelset has been reinstated using the wheel drop.
The motion, brakes, springs etc have all been reassembled and the loco will be ready for this mechanical repair to be tested once the smokebox repairs are completed.
Those repairs are progressing well with the new ring fitted, numerous holes drilled for it to be attached and for other components to be fitted. The riveting of the ring into place is well advanced.
Amongst other repairs and replacement of tired components, 75069 has received new piston glands, to replace those which were very worn and beyond any further adjustment.
7714 has had its spark arrestor mesh replaced and a minor modification made to it, which will hopefully ensure that the ‘front end’ remains as fireproof as we can make it.
Additional work on 7714 has included refurbishment of the jockey valve linkage. This linkage on a GWR locomotive connects the locomotive regulator to the jockey valve.
This valve controls the supply of steam to the hydrostatic lubricator which feeds oil to the valves and pistons. Worn linkage could lead to sub-optimal operation of the valve and thus to poor lubrication, hence it is important that this works effectively.
Amongst the project work, the rolling chassis of 2857 has spent a little time within the works to have some components taken off before it goes off-site for overhaul, including the locomotive brake cylinder.
On a vacuum-braked engine such as 2857, this is a sizeable and heavy component fitted between the locomotive frames, necessitating the use of the loco pit and bespoke, but simple, workshop equipment to enable it to be safely removed.
The machining of the valve bore for the middle cylinder of 34027 Taw Valley has been completed. New valve heads and valve rings, to match the rebored size, are now being manufactured in-house.
Considerable weekend volunteer effort has been spent on deep cleaning between the frames especially around the crank axle and cross head for the middle cylinder.
A steady stream of patterns has been sent to various foundries for their production of moulds from which metal castings, iron, bronze and steel, are made.
Some of these cast components are for our own SVR use, whilst others are to fulfil orders from other heritage railways or loco owners, and provide additional revenue for the steam engineering dept.
An important, and often overlooked aspect of Bridgnorth Works, is the team of volunteer pattern makers who continually maintain and produce these wooden patterns, which perhaps will be covered in more detail in the future.
Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
13268 goes digital!
In August, the SVR announced that Stanier Mogul LMS No 13268 will return to main line service.
The wheels are already rolling on the certification process, though in the 21st century, that process looks a little different!
The first step on the route to certification is digital modelling. This involves a full digital scan being taken of the locomotive.
This scan will then be held on the Network Rail system for compatibility on the national rail network. Peter Holder, chair of the Stanier Mogul Fund said:
“Following comprehensive negotiations and planning work over the past year, it is so good to be initiating the practical phases of the project, of which this is the first significant task.
“So much groundwork has been laid behind the scenes to reach this juncture and I’m grateful to all concerned for making it possible, taking us a step further to the fulfilment of our ambition to see 13268 at the head of a main line charter for the first time in nearly 30 years.”
13268’s return to the national network is being made possible thanks to an arrangement with Vintage Trains, based at Tyseley in Birmingham.
13268 undergoing laser scanning in preparation for its main line certification. Bob Green
Not all diesels run on rails
It's not always the glamour of working on locomotives in the TMD, as diesel depot manager Roland Bull reports:
One of the most important pieces of equipment that the Railway has is the JCB telehandler, which has been our focus for the month of August.
We’ve been having issues with it for some time, with intermittent low power and rough, uneven running.
A contractor was called in after it came to a sudden stop whilst being used to clear spoil from the platform extension works from the car park.
The contractor managed to get it to start and run long enough to get it back to the TMD. The diagnosis was a fuel issue, and the solution was to drain the fuel tank and clean it out.
Seemingly an easy solution, that is until we realised that the old joke applied: that JCB started with a fuel tank and built the machine around it!
Dismantling eventually revealed that the tank strainer was 100% clogged up and the delivery pipe was obstructed to the point where it was 90% blocked, which makes it all the more amazing that the contractor got it to start. The tank was filled with a very strong cleaner mix, left for a few hours, drained and inspected with an endoscope and then finished off with the very low tech (but very effective!) rag-on-a-stick method!
The tank is probably as clean now as it was when it left the factory over 30 years ago and we were pleased when after refilling said tank, the engine started first time and ran smoothly.
Whilst we were busy with the tank, Dave ‘Tiny’ Insull-Fulcher from Carriage & Wagon fabricated a new bracket for the silencer. This replaces the original fitting as both original fixings had sheared off.
In addition to this, the TMD continues to be busy, especially with the provision of motive power for the daily operations while the summer steam ban was enforced, and the never-ending work of maintenance, exams and overhauls by loco-owning groups continues.
JCB repairs. Roland Bull
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Any opinions or views expressed in this newsletter are entirely the opinions of the contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Directors of Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC. which owns the Severn Valley Railway, Severn Valley Railway Company Limited, the members of which are responsible for its operation, or the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust.
v1 10th September 2026