Severn Valley Venturer
The Severn Valley Venturer is a pair of vehicles forming a dining set that accommodates 42 passengers providing a completely volunteer operated dining service.
A history of the Venturer featured in SVR News issue 207, pp. 26-27.
Operation[edit | edit source]
Until 2019[edit | edit source]
During the operating season from May to October it usually ran in the path behind the Severn Valley Limited and served a four course lunch each Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. It also traditionally operated a breakfast service during the Autumn Steam Gala. Although the rolling stock and majority of staff start from Bridgnorth the dining service commenced at Kidderminster, meaning there was one meal sitting only despite the stock and staff normally operating two round trips.
From 2020[edit | edit source]
The 2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused all services to be suspended. As of 2023[update] the Venturer service has not restarted.
Vehicles used[edit | edit source]
As of 2022[update] the designated vehicles were LMS Restaurant First Open 7511 and BR Restaurant Buffet 1682. Other vehicles previously used include BR First Opens 3103 and 3109. It was usually stabled at Bridgnorth when not in service.
Food preparation[edit | edit source]
Prior to the Bridgnorth Development Project Venturer staff used a GWR-style corrugated building on platform 1 for stores and food preparation. As part of the development this function moved to the Bovey Tracey building, a building based on a goods lock up that used to adorn Bovey Tracey station on the Moretonhampstead branch in Devon, which is situated in the rear service yard area of the Bridgnorth refreshment room. This serves as a plant room and is designated a food preparation area.