SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY

|}



The 'Severn Valley Railway' is a heritage railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire, England. The 16-mile line runs along the Severn Valley from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Trains services are hauled predominantly by steam locomotives however diesel locomotives are sometimes used. The SVR is also the base of the DMU (diesel multiple unit) West Midland Group.
The railway is one of the most popular heritage railways in the country. It hosts numerous special events throughout the year, including both steam and diesel galas.
As of September 2007, the railway is operating only a limited service due to extensive damage to infrastructure during bad storms and heavy rainfall. (''See below.'')

Contents

Operations

History

Major Infrastructure Damage - June 2007

Stations

Former stations

Extensions to the railway

The Engine House

Rolling Stock

Locomotives

Carriages

Goods stock

External links

References

Operations

SVR trains operate over the whole line length calling at most stations. The "halts" (Northwood Halt and Country Park Halt) are request stops. Passengers may only use these stations during daylight hours. Dining trains (normally on Sundays) include the Severn Valley Limited and the Severn Valley Venturer which are the principal dining car trains.
Many special gala days are held, often with visiting engines and rolling stock from other heritage lines, these and other attractions have seen visitor numbers exceed 250,000 per year.
A diesel multiple unit is used to run a ''Saturday Evening Fish and Chip Special'' from May to August, leaving Kidderminster at around 7pm and returning at 10pm after one hour in Bridgnorth.^[1]
The SVR's rail connection to the National Rail network at Kidderminster permits occasional through charter trains to operate from many parts of the country to Bridgnorth. A recent example of these visitors was that of the VSOE Northern Belle.
The railway operated two freight trains in May 2007 which carried 6-metre long pipes from Kidderminster to the Severn Trent plant at Trimpley. Carriage by road of such long pipes would have been difficult because of the narrow roads in the immediate area of Trimpley.

History

The Severn Valley Railway was used as transport route for 101 years, from 1862 until 1963.^[2] The Severn Valley line was built between 1858 and 1862, and linked Hartlebury, near Droitwich Spa, with Shrewsbury, a distance of 40 miles. Important stations on the line were Stourport-on-Severn, Bewdley, Arley, Highley, Hampton Loade, Bridgnorth, Coalport, Ironbridge, Buildwas, Cressage and Berrington.^[3] The original Severn Valley Railway was absorbed into the Great Western Railway in the 1870s, and in 1878 a link line was constructed from Bewdley to Kidderminster. This meant trains could run direct from the Black Country to areas of Shropshire. Most Kidderminster to Bewdley trains continued through the Wyre Forest line (dismantled in the 1960s and now a popular walking route) to Tenbury Wells or Woofferton. At Buildwas Junction (now the site of Ironbridge Power Station near what is now Telford) Severn Valley trains connected with services from Wellington to Much Wenlock and Craven Arms.
Prior to preservation the Severn Valley line was never financially successful. Freight traffic, mostly agricultural, and coal traffic from the collieries of Alveley and Highley were the principal sources of revenue. The line was strategically useful in the Second World War as a by-pass around the West Midlands. A very small section of the original Severn Valley line continues to carry coal traffic to Ironbridge Power Station.
After nationalisation in 1948, passenger traffic started to dwindle. The line was closed to through passenger and freight services under the "Beeching Axe" in 1963 and the track north of Bridgnorth was dismantled. A few passenger services continued to link Bewdley with Kidderminster and Hartlebury, and coal traffic survived south of Alveley, though these activities were stopped in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
For much of its working life it was operated by the Great Western Railway and subsequently the Western Region of British Railways. Today the Severn Valley Railway operates as a heritage railway. Services began in 1970 from Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade, extending to Bewdley in 1974 and Kidderminster in 1984.

Major Infrastructure Damage - June 2007

During violent thunderstorms on the evening of 19 June 2007 the railway suffered major damage, much more extensive than any in its history.^[4][5][6] The line was damaged between Bridgnorth Outer Home signal and Northwood Halt, where the line has suffered from numerous landslides with many sections of the line suspended in mid-air.(BBC photo) Many cuttings have been filled with debris. At Highley the Up Starter signal and the embankment that it used to stand on were washed away. At Hampton, the access road to the railway station – and indeed the only road to the village – was also washed away.^[7] (BBC photo).
Full operations are currently suspended^[4] with the line operating between Kidderminster Town and Bewdley as an hourly service only. Three locomotives were stabled at Bewdley (46443, 45110 & 4566) and will operate these services, as the line from Bridgnorth (where the majority of locomotives are stabled) is impassible.
A dozen other heritage railways have pledged to help the stricken SVR, including Mid Hampshire Railway, Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, West Somerset Railway, Dean Forest Railway, Great Central Railway, and Bluebell Railway.
It was announced on 22 June 2007 that an emergency appeal would be started on 25 June to raise funds for the repair bill. The railway's insurers have agreed to pay out £500,000 and Advantage West Midlands provided a grant of £750,000, whilst the European Regional Development Fund may also be able to grant aid up to £750,000 as funding towards the repairs. Of this £1.5m total, £250,000 is thought to be for development at Highley Station, with £1.25m available for the railway’s repair. The total cost of the damage has now been revised upwards to £2.5 million as a result of further damage and a massive potential slip in the Northwood Lane area following more rain and flooding in late July.^[9]
These events will damage the summer tourist custom to the railway, the towns served, and the area as a whole. A spokesman announced on 22 June that the line was expected to reopen between Bewdley and Arley by the end of July and the section between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade to be up and running by the end of August;^[10] however it became apparent in early July 2007 that these reopenings would be delayed by as much as a month, later extended to up to three months. It was also said later that the crucial link between Hampton Loade and Arley, including Highley station and the new Engine House museum, may open as late as Spring 2008.^[11]

Stations

★ Bridgnorth The only station building with any form of listing.

★ ''Eardington Halt'', originally just Eardington ('Closed in 1981', used only for storage, a few volunteers have campaigned for re-opening in recent years)

★ Hampton Loade

★ Country Park Halt (request stop)

★ Highley

★ Arley

★ Northwood Halt (request stop)

★ Bewdley

★ Kidderminster Town
With the exception of the two request halts (Country Park and Northwood) all intermediate stations have the ability to pass trains on the single line. However, Highley's passing loop has sidings leading off it with points not controlled from the signal box, meaning trains with the travelling public on may not use this loop. However, it is frequently used for works trains, demonstration goods trains and empty stock workings. Despite this, the Severn Valley Railway offers, possibly, the most intensive service on any single line heritage railway.
A short section of multiple track exists between Bewdley South and Bewdley North signal boxes.
Kidderminster Town station is not an original station. It was created by the SVR based upon the original GWR station at Ross-on-Wye (1892).^[12] Various projects have been carried out by volunteers and contractors to add to the general GWR ambience. Major projects include the port cochère to the front of the station, the ornamental crestings on the two towers and the canopy over the concourse which has just been completed, along with the finished east wing of the station.
The main locomotive works is located at Bridgnorth.^[13][14] It is not normally open to the public because of health and safety regulations but conducted tours and open days are arranged from time to time. Major features of the locomotive works include the Boiler Shop equipped with overhead crane, Noble and Lunn wheel lathe and ex-LT lifting jacks.
There are plans to extend the main station building at Bridgnorth which will provide a much needed improvement to the visitor catering facility. Some concerns have been expressed that such a building extension may not be in an architecturally sympathetic style.
Although carriage repair and restoration is carried out at a number of locations on the railway, the main carriage works is located in the former goods shed at Kidderminster. This building lying adjacent to the main national railway line is known as the North Star Carriage Works thus perpetuating a typical GWR name. As well as having a machine shop and fabrication equipment to carry out a full range of body and bogie repairs the carriage works boasts equipment recovered from former BR works to calibrate and adjust dynamo voltage regulators and to thoroughly overhaul and test vacuum brake equipment, a facility that is almost extinct elsewhere. In common with the locomotive works it is not normally open to the public due to health and safety legislation.

Former stations

|}
Former stations, most of which were closed with the Severn Valley line as a whole in 1963, after 101 years in use.
'Between Hartlebury and Bewdley:'

★ Stourport (1862 - 1970)

★ Burlish Halt, towards the north of Stourport at Burlish Crossing
'Between Kidderminster and Bewdley:'

★ Foley Park Halt (1905 - 1970)

★ Rifle Range Halt (1905 - 1920)
'North of Bridgnorth:'

★ Linley Halt (1862 - 1963)

★ Coalport (1862 - 1963)

★ Jackfield Halt (1934 - 1954) & (1954 - 1963) Relocated due to land instability.

★ Ironbridge and Broseley (1862 - 1963)

★ Buildwas Junction (1862 - 1963)

★ Cressage (1862 - 1963)

★ Cound (1934 - 1963)

★ Berrington (1862 - 1963)^[15][16]

Extensions to the railway

The line from Hartlebury to Stourport-on-Severn, through the Wyre Forest and to west to Tenbury Wells, and north of Bridgnorth has been dismantled and the land mostly sold off. An SVR director has stated that ''"dependant upon resource being provided from elsewhere the SVR has an active interest in being a part of whatever concept is put forward"''.
The plan to expand North had been mooted by a group within the SVR in the mid 1970s and dismissed as impossible by the then board of the SVR, but, because Telford Steam Railway have recently announced aspirations to operate into the Severn Gorge, this has added pressure to the argument still put forward by a growing minority to extend the SVR northwards. The SVR have been offered first refusal by BRB(R) on the all-important tunnel under Bridgnorth as the first essential part of the plan. If the Telford Steam Railway was to expand and cross the river Severn via the Albert Edward Bridge and operate to the original site of Buildwas Junction, they would operate over a very short part of the former SVR. The possible closure of Ironbridge Power Station will further add to the debate because, when it closes, both railways will have the opportunity to expand and possibly connect. Although unlikely, one day, the SVR could once again run trains north to Ironbridge and connect with Telford Steam Railway trains at a joint station at Buildwas. However, due to a housing estate and roads built over parts of the line in the meantime, the cost of doing so would be immense, although mitigation of some cost could be achieved with modest diversions from the original formation.

The Engine House

A museum, to be known as The Engine House, is in the process of being built on land adjacent to the station at Highley. This is to be used to provide undercover accommodation for locomotives whose boiler certificates have expired and to provide an education/interpretation centre. It was due to be open mid/late 2007. The planned opening date has been affected by the closure of the line past the Engine House for the foreseeable future.
The building is to accommodate a cafeteria/restaurant which was originally going to "honour" the name of Dr Beeching. Realising he was not instrumental in the closure of the line this proposal now seems to have been dropped.

Rolling Stock

The railway can call on a large fleet to operate its services.^[17] Only a small core of vehicles actually belong to the railway company, the remainder being owned by associated groups, such as the Great Western (Severn Valley Railway) Association,^[18][19] and individuals. Locomotives and stock from the railway do not now often operate excursions on the National Rail network, but they have in the past been seen from Mallaig to Plymouth.

Locomotives

★ 'Steam Locomotives'^[20]

★
★ Manchester Ship Canal Hunslet 0-6-0T no.686 ''The Lady Armaghdale'' ''(running as "Thomas the Tank Engine")''

★
★ Longmoor Military Railway 2-10-0 600 ''Gordon'' ''(in store until completion of the Engine House Display Centre; recently cosmetically restored)''

★
★ Manning Wardle Contractors Locomotive 0-6-0ST no. 2047 ''Warwickshire'' ''(displayed outside Kidderminster Railway museum as a static exhibit until funds are raised for overhaul)''

★
★ Port Talbot Railway 0-6-0ST no. 813 (in GWR livery) ''(currently visiting the Battlefield Line Railway)''

★
★ GWR 0-6-0PT 15xx Class no. 1501 ''(in store until completion of the Engine House Display Centre)''

★
★ GWR 2-8-0 28xx Class no. 2857 ''(boiler currently undergoing overhaul at Bridgnorth boiler shop)''^[21]

★
★ GWR 2-6-2T 5101 Class no. 4150 ''(undergoing overhaul)''

★
★ GWR 2-6-2T 45xx Class no. 4566 ''(in service)''

★
★ GWR 4-6-0 49xx "Hall" Class no. 4930 ''Hagley Hall'' ''(recently returned to the SVR for display in the Engine House having been on display at the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet in Swindon, Wiltshire)''

★
★ GWR 2-6-2T 5101 Class no. 5164 ''(in service)''

★
★ GWR 0-6-0PT 57xx Class no. 5764 ''(in service)''

★
★ GWR 0-6-0PT 57xx Class no. 7714 (''in service)''

★
★ GWR 4-6-0 78xx "Manor" Class no. 7802 ''Bradley Manor'' ''(in service)''

★
★ GWR 4-6-0 78xx "Manor" Class no. 7812 ''Erlestoke Manor'' ''(currently undergoing major overhaul: cab is together except its roof and the boiler is fitted in the frames, insulated with cladding being applied)''

★
★ GWR 4-6-0 78xx "Manor" Class no. 7819 ''Hinton Manor'' ''(cosmetic restoration complete; this has been exchanged for ''Hagley Hall'' at Swindon)''

★
★ GWR 2-6-0 43xx Class no. 9303 ''(recently returned from 'Steam' Museum, Swindon prior to display at the Engine House)''

★
★ LMS 2-6-0 Class 5MT no. 42968 ''(in service)''

★
★ LMS 2-6-0 Class 4MT no. 43106 ''(currently under going a major overhaul of chassis and boiler at Bridgnorth)''

★
★ LMS 4-6-0 Class 5MT no. 45110 ''RAF Biggin Hill'' ''(nameplates currently removed; in service)''

★
★ LMS 2-6-0 Class 2MT no. 46443 ''(in service)''

★
★ LMS 0-6-0T LMS Fowler Class 3F "Jinty" no. 47383 ''(cosmetic restoration complete, ready for the Engine House Display Centre)''

★
★ LMS 2-8-0 Class 8F no. 48773 ''(in service; will go in the Engine House for display in 2008 when its boiler ticket expires)''

★
★ SR 4-6-2 West Country Class no. 34027 ''Taw Valley'' - this has also carried the names ''Ottery St Mary'' and ''Westward Ho'' ''(currently undergoing a major overhaul at Bridgnorth)''

★
★ BR standard class 4 4-6-0 (Class 4MT) no. 75069 ''(due to begin overhaul in near future)''

★
★ BR standard class 4 tank (2-6-4T Class 4MT) no. 80079 ''(in store until completion of the Engine House Display Centre)''

★
★ BR standard class 3 tank replica (2-6-2T Class 3MT) no. 82045 ''(component parts beginning to be gathered. Frame plates and driving wheels at Eardington halt; other smaller components in store in Cheshire)''

★ 'Diesel Locomotives'

★
★ BR 0-6-0 Class 08 nos. D3022, D3201, D3586 and D3937 ''(in service)''

★
★ BR 0-6-0 Class 11, no. 12099 ''(running agreement negotiated)''

★
★ BR Bo-Bo Class 20 no. D8188 ''(in service)''

★
★ BR Bo-Bo Class 20 no. 20227 ''(in service)''

★
★ BR Bo-Bo Class 27 no. D5410 ''(awaiting restoration)''

★
★ BR Bo-Bo Class 35 no. D7029 ''(undergoing restoration)''

★
★ BR Co-Co Class 37 no. 37906 ''(recently returned to service after brief outage for replacement of stolen electronic control cards)''

★
★ BR Bo-Bo Class 42 no. D821 ''Greyhound'' ''(currently being repaired)''

★
★ BR Co-Co Class 50 no. 50049 ''Defiance'' (in service, mainline certified)

★
★ BR Co-Co Class 52 no. D1013 ''Western Ranger'' ''(in service)'' Preservation 'Western'-style, Tompkins, Doug, , , Railway Magazine,

★
★ BR Co-Co Class 52 no. D1062 ''Western Courier'' ''(Under overhaul)''

★
★ BR Bo-Bo Class 73 no. E6005 ''(in service)''

★
★ BR Bo-Bo Class 73 no. E6006 ''(in service)''

★
★ BR Bo-Bo Class 73 no. 73101 'The Royal Alex' ''(in service)''
All class 73's are owned by the DFDA (Dean Forest Diesel Asscation) based at Lydney Jcn on the Dean Forest Railway

★ 'Diesel Multiple Units'

★
★ BR Class 108 units 51941+59250+52064 and 51935+56208

Carriages

As an early entrant to the heritage railway movement the SVR was able to amass a collection of steam era carriages which, together with excellent covered accommodation and works facilities, are the envy of many latecomers.^[22][23] To complement its large collection of GWR coaches the SVR boasts the movement's largest collection of Period 3 LMS coaches and a full rake of LNER teak vehicles of the Gresley/Thompson era. Normally the carriages are made up as a BR (Chocolate and cream) set, a BR (Maroon) set, a full LNER set, an LMS set and two GWR sets, one of which makes up the restaurant train. The non-restaurant GWR set are usually only used on the intensive timetable and at special events. The LMS set is similarly rarely used, though slightly more than the GWR set.

Goods stock

The railway can also muster convincing demonstration goods trains as well as works trains from its wagon fleet, the restoration base being at Bewdley goods shed.^[24]

External links

★ Severn Valley Railway official site.

★ SVR Volunteer Office

★ Handbook to the Severn Valley Railway (1863)

★ ITV Local Severn Valley Railway footage
'Station Sites'

★ Hampton Loade Station Site

★ Highley Station Site

★ Bewdley Station Site

★ Kidderminster Station Site

References

1. Saturday evening trains
2. The Severn Valley Railway, Marshall, John, , , David St John Thomas, 1989,
3. Past and Present special: The Severn Valley Railway, Siviter, Roger, , , Past & Present Publishing, 1995,
4. http://www.svr.co.uk/cgi-bin/WebObjects/SVR.woa/wo/0.0.107.3.0.1
5. Preservation's Boscastle! – Severn Valley wrecked by freak £1m storm, Jones, Robin, , , Heritage Railway,
6. Severn Valley – the aftermath, Dunn, Pip, , , Railways Illustrated,
7. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/6769829.stm
8. http://www.svr.co.uk/cgi-bin/WebObjects/SVR.woa/wo/0.0.107.3.0.1
9. New 'landslide in waiting' blow for Severn Valley, Wilcock, David, , , Steam Railway,
10. SVR’s £500k cash plea
11. Flood Damage Appeal Severn Valley Railway
12. Kidderminster's extraordinary terminus, Smith, D. J., , , Railway Magazine,
13. The Severn Valley Railway - locomotive maintenance at Bridgnorth, Ridgway, C. R. P., , , Railway World,
14. The Bridgnorth Locomotive Works, Hardingham, Roger, , , Trains Illustrated: Railway Preservation,
15. Highley Station Site
16. Railway Passenger Stations in England, Scotland and Wales: a chronology, Quick, M. E., , , Railway & Canal Historical Society, 2005,
17. Severn Valley Railway Stock Book, Williams, D. C., , , Severn Valley Railway, 1998,
18. Great Western (SVR) Association
19. 25 years later: the Great Western (SVR) Association celebrates 25 years, Haynes, Mike, , , Severn Valley Railway News,
20. Severn Valley Locomotives As They Were, Ferris, Tom, , , Midland Publishing, 1995,
21. The 2857 Society
22. Why carriages come first at the SVR, Madgin, Hugh, , , Steam Railway,
23. Guide book to Bewdley, Great Western (SVR) Association, , , GW(SVR)A, 1971,
24. Fitted to the task!, Peplow, Steve, , , Steam Railway,