Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2018
August 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the 'end of steam' in the BR era. The SVR staged a special event to mark the occasion with two of the locomotives still in use by BR at the time, 45110 and 48773, appearing on display at Kidderminster.
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45110 at Kidderminster, 4 August 2018 -
48773 at Kidderminster, 4 August 2018
January 2018[edit | edit source]
On 1-2 January SR 34053 Sir Keith Park completed farewell turns in advance of her departure to the Swanage Railway on 10 January
The SVR announced the hire of diesels 37688 and 40135 for 2018-2019, the former for PWay work and the latter to utilise its steam heat capability.
50026 Indomitable arrived for commercial repairs in the Diesel Depot.
Didcot Railway Centre announced 6023 'King Edward II' would be moved by road to the SVR in February for testing of her revised draughting, then operating some timetabled trains and attending the Spring Steam Gala.
Winter works saw track either side of Bewdley Tunnel being cleaned of badly contaminated ballast; the last part of the remedial work to the embankment slippage around the County Boundary area; the partial rebuilding of the platform face at Eardington; lining of the loco water tank at Kidderminster, and at the same location swapping the water column adjacent to platform 1 runround from a fixed column to a standard GWR swing arm type. At Waterworks straight welding was completed to a position that restored line speed following Winter Works in 2017. Permanent Way work also took place at Highley bank and Kidderminster Carriage Shed.[1]
On 16 January the SVR Charitable Trust announced it had reached its appeal target of £10,000 in under a month, for the cost of repairing the vehicles damaged by graffiti in December. A total of £13,000 was raised.
The railway's published fare structure withdrew discounted fares for Seniors (60+), who instead paid the full adult fare. In addition, it introduced a version of the Annual Family Pass for single adults.
On 30 January the polystyrene patterns for the casting of new cylinders for GWR 4930 Hagley Hall were completed at Premier Patterns following comprehensive design work by Stafford Road Design Ltd.
The Kidderminster Shunter Fund transferred BR Class 11 12099 to SVR Charitable Trust.
The footbridge outside Bridgnorth station was closed due to the station end lifting, with Shropshire County Council instigating a temporary repair before the start of the running season.
February 2018[edit | edit source]
On 16 February the railway announced 2017 passenger numbers of 240,686, a reduction of 11,644 from 2016.
The start of the 2018 season with half-term running was met with heavy snow, despite which the service operated as planned. Temporary withdrawal of the Class 108 DMU for additional maintenance meant an all-steam service was provided for most of the opening week.
Beamish announced that testing of the wheel centres on long-term contract overhaul locomotive Sharp Stewart 0-4-4T Dunrobin revealed many cracked spokes, and the decision to replace all four coupled wheels.
Work started on repairs to the long wing wall at Wribbenhall Viaduct as part of an ongoing programme of investment on this important structure.
March 2018[edit | edit source]
At Eardington contractors finished brickwork for the restored platform, incorporating around 6,000 GWR bricks reclaimed and donated from the GWR main line electrification.
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Eardington (June 2018)
The Northern Belle stock was rebased at Carnforth by 9 March, by which time the compound was cleared and only two spare vehicles remained on the SVR.[2]
On 11 March the Thompson B1 Locomotive Trust announced that Thompson B1 61264 would be unable to attend due to overrunning winter maintenance. S&DJR 53808 was announced as a replacement visitor on 13 March.
The Spring Steam Gala on 16-18 March was unusual with only three of the home fleet (1450, 1501 and 7714) timetabled for use, the fewest since 2009 (two). In the event, home-fleet 43106 also made an appearance. There were six guest locomotives:
- 61572 [LNER 8572]: LNER Holden B12 class (GER S69) 4-6-0
- 60163 Tornado: LNER Peppercorn A1 Pacific
- Bellerophon: Haydock Foundry 0-6-0WT
- 6023 King Edward II: GWR Collett 4-6-0 King class
- 80072: BR Riddles Standard 4MT class 2-6-4T (on hire to the SVR at the time)
- 53808: S&DJR Fowler 7F class 2-8-0
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61572 -
60103 Tornado -
Bellerophon -
6023 King Edward II -
80072 -
53808
On 28 March BR 4593 Tourist Standard Open was moved to the dock in front of the Bewdley buffet to be used as seating for staff and the public, as a prelude to demolition of the buffet building (but not the more recent toilet block and kitchen.) The building had recently been assessed by the SVR's consultant civil engineer and its increasing external dilapidation led to the decision to demolish it.[3]
The polystyrene patterns for 4930's new cylinders were transported to Shakespeare Foundry in Preston for casting[4].
April 2018[edit | edit source]
On 10 April the boiler from 4930 moved to Northern Steam Engineering Ltd. at Stockton for overhaul[5]
On 17 April, 82045 became a rolling chassis when the locomotive was wheeled at Bridgnorth[6].
May 2018[edit | edit source]
The annual Diesel Festival featured 13 guest locomotives in addition to members of the home fleet.
June 2018[edit | edit source]
The Goods Gala on 2-3 June celebrated to 100th anniversary of 2857 which hauled the Demonstration Goods Train, and also marked the 150th anniversary of the opening of Eardington station on 1 June 1868. A second demonstration 'modern freight' incorporating three GBRf IIA hoppers was hauled by GBRf Class 66 66763 Severn Valley Railway.
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2018 Goods Gala demonstration freight train -
A GBRf IIA hopper at Highley
On 20 June Small Prairie 4566 and Panier Tank 5764 were moved from storage in Kidderminster Carriage Shed to The Engine House at Highley where they were put on display. They took the place of 8F 48773 which was moved to Kidderminster in readiness for an event to mark the 50th anniversary end of BR steam in August 1968.
July 2018[edit | edit source]
On 1 July, new cylinders were lifted & installed on Manning Wardle 2047 'Warwickshire.[7]
Prolonged hot and dry weather, coupled with lineside fires, caused an all-diesel timetable to be announced from 10 July. Steam services were reintroduced on 19 July.
On 14 July, Warwickshire's original boiler, smokebox and saddle tank were lifted onto Loriot N 42343 by the 30-ton steam crane in preparation for a planned move of the locomotive chassis and other components to Bewdley later in 2018.
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Boiler lift in progress on 14 July
Demolition of the old 'Trackside Buffet' at Bewdley took place during the week commencing 16 July. The building had been closed since March 2018.
On 23 July, Black 5 45110 was moved from the Engine House to Kidderminster in preparation for the August 'End of Steam' events. D4100 provided the motive power.[8]
On 24 July a group of Belarussian children in remission from cancer visted the SVR and Arley Arboretum, organised by the Chernobyl Children's Charity.
The SVR sponsored a Catch Me Who Can sculpture entitled 'Just the Ticket' at the front of Bridgnorth as part of the Bridgnorth Arts Trail 2018, the sculpture being one of twelve locomotives positioned around the town. Statue 2: 'Just the Ticket' was designed by Tania Holland of Tania Holland Gallery using archive material provided by the SVR[9] It was unveiled on 24 June 2018.[10].
The eight-year overhaul of GWR 9654 Restaurant Third was completed
August 2018[edit | edit source]
On 2 August Class 40 No. 40145 delivered sister BR Class 40 40106 Atlantic Conveyor for a short hire period.[note 1]
On 4 August the SVR staged a special event to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of steam on British Railways. Guests included former footplate crews from Lostock Hall and Rose Grove sheds and members of the 'Master Neverers Association'. 45110 and 48773 appeared on static display at Kidderminster, while an evening special ran to recreate the 'Fifteen Guinea Special'. This was hauled by 43106 due to a delay in the planned arrival of guest locomotive LMS Stanier Class 5 45231 The Sherwood Forester. In the event 45231 was unable to visit and on 21 August LMS Stanier Royal Scot 8P Class 4-6-0 46100 Royal Scot was announced as an Autumn Steam Gala visitor instead of 45231.
The SVR Charitable Trust appeal for Falling Sands Viaduct passed £200,000 towards the £275,000 target[11]
On 11 August the 'Steam on the Road' event featured an return appearance by 'Plimsoll', a rail-mounted Land Rover, which made another return trip between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster during the day.
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'Plimsoll' leaving Arley
On 17 August 09107 moved under its own power for the first time in preservation.
On 18 August 50044 was on test, the locomotive has been out of service since July 2012. It had received an overhauled engine and main, ETH and auxiliary generators as well as a host of other work by Fifty Fund volunteers.
On 21 August 7819 Hinton Manor left Swindon to return to the SVR, following a number of years on static display at the McArthurGlen shopping centre.
September 2018[edit | edit source]
Bernard Rainbow MBE died on 1 September. He had a sixty year railway footplate career, was President of The Erlestoke Manor Fund and Chief Traction Inspector on the SVR.
On 18 September 2018 GWR 2857 passed 100,000 miles in preservation, carrying both a headboard "Still gong strong, 100,000 miles" and a "100" headcode. The 100 headcode remained in use during the Autumn Steam Gala,[12] and reappeared on 11 November for the centenary of Remembrance Day.
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2857 with its 100 headcode
The Autumn Steam Gala on 20-23 September featured four guest locomotives:
- 46100 Royal Scot: LMS Stanier Royal Scot 7P Class 4-6-0
- 46233 [LMS 6233] Duchess of Sutherland: Stanier 8P Coronation Pacific
- 63395: Raven NER T2 Class 0-8-0 (LNER Q6)
- 70000 Britannia: BR Riddles Standard Class 7MT Pacific
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46100 Royal Scot -
![46233 [LMS 6233] Duchess of Sutherland](https://pro-wiki.s3.amazonaws.com/4073723/thumb/0/0c/46233_LMS_6233_Duchess_of_Sutherland_20180921.jpg/400px-46233_LMS_6233_Duchess_of_Sutherland_20180921.jpg)
46233 [LMS 6233] Duchess of Sutherland -
63395 -
70000 Britannia
![46233 [LMS 6233] Duchess of Sutherland](/File:46233_LMS_6233_Duchess_of_Sutherland_20180921.jpg)
Construction of Bridgnorth Development Project Phase IIa (car park and access roads) commenced.
October 2018[edit | edit source]
The SVR hosted from 4-6 October the Class 50 Golden Jubilee, the joint largest operational gathering of one loco type ever staged in preservation (steam or diesel). BR Class 50 50049 Defiance was formally rededicated at Kidderminster.
Social media announced GWR Collett 6400 class 0-6-0PT No. 6430 would revisit the SVR for the 2019 Spring Steam Gala[13]
The Charitable Trust applied to the HLF for funds to repair Falling Sands Viaduct
On 10 October GWR 4786 Full Third was moved to Bewdley Down Yard for restoration work to begin in earnest
November 2018[edit | edit source]
On 11 November 2857 again carried the '100' headboard, this time commemorating the centenary of Remembrance Day.
6990 Witherslack Hall was hired to provide support to the locomotive fleet for winter services.
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6990 Witherslack Hall (March 2016)
On 23 November the SVR made a 'Black Friday' discount offer of unsold Santa Special services tickets.
The SVR Charitable Trust announced costs for repairs to Falling Sands Viaduct had risen, and raised the appeal target to £397,000 (originally £275,000).
D1015 was painted into BR blue livery at the Diesel Depot, the first time all three 'Westerns' on the line were blue.
December 2018[edit | edit source]
On 5 December the SVR Charitable Trust announced an award of £10,000 from the Postcode Local Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, to construct an Anderson shelter and covered seating area at The Engine House.
On 6 December during a HLF #ThanksToYou week, the SVR offered National Lottery players the chance to join a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Carriage Works at Kidderminster.
On 11 December, BR Riddles 4MT 75069 made her first light engine test runs following a lengthy overhaul. The locomotive was last in service in 1994.
The Ernest Cook Trust made a £7,000 grant to SVR Charitable Trust to fund training for apprentices at the Heritage Skills Training Academy.
See also[edit | edit source]
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Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 40106's 'short hire period' eventually ended in 2025.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ SVRLive
- ↑ LNER Coach Fund Newsletter No. 68
- ↑ Express Points, April 2018
- ↑ Railway Magazine website
- ↑ Friends of Hagley Hall
- ↑ 82045 Facebook page
- ↑ WILT 2047 2018 Restoration page
- ↑ Video on Sharpo's World
- ↑ Bridgnorth Art Trail website
- ↑ SVR website
- ↑ Express Points, August 2018
- ↑ SVRLive
- ↑ SVR Facebook 10 October 2018