Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1982
This page provides a timeline of events on the Severn Valley Railway during 1982. Passenger numbers for the year totalled 173,718.[1]
Before the SVR could get permission to open in 1970, it had been required to enter into an agreement that in the event of the Bridgnorth by-pass being built, the SVR would be responsible for building the bridge to carry the line over it, or else would need to vacate the Bridgnorth site.[note 1] Early in 1982 the SVR was informed by Shropshire County Council that the Bridgnorth by-pass project was going ahead and that they would be required to fulfil this obligation. However after amicable negotiations between the two parties, the County Council agreed to make a substantial contribution towards the total cost of the bridge.[2]
March 1982[edit | edit source]
The first Western Diesel Weekend was held on 31 March - 1 April.
April 1982[edit | edit source]
During the month the SVR membership passed 11,000.[3]
A signalling exhibition at Bridgnorth opened on Good Friday 9 April and continued through the Spring Steam Gala which took place on the weekend of 24-25 April.[4] On the Gala Sunday, the new "porter's hut" / refreshment kiosk at Highley was officially opened by Avril Rowlands.[5]
May 1982[edit | edit source]
By May 1982 traffic from the BSC factory at Foley Park had ceased, and the Directors of the SVR were 'keeping a close watch' on the situation.[note 2][3]
Shropshire Council were proceeding with the Bridgnorth by-pass bridge contract, for which the SVR had been appointed agent. The SVR would need to bear part of the cost of the new Bypass Bridge, for which the SVR's Consulting Civil Engineers Edwards & Blackie were preparing costings. The SVR had also agreed to purchase a second Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane to assist with the construction of the Bridge.[note 3][6]
On Wednesday 5 May Gordon collected a BR freight train from Foley Park consisting of 19 'rail freight' O.C.A. low sided open wagons carrying 1,800 concrete sleepers.[6]
June 1982[edit | edit source]
GWR 7000 Class 7029 Clun Castle visited the railway for two weeks, appearing on the Sunday of the Great Western Weekend (20 June) and the following Saturday 26 June[7].
September 1982[edit | edit source]
3020 Cornwall returned to York on Monday 6 September. The cost of repairs to the boiler, which had been condemned in May 1980, were deemed too expensive by the SVR and the Department of Education and Science.[8]
The Enthusiasts Weekend on 11-12 September around 11 featured locomotives from the home fleet, including a demonstration freight hauled by 46521. The SLOA "Severn Valley Railway Limited" railtour from Euston travelled to Bridgnorth, with 600 Gordon providing the motive power from Bewdley.[9][10] A BR 6-car DMU provided a service between Kidderminster and Bewdley.[11]
October 1982[edit | edit source]
The second Western Diesel Weekend was held on 2-3 October.
November 1982[edit | edit source]
Seven locomotives were despatched to the south end of the line for the winter season; 80079, 5164, 46521 , 43106, 7812, 5000, and 4930 Hagley Hall which was stored at Arley pending main line work in February.[12] The line was then severed south of Bridgnorth on 1 November ready for construction of the new Bridgnorth Bypass Bridge. By the end of the year the concrete abutments and anchor blocks were complete and the embankments had been back-filled around them.[13]
-
Bypass construction in progress, Sep 1982
(Geograph)
December 1982[edit | edit source]
On 20 December Santa arrived at Bewdley by helicopter and transferred to Arly by train, the event being organised by Star News Shops.[14] The year's Santa Special services between Bewdley and Arley totalled 22,005 passengers, exceeding 20,000 for the first time.[1]
Steam locomotives used[edit | edit source]
A table of steam locomotives used and their mileages can be found on the Steam Locomotive Mileages page.
See also[edit | edit source]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The potential cost of the By-pass Bridge was a source of friction between Sir Gerald Nabarro, who wanted to vacate Bridgnorth, and the SVR Membership. Even after Nabarro ceased to be involved, the potential cost of bridge hung over the railway like the 'Dword of Damocles' over the succeeding years.
- ↑ The BSC sidings closed officially in October.
- ↑ The second 30-ton crane arrived in August but in the event was not used on the bridge construction project.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 SVR News 67, General Manager's Notes, Michael Draper
- ↑ SVR News 66, pp. 8-9.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 SVR News 64, Boardroon Notes
- ↑ SVR News 63, p. 35.
- ↑ SVR News 64, pp. 12-15.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 SVR News 64, General Manager's Notes, Michael Draper
- ↑ SVR News 64, p.8.
- ↑ SVR News 65, p. 13.
- ↑ SVR News 66, pp. 20-21,39.
- ↑ Six Bells Junction railtour detail
- ↑ SVR News 67, p. 3.
- ↑ SVR News 66, pp. 10-11.
- ↑ SVR News 67, pp. 10-11.
- ↑ SVR News 67, p. 29.