Trustworthy, administrator
11,873
edits
Changes
add note on other lines considered for preservation
[[File: The Coopers Arms, Canterbury Road, Kidderminster - geograph.org.uk - 1113269.jpg |thumb|200px|right| The Cooper's Arms (Geograph)]]
The formation of the Severn Valley Railway in preservation began on 6 July 1965. Keith Beddoes, a local railway enthusiast, organised a meeting at the Cooper’s Arms in Kidderminster to discuss the feasibility of preserving a section of the former GWR Severn Valley Railway which had been closed by British Railways (BR). Around 50 people attended the meeting, and those present agreed to form the [[Severn Valley Railway Society]] (“the Society”). The initial membership subscription was proposed as £1, but eventually set at 1 guinea (£1+1shilling) at the suggestion of John Garth, in order to increase funds.
Two other possible locations were also considered for the potential preserved railway. One option was to use a section of the [[Wyre Forest Line | Tenbury Branch]] between [[Bewdley]] and [[Cleobury Mortimer]]. However this was not feasible because BR were still using Bewdley station at that time and could not grant access. Another option would have been the [[Cleobury Mortimer and Ditton Priors Light Railway]]; however this was deemed unsuitable because of its remoteness and the relatively light axle load limits of the light railway. The Severn Valley Railway south of Bridgnorth thus became the Society’s goal.
On Sunday 11 July the Society visited [[Bridgnorth|Bridgnorth Station]]. While holding up the old station name board to take a photograph, they were challenged “What the hell do you think you are doing?” by a man with a shotgun. This turned out to be George Thorpe (also known as ‘Elias’) who had continued to operate the station refreshment room after the station itself had shut. Once the Society explained their idea, they were quickly made welcome!
