Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2022
2022 started with the COVD-19 pandemic continuing into a third year in the UK, with some mask wearing restrictions in place. The 2022 season was delayed until April to allow Network Rail to replace the long footbridge at Kidderminster, and for preparation for the roof and crane works at Bridgnorth Loco Works. No new major infrastructure works were planned, in recognition of the SVR's financial state after two years' disruption.
January 2022[edit | edit source]
The Home & Dry appeal reached its target of £475,000
70000 Britannia visited the SVR for testing and running in after overhaul.
Contractors removed part of the formation at Sterns to replace with lightweight infill material, and undertook drainage works around Country Park Halt.
February 2022[edit | edit source]
Match of the Day was broadcast live from Kidderminster Town station featuring visiting 70000 Britannia, prior to Kidderminster Harriers' FA Cup tie against West Ham United on 5 February.
The SVR announced that later in the year 34027 Taw Valley would temporarily carry a different name and appear in a brand-new purple livery to commemorate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The new name, "Elizabeth II", was chosen by a public vote.
March 2022[edit | edit source]
The long footbridge at Kidderminster was removed, to be replaced
The SVR announced that it had cancelled its two 1940s-themed weekends later in the year, in the light of the conflict taking place in Ukraine.
It announced that footplate experiences in April and May would be cancelled to conserve its coal stocks. It soon extended this to cancelling Monday and Tuesday trains all season, and running all standard timetables with some diesel operation. Ovoids and e-coal were also to be tested.
60007 Sir Nigel Gresley [LNER 4498] visited for testing and running in.
April 2022[edit | edit source]
The SVR launched a new Unlimited Pass to replace the former Loyalty Pass.
WD 71516 Welsh Guardsman operated its first public trains on the SVR in preparation for its appearance that month at the Spring Steam Gala.
Around 7,500 visitors attended the Spring Steam Gala over the four days. For context, pre-pandemic visitor numbers peaked at around 4,500 for what was usually a three-day spring event. The last Autumn Steam Gala to attract that many visitors was in 2008 (7,596), the first 'proper' gala after the 2007 Storm Damage. The guest locomotives were:
- 2999 Lady of Legend: GWR Churchward 2900 Saint class 4-6-0
- 30506 [SR 506]: LSWR Urie S15 class 4-6-0
- 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley [LNER 4498]: LNER Gresley A4 Pacific
Contractors arrived to commence the roof and crane works at Bridgnorth Loco Works, with areas out of bounds including the main locomotive shed and paint shop. Work was expected to take until August.
May 2022[edit | edit source]
On 11 May the SVR announced that the railway would be hosting a section of the Queen's Baton Relay on Saturday 23 July as part of the final build-up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Also on 11 May, after a major overhaul which began in 2013, 4930 Hagley Hall moved a few yards in the works yard under its own steam. The locomotive was last steamed in 1986.
The Charitable Trust launched an appeal to help raise £500,000 to restore Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard.
June 2022[edit | edit source]
The Railway began offering discounted travel to emergency and forces personnel.
On Thursday 4 June the SVR began a four-day special event to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Locomotives used included No 70 Elizabeth II in 'Royal Purple' livery with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee logo on the tender, and 2900 Saint class 2999 Lady of Legend which had remained on hire following an appearance at the April Spring Steam Gala.
BR Class 20 20048 arrived on hire to help with running diesel services due to the ongoing coal supply issues.
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20048 at Bridgnorth, June 2022
July 2022[edit | edit source]
The increased fire risk following hot and dry weather led to an all-diesel service from 13 July. Two more class 20s, 20142 and 20189, arrived on short term hire to help cover services.
On Saturday 23 July the SVR hosted a leg of the Queen's Baton Relay as part of the final build-up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The baton travelled from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth aboard a special train piloted by No 70 'Elizabeth II', double headed with visiting Class 20 20142 due to the continuing fire risk. The Baton Relay had begun on 7 October 2021, when Her Majesty The Queen placed her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton at the start of its 294-day journey which took in all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
On 27 July steam services restarted, although both 1501 and 7714 were paired with a Class 20. The following day normal steam services resumed.
The EMF announced the launch of an appeal to raise funds to return Large Prairie 5164 to service[1].
August 2022[edit | edit source]
On train dining returned with the Severn Valley Limited on 3 August, for the first time since Covid-19 restrictions.[2]
The Environment Agency declared a drought in the West Midlands on 23 August and across much of the country, following 11 weeks of hot and dry weather. Fire risk saw the reintroduction of exclusively diesel-hauled passenger services from 10 to 15 August, and for a third time from 31 August.[2]
The Charitable Trust appeal to restore Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard passed £100,000.[2]
The roof and crane works at Bridgnorth Loco Works were completed on time and on budget.[2]
Leading geotechnical specialist company 'Geobear' trialled a geo-polymer injection system in pioneering stabilisation work at Alveley Woods, at zero cost to the SVR.[2]
The Railway announced that the contract for the refurbishment of the existing Bridgnorth station building was 'unlikely to go ahead until 2024 at the earliest' and now required around £300,000 of additional funding. It was a phase I project under the oversubscribed 2016 share offer and originally it had been announced the contract tender would be issued in January 2017.
September 2022[edit | edit source]
On Wednesday 7 September the Charitable Trust hosted a ceremony at Bridgnorth Loco Works to mark the completion of the "Home and Dry" upgrade of the building.
Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8 September, the SVR announced that it would continue to operate services but with all locomotives carrying wreaths. Books of condolence were also opened at the main stations. 34027 remained in purple '70' livery but in addition to carrying a wreath, the locomotive also carried black flags and black 'Elizabeth II' nameplates as a mark of respect.
4930 Hagley Hall returned to passenger service. The locomotive took part in a renaming ceremony at Kidderminster on Friday 8 September before completing two round trips carrying invited guests.
The Autumn Steam Gala took place on 15-18 September. The guest locomotives were:
- 45231 The Sherwood Forester: LMS Stanier 5MT 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)
- Works no. 1873 Jessie: Hunslet 0-6-0ST of 1937
- Works no. 323 Anne: Exmoor Steam Railway 0-6-2T (15 inch gauge) of 2004 (carried passengers on a 200m track at The Engine House).
The event was also billed as featuring the return to service of 4930 Hagley Hall, although unfortunately the locomotive was withdrawn after the first two days following three lineside fires.
From 24 September a fourth steam ban was introduced following further lineside fires and representations from the fire services and local residents and landowners.
During the 1992 Diesel Gala, 50031 became the first Class 50 to haul a public passenger train in preservation. On Saturday 24 September the Class 50 Alliance celebrated the 30th anniversary of the event with four class 50s rostered to the "S1 diagram"; the morning run being 'top and tailed' by 50007 and 50049 and the afternoon run by 50033 and 50035.
On Tuesday 27 September the SVR hosted an incoming HST rail tour from Leeds to Bridgnorth, which took place to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Modern Railways magazine and 40 years of HSTs on CrossCountry's North East to South West route. While at the SVR, CrossCountry power car 43366 was named "HST40" (sub-scripted with "Celebrating 40 years of High Speed Train services on the Cross Country network"), while GBRf loco 66799 was named "Modern Railways Diamond Jubilee". The HST set including power car 43184 then worked two return trips to Bridgnorth.[3]
October 2022[edit | edit source]
SVR News 2019 enclosed a 'Values and Behaviours' document for working members, for them to help "us all to work collectively to keep the SVR as the best place to work, volunteer and visit in the UK."
The new Kidderminster Footbridge was craned into place.
34027 Taw Valley reverted to its correct name and number, although still carrying a purple livery.[4]
On 13 October Mk3a sleeping coach 10569 ‘Leviathan’ left the SVR.[4]
On 22 October the resurrected Junior Club held an induction session for a new cohort.[4]
Eight-year-old Corey Clark was the guest of some of the SVR’s volunteers. His fundraising work for the Food Share Wyre Forest Project, including a 10-mile sponsored walk, had raised £920.[4]
On 29 October, LNER B1 Class No. 61306 Mayflower arrived behind 20107 and 20096 with support coach 35461 for test running following an overhaul which included the fitting of air brakes.[5]
More than 2,500 passengers visited the SVR over the Halloween period.[4]
November 2022[edit | edit source]
On 5 November DMU car 51941 was lifted off its bogies at Kidderminster TMD and lowered back down onto a set of accommodation bogies. The removed bogies will be overhauled by an engineer in Yorkshire.[4]
With test running completed, 61306 Mayflower left on 8 November.
On 9 November 7812 made its first movements under its own steam at Tyseley Locomotive Works, following overhaul.
On the evening of 26 November the SVR ran a diesel-hauled ‘park and ride’ public service between Kidderminster and Bewdley, for Bewdley’s Christmas light switch on.[4]
December 2022[edit | edit source]
7812 Erlestoke Manor returned to the SVR for further testing.
Damage to points at Arley meant the cancellation of two of the seven Santa trains on the following day. Concerted efforts saw them repaired for the final week's services.
See also[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ EMF: The Big "Large Prairie" Appeal – Returning 5164 to service (retrieved 1 August 2022)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Branch Lines, August 2022
- ↑ SVR News 220, pp.40-41.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Branch Lines, November 2022
- ↑ Rail Advent, Severn Valley Railway to welcome steam locomotive 61306 Mayflower (Retrieved 29 October 2022)