Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2019
This page details events on the Severn Valley Railway during 2019.
January 2019[edit | edit source]
On 21 January Rogue Events Limited announced a Kickstarter special on the SVR, Murder on the 10:16. The first event was an all-day 1930s themed event on 8 April 2019, and the organisers commented that should they reach their funding goal they intended to add more dates. In the event no more dates were added.
On 23 January BR 3MT 82045 was moved to Bridgnorth Loco Works for continuation of the construction.
On 31 January the project to reinstate the platform at Eardington was completed.
February 2019[edit | edit source]
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service announced SVR had staff attended a 'controlled burn' course, intended to reduce the number of lineside fires.[1]
On 14 February the Charitable Trust closed its Falling Sands appeal, having passed its (increased) target of £397,000
On 16 February BR Riddles 4MT 75069 returned to traffic after an overhaul costing more than £900,000 and involving more than 25,000 man hours of effort. The locomotive had last steamed in 1994. With both BR Class 40 40106 Atlantic Conveyor and Class 108 DMU unavailable all services were steam-hauled
On 18 February GWR 6 Wheeled Tool Van 14984 moved to the SVR having been acquired by Kidderminster Railway Museum.
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14984 shortly after arrival
March 2019[edit | edit source]
On 2 and 3 March a Small Engines Weekend featured locomotives 7714, 1501 and doubleheaded 813 and D9551
A mammoth five day shunt at The Engine House moved everything around. Taking up residence were 7819 as the new footplate accessible locomotive, 5764 in its LT guise as L95 and No. 7 'Typhoon' visiting from the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway
The Spring Steam Gala on 15-18 March featured visiting locos:
- 4144: GWR Collett 5101 'Large Prairie' (subsequently remained on hire)
- 5619: GWR 5600 Class 0-6-2T
- 6430: GWR Collett 6400 class 0-6-0PT
- 58926 [LNWR 1054]: LNWR Webb 0-6-2T Coal Tank
- LNWR 1054 failed on the first day; staff at Bridgnorth MPD pulled out the stops to make sure the locomotive was ready to work its scheduled services on the following days. The next day 4144 became trapped on the points outside Kidderminster station, also causing delays. The event had a "disappointing attendance".[2]
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4144 -
5619 -
LNWR 1054 -
6430
For the following weekend's service No 1 Engine Line at Kidderminster was not available for use and trains using platform 1 required a loco change rather than the loco running round its train. It produced a mini-gala with 2857, 4144, 5619, 6430, 7714, 7802, 34027 and 75069 all in use on the standard 3/4 train, plus Footplate Experience, timetable!
On 20 March 2019 freight operator GB Railfreight and The Class 50 Alliance unveiled 50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance into GBRf livery, with the locomotives available to operate selected GBRf trains on a ‘spot-hire’ basis.[3][4]
On 25 March the SVR announced a grant of £853,800 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help restore Falling Sands Viaduct and to launch an exciting programme of community engagement and exhibitions that will explore the Railway’s early history[5].
April 2019[edit | edit source]
On 4 April the SVR staged a special event to celebrate the opening of the new refreshment room at Bridgnorth, attended by around 650 shareholders who had invested in the 2017 share offer. The SVR ran a number of special trains between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth for the event.
On 14 April 33108 hauled the Rag Express. A volunteer at the Diesel Depot sourced an 18-tonne consignment of scrap rags which junior volunteers and ex-SVR Apprentices sorted, then arranged a special train with GWR 'Toad' 17410 and GWR Siphon 2926 to deliver rags up the line, so that other groups could benefit. They also made a 'Rag Express' traditional headboard for the trip.
May 2019[edit | edit source]
The SVR came into unwelcome publicity when found 'naively' to have resold setts donated to the railway as part of the development of Kidderminster mainline station.[6]
A summer swap with the West Somerset Railway saw 6960 Raveningham Hall return to the SVR with 7802 Bradley Manor enjoying a trip to the seaside. The occasion was a reduced axle loading at the WSR arising from required track and infrastructure works. The Hall's stay was later extended to 2021.
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6960 at Kidderminster (August 2019)
The DMU Group issued a statement regarding their Class 108 DMU. Due to required bogie repairs neither unit could run and the 2019 Evening Scenic Specials would be replaced by a heritage diesel and carriages as a substitute[7].
The Committee on Climate Change's report recommended a new emissions target for the UK of net-zero greenhouse gases by 2050, with all emissions from all sectors eliminated or offset with removals. In addition The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had proposed a Clean Air Strategy to ban the burning of household coal by 2025. Together they excited much media comment on the threat to the future of heritage railways[8].
June 2019[edit | edit source]
GBRf Class 66 66763 Severn Valley Railway visited for four days accompanied by three GBRf IIA hoppers. The special footplate experience trips, in conjunction with another diesel charter, resulted in the introduction of a previously unannounced 'Timetable C'.
18 Osprey flat wagons visited the SVR, used to deliver a large quantity of rail.
Nick Ralls resigned as General Manager
July 2019[edit | edit source]
Step Back to the 1940s attracted 5,562 visitors over the two weekends (2018: 6,664).[2]
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Buick Hellcat tank at Kidderminster, 29 June 2019 -
Fire fighting demonstration at Kidderminster, 30 June
On 4 July Bewdley P-Way laid a panel of track at Chateau Impney, Droitwich Spa. 686 The Lady Armaghdale was extricated from The Engine House by BR Class 08 13201 and transported from Bridgnorth for display at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb Motorsport event the following weekend
On 7 July 7802 Bradley Manor suffered a broken piston rod whilst working on the West Somerset Railway, with significant consequential damage. The Erlestoke Manor Fund announced she would be out of service for a considerable period.
On 8 July BR Class 08 D3022 departed by road to Bristol, St Phillp's Marsh depot for tyre turning.
The railway was closed between Kidderminster and Arley from 14 July to 17 July while three days of filming of Enola Holmes took place. Passenger services ran between Bridgnorth and Highley using a special 'Timetable D'.
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A Ferndell running in board at Arley -
A Basilwether poster at Kidderminster -
The film train arriving at Bridgnorth
A summer promotion offered any family purchasing a £49 Family Freedom of the Line ticket could travel again for £19.70, between 20 July and 1 September. The 'hook' was the SVR has been running steam trains since 1970 and this is to celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary. The Summer theme was 'A Very British Summer!' with a myriad of traditional summer activities. The concept brought in families who might not have visited otherwise and passenger numbers were strong.[2]
On 22 and 23 July, due to a fallen tree on the line between Highley and Hampton Loade, trains ran between Kidderminster and Highley only with a vintage bus service operating between Arley and Bridgnorth. On 23 July 7714 offered footplate rides at Bridgnorth[9].
August 2019[edit | edit source]
On 8 August a donation wall was erected at The Engine House to recognise contributors to the ‘helping hands for Falling Sands’ appeal
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The donation wall -
Donation wall detail
On 9 August Class 09s D4100 and 09107 replaced 43106 between Bewdley and Kidderminster. With services running late and the crew's hours up, due to a person on the line at Bridgnorth, the decision was made so as to get 43106 back to Bridgnorth without holding the last passenger service from Kidderminster.
On 20 August out of ticket 45110 was taken by low loader for exhibition at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, there to be towed by traction engines.
On 22 August ITV's News at Ten carried an item on the need for heritage railway volunteers, featuring the Heritage Skills Training Academy.
On 30 August the SVR launched its Steam in Lights service in the run up to Christmas.
On 31 August the SVR held its final Classic Vehicle Day. Rob Whale, who had organised vintage vehicle events between 1991 and 2011, "came out of retirement" to organise the event.
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Vintage vehicles at Bridgnorth
September 2019[edit | edit source]
On 1 September Bewdley held its tenth and final bus gala, the event having outgrown the site.[10]
During the Autumn Steam Gala on 19-22 September, the volunteer team at Eardington attempted to 'recreate' the scenes of some of the very limited number of photographs that exist of the tiny station from before the 1960s. The Gala had a Southern theme, with guests:
- 30541: SR Maunsell Q class 0-6-0
- 34092 City of Wells: SR Bulleid West Country Class Pacific
- 76017: BR Riddles Standard 4MT class Mogul
On-hire locos 4144 and 6960 Raveningham Hall also appeared.
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30541 -
34092 City of Wells -
76017 -
2857 with a Demonstration Goods Train
A team of volunteers from Network Rail spent a day at Highley clearing vegetation on the embankment and pathways around The Engine House, as part of NR's Corporate Social Responsibility programme.
Stephen Turner, ORR HM Principal Inspector of Railways, spent two days at the SVR conducting a scheduled routine inspection. He wrote that "the railway in general appears to be well managed and operated".[11]
October 2019[edit | edit source]
The Autumn Diesel Gala on 3-6 October mainly featured the home fleet. The event included the first passenger runs for BR Class 09 09107 and Class 50 50033 Glorious. The Diesel Gala attracted 2,427 passengers against a budget of 3,000 with the Sunday particularly not being as well supported as hoped.
With Virgin Trains handing over the West Coast trains franchise in December, it donated a collection of Class 390 'Pendolino' name and cone plates to be auctioned, raising nearly £20,000 for the SVR Charitable Trust and £5,000 for Kidderminster Railway Museum.[12]
Helen Smith was announced as General Manager of both SVR(H) and the Guarantee Company on 11 October 2019, in succession to Nick Ralls.
On 18 October, SVR Patron HRH the Duke of Gloucester visited Bridgnorth station. As well as a short footplate ride on 75069, he inspected the newly opened refreshment rooms and presented long service awards to a group of SVR pioneers who between them had accumulated some 450 years of active service.[13]
A new Shareholder Travel Pass came into use, a photo-bearing credit card pass to replace the previous version that was open to abuse.
November 2019[edit | edit source]
LNER Peppercorn A1 Pacific No. 60163 'Tornado' hauled three weekends of passenger trains.
LMS Stanier Royal Scot 7P Class 4-6-0 No. 46100 Royal Scot visited for running in, but not hauling passenger trains.
On 16 November diesels 67004 and 67006 hauled a blue and grey Mark 2 set on UK Railtours' 'The Severn Valley Autumn Special' from Euston to Kidderminster Town and the Bridgnorth-Euston return. An amended and augmented public timetable was in force, and the Christmas Fayre at The Engine House.
On 25 November 47593 delivered eight Mark 3 Sleepers for temporary storage outside Kidderminster Carriage Shed, for Locomotive Services Limited. Nick Ralls left as General Manager on 29 November. His successor Helen Smith started two days beforehand.
On 30 November the SVR operated its first public 'Steam in Lights' services. Press and members' services had operated the previous week. The season's trains sold-out, carrying 8,508 passengers.[2]
During a vist by SVR Patron HRH The Duke of Gloucester in late November, former Charitable Trust Chairman Hugh McQuade was invited to become the Trust's first Vice President[14].
December 2019[edit | edit source]
On 1 December the Railway celebrated the return of Santa services to Bridgnorth after 40 years with a Santa train charity special. More than 170 passengers enjoyed complimentary tickets, distributed to eight different charities.[15]
GWR 1450's boiler ticket was extended from Spring to the end of 2020, with replacement of two large tubes.[15]
Regent Oil & Texaco 345 Aviation Fuel Tank Wagon was outshopped after overhul and repaint.[15]
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Aviation Fuel Tank Wagon No 345
Two preservation groups with an SVR connection were nominated for the Heritage Railway Association's 2020 Awards. The Class 50 Alliance was shortlisted for the Coiley Locomotive Engineering Award for the restoration of Class 50 no. 50033 Glorious at the SVR. The Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd was nominated for the Morgan Award for Preservation for 2886, awarded to an HRA member organisation for an outstanding achievement in the restoration of carriages or rolling stock.
The SVR delivered £4,000 of toys to Birmingham Children's Hospital and children’s charities across the West Midlands.[16]
The Chairman of the Diesel Committee advised that BR Class 27 D5410 was no longer a SVR resident.
A 200' long westward extension to the Bridgnorth Loco Works footprint was added by the building of a wall of concrete sleepers, for additional storage space.[17]
From 30 December the line was closed between Bewdley and Kidderminster for a three-month period while work on Falling Sands Viaduct took place.
See also[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 'Controlled burns at the Severn Valley Railway', Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, 1 February 2019
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 NBI March 2020
- ↑ Class 50 Alliance, 15 January 2019
- ↑ GB Railfreight Facebook 20 March 2019
- ↑ SVR Website
- ↑ 'Gift cobbles to Severn Valley Railway appear on eBay', Kidderminster Shuttle, 2 May 2019 (Retrieved 2 May 2019)
- ↑ The DMU Group (West Midlands), 27 May 2019 (Retrieved 25 Hune 2019)
- ↑ 'Heritage railway wants government help after coal ban', BBC website, 5 August 2019
- ↑ Shropshire Star 23 July 2019 (Retrieved 29 July 2019)
- ↑ Express Points, September 2019
- ↑ SVR(H) annual report and financial statements for the period ended 5 January 2020
- ↑ Express Points, October and November 2019 issues
- ↑ Branch Lines, November 2019
- ↑ 'Hugh McQuade becomes first vice president of the Charitable Trust', Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust website, November 2019 (Retrieved 19 December 2019)
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Express Points January 2020
- ↑ Shropshire Star, 18 December 2019.
- ↑ SVR News 210