Changes

*July 1965:The formation of the Severn Valley Railway in preservation begins: **A meeting of a group of railway enthusiasts is held at the Cooper’s Arms in Kidderminster on 6 July to discuss the feasibility of preserving a section of the former GWR Severn Valley Railway which was closed by British Railways (BR). The group forms the Severn Valley Railway Society (“the Society”).**The Society determines that the section south of Bridgnorth would be most suitable. On 25 July, the group they inspects the line between Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth, and quickly makes make contact with BR asking them to stop taking up the line. The group goes on to form the Severn Valley Railway Society.

*February 1966: A price of £25,000 is agreed with BR for purchase of line between Hampton Loade Bridgnorth and Alveley Colliery. BR agree to allow the Society access on receipt of a deposit against the purchase price.

*January 1967: Purchase by Severn Valley Railway The deposit is paid and the Society from BR has access (the balance of track from Bridgnorth southwards to Alveley Collierythe purchase price is paid shortly after the official opening in May 1974).

*May 1967: The procedural steps necessary to create the heritage railway are established with the then Ministry of Transport:**BR will apply for an Order to downgrade the line from “secondary railway” to “light railway” status.**Once this is granted, a new Company will apply for a Light Railway Order to transfer responsibility for the line. Severn Valley Railway Company Limited is incorporated on 24 May, enabling an application for a Light Railway Order to take placethis purpose.