Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2007
In June 2007 the Severn Valley Railway suffered severe storm damage. Almost 80% of the Railway was rendered inoperable, there were at least 45 separate incidents of damage to the track, of which 11 were considered serious. For the rest of the year, while repairs got under way, the Railway managed to maintain a train service between Kidderminster and Bewdley, together with the operation of steam hauled rides within Bridgnorth station limits. By the year end the Railway had carried 138,714 passengers, down 107,058 (or 43%) from 2006.[1]
January 2007 edit
The New Year saw 1501 out of ticket. The locomotive was to be cosmetically restored prior to a period on display in the Engine House.
February 2007 edit
The annual 1960s Transport Day took place on Saturday 17 February.
March 2007 edit
The Spring Steam Gala took place on 10-11 March. Billed as "Branch Line Gala - A Festival of Steam", the guest locomotives were:
- 4141: GWR Collett 5101 'Large Prairie' (resident between 1973 and 1988 but without being restored to working order)
- 53808 [S&DJR 88]: S&DJR Fowler 7F class 2-8-0
The Members & Shareholders Weekend took place on 24-25 March. An intensive Table D operated on both days, with a 45-minute frequency using 5 steam locomotives. The highlight of the weekend was a special "preview" opening of The Engine House" at Highley before the building was actually completed, by the kind cooperation of the building contractor, George Law & Co.[2]
600 Gordon was newly repainted pending a move into The Engine House later in the year.[3]
April 2007 edit
The frames were cut for new build locomotive no 82045.[4]
May 2007 edit
Fifty 6-metre steel pipes were conveyed in two train loads from Kidderminster to Trimpley Reservoir for Severn Trent Water on 21 and 22 May. The first load was hauled by on-hire Electro-Diesel 73006. For the second, GWR 4566 was used to provide another steam-hauled revenue earning freight charter. 'Toby Jiblets', the 6 ton Steam Crane was also used to unload the pipes.[5]
The Railway purchased 'Hanbury Cottage' adjacent to the Bridgnorth yard, for £165,000.[6]
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Hanbury Cottage (2015)
The Board announced the appointment of Nick Ralls as SVR General Manager with effect from 25 June. SVR News also announced that the Engine House would open in August 2007 ‘barring a major unforeseen problem’. The new GM’s arrival would be less than one week after the worst event in SVR history.
June 2007 edit
On 8 June, 4930 Hagley Hall returned from display in Swindon ready to be displayed in The Engine House. On the way, the locomotive called at the 'real' Hagley Hall for a photo opportunity.[7]
- Main article: 2007 Storm Damage
Freak thunderstorms on 19 June and 20 July 2007 caused massive damage to the SVR. The line was breached in 45 separate locations[[8] between Bridgnorth and Northwood Halt, embankments collapsed, cuttings were filled with debris, Highley Up starting signal slid down the embankment, and much other destruction took place. Only the section between Bewdley and Kidderminster remained relatively unaffected with an hourly service between the stations. Although a massive rebuilding exercise began at once, the line did not reopen fully until 21 March 2008. The damage also caused the opening of The Engine House at Highley, planned for 2007, to be delayed until the following year.
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Flood damage at Oldbury Viaduct -
Flood damage at Highley -
Washout at Victoria Bridge
Despite the setback, the 1940s weekends on 27-28 June and 4-5 July went ahead and were well supported.[9]
September 2007 edit
The 'Day out with Thomas' events on 1-2 and 8-9 September were also well supported.[9]
An Autumn Steam Gala was held on 21-23 September using the only section of line available, Kidderminster to Bewdley. However with the assistance of Network Rail and Tyseley Locomotive Works, 4936 Kinlet Hall and 4953 Pitchford Hall were able to make return trips between Bewdley and Birmingham Snow Hill on the Saturday and Sunday. LNER Gresley V2 60800 Green Arrow was another gala visitor. An intensive service was worked, with resident steam locomotives 4566, 5164, 46443, 45110 and BR Class 20 D8188 also in passenger service. Bridgnorth staged a 'mini-gala' with cab rides aboard 42968 on the only 600 yards of track then available for use at the north end of the line.[10]
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Kinlet Hall at Snow Hill -
Green Arrow at Bewdley
October 2007 edit
SVR Patron HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited the Railway on Wednesday 4 October and was given a presentation at Kidderminster on the progress of repair works. He then travelled to Bewdley on the 'Royal Train' consisting of GWR Small Prairie 4566 and Inspection Saloon 80972.[11]
See also edit
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