Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1989
This page provides a timeline of events on the Severn Valley Railway during 1989. The year's major capital project involved the construction of Bridgnorth boiler shop. Passenger numbers reached a new record of 209,837 for the calendar year.[1]
February 1989[edit | edit source]
An exploratory meeting of SVR members interested in preserving a first generation DMU took place in the King & Castle on 9 February. The outcome was the formation of the DMU Group (West Midlands).[2]
Described as a 'temporary addition to the SVR fleet', LNER A4 60009 Union of South Africa arrived at the Severn Valley on 24 February for a heavy general repair and boiler overhaul.[3]
Construction of the new Bridgnorth boiler shop was under way, with the foundations complete and steelwork erected. The share offer had raised around £330,000.[4]
March 1989[edit | edit source]
A train hauled by 7819 Hinton Manor was hired by the BBC/Open University for filming sequences for their production 'Entrepreneurs'.[5]
April 1989[edit | edit source]
46443 left on loan to Swanage Railway for the season, returning in September.
LNER K2 61994 The Great Marquess, in LNER livery as No 3442, was re-named by BR Chairman Sir Robert Reid at a ceremony held on 18 April. Although not fully run in, the locomotive would star at the Spring Steam Gala on 22-23rd April. [6]
Following the appearance of a 3-car DMU set at the 1988 Autumn Diesel Gala and Michael Draper's subsequent favourable comments, the BR staff newspaper 'Rail News' carried an article that a fund had been launched to purchase a DMU for use on the SVR. SVR News noted that "No final decision has yet been taken, but the GM has had a postbag overwhelmingly against the suggestion to house a DMU, and all Directors are aware of the situation."[7] The Guarantee Company undertook a survey of workng members during the autumn to canvass opinion on whether a DMU should be included in the SVR fleet.[8]
May 1989[edit | edit source]
The Spring Diesel Gala was held on 13-14 May. The guest locomotives were:
- T132: Pressed Steel Company Class 121 DMU (W55032 only)
- D100 Sherwood Forester (45060): BR Class 45 1Co-Co1
- 27059' (D5410): B.R.C.W. Class 27 Bo-Bo
- T221: BR Class 114 DMU (53002 / 54047)
- 55015 Tulyar: E.E. Class 55 Deltic Co-Co
- 55016 Gordon Highlander: E.E. Class 55 Deltic Co-Co
34027 Taw Valley made her maiden main line run with a loaded test run from Derby to Sheffield.[9]
June 1989[edit | edit source]
The SVR staged a Summer Steam Gala on 24-25 June.
July 1989[edit | edit source]
34027 Taw Valley began a season of ‘North Wales Coast Express’ runs between Crewe and Holyhead. The locomotive was using a tender borrowed from 34101 Hartland, as the tyres on her own tender were worn below BR limits.[10]
4566 departed on loan to the Gwili Railway for 2 months.
61994 The Great Marquess set off for a fortnight on the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig.[11]
'The Worcestershire Way', a 36 mile route from Kingsford Country Park (now Kinver Edge) to the Malvern Hills, was officially opened on 13 July. Part of the route follows the banks of the River Severn, and the Railway, between Arley and Bewdley. SVR representatives attended the opening ceremony and walked part of the route between Trimpley and Arley.[12]
Following the SVR(H) AGM on 22 July, John Garth stepped down as Chairman and was succeeded by David Owen.[8] John continued as Deputy Chairman and also chaired the 25th Anniversary Committee (SVR 25) planning 1980's celebrations.
The second Hampton Loade station gala took place on Sunday 30 July.
August 1989[edit | edit source]
1 August saw the death of The Earl of Lindsay, president of the SVR and owner of 61994 The Great Marquess.[13]
September 1989[edit | edit source]
The Autumn Steam Spectacular on 23-24 September used eleven locomotives from the home fleet and principally featured the SVR locomotives which had returned after working on the main line or out on hire during the summer.[14] At the same time, BR requested Taw Valley for a programme of steam from Marylebone between November and the following March.[15]
The Kidderminster Town Bookstall was commissioned by the Hon. Philip Smith, a director of W H Smith & Son. in a ceremony on 27 September.[16]
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The bookstall (now a sweet shop) at Kidderminster
October 1989[edit | edit source]
The fifth Vintage Vehicle Sunday organised by The Erlestoke Manor Fund in aid of the restoration of 7802 Bradley Manor was held on Sunday 8 October.
The Autumn Diesel Gala took place on 14-15 October. The guest locomotives were:
- D100 Sherwood Forester (45060): BR Class 45 1Co-Co1
- D9000 Royal Scots Grey (55022): E.E. Class 55 Deltic Co-Co
- T221: BR Class 114 DMU (53002/54047)
November 1989[edit | edit source]
By November the Boiler Shop was complete and in use.[17] The capital cost had been met by the proceeds of the 1988 £500k share prospectus.[15]
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Bridgnorth Boiler Shop (2015)
December 1989[edit | edit source]
Record ticket sales for the Christmas services were achieved, with 42,602 Santa Steam tickets and 4,657 Mince Pie tickets.[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]
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Notes[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 SVR News 95, General Manager's Notes, Michael Draper
- ↑ SVR News 131, pp. 44-46., DMU Group (West Midlands) Progress, Trevor Daw
- ↑ SVR News 92, pp. 12-13.
- ↑ SVR News 91, General Manager's Notes, Michael Draper
- ↑ SVR News 92, pp. 40-41.
- ↑ SVR News 92, p. 25.
- ↑ SVR News 92, p. 50.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 SVR News 93, Boardroom Notes
- ↑ SVR News 93, p. 19.
- ↑ SVR News 92, p. 11.
- ↑ SVR News 93, pp. 23-32.
- ↑ SVR News 93, p. 49.
- ↑ SVR News 93, General Manager's Notes, Michael Draper
- ↑ SVR News 94, p. 37.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 SVR News 94, General Manager's Notes, Michael Draper
- ↑ SVR News 94, pp. 6, 22-24.
- ↑ SVR News 94, Boardroon Notes