Trustworthy, administrator
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edits
Changes
→1967: Added arrival of W22W
The Society paid the 10% deposit to BR in February 1967, with contracts for the purchase being exchanged on 1 June (the balance of the purchase price was paid shortly after the official opening in May 1970). BR allowed stock to be moved in once the 10% deposit was paid, and the preservation scheme really gained momentum with the arrival on 25 March of the first locomotive and 4 GWR coaches 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. Another 3 locomotives and a diesel railcar would arrive during 1967, : [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46443|Ivatt 2MT No 46443]] on 22 April, GWR [[railcar 22|Railcar 22]] on 13th May, [[2047 Warwickshire|Manning Wardle contractors engine no 2047]] (later named Warwickshire) on 22 October, and [[GWR 813 Saddle Tank|ex-Port Talbot Railway 0-6-0 No 813]] on 25 November.
The availability of working rolling stock saw a succession of steam galas in 1967. 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 benefitted, passing the 1,000 mark by the end of the year.
