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The Engine House was scheduled to open in the summer of 2007. However Highley was one of the locations which suffered significant damage in the [[2007 Storm Damage | freak storms in June and July]] of that year. As a result, opening to the public was delayed until Good Friday, 21 March 2008; the day which also saw the resumption of services over the full length of the line.
An opening ceremony was held in summer on 28 April 2009with visiting BR Riddles Standard 8P class Pacific 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' hauling a special train from [[Kidderminster]], carrying guests for the ceremony. <ref>[http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/CFN11982.jpg Sharpo's World image]</ref> However the SVR’s patron H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester was unable to attend due to illness, so The Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire carried out the official duties in his place. The Duke finally visited the Engine House on 21 October 2009, when he also carried out the opening ceremony for the new [[Highley Station Footbridge | Highley footbridge]].
There were over 120,000 visitors to the Engine House during the first 2 years of opening<ref>SVR News 168</ref>.
