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July 2025

60103 Flying Scotsman will reopen the SVRs full line to Bridgnorth on 25 July Pictured her
60103 'Flying Scotsman' will reopen the SVR's full line to Bridgnorth on 25 July.
Pictured here on Bridgnorth MPD on 23 September 2016. JULIAN WALKER

Welcome to your latest edition of Express Points!

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As we go to press, things are definitely hotting up for a very busy and exciting time at the Railway! 

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First, there’s the fantastic news that the full line will reopen in two weeks, on Friday 25 July. Then, in a very smart move, the Railway has secured 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ to haul the reopening train. It’s proved a sensational combination, with tickets selling out and the press clamouring to cover the event! 

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However, there’s still work to do before we can reunite the line. Work on the embankment continues, and a mammoth project to re-lay the track is being planned. We have reports on both these critical stages. 

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Last month, SVR shareholders backed the One Railway project at their AGM – now the Railway is looking to its members to add their votes of confidence at the AGM of the SVR Company Limited (SVRG) next month. 

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Oh yes, and we recently announced the first guest for the Autumn Steam Gala – the like of which has never before run on SVR metals! 

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All this and much more from across the SVR – we hope you enjoy it!  

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Lesley Carr, editor

The Express Points team is Lesley Carr, Karen Crick, Will Scott, Gary Essex, Amy Baker,
Pete Cherry and Nicola Fox.

Next edition Thursday 7th August

What's new?

‘Flying Scotsman’ to reunite the line on 25 July 

60103 Flying Scotsman on the SVRs Oldbury viaduct in 2016 ALAN CORFIELD.jpg

The SVR has secured 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ to haul the first service when it reopens the full line on Friday 25 July. Tickets for this and other ‘Flying Scotsman’ services on 25 to 28 July were snapped up within minutes of going on sale. 

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Managing director Gus Dunster said, ‘We simply couldn’t have wished for a better result than this! It’s amazing, and a real vote of confidence in the Severn Valley Railway and the fact that we’ve been able to secure ‘Flying Scotsman’ for this very significant milestone in our history. 

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‘As well as hauling our reopening service, 60103 will run two more return trips on 25 July, and then take part in our Swinging Sixties weekend on 26 and 27 July, hauling three return services each day.  

‘When demand proved so high for these three days, we were very fortunate to secure a further day with the iconic locomotive, on Monday 28 July, and we are very grateful to the National Railway Museum and Northern Steam Operations Limited for agreeing to this.’ 

 

All tickets to travel behind ‘Flying Scotsman’ have been sold, but visitors travelling on other services at the Swinging Sixties weekend will also be able to see the world’s most famous loco in action, as the SVR celebrates 60 years in preservation. The event features a host of other steam and heritage locomotives in service, plus live music, a Ferris wheel, vintage cars and a real-ale festival.  

 

Full information on the timetable and tickets for the Swinging Sixties event are at svr.co.uk

 

60103 'Flying Scotsman' on the SVR's Oldbury viaduct in 2016 ALAN CORFIELD

Shareholders back One Railway restructure plans

At the Annual General Meeting of the Severn Valley Railway’s owning and operating company, SVR (Holdings) Plc, shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of a special resolution authorising the company’s conversion into a Charitable Community Benefit Society (CCBS). 

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The resolution required the support of at least 75% of voting shareholders in order for this first part of the Railway’s organisational restructure to go ahead. 

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The company will now take the necessary steps to enact the conversion. Meanwhile, in August, members of the separately constituted Severn Valley Railway Company Limited will vote on whether to support the amalgamation of their organisation with the newly formed CCBS – see the following article: ‘SVR members urged to back One Railway plans’ 

The AGM of Severn Valley Railway Holdings Plc LESLEY CARR.jpg

Gus Dunster, the SVR’s managing director said: 

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‘This historic vote by our shareholders paves the way for changes that will secure a strong and resilient future for the Severn Valley Railway. As a CCBS we will be eligible for significant new streams of grant funding, and will be able to apply to HMRC for Gift Aid recovery on donations received and potentially on many of our ticket sales. This will increase the Railway’s income and help us to achieve greater financial resilience.  

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‘In the second stage of our organisational restructure, members of the SVR Company Limited will vote on whether they support the proposed amalgamation of the two companies. If they vote in favour, this will mean the Railway will be able to achieve substantial cost savings by avoiding duplicate charges for services such as banking, accounting and auditing. It makes so much sense all round, as well as reducing other financial and administrative burdens which, in the end, use up money that could be better spent on developing the Railway and protecting the heritage assets in our care. 

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‘Before putting the proposal to our shareholders, we consulted widely. We saw that there was a groundswell of support for what we called the One Railway project. Now we know for certain that the majority of our shareholders want us to continue with the conversion to a CCBS, and we thank them for their clear mandate.’ 

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The AGM of Severn Valley Railway Holdings Plc. LESLEY CARR

SVR members urged to back One Railway plans

Members of the Severn Valley Railway Company Limited (also known as the ‘Guarantee’ Company, or SVRG) will shortly receive notice of the company’s Annual General Meeting, which takes place at Kidderminster Railway Museum on Saturday 9 August at 2pm. 

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SVRG chairman Diane Malyon is writing to all members, urging them to back the One Railway plans and vote for the amalgamation of SVRG into the Severn Valley Railway Company.

 

This will be a Charitable Community Benefit Society, into which the current Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) Plc (SVRH) will convert in due course. The conversion was approved overwhelmingly by SVRH shareholders at their AGM in June. 

Diane said, ‘The One Railway project will bring many benefits to the Railway, including access to better streams of grant-funding, the potential to claim Gift Aid on donations and ticket sales as well as reducing its operating and compliance costs and better securing its assets. 

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‘For members in particular, it will mean that they will have the chance to democratically participate in the entity that runs the Railway, something that under the current structure, is not the case. 

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‘We are also keen to include functions of SVRG within the CCBS, such as the committee structure and volunteer representation along with continuing to be able to offer assisted funding for volunteer-led projects. The 500 Club will continue as will the SVR Resilience Fund. 

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‘On behalf of the Board of SVRG, I ask all members to support the One Railway resolution, and remember, even if you voted as a shareholder at the AGM of SVRH, you need to vote again as a member for this important second stage of the process.’ 

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The SVR’s managing director Gus Dunster has recorded a special message to SVRG members, echoing the sentiments of Diane and the board of SVRG. Click on the box above to view this.

35006 set to cause a stir this autumn

The first-ever Merchant Navy class locomotive to run on SVR metals has been confirmed for the four-day Autumn Steam Gala from 18 to 21 September. At the same time, the Railway has announced that overnight running will take place during the event. 

 

35006, Peninsular & Oriental S N Co, was built at Eastleigh works in 1941, and allocated to Salisbury shed until withdrawal in 1964. Having been separated from its tender and stripped of many parts, it was rescued from the Woodham Brothers Barry scrapyard in 1983, eventually returning to steam in 2016.   

 

Managing director Gus Dunster said, ‘It’s especially exciting for us to make this announcement, as we’ve never hosted a Merchant Navy class locomotive before. We’re grateful to both the 35006 Locomotive Company Ltd and the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Steam Railway for agreeing to its appearance at our event. 

 

Additionally, in a special move to celebrate the Railway’s 60th anniversary year, the event will see overnight running on the Friday and Saturday nights. Gus added, ‘It’s particularly pleasing to be able to bring back overnight running at our autumn steam gathering. Mounting this sort of operation is a huge undertaking, and we can only do it from time to time. However, the SVR’s 60th anniversary is one of those special occasions, and we can’t wait!’ 

 

Overnight running will see the Railway operating continuously for a 60-hour stint, from early Friday morning to mid-evening on the Sunday. Two services, calling at all stations, will be in operation. The full line will be open for this event, following the repair of the landslip towards the northern end of the line.  

 

The ASG will also see six members of the SVR’s resident steam fleet in action, including 4930 ‘Hagley Hall’, 7714, 7802 ‘Bradley Manor’, 13268, 75069 and 1450 operating as an Autotrain. Further guest locomotive announcements will follow soon. 

 

Advance tickets are discounted by up to 10% and great value multi-day rovers are available at svr.co.uk

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

Repairing Mor Brook bridge – the end is in sight!  

With just two weeks to go before the reopening of the full SVR line, it’s a critical period for the works to repair Mor Brook bridge, in time for Friday 25 July. There’ve been some setbacks including flooding and delayed permissions to proceed, but the contractor’s progress on site has been good, as SVR project manager Antony Bartlam writes:  

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Last week CML finished the main wall and works started on Monday to get the precast units in place above the arch. This proceeded quicker than planned so backfilling to the underside of our ballast level is now underway.

 

The delays have used up all the slack that I’d allowed for in the programme. So, we’ll have to get our follow-on works underway quickly once CML hand the site back to us. That date of 25 July is very much in our sights.  

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The SVR must pay for and carry out all the track reinstatement works for the track, although CML have kindly offered to put the bottom ballast in for us free of charge, alongside Network Rail who will ensure the levels are correct.  

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You can read in a separate article about the ambitious plan to reinstall the track, but we’ll still have work to do after this has been completed.   

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Matt Morgan and the S&T team will re-lay and connect the signalling cable and recommission all the equipment that hasn’t been in use for the past six months.  

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We then need to test the track with light engine runs, then with coaching stock. There is always a chance of some slight settlement, and our own permanent way team will carry out any adjustments using their new tamping bank.   

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CML will still be working even after we reopen the line above the bridge, as the arch face needs to be sorted as well as bank reinstatement. Then there’s bank seeding and the de-mobilisation of the site, which will take until the end of the first week in August.  

​When Gus first told me of the possibility of getting ‘Flying Scotsman’ for the reopening of the full line, there was clearly only one date we could go for – Friday 25 July. Everything we’re doing is geared towards this date.  

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It has involved a mammoth effort from many people to ensure we can achieve our planned, momentous re-opening. After six months slog, the end is in sight!  

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

The ‘Orange Army’ and the one-day track re-lay

Thanks to the excellent progress at Mor Brook bridge, as described in the previous article, it won’t be long now until it’s time to put back the track above the repaired embankment.

 

This element of the work is not covered by insurance, but an ambitious solution has been found, thanks to SVRH director Steve Featherstone, who before his retirement spent eight years in charge of Network Rail’s national track renewals programme. 

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Using his main line rail contacts, Steve is bringing together what he’s dubbed the Orange Army Volunteer All Stars, a remarkable team that will reinstate the track at no cost to the SVR.

What’s more, it will achieve in just one day what would have taken the small SVR permanent way team an estimated three weeks to carry out! 

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The Orange Army will include volunteers from Network Rail, Colas, Balfour Beatty and CML - the contractors who have carried out the main civils work on repairing the embankment. 

On top of the bridge and embankment - things are progressing well in readiness for the tra

Other companies who are supporting the huge operation include AP Webb, Shannon Rail, VP Rail, Interflon and Staytite. The Central Rail Systems Alliance has provided the services of a track renewals project manager, free of charge, to pull the detailed plans together. 

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The track reinstatement work will take place in good time to allow proving trains to be run across the repaired embankment, before the official passenger reopening of the full Severn Valley Railway on 25 July, featuring ‘Flying Scotsman’.

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Steve said, ‘I have lost more sleep over this job than I ever did in the build-up to a track renewal on the mainline infrastructure! It will be worth it though, and I cannot thank everyone enough for providing the help that we need to make this happen.’ 

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The SVR’s managing director Gus Dunster added, ‘It’s great to see the whole railway community pitching in to help us. With ‘Flying Scotsman’ coming for our grand reopening, it’s essential we get the track reinstated safely and quickly. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who’s playing a part in the Orange Army Volunteer All Stars. What an achievement it will be to get it all done in a single day!’

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See next month’s edition of Express Points to find out how the Orange Army Volunteer All Stars get on with their task!

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On top of the bridge and embankment - things are progressing well in readiness for the track re-lay. ANTONY BARTLAM

Other News

First stop: SVR, for the Railway 200 exhibition train 

‘Inspiration’, Railway 200’s travelling exhibition train arrived in style at the Severn Valley Railway on Friday 27 June for the very first leg of its UK-wide tour. 

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Thousands of visitors from the West Midlands and beyond were the first in Britain to experience what this remarkable train has to offer, when the specially-commissioned ‘Inspiration’ train began its UK tour at Kidderminster Town station. ‘Inspiration’ looked resplendent as it drew into the SVR station in tandem with GWR 1450, the two trains arriving side by side, 1450 sporting a Railway 200 headboard.  

 

On board 'Inspiration', visitors were treated to a voyage of discovery, celebrating the past, present and future of the railways. Managing director Gus Dunster said: 

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‘We are thrilled that the Severn Valley Railway was the first venue to host ‘Inspiration’. It’s a fascinating look into everything related to the railway, with exciting, interactive exhibits that really spark the imagination.’ 

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Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s central route director, said:  

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‘We’re so excited that the 'Inspiration' train has arrived and opened its doors for the first time here in Kidderminster. Birmingham and the West Midlands are at the heart of Britain’s railway, making it the perfect starting point for the Railway 200 exhibition train tour.’ 

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'Inspiration' visited the SVR for a 10-day stay and its final two days coincided with the Railway’s own Railway 200 event: “Trains Through the Ages”. The weekend showcased rolling stock from all eras, from Victorian locomotive ‘Chaloner’ to HydroFLEX, the cutting edge in current rail technology.   

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

The SVR celebrates Railway 200 with style

The SVR marked two centuries of railway history with a ten-day event that ran from 27 June to 7 July. 

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As reported elsewhere in Express Points, ‘Inspiration’, the Railway 200 exhibition train, arrived on 27 June to kick off the celebration, and was open to the public every day until its departure.

 

Heritage services ran on the weekend of 28 and 29 June, and on 5 and 6 July, a bumper roster delighted visitors at Railway 200: Trains through the Ages.

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The chronological journey began in the Victorian era, with 1877-built ‘Chaloner’, a vertical-boilered locomotive. Joining it outside The Engine House at Highley, to represent the cusp of the Edwardian era, was 1902-built ‘Holy War’.

 

Both of these narrow-gauge locomotives offered footplate rides and delighted passengers with their whistled ‘conversations’ with locomotives passing through Highley. 

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Out on the standard gauge metals, it was all about the pairings. GWR 4930 ‘Hagley Hall’ hauled GWR carriages, while fellow GWR locomotive 1450 operated in push-pull mode with an autocoach. Representing the LMS was special guest 46115 ‘Scots Guardsman’ at the sharp end of a set of BR maroon carriages.  

No Railway 200 event could be complete without a diesel contribution and three BR locomotives, Class 52 D1062 ‘Western Courier’, Class 50 50033 ‘Glorious’ and the Class 108 DMU did the fleet proud. Representing the most up-to-date railway technology was HydroFLEX, the UK's first hydrogen-powered passenger train. 

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As with any complex event, there were operational challenges. LMS Stanier Mogul 13268 had been due to haul both LMS carriages and a pre-grouping goods train but failed on the Saturday morning with a broken spring. However, thanks to some quick reallocation of the diesel motive power, this only caused a 20-minute delay to the schedule.

 

This delay was further compounded by a lineside fire, which cost an additional 40 minutes. However, Sunday ran significantly more smoothly with very few delays, and the visitor feedback was full of positive comments, particularly on the achievement of running a seven-set Gala timetable with only one platform at Kidderminster. Managing director Gus Dunster said: 

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‘The idea of our Railway 200 event was to showcase trains across the ages, and we certainly achieved that, from HydroFLEX, the very latest in railway technology, to our two narrow-gauge visitors representing the past. 

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‘The visitor feedback has been great, and reading the comments on social media has been very pleasing. 

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‘This was never meant to be an enthusiast event, but with ‘Scots Guardsman’ in attendance, we certainly had something to keep enthusiasts happy! In fact, I think we successfully chimed with both enthusiast and general public audiences.’ 

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The Railway 200 celebrations at the SVR continue on 28 September with a live show retelling the story of how the modern railway came to being. For further information visit: svr.co.uk 

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

Standing guard once more 

Among the many memorable moments from last weekend's visit of ‘Scots Guardsman’ to the SVR, one in particular quietly stood out – a personal and poignant connection between the locomotive and the Railway’s long-standing family of volunteers. 

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Back in the late 1980s, Ian Suthers - a former Scots Guardsman and later a West Midlands Police officer - posed for a photograph with ‘Scots Guardsman’ at Tyseley Locomotive Works.

 

The picture was taken by his colleague on the police underwater search unit, none other than John Cook - a familiar face to many at the SVR, and a long-serving guard. 

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This weekend, nearly four decades later, there was an opportunity to recreate that original photo. Neil Limbrick, Ian’s son-in-law and a director of the SVR Company Limited, takes up the story: 

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‘Ian returned to stand once again beside ‘Scots Guardsman’, this time with his grandson Adam Limbrick - a regular SVR volunteer and familiar face to many - looking on with pride.

 

With the loco having just left the turntable at Kidderminster Diesel Depot, the moment was quietly recreated, capturing the connection between past and present.

‘Our thanks go to Harry Bradley, Matt Robinson, and the loco crew, who went out of their way to make the moment possible - coordinating access, turntable moves, and ensuring we could get Ian safely into position for the recreation. The result is a touching pairing of images that span both history and generations of SVR involvement. 

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‘Sometimes it’s the quiet gestures behind the scenes that help remind us how much the SVR means to so many people - and how powerful a locomotive’s return can be in stirring up memories and making new ones.’ 

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

The SVR heads to Derby for the Greatest Gathering 

This summer, the SVR will take centre stage at The Greatest Gathering, the flagship event of Railway 200 taking place at the Alstom site in Derby on 1 to 3 August. 

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Across the weekend, more than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend, and the SVR will be represented in full force.

 

Not just with locomotives and carriages, but with a united front representing the entire SVR family - the Charitable Trust, Holdings, the Guarantee Company, and a host of owning groups who help make the Railway what it is. 

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Confirmed groups attending with their own stands include: 

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  • DMU Group (West Midlands) 

  • Friends of Locomotive Hagley Hall 

  • Stanier Mogul Fund  

  • Western Locomotive Association 

  • 82045 Locomotive Trust 

  • The 2857 Society 

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SVRG director Neil Limbrick explained more: 

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‘Together, we’ll be promoting all things SVR, working collaboratively to showcase the richness of our shared story - past, present and future. Look out for an interactive QR trail designed to bring visitors into contact with all parts of the SVR family, helping them discover more and hopefully planting the seed for future visits or support.’ 

​​The SVR is contributing an impressive line-up of rolling stock too, more than any other heritage railway, including at least three steam locomotives, 11 diesels, a DMU, the HydroShunter and four beautifully restored carriages! 

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Neil added, ‘Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible work of our volunteers. A fearless and friendly crew will represent the SVR and charm the crowds. From station staff to loco crews, sales teams to stewards, it’s a collective effort to show what the SVR does best. 

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‘We’re also grateful to Gus Dunster for his tireless work helping to bring the event together - not just on behalf of the SVR, but the heritage sector as a whole. His leadership and enthusiasm have helped ensure that the SVR’s presence will be the largest of any heritage railway at the event.

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‘The Greatest Gathering promises to be just that - and the SVR will be right at the heart of it.’

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STOP PRESS: The Greatest Gathering has a call out for volunteers to help across the event .If you would like to get involved with setting up in Derby 30 or 31 July, or during the live event on 1, 2 or 3 August, please sign up here. More than 100 volunteers will be needed! 

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

SVR launches webpage for contract services

The SVR's newly launched tech services wepage. WILL SCOTT.jpg

For some years now, the Railway has offered a variety of services and facilities to the mainline rail sector, with companies such as Colas bringing their new tampers for commissioning.  

 

A new webpage and brochure has been launched to attract more contract work, highlighting the facilities and services on offer. The new storage sidings at Foley Park will be in operation later this year, providing almost 1km of storage space, and there are organisations interested in using SVR facilities for training.  

 

The web page will be further developed to attract an important revenue stream for the Railway, as well as furthering its connections with the mainline rail industry. Take a look for yourself here: https://svr.co.uk/tech-services/ 

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The SVR's newly-launched tech services webpage. WILL SCOTT

Severn Valley Railway wins UK Enterprise award

The Severn Valley Railway has been named as Leading Railway Enthusiast Site in the 2025 SME UK Enterprise Awards. 

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Commenting on the award, managing director Gus Dunster said: 

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‘We’re delighted to have been recognised in this way, as the SVR has a well-deserved reputation for the scale and scope of its enthusiast events. Our steam and diesel events in both spring and autumn draw a great deal of attention, and more recently we’ve been able to add shorter winter enthusiast events to our calendar too.’ 

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​50033 'Glorious' prepares to leave Arley station. KEVIN WHITEHURST

50033 'Glorious' prepares to leave Arley station. KEVIN WHITEHURST.jpg.jpg

What's coming up?

A summer of fun is all lined-up! 

With the long weeks of the school summer holidays almost here, the Railway is getting ready to make sure everyone can enjoy a fun-packed day-out to remember. 

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On selected dates from Saturday 19 July, families with youngsters can ‘Train to be a Trainee’.  Perkins the Station Master and Junior the Apprentice will be on hand to introduce a range of fun-filled activities at The Engine House, Highley.   

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There’ll be steam-themed games, the opportunity to jump on an engine’s footplate, and sort the mail in a travelling post office carriage. Plus, everyone’s favourite stay ‘n’ play activity is back at The Engine House with Train Time UK. If your child loves playing trains, they will adore playing mini-trains amongst the big ones! 

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Activities take place every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the school summer holidays, from 11am to 3pm, and are free of charge to those who travel by heritage train. 

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During the first week of the school holidays, services will operate between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade only, until the full line to Bridgnorth reopens for public services from Saturday 26 July. 

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Passengers can save up to 20% by buying their tickets in advance. Freedom-of-the-Line tickets offer unlimited, all-day travel, and there are short journey options available too. 

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To see which days the Railway is open and to plan your visit, please go to svr.co.uk

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

Toe-tapping fun at the Day of Dance 

The Railway is preparing for a dance take-over on Saturday 19 July, when traditional dance groups from the Midlands and beyond travel to perform at stations along the line. 

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The Day of Dance is an established annual event and this year, eight ‘sides’ will take part, performing Morris and clog dances at Kidderminster, Arley, The Engine House at Highley and Bridgnorth. 

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Visitor engagement manager Lewis Maddox said, ‘If you love a spot of bell ringing, hanky waving and stick bashing, then you won’t want to miss this fantastic day out! Our visiting groups will perform throughout the day, accompanied by traditional musicians, and the entertainment is all included in the price of your ticket. 

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‘Although our line will operate between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade only, Bridgnorth station is still very much involved in the event and will host its own traditional dance performances throughout the day.’ 

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Find out more and plan your visit via svr.co.uk

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

Across the Railway

Bridgnorth and Eardington prepare for the grand reopening 

Despite the landslip, work hasn't stopped at Bridgnorth station, with volunteers tackling a multitude of maintenance and repair jobs as well at the usual station duties, escorting footplate-ride passengers and signal-box visitors as well as keeping up with the numerous tasks needed to keep the station operational. 

 

The Platform One running in board has been totally renewed, as the old one was in a state of disrepair. The new one, made from durable exterior grade timber with several coats of paint should last for many years.  

 

The daggerboards (decorative edging) along the platform canopy on Platform One have also been renewed, again being replaced with durable exterior grade Cedar timber. 

 

The task of replacing all these fell to the volunteer maintenance team, who also tend to the flower beds, and displays of hanging baskets as well all the routine building maintenance.  

 
Meanwhile, just along the line, at Eardington, the volunteer station staff have been keeping up with their routine maintenance as well as finishing their latest project, the recreation of the goods lock up.  


Steve Downs, the stationmaster, copied the design from the existing goods hut at Hampton Loade, a GWR pattern corrugated tin shed. The lock up will become a small museum that will include a history of the halt, and will be used to store the platform furniture. 

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

Historic staff accidents on the Severn Valley

A social history project by Portsmouth University, in collaboration with the National Railway Museum and Warwick University Modern Records Centre is researching the lives and stories of British Railway Workers before 1939. They’ve recently produced a leaflet with stories of some of the staff on the SVR before WW2.  

 

Working on the railways 100 years ago could be a dangerous occupation, with hundreds killed and tens of thousands injured each year.  

 

Currently within its database, the project has 22 cases at Kidderminster and Bewdley, with more expected to be found as they work through more records.

 

The project wants to use the information as a basis to tell the stories of those who worked on the railways, and prompt further research and connections to family and social history. The information and displays of these histories help to personalise the railway and the visitor experience.  

 

This isn't the first time the SVR has highlighted the plight of railway workers. In 2022 a plaque was erected on Falling Sands viaduct to honour ten navvies who perished during construction of the line 150 years ago. 

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The Railway is in discussion with the project about the next steps to develop the connection and for possible future displays.  

 

The blog post about the SVR workers can be found at railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk and you can download the leaflet about SVR staff.  

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

Chaplaincy – a new development for the Railway

The Severn Valley Railway now has its own chaplaincy team! One of its members, Andy Piggott, explains more: 

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Our team has around 10 or 11 members, each with a wealth of experience and expertise to bring to our Railway. We’re all volunteers across different departments; we have TTIs, station staff, buffet crew, colleagues from The Engine House and more. 

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Primarily, chaplaincy exists to provide appropriate support for anyone who might need it, through listening and ‘being there’.  In our case, we’ll be aiming to provide such support for anyone on our Railway, in both good times and bad, whether they’re passengers or other visitors, employed staff, volunteers, board members, and indeed all who are associated with the SVR.  

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Hopefully a conversation with one of our chaplains will bring fairly obvious personal benefits, and this in and of itself will indirectly benefit the Railway. Chaplaincy already exists in a variety of organisations such as the emergency services, hospitals and even football clubs, where it’s helped to improve morale and develop a stronger sense of ‘belonging’ and ‘community’.  

Members of the newly formed SVR Chaplaincy group.jpg

Chaplaincy isn’t about ‘pushing’ faith or ‘bible bashing’. Chaplains may belong to any particular faith group, or to none. Chaplaincy is not about ‘churchy stuff’, taking funerals or conducting weddings – although some chaplains may be glad to help in that way in particular circumstances.   

 

In all we are and do each chaplain will seek to be professional, confidential, impartial, independent, accepting, non-judgemental and pastoral.  All of these qualities are really important, but probably the most important is the commitment to strict confidentiality. 

 

Of course, limited time and numbers mean that we won’t be able to offer a 24/7 chaplaincy service.  At the moment we just won’t have the capacity to cover every train, visit every station and workshop or meet with every member of staff.  But we hope people will soon get used to seeing us around wearing our distinctive Chaplaincy Team badges and be willing to say a quick ‘Hello’. And in the near future, we hope that one of the team will have popped in to most parts of the Railway to do this, to meet colleagues and passengers! 

 

We've also set up a dedicated phone line - 01299 406516.  Please call this number if you'd like to speak to, or leave a confidential messagel message for whichever chaplain is ‘on duty’, including out of hours.  The chaplain will respond as soon as possible.   

 

The bottom line is that SVR Chaplains will be around to help and available to listen if and when people want to chat, willing to offer whatever support they can.   

 

It’s early days yet and no one really knows exactly how things will work, but we hope very much that Chaplaincy will soon become a small but important part of our Railway and look forward to meeting many of you over the coming months! 

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Members of the newly-formed SVR Chaplaincy group

All change at Arley

Catherine Martin took on the role of Arley station master in May, and reflects on a busy first two months in the job, the complexities of handling the stationmaster’s role whilst also getting her new ASM up to speed, and the value of hard-working colleagues:  

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Where have those first two months gone? It’s been a very busy time, that’s for sure.

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My first priorities have been to identify urgent tasks that needed picking up straight away and to start building my new management team to assign roles to these key leads. This has been quite an exercise with a very long list of tasks now entered into an Excel sheet. I am sure that will keep growing for a time yet!

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Having done the ASM job (indeed, covering some of the SM job in the last year) I know only too well that this is way too much for one person to do.

 

So, I am delighted by the way the team have already stepped up, in fact I am bowled over by it to be honest! I don’t like naming lots of people, for risk of causing embarrassment, but they all know who they are. Arley has around 70 fabulous staff, be they operational; maintenance and garden; shop or catering – every area has people doing their bit and I’m proud to be their stationmaster

I must mention Ian Latimer, my predecessor, after all his years of service as SM at Arley. I personally owe him a debt of gratitude for not only his support over the years, but also his friendship. We look forward to seeing him at Arley, perhaps with time to relax, wield a paint brush or just hold a cup of tea!

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Finally, I genuinely want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me as ASM and now stationmaster. Especially my husband Paul, who has to put up with me spending lots of time on calls, on the computer or at the station – without his unconditional love and support I would not have applied for this job.

 

I am incredibly proud to be stationmaster at Arley, a place that means so much to me and I look forward to doing my bit to look after it for the next generation. 

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

Striding out for the Railway 

When pupils at Castlefields Primary School in Bridgnorth saw the news about the embankment collapse at Mor Brook bridge earlier this year, they wanted to help raise some money for the Railway.   

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More than 100 pupils, affectionately known as the Castlefields Crew, took part in the Bridgnorth Walk in May, raising an impressive £2,800 for the Severn Valley Railway. 

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In June, some of the pupils visited Bridgnorth station for a tour with stationmaster Chris Thomas, and they handed over their generous donation. 

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During the visit, the children learnt about the station’s history, the size and weight of locomotives and discovered how the signal box operates. 

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Deputy head Emlyn Archer said, ‘When they heard about the landslip, pupils at Castlefields Primary School were keen to support the Severn Valley Railway, which is a much-loved part of Bridgnorth town. 

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‘The pupils enjoyed being able to fundraise for the Railway, and it was great to be able to go behind the scenes at Bridgnorth station. The children enjoyed seeing the platform layout and learning how a signal box operates.  We are looking forward to seeing the line fully open again soon.’ 

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Work to repair the embankment collapse is well advanced, and from Friday 25 July, trains will be operating to Bridgnorth again, in good time for the peak summer season. 

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

Kidderminster’s new signal project 

It’s a hive of activity at Kidderminster for the S&T department.  The focus of volunteers’ work is the restoration and recommissioning of a large bracket signal that has been stored in the yard for several years.  

 

The signal came from Radyr, north of Cardiff. This was a major junction where the Taff Vale Railway located its marshalling yard to handle the myriad of private owners’ wagons from the many collieries nearby.

 

With the decline in coal, the yard closed in the mid-1990s, with much of the infrastructure remaining in place until around 2008 when dismantling began.  

 

The Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway obtained a centre-balance bracket signal from the platform along with the 107-lever locking frame from the signal box, and the SVR saved the large bracket signal from opposite the signal box.  

 

The main steelwork has been shot-blasted and painted; now the volunteers are working on cleaning, restoring and painting the dozens of components that make up the entire structure.

 

The sheer number of parts being worked on makes access difficult to the S&T stores, but the project is moving ahead on schedule, with the large concrete base being cast this month and the signal due to be erected at the beginning of September. 

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

An exciting new addition and broken branches – life on the permanent way 

The permanent way department has been busy assisting with the repair work at Mor Brook, preparing the SVR’s ballast train for the track re-lay and carrying out the usual routine work on the line. 
 
The addition of a new piece of equipment will speed up some of the work and ease the sore backs caused by manual packing of ballast. The Railway has purchased a tamping head for use on the road rail vehicle (RRV), which usually carries a digger bucket. It operates in the same way as a conventional tamper by inserting tines into the ballast and vibrating to bed the stones together. The head just has one set of tines, unlike a conventional tamper, but will speed up all the packing and levelling work that is regularly needed. 

  
Team members have spent several days at Brownhills, removing rails from the disused line in preparation for bringing to the Railway.

Luckily, on Thursday 3 July, some of the team were at Bridgnorth, as a branch dropped on the line just north of Bewdley, causing a slight delay to services. The team despatched to site and made short work of the offending branch with chainsaws. Some trees are prone to dropping branches during long dry summer spells, and the oak in question shed a large branch blocking the track. The speedy response by the permanent way team meant that the Railway was back in operation within two hours of the first report of the problem. 

 

And finally, when contractors CML needed the concrete panels moving from the delivery point at Eardington station, the permanent way staff delivered them to site with the RRV and trailer, getting the job finished two days ahead of schedule! 

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

Success of footplate rides at Bridgnorth

With just two weekends of cab rides now available at Bridgnorth before the full line reopens, staff at the northern terminus have reflected on the success of the scheme. 

 

Since February, more than 1,300 people have enjoyed the experience of a footplate ride on either 1450, 7714 or 7812. 

The Erlestoke Manor Fund generously waived the steaming fees for the use of 7812. As a result, there’s been a steady stream of business for the cafe, shop and the Railwayman's Arms. 

 

Station assistant John Malcolm remarked, ‘Everyone wants a photo on the footplate so over the months I have become expert with the various cameras and phones that have been handed to me!’ 

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Adrian Mabe, from the ticket office recounts one memorable booking. ‘The list of online bookings on 20 June indicated that one man had booked five rides at different times. We speculated that this might be human error or a computer glitch. Upon arrival he confirmed the purchase, all for his train-mad teenage son. After lunch he bought three more rides, so his son had eight footplate rides on the one day. Afterwards he visited the signal box, where the signalman said that the son knew more about the signalling system than he did!’ 

Jane Wilson added, ‘We’ve had visitors from Canada, the States, Australia, Germany and Argentina, many of whom have commented what a good idea it is whilst we can’t run our usual service. Lots of folk have turned up unaware of the landslip and our being cut off, but at least we had something to offer people to avoid disappointment.  I know of one American visitor who also gave a very sizeable donation.’ 

 

Rob Wilson also remembers one unexpected donation. ‘A girl appeared on Platform One on a Saturday afternoon with her mother and little brother holding a sweet tin containing £170, which was raised by the children and parents at Castlefield Primary School in Bridgnorth for the Railway, so we gave them a cab ride in the DMU.’ 

 

There’s still chance for a rare cab ride at Bridgnorth on two of the Railway’s diesel locos; the Class 14 D9551 ‘Teddy Bear’ diesel hydraulic on 12 and 13 July and the Class 08 shunter D3586 on 19 and 20 July.  

 

Rides can be booked at svr.co.uk, and walk-up tickets are available on the day at Bridgnorth ticket office, subject to availability. 

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

SVR Explained - Autotrains

Since coming back into service last month, the autotrain has been a regular sight at Kidderminster and Bewdley. It appeared at the Supporters’ Day and for the Railway 200 event, where the autotrain combination with 1450 in sandwich mode between both trailers worked three round trips to Highley each day, around the main service. Also as part of school visits to ‘Inspiration’, the Railway 200 exhibition train, children took a trip to Bewdley and back on board the autotrain.  
 
Many people are curious to know how autotrains work, so here’s an explanation from Gary Essex of the Express Points and permanent way teams: 

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GWR autocoaches were used for push-pull trains, with a driving cab at one end, used when the coach is leading. This allows the driver to control the train without being on the footplate and eliminates the need to run round at the end of each journey.  

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The driver operates the regulator, brakes and whistle from the autocoach cab via a linkage under the carriage, whilst the fireman controls the reverser as well as firing. The driver, guard and fireman can communicate with each other by an electric bell system, though on the SVR we normally use two-way radios.  

The combination of locomotive and either one or two autocoaches is known as an autotrain, and these were mainly used on small branch lines. Locos equipped to operate autotrains were mainly Pannier tanks and 1400 Class 0-4-2s, such as 1450. A handful of 45xx Class Prairie tanks were also auto-fitted.  

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The extra connections fitted to the loco consist of a system of linkages to operate the regulator, an extra chain for the whistle connection and electrical connections for the driver-to-fireman bell system. The regulator linkage runs under the coach floor to a linkage that connects to the loco with a sliding joint to allow for movement on curves.

 

The linkage runs up through the loco cab floor to connect with a pin to the regulator handle. The driver applies the vacuum brakes from a valve in the autocoach cab, like the one on the loco. However this can only destroy the vacuum - ie apply the brake; the driver can't create the vacuum (take the brake off), so the fireman has to do that, using the brake ejector on the loco, as well as managing the loco reverser and the cylinder drain cocks alongside their usual firing duties!  

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A further two controls not pictured are the hand levers in the vestibule that operate the folding steps on either side. These were installed for use on smaller halts where platforms could be rudimentary affairs. 


The GWR and BR built 256 autocoaches between 1904 and 1954, all at Swindon. The SVR has two preserved examples, No 178, built in 1930 and No 238, built in 1954, named ‘Chaffinch’. Both spent some time in Kidderminster Carriage & Wagon works recently, with 178 receiving new wheel bearings and other work, along with a full fitness-to-run (FTR) exam. 

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​Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

Rolling stock

Knock-on effects of the landslip for loco maintenance 

Dealing with the after-effects of the landslip has caused many logistical challenges for the maintenance team based at Bridgnorth, as volunteer shedmaster Martin White reports: 

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Elsewhere in this issue you’ll read of the excellent progress being made to reinstate the embankment and track at Mor Bridge to unite Bridgnorth with the rest of the Railway. No one is keener to see this happen that our paid staff in Engineering Services Motive Power and our MPD volunteers! 

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Trying to maintain a fleet of steam locomotives away from the main workshops and staff locations has been a logistical challenge, and the team has consumed many hours of road travel. A further obstacle to keeping the service running has been the question of where to keep the operational steam locos; Bewdley MPD simply isn’t big enough to accommodate almost our entire operational fleet – with just Pannier tank 7714 remaining at Bridgnorth. 

A crowded Rock siding at Bewdley, with 13268, GWR 1400 Class 1450 and GWR Hall 4930 Hagley

The solution to this has been to store some locomotives at Kidderminster, where, in theory at least, there are sidings and a shed to provide steam locos with a temporary home, even though doing so introduces complexities in terms of shunting etc. 

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7802 ‘Bradley Manor’ was the first to be so accommodated, initially in the dock siding and later inside the carriage shed. 7802 was given a break from operating trains whilst 13268 and 4930 ‘Hagley Hall’ were used. These latter two had of course spent much of this year isolated at Bridgnorth, and as mentioned last month had been moved by road to Kidderminster. Following the ‘Trains Through the Ages’ weekend, these two locos stayed at Kidderminster to await a transit examination, then movement by rail, to the Greatest Gathering event at Derby. This move is scheduled for the week commencing 21 July. Meanwhile 7802 will come out of storage at Kidderminster and be steamed for a footplate experience course on 11 July and subsequent use on ordinary services.  

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However, these aren’t the only operational locos requiring temporary storage. ‘Flying Scotsman’, when it arrives in a couple of weeks, is also expected to spend some time undercover at Kidderminster. 

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But it’s important to remember that the paid staff who need to examine, maintain and service these locomotives are based at Bridgnorth, and the loco cleaners and crews that prepare and operate them, normally do so from Bewdley or Bridgnorth. When steam locos start their day or are under test at Kidderminster, there aren’t the usual tools, oils, cleaning rags or even scrap wood close to hand with which to light them up.  

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All of this is just another, albeit less obvious aspect, of the disruptive impact that the landslip has brought to our Railway. There will be plenty of reasons to celebrate the reopening to Bridgnorth on 25 July! 

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Things were getting crowed at Bewdley's Rock siding, with 13268, GWR 1400 Class 1450 and GWR Hall 4930 Hagley Hall. KEVIN WHITEHURST

‘Jinty’ on tour

The SVR’s sole LMS 'Jinty' 47383 has been out of storage recently to go on tour, first at the Railway’s ‘Step Back to the 1940s’ events, and then at the railway industry trade show, Rail Live. 

 

The loco is a Fowler Class 3F 0-6-0T, built in 1926 by the Vulcan Foundry. It was the 5th loco to arrive at the SVR, being delivered to Bridgnorth from BR's Westhouses Depot in 1968. Owned by the Manchester Rail Travel Society, it saw regular service after restoration, including a role in the BBC drama The Singing Detective, which was filmed on the railway in 1986. The loco was last in service in 2002, and has since been displayed in The Engine House, and latterly stored in Kidderminster carriage shed.  

 

During the 1940s weekends, it took on the identity of LMS No 7611 (WD No 9), one of eight that were taken to France by the War Department in 1940.  Five, including 7611, survived, and were repatriated in 1948, repaired at Derby and resumed mainline service, this time with BR.  

 

Records from No 1 Railway Operating Group, Royal Engineers show the locos were delivered to Calais in March 1940. They worked dockside lines at Calais and British Expeditionary Force depots at St Nazaire, St Malo and Rennes.  

 

Tom Clarke, an SVR volunteer and former organiser of the 1940s weekends researched the Jinties that travelled to France and decided to recreate one with 47383, as he explains: 

I found photographs and accounts online and in books, with the clearest view showing 7611, which made it the perfect choice. With permission from the SVR and one of the loco’s owners, Frank Cronin, the lettering was painted on glossy black vinyl which was applied to the loco with a layer of petroleum jelly in order to protect the paintwork when it was removed. The smokebox number plate was made from plywood and bolted over the BR one, which isn’t removable. We covered the shed plate with a piece of vinyl. The viewing side was given a thin layer of petroleum jelly, and then painted with watered-down grey and black poster paints, giving a duller shine than the high gloss museum finish it normally carries, and is easy to clean after the event. The final touch is my pair of WD loco lamps on the front.’ 

 

Soon after the 1940s weekend, 47383 saw a low loader for the first time in many years, as the heavy haulage company, Allelys took it to the railway industry trade event Rail Live, at Long Marston Rail Centre. They were displaying one of their new Trojan 8870 prime mover trucks, so 47383 was in a prime position and attracted a lot of attention from visitors.  

 

Jamie Woodland, Allelys Commercial Manager said, ‘I felt it appropriate that in the 200th year of rail here in the UK, the event had a steam engine on display. Allelys is the UK's largest specialist transport and heavy lift company, so handling the Jinty with care was a breeze.’ 

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

Securing the future of D3022 and 13201

BR Class 08 diesel-electric locomotives D3022 and 13201 are poised to officially join the SVR fleet, as the Class 08 Society looks to secure their future. 

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Acquired by the Class 08 Society in April 1983 and 2003 respectively, both D3022 and 13201 have seen valuable service on the SVR as shunting locomotives, but with time now moving on, steps needed to be taken to ensure their continued operation. 

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Toward that end, in 2024, the remaining members of the original Class 08 Society met. Hoping to connect with the original members and those who had been responsible for the initial purchases, the Society reached out to the existing membership through Express Points.

 

Following the subsequent discussions, a meeting with members of the SVR Charitable Trust was held. Speaking on behalf of the Class 08 Society, Trevor Davies said: 

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‘Expressions of interest as to the locomotives’ future were asked for, but sadly very few original members replied to this request. The decision was taken to pursue the transfer of the two locomotives to the custodianship of the SVR Charitable Trust to secure their future use on the Railway.  

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‘The transfer obviously has to be acceptable to the Trust and further meetings will be conducted by both parties.’ 

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Should any remaining members of the Class 08 Society wish to comment on the proposed transfer, they can contact Trevor on t_davies_17@hotmail.co.uk

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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.

People

Dai’s last guarding turn 

Last month was an important but emotional day for Dai Phillips. On Sunday 8 June he served his last turn after 25 years as a guard, but retirement is going to be far from relaxing, as Dai himself explains: 

  

The next day was a rather significant birthday for me, which meant stepping away from guarding duties. However, my final turn could not have gone better.   

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I enjoyed a splendid round trip with 7802 with Chris Baines at the regulator, Rich Parkin on the shovel, and inspector Dave Evans on board too. Arrival back at Bewdley saw me hand over to Tom Shepperd.   

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There was a mass greeting on the platform, with many friends and colleagues there to witness my last ‘flag off’.  I would be lying if I said I did not find it emotional. Thank you all for your kind words and appreciative comments, presents and cards.   

Dai, surrounded by his friends at Bewdley station. ROB EDWARDS.jpeg

It’s Railway 200 this year, a very significant moment, and for the SVR it’s our 60th anniversary. I think the photograph sums up what it is like to have a railway family, and this is only a small portion of that family!  

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So, what happens next for me? Well, retirement lasted about 75 minutes, as I then took over from Rob Edwards as duty officer, a role that I can still perform. I will also still be involved with the guard's department assisting with training and supporting existing guards and will remain very much involved at Bewdley station.   

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Yes, I’ll miss guarding, but my pleasure now will be supporting the guard's department.  

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It still ranks as one of the best things I have ever done in my life, and I sincerely hope that all the SVR’s guards will think the same.  

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Dai, surrounded by his friends at Bewdley station. ROB EDWARDS

v1 10th July 2025

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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.

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