Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2003
This page details events on the Severn Valley Railway during 2003. During the year the total mileage since opening day in 1970 exceeded 1.5 million miles. Another year of record passenger numbers saw 248,866 carried.[1]
February 2003[edit | edit source]
Following its introduction in 2001, a second 1960s Transport Day took place on Sunday 22 February.[2]
March 2003[edit | edit source]
The Spring Steam Gala on 15-16 March was based on a Welsh Branch Line theme. 'Home' locos included ex-Port Talbot Railway 813 representing south Wales, , 7812 Bradley Manor representing mid-Wales with Aberystwyth style 'bulling up' and Cambrian Coast Express headboard. Stanier 2-6-0 42968, which had been out-shopped the week before after overhaul, ran with a matching LMS set of coaches representing north Wales . Visiting 'South Wales' locomotives were:[3]
- 426 [TVR 85]: Taff Vale Railway 0-6-2T (from the Worth Valley Railway)
- 5637: GWR Collett 5600 class 0-6-2T (from the East Somerset Railway)
The decison was taken to introduce parking charges at the Kidderminster and Bridgnorth station car parks, to deter non-SVR visitors from using them as free parking while at work or shopping.[4][note 1]
April 2003[edit | edit source]
The annual Members' Day took place on 1-2 April.
After months of doubt over its future, 61994 The Great Marquess was bought by John Cameron from the family of the late Earl of Lindsay. Plans were announced at a press conference on 25 April that the locomotive would be overhauled at the SVR, including the repair of the driving axle which had failed in 1997.[5]
May 2003[edit | edit source]
A ceremony was held at Bridgnorth Station on 1 May to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the closure of RAF Bridgnorth, the former RAF national service training centre at Stanmore Park[6]
June 2003[edit | edit source]
The SVR News 'Boardroom Notes' stated: "Although we will continue to monitor the position, the possibility of a connection to Ironbridge is now unlikely since the BR Residual Property Board has apparently concluded that there is no requirement for a railway north of Bridgnorth and has put Bridgnorth tunnel up for sale."[7][note 2] The Railway was commited to an number of other capital projects at the time, including Highley Museum, for which Stage 1 Heritage Lottery Fund approval had recently been received, and construction of the final wing of Kidderminster Station.
Visiting EWS Class 37 37422 Cardiff Canton hauled passenger services during the 'Heavy Horse Power Weekend' on 6-7 June. The event featured both shire horses and 'Mechanical horses' including a 1936 Scammell at Kidderminster and a 1955 Scarab and 1966 Townsman at Bewdley. [8]
The 1940s weekends took place on 24-25 June and 1-2 July. Directors originally decided that the war aspects of the event should be toned down to avoid offence to those with loved ones involved in Iraq War which had begun in March. With the conclusion of fighting, the restrictions were relaxed, but the battle re-enactments and pyrotechnics were omitted.[7]
July 2003[edit | edit source]
On Sunday 20 July Hampton Loade hosted the third National Velocipede Rally
Autumn 2003[edit | edit source]
Considerable discussion took place with Shropshire County Council over plans to build part of the National Cycle Route 45 on the SVR property between Hampton Loade and Highley. Agreement was eventually reached for this to proceed.
September 2003[edit | edit source]
The Autumn Steam Gala was held on 19-21 September. Visitors were:
- 32678 Knowle : LBSCR Stroudley A1X Terrier class 0-6-0T (from the Kent & East Sussex Railway)
- 73096: BR Riddles Standard 5MT class 4-6-0 (from the Mid Hants Railway).
6201 Princess Elizabeth was also on the Railway at the time.
-
73096 at Kidderminster
October 2003[edit | edit source]
The annual Diesel Gala took place on Friday-Sunday 3-5 October, described as "An intensive service of Diesels on the Friday, with Diesels and Steam on Saturday and Sunday.".[note 3] The gala included visiting locomotives.
Locomotive Mileages[edit | edit source]
A table of locomotives used during the year is shown below.[9]
| Locomotive | Miles | Comment |
| 813 | 980 | |
| 1501 | 8,303 | |
| 5764 | 6,163 | |
| 7714 | 4,163 | |
| 7802 Bradley Manor | 10,797 | Including 3 main line railtours |
| 34027 Taw Valley | 4,302 | Including main line railtours |
| 42968 | 11,266 | Returned to service |
| 45110 | 5,439 | |
| 46443 | 8,730 | |
| 48773 | 8,609 | |
| 60009 Union of South Africa | 6,234 | Including main line railtours |
| 686 The Lady Armaghdale | 1,937 | |
| Guests and others | 1,213 | |
| Total | 78,136 |
See also[edit | edit source]
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Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Network Rail had recently introduced charges at the main line station car park; Bridgnorth's car parks were Pay and Display.
- ↑ The tunnel apparently remained unsold; a Freedom of Information request to Highways England in December 2017 asking for details of all former railway tunnels that are inspected and maintained by them produced a list which included Bridgnorth Tunnel.
- ↑ The SVR's timetables advertised "a steam train every weekend of the year".
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ SVR(H) 2003 Annual Accounts, Chairman's Statement
- ↑ SVR News 143, p.50.
- ↑ SVR News 143, p.1.
- ↑ SVR News 143, p.1.
- ↑ SVR News 143, The Future of 'The Great Marquess' , p. 25.
- ↑ SVR News 144
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 SVR News 144, Boardroom Notes, pp. 6-8.
- ↑ SVR News 144, p. 30,32.
- ↑ SVR News Issue 152, p. 25., SVR Steam Locomotive Mileages 1990-2004 compiled by Graham Nangreave