Current events on the Severn Valley Railway
This page provides a brief summary of current and forthcoming events on the SVR, and links to where further information can be found. Historical information will be moved to the latest history timeline page as necessary.
Links to sources of information
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The SVR Main Web Site is primarily aimed at the travelling public. It includes all the latest news relevant to that sector, including details of forthcoming events, timetables, locomotive rosters, ticket sales and so on.
SVR Live is also an official SVR web site, for members, shareholders and enthusiasts. SVR Live contains regular monthly news announcements, although these are of a more specialist nature concerning matters like locomotive overhauls and infrastructure upgrades. It is also regularly updated with news from various sources, including social media and SVR-related websites. Information which is publicly accessible for enthusiasts includes Traffic Notices, Working Timetables, lineside photography policy and application forms, and so on. Certain pages from time to time are secured for password-protected use by Working Members for internal communication on AGMs and the like.
'Express Points' is the Working Members’ monthly newsletter which moved to an online only delivery in January 2017. It is distributed by email to those who have registered, and it also publicly accessible on SVR Live, which includes an archive of past editions.
'Branch Lines' is a monthly newsletter for SVR Members, Shareholders and supporters. It is published SVR Live, which includes an archive since April 2017.
‘SVR Online’ is a secure password-protected intranet site is used by the SVR for internal communication with staff and Working Members.
The SVR has active official Social Media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Forthcoming special events
Dates announced for 2018 events are as follows:
- Spring Steam Gala: March 16 - 18. Guests announced are:
- LNER 8572, Holden B12 (GER S69) 4-6-0 courtesy of the M&GN Joint Railway Society and the North Norfolk Railway
- 60163 Tornado, New build Peppercorn A1 4-6-2 courtesy of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust
- Bellerophon, Haydock Foundry 0-6-0WT courtesy of the Vintage Carriage Trust and Foxfield Railway
- GWR 6023 King Edward II, Collett 4-6-0 King class, courtesy of the Great Western Society
- BR Riddles 4MT 80072 remains on hire from the Llangollen Railway until April
- S&DJR 53808, Fowler 7F 2-8-0, courtesy of the West Somerset Railway and Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust3
- On 11 March 2018 the Thompson B1 Locomotive Trust announced that Thompson B1 61624 would be unable to attend due to overrunning winter maintenance. S&DJR 53808 was announced as a replacement visitor on 13 March.
- On 12 March, a major bridge strike on the Middlesborough-Whitby line made rail transport of 60163 Tornado impossible. It is unclear whether this locomotive will be able to attend.
- Open House Weekend: April 7 & 8
- Paw Patrol Visit: April 28 & 29
- Spring Diesel Festival: May 17 - 19. Guests announced to date are:
- 33108: BRCW Class 33 (hired)
- 37688: BR Class 37 Co-Co (hired) courtesy of D05 Preservation Ltd and the Mid Norfolk Railway
- 40135: BR Class 40 (hired) courtesy of the Class 40 Preservation Society
- D832 Onslaught: BR Class 42 'Warship' B-B courtesy of the Bury Hydraulic Group and the East Lancashire Railway
- 45060 Sherwood Forester: BR Class 46 courtesy of Pioneer Diesel Locomotive Group.
- 47292: Brush Class 47 courtesy of the Great Central Railway, Nottingham
- 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier: E.E. Class 55 'Deltic' Co-Co courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society
- 56097: Class 56 courtesy of the Great Central Railway, Nottingham
- 66704 (TBC): GM/EMD Class 66 courtesy of GBRf
- 731xx: BR Class 73 electro-diesel courtesy of GBRf
- 88xxx: Class 88 courtesy of Direct Rail Services
- Mixed Traction Day: May 20. A selection of guests from the Spring Diesel Festival
- Goods Gala: June 2 & 3. Up to three goods trains in service including a GWR goods train hauled by No. 2857. Eardington station will be open to the public on both days marking its 150th birthday.
- SVR Charitable Trust Race Day: June 11
- Step back to the 1940s: June 30 & July 1, 7, 8
- Classic Vehicle Day: July 29
- 50th anniversary of the end of steam on British Railways: August 4
- Steam on the Road: August 11 & 12
- On the Buses: September 2
- Autumn Steam Gala: September 20 - 23. Guests announced to date are:
- LMS 6233 Duchess of Sutherland, Stanier 8P Coronation Pacific 4-6-2 courtesy of The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust
- First Gala appearance of BR Standard 4 75069 (subject to completion of overhaul)
- Small Engine Weekend: September 29 & 30
- Class 50 Golden Jubilee: October 4 - 6. An attempt to host the largest operational gathering of one loco type ever staged in preservation (steam or diesel), with at least ten working locos to achieve this. Guests announced to date are:
- 50026 Indomitable: E.E. Class 50 Co-Co courtesy of Paul Spracklen
- 50033 Glorious: E.E. Class 50 Co-Co courtesy of Tyseley
- Ghost Trains: (Dates and times TBC)
- Christmas Gift Fayre: October 27 & 28
All dates are subject to change. Further details on these events will be released by the SVR in the future.