Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2023
2023 saw the Railway announcing voluntary redundancies, cost savings and a reduced four days a week peak service with a maximum of one steam engine in use on non-special days, as it had recorded its third consecutive annual loss in excess of £400,000 and faced nationwide reduced footfall, economic contraction and a cost-of-living crisis.[note 1] It coincided with the resignation of Helen Smith as Managing Director, who moved to another heritage role. The year marked the 60th anniversary of the official closure of the SVR north of Bewdley. Another ‘must-do’ engineering project was starting, with phase 1 of the relaying of Bridgnorth Loco Works' yard.
January 2023[edit | edit source]
On 2 January 1501 and 2857 both came out of traffic at the expiry of their boiler tickets.
SVR(H) vice-chair Jonathan Dunster was appointed interim Managing Director.
On 10 January an allotment of shares took the SVR(H) issued capital to £11,000,457.
Phase 1 of the relaying of Bridgnorth Loco Works' yard started.
February 2023[edit | edit source]
On 15 February the SVR announced a statutory consultation on 18 compulsory redundancies. On the same day The Erlestoke Manor Fund and the Railway announced newly overhauled 7812 would spend the summer on the West Somerset Railway where it could earn fees, as with up to six steam locomotives in traffic the SVR was over-supplied for its reduced timetable.
March 2023[edit | edit source]
The season opened with a limited service running between Kidderminster and Highley, while infrastructure work was completed at the north end of the line. Phase 1 of the relaying of Bridgnorth Loco Works' yard and attention to trackbed levels at Alveley Woods were completed by the month end.
Mike Ball stepped down as Chairman of SVR(H) and was succeeded as interim Chairman by Chris Walton. Tim Hargest stepped down as Chairman of the Charitable Trust and was succeeded as acting Chairman by Ron Treverton-Jones. With the SVR(H) interim Managing Director position, three of the most senior roles were being held on an interim or acting basis.
April 2023[edit | edit source]
The full line reopened on 1 and 2 April with the Open House Weekend.
The SVR announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVR's Survival Fund page.
A successful three-day Spring Steam Gala on 14-16 April attracted 5,000 paying passengers. The guest locomotives were:
- 4079 Pendennis Castle: GWR Collett 4073 Castle class 4-6-0 (its first visit to a heritage railway since its repatriation from Australia)
- 4555: GWR Churchward 4500 class 'Small Prairie'
- 78018 Borough of Darlington: BR Riddles Standard 2MT class Mogul
4079 also featured in the SVR's first photo charter since 2021.
May 2023[edit | edit source]
On 5 May RailAdventure's 43484 and 43465 delivered three wagons to the Diesel Depot for contract examination/storage.
A second steam hauled train was reintroduced on a timetable for busier 'regular' days.
The spring diesel festival featured 22 locomotives from 15 classes, plus others on display. It attracted record visitor numbers.
A 'Mechanical Horses and Morris Minors weekend' was held on 14-15 May. The Mechanical Horse Club celebrated its 40th anniversary with a display of vehicles at Kidderminster.
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Mechanical Horses on display at Kidderminster in May 2023
June 2023[edit | edit source]
The Railway offered a weekday discount throughout June for people living in nearby postcodes.
Guided tours of Bridgnorth MPD were provided in June and July, the first time for many years.
1501 and 50007 were exhibited at the Rail Live 2023 exhibition at Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre. It raised the Railway's profile in the mainstream rail industry as it sought more commercial work, in order to secure the future of the heritage operations.
Step Back to the 1940s returned after a three-year gap.
The Charitable Trust's Survival Fund Appeal reached £343,587, including Gift Aid. SVRH's 2022 annual accounts were published. They looked at the need to look at the way the Railway is structured across three companies, and the benefits that would accrue "if we could achieve a structure that has charitable status at its heart."
August 2023[edit | edit source]
The SVR confirmed the sale of LMS Black 5 45110. The locomotive left the railway by road on 15 August.[1]
September 2023[edit | edit source]
On 8 and 9 September respectively 7714 operated as long-scrapped classmates 9624 and 4665 with a 'last train' headboard, to mark the 60th anniversary of the last BR passenger service to leave Bridgnorth.
The SVR announced an official partnership with Network Rail. Billed as a 'win-win' for both parties, the SVR would receive professional skills, advice and redundant railway materials, while Network Rail would receive support, training and facilities to help their staff operate and maintain more traditional railway technology.[2][3]
The Autumn Steam Gala on 14-17 September featured timetabled trains stopping at Eardington for the first time in more than four decades. Guest locomotives were:
- 401 Vulcan: Bagnall 0-6-0ST of 1951
- 2253 Omaha: USATC Hill S160 class 2-8-0
- 41312: LMS Ivatt 2MT Prairie
- 61306 Mayflower: LNER Thompson B1 class 4-6-0
November 2023[edit | edit source]
GWR Large Prairie 5164, which had been stored at Barrow Hill since 2014, appeared at the Warley Model Railway Club Show at Birmingham NEC on 25-26 November before moving to Tyseley Locomotive Works for eventual overhaul.
It was announced that David Williams was to step down as editor of SVR News, a role he had held for more than 57 years.[4]
The 'Survival Fund' had raised nearly £500,000 of its £1,500,000 target.[5].
December 2023[edit | edit source]
Christmas week saw the first winter diesel gala. The season-ending Winter Steam Gala featured home locomotives only, after advertised visitor 2253 Omaha was withdrawn from the line up before the event.
See also[edit | edit source]
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Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The 2023 accounts stated "2023 [saw] staff reductions and redundancies for the first time in the history of the Severn Valley Railway". The 2011 accounts, however, had similarly stated: "..staff head count has reduced [..] through [..] some redundancies".
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Rail Advent
- ↑ SVR Announcement
- ↑ BBC News
- ↑ Heritage Railway issue 313, p.106.
- ↑ The Railway Magazine, January 2024 issue 313