Changes

GWR practice was ==Gradients==The profile shows the average gradient in each section (the vertical scale is exaggerated), thus on leaving Kidderminster the line initially goes downhill with a gradient of 1 in 112. ‘L’ indicates level. According to measure distances to particular locations from London Paddington via the most direct GWR route. In gradient profiles, the SVR steepest gradient profile, mileages between Kidderminster and Bewdley are measured from London Paddington via Birmingham Snow Hill, while mileages between Bewdley and Bridgnorth are measured from London Paddington via Oxford, Evesham on both the orignal Severn Valley Railway and Worcester. This accounts for the change Loop line did not exceed an average of 1 in 100 in mileage at Bewdley South Junction from 138 miles 21 chains to 137 miles 12 chains (one chain is equal to 22 yards or 1/80th of a mile)any section.

The number shown is the Gradient posts showing changes in gradient in each section (can be seen at the vertical scale is exaggerated)lineside. The design varies, thus on leaving Kidderminster but generally follows the line initially goes downhill with a gradient principle of 1 in 112this prominent example near Highley station. ‘L’ indicates level<gallery>File: Gradient_Post.jpg | Gradient post</gallery>

==Mileages==The GWR generally measured distances to particular locations from London Paddington via the most direct GWR route (the exact zero point being the Paddington Suburban Tunnel boundary with the Metropolitan Railway). The mileages to locations on the original OW&W route from Hartlebury via Kidderminster Junction to Kidderminster Station, and on the original Severn Valley Railway from Hartlebury via Bewdley South Junction to Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, were both measured from Paddington via Didcot and Worcester. Distances from London to principal stations in miles and chains were as follows (one chain is equal to 22 yards or 1/80th of a mile):{| class="wikitable"! Location !! Distance|- |Hartlebury || 131m 68ch|-|Kidderminster || 135m 46ch|-|Bewdley || 137m 28ch|-|Bridgnorth || 149m 74 ch|-|Shrewsbury (Severn Valley Junction) || 171m 59ch|} Locations on the [[Kidderminster Loop Line | Loop]] between Kidderminster and Bewdley were measured from Kidderminster. The main line station at Kidderminster was a little over 135&frac12; miles from London as shown above (the SVR’s Kidderminster station has been placed a little closer, with a re-constructed 135&frac12; mile post being sited outside Kidderminster Railway Museum. Leaving Kidderminster, the mileage initially decreases (milepost 135&frac14; being near the Diesel Depot) but then increases again as the loop turns away from London. This accounts for the change in mileage at Bewdley South Junction in the profile above, which is 138 miles 21 chains via Kidderminster but only 137 miles 12 chains direct via Hartlebury.  Mileage posts showing the distance from London Paddington, as measured above, can be seen at the lineside. In the first second example shown, the distance just south of Arley Station is 140&frac34; miles (the vertical bars below the number show the number of quarter miles). One mileage post is situated at the foot of Highley Signal Box, showing that it is exactly 143&frac14; miles from Paddington.

Gradient The locations of the principal mile posts were often shown on early Ordnance Survey maps, such as this example from 1903 showing changes in gradient can also be seen the presence of mileposts (MP) at Kidderminster Junction on both branches of the lineside. The design varies, but generaly follows the principle of this prominent example near Highley stationjunction.

File: Gradient_PostKidderminster_Junction_OS.jpg JPG | Gradient post1903 OS map of Kidderminster Junction </gallery>