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additional info and history, reformat in line with later decades
==1967==
[[File:3205-Bridgnorth-3-1967-03-25.jpeg|thumb|300px|right|The first train arrives at Bridgnorth on 25 March 1967 ([[Sellick Collection]])]]
'''February 1967'''
:The Society paid the 10% deposit of £2,500 to BR in February 1967 (the balance of the purchase price was paid shortly after the official opening in May 1970). Once the deposit had been paid, BR allowed rolling stock to be moved in.
'''March 1967'''
:On 25 March the first locomotive and 4 GWR coaches arrived at Bridgnorth, including [[GWR 6562 Brake Composite | GWR 6562]] which is still at the SVR. [[GWR 2251 Class 3205|GWR 0-6-0 No 3205]] had made the journey in steam from the BR shed at Stourbridge Junction, where it had been re-assembled after being hauled ‘dead’ from the West Country.
:Although it was not officially a ‘steam weekend’, the arrival saw several thousand visitors over the three days, with 3205 and two coaches giving rides as far as [[Oldbury Viaduct]]. The event featured on ITV's 'Midlands Today, giving the railway a publicity boost.
'''April 1967''':On 22 April, [[FileLMS Ivatt Class 2 46443|Ivatt 2MT No 46443]] became the second locomotive to arrive on the SVR. BR gave permission for the move from Newton Heath (Manchester) to Bridgnorth via Crewe, Stafford, Bescot, Dudley, Stourbridge and Kidderminster to be made in steam. '''May 1967''':3205A small 'open day' took place on 6-7 May. Ivatt 46443 was steamed although no rides were given. :GWR [[railcar 22|Railcar 22]] arrived on 13th May. :During 1966 the Society had ascertained that operating authority from the Ministry of Transport would be required before the Railway could be bought from BR. BR would need to apply for a Railway Order to downgrade the line from “secondary railway” to “light railway” status. Once this was granted, a new Company would need to apply for a Light Railway Order (LRO) to transfer responsibility for the line; the Society itself not being able to apply for legal reasons. [[Severn Valley Railway Company Limited]], the 'Guarantee Company' (being a Private Company Limited by Guarantee), was incorporated on 24 May 1967 in order to make the application for the LRO at the appropriate time. However the company remained essentially dormant for the next 2 years, with the Society continuing to conduct the negotiations with BR. :Following a further payment of £2,000, BR granted access to the Bridgnorth-3-goods shed and outbuildings. '''June 1967-03''':On 1 June, exchange of contracts for the purchase took place between BR and the Severn Valley Railway Company. :Another 'Open Weekend' took place on 24-25June. The event featured traction engines, a miniature railway and other attractions as before, although there were no engine movements. Despite poor weather, around 2,000 people attended and £225 of funds were raised. '''September 1967''':BR gave permission for 3205 to travel in steam to Taplow Station goods yard for a GWS open day on 16 September.jpeg|thumb|300px|right|The return working, which also brought Ocean Liner Saloon 9113 to the SVR, was one of the last steam movements on BR’s Western Region, which was by then fully 'dieselised'<ref>Magner p. 50.</ref>. '''October 1967''':The first full 'Steam Weekend' took place on 14-15 October. 3205 and 46443 worked a four coach formation with the last train arrives of the evening being double headed with five coaches. Operations at Bridgnorth on 25 March 1967 (the time were under the direction of Mr W Gillett, the Chief Operating Inspector of BR’s Birmingham Division, and he allowed a full service to [[Sellick CollectionHampton Loade]])to be run. The Railway had not yet received the Light Railway Order allowing rides to be given to the general public. However SVR members could travel, so the Railway did a brisk trade in ‘Day Member’ tickets, while full membership of the [[Severn Valley Railway Society]]also benefited, passing the 1,000 mark by the end of the year.
:[[2047 Warwickshire|Manning Wardle contractors engine no 2047]] (later named Warwickshire) arrived on 22 October.
During 1967 the Civil Engineering Department constructed a 30ft long locomotive inspection pit at [[Bridgnorth MPD | Bridgnorth]]. A water tower was purchased from Dudley and erected at [[Eardington]], the only source of suitably soft water on the line.
<gallery>
File:3205-Bridgnorth-2-1967-03-25.jpeg|A large crowd greets 3205 on arrival Bridgnorth on 25 March 1967 ([[Sellick Collection]])
</gallery>
==1968==
