Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1995
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This page details events on the Severn Valley Railway during 1995.
Spring 1995[edit | edit source]
Over the winter ten feet of river bank was washed away at Sterns, triggering further slippage. 3,000 tons of rock was deposited on the river bank as a temporary measure while a geological survey was undertaken. The other major engineering task was the reinforcement and strengthening of the abutments of the Underbridge at Hampton Loade, during which the steelwork was taken to Bridgnorth to be needle gunned and repainted. A limited Sunday-only service operated between Kidderminster and Highley in January, February and March using the Class 108 DMU and small tank engines with nearly 4,500 passengers being carried. The main season opened as planned on 1 April.[1]
Bridgnorth District Council announced a plan to build a halt at the Alverly Countryside Park, to be called Country Park Halt. Construction would take place in late 1995, and the Halt would be open in time for the 1996 season.
The Spring Steam Gala featured only home locomotives.
March 1995[edit | edit source]
7802 Bradley Manor ran a test trip from Bristol to Paignton, in anticipation of a summer season organised by Pete Waterman.
May 1995[edit | edit source]
80079 was one of three locomotives taking part in the ‘Steam on the Met’ festival organised by London Underground Limited (LUL). SVR personnel were allowed to drive and fire the locomotive under supervision of an LUL conductor. Preserved steam on the Metropolitan Line between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Amersham had started in 1989, and previous SVR participants were 46521 in 1993 and 80079 in 1984.
The pilot episode of the TV sitcom "Oh Doctor Beeching!" was filmed at Arley
June 1995[edit | edit source]
The Railway’s ‘Steam School’ courses received a boost following the filming and broadcast of a feature on Blue Peter with presenter Diane-Louise Jordan.
July 1995[edit | edit source]
Manning Wardle 2047 Warwickshire was moved out of Bridgnorth Shed for the first time in 18 years. The locomotive had been cosmetically restored and repainted in a green livery and was moved to Kidderminster to be displayed outside Kidderminster Railway Museum.
A special train ran on 8 July to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the initial meeting at the Cooper’s Arms.
August 1995[edit | edit source]
For 3 weeks in August the SVR used only diesel haulage due to the severe drought at the time.
The General Manager’s Notes in SVR news referred to visiting locomotives for the forthcoming Autumn Steam Gala, and continued "Together with our own fleet, including the A4 60009 Union of South Africa.." Although no formal announcement was made, this was the first occasion on which 60009 was referred to as a ‘home’ locomotive rather than a visitor.
September 1995[edit | edit source]
Autumn Steam Gala visitors were GWR 1400 class 0-4-2T no 1466 from Didcot (sister locomotive to No 1450 which arrived at the SVR in 2014) and S&DJR Fowler 7F No 88 (BR no 53808) from the West Somerset Railway.
Centro and Regional Railways reopened ‘The Jewellery Line’ from Birmingham Snow Hill via Smethwick West Junction to Stourbridge Junction and Kidderminster. Despite being the weekend of the Autumn Gala, the SVR made 80079 available, and the locomotive made 3 return journeys between Snow Hill and Stourbridge Junction with 5 maroon liveried Mark 1s in tow, taking only 25 minutes against an allowed 35 minutes for the uphill journey via Old Hill bank.
November 1995[edit | edit source]
Peckett 1758 departed for the South Devon Railway.[2]
Steam locomotives used[edit | edit source]
A table of steam locomotives used and their mileages (where published) 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]
- ↑ SVR News 114
- ↑ South Devon Railway Association