Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2015
2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the formation of the SVR.
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50th anniversary headboard
January-February 2015[edit | edit source]
The winter saw a major infrastructure project, initiated by Severn Trent Water, which involved replacing three of the four large diameter water pipes bringing water from the Elan Valley to Birmingham where they cross under the trackbed between Bewdley and Arley near Folly Point. The replacement work was carried out by STW's contractors, but SVR staff and volunteers removed and replaced the trackbed and signalling equipment to enable the work to be carried out. Due to the lack of good road access to the aqueduct, the replacement pipes were transported from Bewdley station to the worksite by rail, using contracted SVR equipment in the form of diesel shunter 319290 and Gane 'A' 60841 [1]. The project over-ran, meaning the first 3 days of re-opening for half term week could not run between Bewdley and Highley.
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319290 with STW equipment
Other winter infrastructure work included replacement of the points and installation of improved drainage at the south end of Arley station. Restoration work was also carried out on Bewdley South (Sandbourne) and Bewdley North (Wribbenhall) viaducts.
On 10 January this Wiki went live to the general public. The concept had been under development by a group of SVR Volunteers since the previous summer.[2]
On 2 February the contractors arrived on site at Kidderminster to begin construction of the new Diesel Depot.
The SVR was voted 'Heritage Site of the Year' in the BBC Countryfile Awards 2014/15; other shortlisted candidates included London’s Imperial War Museum, Georgian estate Kew Palace, Welsh architectural wonder Portmeirion and the pre-historic stone circle at Avebury.
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"Heritage Site of the Year 2014-15"
March 2015[edit | edit source]
The Spring Steam Gala saw the opening of an exhibition at The Engine House celebrating 50 years of the SVR. The four 4 visitors were:
- 5786 5786 [L92]: GWR Collett 5700 class 0-6-0PT (former resident)
- 4270: GWR Churchward 4200 class 2-8-0T
- 58926 [LNWR 1054]: LNWR Webb 0-6-2T Coal Tank
- 90733: WD Riddles Austerity 'Dub Dee' class 2-8-0
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5786 in LT Livery -
4270 -
![58926 [LNWR 1054]](https://pro-wiki.s3.amazonaws.com/4073723/thumb/5/5e/LNWR_1054_20150322.jpg/450px-LNWR_1054_20150322.jpg)
58926 [LNWR 1054] -
90733
![58926 [LNWR 1054]](/File:LNWR_1054_20150322.jpg)
An unusual locomotive arrived on the SVR for a cosmetic overhaul in the form of Sentinel 9387.
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Awaiting restoration (April 2015)
April 2015[edit | edit source]
On Monday 13 April, HRH The Princess Royal paid her first visit to the SVR. The visit began at Bewdley with a welcome and summary of the flood damage repairs, which were the focus of the last Royal Visit by HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2008. The Princess Royal then rode to Kidderminster on the footplate of 7812 Erlestoke Manor, crewed by driver Paul Fathers and fireman Ryan Green. After meeting four of the SVR’s founding members, Keith Beddoes, Christopher George, Columb Howell and Roger Hobson, The Princess Royal then unveiled a plaque celebrating 50 years of the SVR, and was presented with a locoman's billy can as a memento of the occasion.
On Friday 17 April, the 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust organised the Eardington Explorer, a special train calling at disused Eardington, using locomotive 1450. Tickets were priced at £19.65, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the SVR, with funds going towards the purchase of 82045's boiler.
On Monday 27 April, a Pump Trolley Challenge took place between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, with 13 teams of volunteers in fancy dress taking part. Teams were judged on their costumes and enthusiasm (not speed!), with the Bridgnorth Engineering Services team being awarded first place.
A Monster Raving Loony Party general election address proposed that HS2 be replaced by an extension of the Severn Valley Railway under a new company to be called the Eighth Valley Railway.[3]
May 2015[edit | edit source]
English Electric Class 73/9 Electro-diesel No 73952 arrived on 4 May for three weeks of testing and crew training.
On 16 May 34027 Taw Valley returned to service after a lengthy overhaul. She hauled an incoming railtour from London Victoria, "The Golden Jubilee Pullman", between Bewdley and Bridgnorth, also working an SVR service from Bridgnorth back to Kidderminster. She carried a wreath, as did the other SVR locomotives in service on the day, to commemorate the death earlier in the week of former owner Bert Hitchen.
June 2015[edit | edit source]
50031 was on the move 29 June from Eastleigh – RVEL Derby where it underwent a generator swap
July 2015[edit | edit source]
On Monday 6 July, a special 50th Anniversary Dining Train was arranged for founding members and early pioneers of the SVR, being hauled by early SVR locomotive 43106. A photographic lineup was organised at Bridgnorth, with five SVR locomotives forming the backdrop.
From 6 July the SVR planted some golden tickets offering six winners and their guest the chance to enjoy an exclusive, behind-the-scenes, VIP experience at the Severn Valley Railway.
On 17 July, a separate 50th Anniversary Dinner was held at Spring Grove House, West Midland Safari Park, including a talk by Antiques Roadshow expert and railway enthusiast Paul Atterbury.
August 2015[edit | edit source]
The "Step back to the 1960s" event was run on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th, with many 60s-themed exhibits, including car displays and a fashion show at The Engine House. On both evenings, music shows were held at Kidderminster, with performances by tribute acts The Stones (Friday) and The Who 2 (Saturday).
On 8 August the SVR was operated almost entirely by current and former members of the SVR Junior Club in a unique tribute to much-loved volunteer, the late Don Wilcox - "Don's Day".
Fifteen BR 'Rudd' Ballast Wagons were purchased from DB Schenker, which had been on loan since the 2007 Storm Damage.
September 2015[edit | edit source]
The SVR's patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, visited the railway on Thursday 17th September. After a reception at Bridgnorth, he travelled to Hampton Loade and back on an autotrain hauled by GWR 1450. HRH accepted the opportunity to drive the train in both directions, which was done from the driving compartment of the autocoach on the outward journey. He then met a number of staff from the Bridgnorth locomotive works and boiler shop, as well as members of the 82045 Trust, of which he is also patron.
The Autumn Steam Gala had a 50th anniversary theme. The guest locomotives were:
- 70000 Britannia: BR Riddles Standard Class 7MT Pacific (former resident)
- 46100 Royal Scot: LMS Stanier Royal Scot 7P Class 4-6-0 (newly returned to steam following a 5-year overhaul)
- 46521: LMS Ivatt Class 2 Mogul (former resident)
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70000 Britannia -
46100 Royal Scot -
46521
43106 appeared at the LMS themed gala at Barrow Hill, becoming the first of her class to appear at the Roundhouse in half a century.
On 29 September the railway purchased 10 acres of land to the West of Bridgnorth station, including Pan Pudding Hill. The purchase was done to safeguard the land from any developments such as housing estates, with plans including more permanent parking facilities (the fields had previously been used for overflow parking), and other uses such as a new volunteer accommodation building.[4]
October 2015[edit | edit source]
A presentation to the October Board included a comprehensive review of track condition along the Railway, based upon measurements undertaken by the PWay team using the Abtus trolley and measuring equipment that was on test on the Railway.[5]
Guests at the 2015 Diesel Gala were summer visitor Deltic 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier, Class 14 D9531, Class 17 D8568, Class 35 D7076 and Class 52 D1015 Western Champion.
On 8 October Driving Motor Composite M52064 returned after work at Rowsley, Peak Railway.[5]
LNER A1 No 60163 Tornado arrived on the SVR for a 3-week visit, operating from 6-27 October. Tornado had previously visited in 2009 and 2011.
Having stayed at the SVR after its appearance at the Autumn Steam Gala, 46100 Royal Scot underwent high speed testing between Bewdley and Kidderminster, in preparation for a return to mainline service. During two weekends, Royal Scot was also used on passenger services alongside Tornado.
On 11 October the Great Western (SVR) Association ran a special train to celebrate the launch into service of GWR Collett open brake third 650 and to celebrate 100 years of 3930.[6]
November 2015[edit | edit source]
7802 Bradley Manor returned to service following an overhaul. The return coincided with the 'Manor 50' weekend, held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of steam on the Cambrian network. Bradley Manor was joined for the occasion by 7812 Erlestoke Manor and visiting locomotive 7820 Dinmore Manor; the three locomotives being the last of their class to work on the Cambrian mainline.
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7812 Dinmore Manor
GWR 9103 Nondescript Saloon was awarded the title of Overall Winner in the Carriage and Wagon category of the Heritage Railway Association Awards in November 2015, due to the quality of its 30-year restoration that finished in 2013.
December 2015[edit | edit source]
Structural work on the Diesel Depot was complete by December, with jobs such as wiring, installation of internal fittings, and painting being done by volunteer labour.[7]
The lease of the Stourport Branch as far as Mount Pleasant tunnel to Rail Safety Solutions (RSS) was announced, this land still being owned by the SVR despite no track existing beyond the Stourport Triangle. RSS planned to train Network Rail apprentices in tracklaying and maintenance activities, and in return for the use of the land, the SVR would gain free training for its own staff, and use of a relaid portion of the Stourport Branch.
See also[edit | edit source]
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Notes[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ https://www.svrlive.com/Pages/Infrastructure.aspx
- ↑ SVR-Online Forum post
- ↑ Express Points Web Round-Up, May 2015
- ↑ SVR Notice Board Issue NBI-H-276 "Purchase of 10 Acres of Land to the West of Bridgnorth"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Express Points Web Round-Up, October 2015
- ↑ Express Points Web Round-Up, August 2015
- ↑ Diesel Depot thread on SVRA forum