Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2004
February 2004[edit | edit source]
Bridgnorth Station Footbridge was taken down on 12 February using the 30-ton steam crane and taken away to Dudley for renovation[1] including shot blasting and powder coating, supported by funds from the SVR's arrangement with the West Bromwich Building Society.
The third 1960s Transport Day took place on Saturday 21 February.[2]
The SVR was then closed between Kidderminster and Highley between Moday 23 February and Friday 2 April 2004 inclusive, with train services running between Bridgnorth and Highley at weekends. During the closure, Victoria Bridge underwent a major overhaul which included replacing the 1970s bridge deck timbers with reinforced steel mesh. The closure of this section of the line meant no Spring Steam Gala took place.
April 2004[edit | edit source]
Following completion of the repairs to Victoria Bridge, a re-opening ceremony was held on Monday 5 April. At the suggestion of Sales and Marketing Manager, John Leach, the bridge was re-opened by ... Miss Victoria Bridge!
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Victoria Bridge with John Leach (Bob Sweet / SVR News)
May 2004[edit | edit source]
The Railway held 'Day out with Thomas' weekends on 8-9 and 15-16 May.
Locomotive 5164 entered service for the first time since 1984 after completion of overhaul.
Bridgnorth station footbridge was re-installed after three months' renovation. A plaque on the bridge celbrates the event.
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2004 plaque
June 2004[edit | edit source]
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34045 Ottery St. Mary (34027 Taw Valley) (Geograph)
A 'Heavy Horse Power Weekend' was held on 5-6 June, with dispays of heavy horses, showing the various tasks that these animals used to perform.
The 1940s weekends took place on 26-27 June and 3-4 July.
July 2004[edit | edit source]
On Sunday 25 July the Hampton Loade Station Gala included the fourth National Velocipede Rally.
August 2004[edit | edit source]
On 16 August, Fishermen's Crossing was the scene of a collision between a "Steam School Special" hauled by Ivatt Class 2 46443 and a van which drove onto the crossing without stopping, the crossing gates having been left open by a previous user.[3] The van was carried some distance down the track, with the driver suffering injury[4] though fortunately not fatal. H.M. Railway Inspectorate subsequently found no fault with the locomotive/train braking or the signing of the crossing, and no blame for the collision was attached to the Railway.[5][6]
Steeplejack and TV personality Fred Dibnah arrived at the SVR complete with traction engine, riding van and BBC film crew. He spent a considerable time in the machine shop and boiler shop, so much so that he missed the chance of a footplate ride! The visit was featured in the series Fred Dibnah's Made in Britain.
September 2004[edit | edit source]
Two more 'Day out with Thomas' weekends were held on 4-5 and 11-12 September.
The Autumn Steam Gala was held on 19-21 September and saw 12 locomotives in use. Visitors were:
- 30926 Repton: SR Maunsell V Schools class 4-4-0 (from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway)
- 30070 [DS 238]: Porter USA class 0-6-0T 'Dock tank' (From the Kent and East Sussex Railway)[note 1]
October 2004[edit | edit source]
The annual Diesel Gala took place on Friday-Sunday 1-3 October, including five visiting locomotives.
The Classic Car and Bike Day was held on Sunday 10 October.
- Main article: Railcar50
The SVR staged 'Railcar50' to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the introduction of Diesel Multiple Unit traction by BR in 1954. The SVR’s 5-car DMU was joined by 16 visiting cars representing 12 classes of DMU. The highlight of the event was the formation of a 12-car DMU set which ran to Bridgnorth on the evening of Saturday 16th, eclipsing the previous 9-car record for the longest DMU in preservation which had been set two days earlier.
Locomotive Mileages[edit | edit source]
A table of locomotives used during the year is shown below.[7]
| Locomotive | Miles | Comment |
| 813 | 504 | |
| 1501 | 2,471 | |
| 5164 | 8,138 | Re-entered service in May |
| 5764 | 3,969 | |
| 7714 | 1,708 | |
| 7802 Bradley Manor | 10,517 | Including 3 Cambrian Coast Express |
| 34027 Taw Valley | 7,532 | Including main line railtours |
| 42968 | 8,228 | |
| 45110 | 8,972 | |
| 46443 | 6,033 | |
| 48773 | 4,098 | |
| 60009 Union of South Africa | 4,393 | Including main line railtours |
| 686 The Lady Armaghdale | 2,272 | |
| Guests and others | 396 | |
| Total | 69,231 |
See also[edit | edit source]
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Notes[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ SVR News 146, pp 4, 51
- ↑ SVR News 143, p.50.
- ↑ SVR News 148, General Manager's Notes
- ↑ http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/1664/railsafety04.pdf HSE's annual report on railway safety 2004 – ORR] Retrieved 8 June 2015
- ↑ SVR News 149, Boardroom Notes
- ↑ Van driver blamed for rail crash, BBC News Retrieved 8 June 2015
- ↑ SVR News Issue 152, p. 25., SVR Steam Locomotive Mileages 1990-2004 compiled by Graham Nangreave