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[[File:Kidderminster Town Station - geograph.org.uk - 118920.jpg|Kidderminster Station|thumb|200px300px|right|Kidderminster station]]'''Kidderminster Town''', commonly abbreviated to "Kidderminster" on the Severn Valley, is the Southern terminus of the SVR, located within the county of Worcestershire. The railway shares a [[Connection to Network Rail|railway link at this location to the Network Rail mainline]], on the Worcester Shrub Hill to Birmingham Snow Hill Line, while the station also shares an approach road with the adjacent [[Kidderminster mainline station]]. The town of Kidderminster is famous for its carpets, for which it was of worldwide reknown for many years.

The next station along the line, in the Down direction towards [[Bridgnorth]], is [[File:Kidderminster Town railway station MMB 08.jpg|Kidderminster station concourse|thumb|200px|right|Kidderminster station concourseBewdley]].

 Kidderminster Town is the Southern terminus of the SVR, located within the county of Worcestershire. The railway shares a railway link at this location to the Network Rail mainline, on the Worcester Shrub Hill to Birmingham Snow Hill Line. The next station along the line, in the Down direction towards [[Bridgnorth]], is [[Bewdley]]. The town of Kidderminster is famous for its Carpets, for which it was of worldwide reknown for many years.  The station is the newest of the railway's stations, having been built by the railway SVR on the site of the old [[Kidderminster mainline station#Goods yard|Kidderminster Comberton Hill Goods Yard]], which occupied the site before the railway was preserved. The building was constructed to blend correctly to the historic nature and atmosphere of the railway, and is home to a large covered concourse, booking office, and facilities for visitors. It is modelled on the design used for Ross-On-Wye station built by the GWR. Please see [[The development of Kidderminster Town Station]] for more details about the building of the station.

The station has a large car park for those arriving by car to the railway, for which £3 £4 a day is charged on a token barrier an ANPR system. The Severn Valley Railway station at Kidderminster is located within easy walking distance of the Kidderminster mainline station, for those arriving by London Midland or Chiltern [[Mainline Operators Servicing Kidderminster|West Midlands Railway]] mainline services.

*Main Entrance Canopy. The ‘Port ‘Porte Cochere’ style canopy over the station entrance was the first major project undertaken by the Friends of Kidderminster Town Station. It The canopy at Ross-on-Wye sloped downwards, but to allow additional clearance for coaches an upward sloping design was completed in 1996, and is adopted based on a canopy at Kingham, Oxfordshire built in the 1880s. The stone corbels supporting the canopy were laid into the wall in a ceremony on 23 September 1994 and the canopy was completed in 1996<ref>SVR News 112</ref><ref>Friends of Kidderminster Town website</ref>. [https://web.archive.org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/projects/canopy.htm Link] *Ornamental Roof Crestings. The addition of the roof crestings was the Friends’ second major project; funding was helped by a raffle circa 1996 [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|organised by the SVRA Stourbridge Branch]].<ref>SVR News 121</ref> This type of cresting was produced to a standard design by the specialist foundry of McFarlain of Glasgow from about 1880, and was found on the roof towers of many GWR stations including Ross on Wye, on which Kidderminster Town is based. Fragments of the originals recovered from Ross-on-Wye were used by the SVR's pattern shop to produce patterns for casting the new roof crestings (cast in Aluminium for lightness). [https://web.archive.org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/projects/crest.htm Link]

*Ornamental Roof CrestingsBundy Time Clock. The addition of This clock, which can be seen outside the roof crestings station, was the Friends’ second major project. This type of cresting was produced used to provide a standard design by the specialist foundry reliable method of McFarlain of Glasgow from about 1880, and was found time recording on the roof towers of many GWR stations including Ross on Wye, on which Kidderminster Town is basedBirmingham Bus and Tram system. Fragments of the originals recovered from Ross-onIt was re-Wye were used by the SVR's pattern shop to produce patterns for casting the new roof crestings (cast commissioned in Aluminium for lightness)October 2001. [https://web.archive.org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/projects/crestbundy.htm Link]

*Horse trough. The Horse Trough situated next to the Bundy Time Clock. This clockis a casting made by the Friends, which can be seen outside the stationfrom an original trough recovered from Wolverhampton Road, was used Sedgely and thought to provide a reliable method of time recording on date from the Birmingham Bus and Tram systemearly 1920s. [https://web. It was re-commissioned in October 2001archive. [org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/projects/bundytrough.htm Link]

*Horse troughCoal yard offices. The Horse Trough situated next to wooden building behind the Bundy Time Clock is clock was a casting made by the Friends, from an original trough recovered from Wolverhampton Road, Sedgely and thought to date coal merchant's office dating from the early 1920s20th Century. <ref>[http://www.kfriendswyreforestdc.orggov.uk/projectsplanning-and-buildings/troughconservation-areas-and-listed-buildings/listed-buildings/local-heritage-list/local-heritage-list-for-the-severn-valley-railway.htm Linkaspx Wyre Forest DC Heritage Preservation List]Retrieved February 2016)</ref> The coal yard formed part of the Comberton Hill goods yard on which the SVR's present day Kidderminster Station was built. The coal yard land rented by Charringtons Coal Merchants was vacated in 1996.<ref>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition P. 76.</ref>

The main station building and concourse have a ‘seamless’ appearance, but were actually built in stages over a period of more than 20 years. The first phase, the West wing with the Station Emporium and toilets, was built in 1984. The second phase including the entrance hall and ticket office was added in 1985. The third phase was the East wing, also known as The [[John Garth ]] Building. This was opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester on 18 October 2006. It mainly houses ‘The Valley Suite’, the station’s licensed restaurant and buffet and the [[Awards|multiple award-winning]] King and Castle Pub.

[http://www.svrwiki.com/File:Building_work_at_Kidderminster_Town_Station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_118931.jpg | Phase 3 commences in 2006](Wikimedia Commons)[File:Kidderminster Town railway station MMB 08.jpg | The West wing and station entrance(Wikimedia Commons)[File:Interior Kidderminster Station - geograph.org.uk - 1148744.jpg | The East Wing](Wikimedia Commons)File:2014 at Kidderminster Town - inside the booking office.JPG | Booking office (Wikimedia Commons)</gallery> ==Main platforms==Passenger services normally depart from platforms 1 and 2, both accessed from the station concourse. A long term ambition remains to provide a canopy for these platforms, similar to that at Bewdley, when funds permit. Also intended is an extension of the platform. The platforms are gas lit and an impressive running in board is situated at the far end.<gallery>File:Kidderminster_Running_In_Board_20160504.jpg | Running in board at KidderminsterFile:Geograph-4704277-by-Chris-Allen.jpg | Gaslights on Kidderminster platform at dusk. 

*Ex-Henley in Arden Parcels Office. This typical GWR wooden building was formerly situated at Henley in Arden station. It was declared surplus to requirements by Railtrack in 2000 and transported to Kidderminster by lorry. [https://web.archive.org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/projects/henley.htm Link]*Uffculme Building. This is a typical general purpose storage building which could be found on countless GWR stations. It is an accurate replica of one that stood on the platform at Uffculme in Devon. Much of the building was newly built but some components such as the sliding door and runners were recovered from other GWR sites. It is used by the Friends as a workshop. [https://web.archive.org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/projects/uffculme.htm Link]

*Ex-Henley in Arden Lamp Hut. The former lamp hut comprises corrugated sheeting covering an angle-iron inner frame. It was recovered from Henley in Arden in 2000 along with the Parcels Office. [https://web.archive.org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/projects/lamphut.htm Link]*Covered Cycle Rack. The structure was newly built by the Friends in 1997, based on an original formerly at Droitwich Spa but now removed. The GWR racks themselves came from Claverdon station on the Stratford-on-Avon line. [https://web.archive.org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/projects/cycleshed.htm Link]*The body of [[GWR 37150 Covered Goods Van (body only) | Goods Van 37150]]. Van bodies were often re-used for storage by the GWR and other railway companies of that era. [https://web.archive.org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/projects/vanbody.htm Link] 

Kidderminster is home to the SVR's largest [[Kidderminster signal box|signal box]]. Adjacent to this is the station's water tower, which provides a supply for locomotives taking water at the southern end of the line. Also adjacent to the signal box is a small brick platelayers' hut dating from the early 20th century.  Kidderminster is also the site of the SVR's [[Kidderminster Turntable | Turntable]], which is located near to the diesel depot and gives the railway valuable turning facilities for locomotives and stock. The [[GWR Bus Garage (Ex Bridgnorth)]] has been re-erected at Kidderminster. The frame is original, although the cladding is new.

The coal yard offices, the main station building, the Railway Museum, the North Star Carriage Works, the signal box, water tower and platelayer's hut are all included on the[[ Wyre Forest District Council Local Heritage List‎]]. <gallery>File:Kidderminster_Signal_Box_20160218.jpg | Kidderminster Signal Box and Water TowerFile:Kidderminster_Platelayers_Hut_20160403.jpg | Early 20th century brick platelayers' hutFile:Bus_Garage_20160305.jpg | GWR Bus Garage (Ex Bridgnorth)</gallery> ===Water columns= Other attractions at Kidderminster ==Two water columns were erected following the [[The development of Kidderminster is home Town Station|opening of Kidderminster in 1984]]. Adjacent to the platform 1 run round was a fixed column, an original Kidderminster GWR item (having been cast at [[Wolverhampton]] in 1892). This column was erected on 29 June 1985 and officially 'launched' on 7 July 1985 by Ursula Broadhurst, mother of then Station Master Malcolm. [[Coalyard Miniature Railway7819|7819 Hinton Manor]] took part in the ceremony, although Tyseley's 7029 Clun Castle and the SVR's [[Kidderminster Railway Museum4930|4930 Hagley Hall]]had already taken water earlier in the day before departing on a main line run.<ref>SVR News 71</ref> Prior to the commissioning of this column, locomotives at the southern end of the line could only take water at Bewdley.

== History before preservation==On platform two side is a standard GWR swing arm type, also cast at Wolverhampton in 1905. Platform 2 was brought into use on 25 November 1990.<ref>SVR News 98</ref> SVR News did not record the exact date of installation of this water column, although it was first pictured in use in Autumn 1993.<ref>SVR News 108</ref> [[File:Kidderminster station In January 2018 the fixed column was replaced by another swing arm type, 1963 - 3387931a project that had been planned since the 1980s, as the replacement is better suited to the variety of locomotives the SVR sees.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Kidderminster stationThis was the last of three cranes dug out by SVR volunteers in 1968 from Stourbridge Junction loco shed, 1963 (Geograph)]]and cast in Swindon in 1899. The replacement was restored, with new components fabricated under the watchful eye of retired civil engineer Brian Jones who was heavily involved with the installation of the watering facilities in the 1980s.<ref>SVR News 203</ref> At the same time the tank was relined using a GRP liner, proactive maintenance which greatly extends its life for a relatively modest cost. At the same time the platform 2 swing arm was fitted with a new boom and swan neck.<ref>SVR News 203</ref>

The mainline station used by the OW&W, GWR, BR and latterly Network Rail, is situated adjacent original fixed column was retired to the SVR station. Today this forms part custody of the Birmingham to Worcester line. *1852: The [[Oxford Worcester and Wolverhampton Kidderminster Railway | Oxford Worcester and WolverhamptonMuseum]] line between Stourbridge and Evesham via Kidderminster opened with a special train on 1 May 1852, with normal services beginning 2 days laterfor possible display.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Boynton (2002)]]<https://ref>*1859: A second station building replaced the first building at Kidderminsterwww.svrlive.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Mitchell and Smith (2007), p12]]<com/ref> *1863: A third station building was constructed.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Mitchell and Smith (2007), p12]winter-works-2018 SVRLive 'Winter works 2018' 16 January 2018]</ref> This station building was of an unusual but attractive mock-Tudor style (see photo right), and survived until 1968 when dry rot resulted in the replacement of the original building with the current BR brick buildings.*1878: The 'loop line' to Bewdley opened.*1982: Freight traffic from Foley Park ended, and use of the Comberton Hill goods yard ceased.

File:Kidderminster-Station-1959-11-297714 Water 20170422.jpg|Kidderminster station, 1959 ([[Sellick Collection]])7714 takes water at the old platform 1 GWR fixed water columnFile:Kidderminster station, with auto-train to Bewdley geograph-2571495-by-Ben-Brooksbank7714 Water 20170325.jpg|Ex-7714 stands in platform 2 with the GWR Pannier 6424 arrives with an auto train from Bewdley swing arm column in 1963 (Geograph)the foregroundFile:Kidderminster (Network Rail) Station - geograph.org.uk - 118927Water Column 20170819.jpg|The current Network Rail Kidderminster Station (Geograph)Inscription on Platform 2 water column

== See Also Links== [https://web.archive.org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/ Friends of Kidderminster Town archived web site]<br>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2eAFhE-m0yhbXRxai1OVEVyTVE/edit Railings at Kidderminster Railway Station on the Kidderminster & District Archaeological & Historical Society web site]

[http[Category://www.kfriends.org.uk/ Friends of Kidderminster Town web siteSVR fundraising lotteries]]