Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2005
2005 marked the 40th year of the SVR in preservation. Passenger numbers for the year were 252,127, breaking through the elusive quarter million mark for the first time.[1]
February 2005[edit | edit source]
The annual 1960s Transport Day took on Saturday 19 February.
During the night of 12-33th February, a l0 metre length of the west face of Eymore Cutting collapsed onto the track. The fall was discovered by the crew of a footplate experience course special, who found the track blocked by a 'standard gauge' 4ft 8½ ins wide boulder lying exactly between the rails. The line was closed for two days between Bewdley and Arley while the area was made safe, with services resuming under control of a flagman and a 'stop and proceed at caution' instruction to drivers. Over the next month, approximately 80 tons of further unstable and overhanging rock from the top of the cutting face were removed, and the entire 45 metres of the cutting west wall covered with rockfall netting to prevent further problems. Normal services resumed on Friday 11 March.
March 2005[edit | edit source]
On 11 March Pannier 5764 hauled an excavator from Eardington to Country Park Halt for the firm constructing the nearby pedestrian/cycle-way bridge across the river. This was probably the first steam-hauled revenue earning freight since the closure of the line in the 1960s.[2]
The Spring Steam Gala on 12-13 March took a Branch Line theme with two guests:
- 1638: BR(W) Hawksworth 1600 class 0-6-0PT
- 32473 Birch Grove: LBSCR Billinton E4 class 0-6-2T
80079 was cosmetically restored and lent to the NRM for display at Shildon pending completion of the Engine House.[3]
April 2005[edit | edit source]
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Bridgnorth MPD with Thomas (686), 10 April
The Members & Shareholders Weekend took place on 16-17 April.
Five carriages of the SVR’s set of Gresley Teak set were hired to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for a celebration of the anniversary of Sir Nigel Gresley’s appointment as Carriage and Wagon Engineer on the Great Northern Railway, in return the NYMR sent 5 BR(W) Mk1's in Chocolate and Cream livery to cover whilst the Teaks were away.
61994 The Great Marquess had left the SVR, moving to Crewe/Bury. The overhaul could not be completed by the SVR within the timescale required by owner John Cameron.
May 2005[edit | edit source]
The Railway held 'Day out with Thomas' weekends on 7-8 and 14-15 May. The SVR's Thomas ( 686) then made another overseas trip for a 'Thomas' event between 23-29 May at the EPEG Eisenbahn Tourismus steam shed at Krefeld, Germany.[4]
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Thomas, Henry, Duck and troublesome trucks at Kidderminster, 15 May
June 2005[edit | edit source]
The Railway held a "Heavy Horse Weekend - A Victorian Experience" on 4-5 June, with a visit from "Queen Victoria".[5]
Former SVR Chairman Bill Broadbent passed away on 8 June.[6]
The 1940s weekends took place on 25-26 June and 2-3 July.[7]
July 2025[edit | edit source]
To celebrate the 40th anniversary, a gathering of some of the founder members took place at Bridgnorth on 6 July; Chris George was among who addressed the group. 5164 then hauled a return dining train special.[8]
The sixth book in the Harry Potter saga, 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince', went on sale at midnight on 15 July. At precisely that time, a train hauled by 7802 Bradley Manor arrived at Arley carrying 350 fans of the series, many dressed in costume, to collect their books. The train had been hired by the owner of Wenlock Books in Much Wenlock.[9]
September 2005[edit | edit source]
Two more 'Day out with Thomas' weekends took place on 3-4 and 10-11 September.
The 40th anniversary Autumn Steam Gala on 23-25 September saw 34027 Taw Valley make a last gala appearance (as 34036 Westward Ho) before expiry of the locomotive's boiler certificate. The gala was a predominantly Great Western Railway themed affair with six guest locomotives:
- 1369: GWR Collett 1366 class 0-6-0PT
- 1450: GWR Collett 1400 class 0-4-2T with Auto Coach 178 (also took part in the September 'Thomas' events)
- 6619: GWR Collett 5600 class 0-6-2T
- 7903 Foremark Hall: GWR Hawksworth 6959 Modified Hall class 4-6-0
- 9351: GWR-inspired WSR-realised 2-6-0 Mogul (rebuilt from Collett 5101 class 2-6-2T No 5193 by the West Somerset Railway)
- 9466: BR(W) Hawksworth 9400 class 0-6-0PT
December 2005[edit | edit source]
The SVR announced the news that Heritage Lottery Fund approval had been given for The Engine House. In addition to HLF funding of £3,364k, £948k was received from the European Union Regional Development Fund and £200k from Advantage West Midlands.
34027 (Running as 34036 "Westward Ho") made its last runs on public passenger trains during the Santa Special services. The locomotive finally bowed out in early January 2006 on a private charter.
See also[edit | edit source]
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