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Kidderminster is the Southern terminus of the SVR with a link to the Network rail mainline
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[[File:Kidderminster Town Station - geograph.org.uk - 118920.jpg|Kidderminster Station|thumb|300px|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 [[Bewdley]]. 
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|+Next stations
 +
|-
 +
! Up !!  Down (towards [[Bridgnorth]])
 +
|-
 +
| Line terminates<br>([[Connection to Network Rail]])  || [[Bewdley]] (3&frac12; miles)
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
== The Station ==
 +
Kidderminster Town is the newest of the railway's stations, having been built by the 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 layout of the station offers the railway a variety of running options, and is often home to frequent simultaneous train movements during the busier timetable spells. The station has two platforms for passenger use, which both offer the ability to depart towards Bewdley. These platforms are each served by their own engine runaround lines, where watering facilities for the steam locomotives are available. Both engine runaround lines also possess Dock platforms at the station building end, which are frequently used to stable the railway's inspection saloons and dining carriages for servicing and restocking between dining trains.
 +
 
 +
The station has a support group, the [[Friends of Kidderminster Town Station]].
 +
 
 +
== Facilities ==
 +
 
 +
Facilities for visitors at Kidderminster Station are comprehensive; Under the covered concourse is the railway's Cafe, the [[Kidderminster Station Emporium | gift shop]], and the [[Kidderminster Station Sweet Shop | heritage sweet shop]]. The "King & Castle" pub forms an integral part of the station building and serves a selection of real ales and alcoholic beverages. Also located on the site is the [[Kidderminster Railway Museum | Kidderminster Railway Museum]], and the [[Coalyard Miniature Railway]], which offers a short ride adjacent to the Kidderminster Station platforms for a small additional fee.
 +
 
 +
The station has a large car park for those arriving by car to the railway, for which £4 a day is charged on 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 [[Mainline Operators Servicing Kidderminster|West Midlands Railway]] mainline services.
 +
 
 +
== Points of Interest ==
 +
 
 +
=== Station entrance ===
 +
 
 +
*Main Entrance Canopy. The ‘Porte Cochere’ style canopy over the station entrance was the first major project undertaken by the Friends of Kidderminster Town Station. The canopy at Ross-on-Wye sloped downwards, but to allow additional clearance for coaches an upward sloping design was 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]
 +
 
 +
*Bundy Time Clock. This clock, which can be seen outside the station, was used to provide a reliable method of time recording on the Birmingham Bus and Tram system. It was re-commissioned in October 2001. [https://web.archive.org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/projects/bundy.htm Link]
 +
 
 +
*Horse trough.  The Horse Trough situated next to the Bundy Time Clock is a casting made by the Friends, from an original trough recovered from Wolverhampton Road, Sedgely and thought to date from the early 1920s.  [https://web.archive.org/web/20190923041105/http://www.kfriends.org.uk/projects/trough.htm Link]
 +
 
 +
*Coal yard offices. The wooden building behind the Bundy clock was a coal merchant's office dating from the early 20th Century.<ref>[http://www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/planning-and-buildings/conservation-areas-and-listed-buildings/listed-buildings/local-heritage-list/local-heritage-list-for-the-severn-valley-railway.aspx 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>
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
File: Kidderminster Town Station - geograph.org.uk - 1477651.jpg | Canopy over the station entrance (Wikimedia Commons)
 +
File: Kidderminster_Crestings_20150528.jpg | Roof crestings
 +
File: Kidderminster_Bundy_Clock_20150214.jpg | Bundy Clock
 +
File: Kidderminster_Trough_20150528.jpg | Horse Trough
 +
File: Coal_Yard_Offices_20170514.jpg | Coal yard offices
 +
File:Kidderminster stone.jpg | Commemorative stones
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
=== Station concourse ===
 +
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.
 +
 
 +
The concourse roof was also added in 2006.
 +
 
 +
The concourse features the W.H. Smith & Son bookstall, now used as a [[Kidderminster Station Sweet Shop | sweet shop]], and the replica independent tobacconists kiosk used as the [[Kidderminster Station Fund Shop]]. From time to time temporary sales stands manned by other [[List of preservation groups | preservation groups]] are also found on the concourse.   
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
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 Kidderminster
 +
File:Geograph-4704277-by-Chris-Allen.jpg | Gaslights on Kidderminster platform at dusk.
 +
 
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
===Bay Platform===
 +
Most of the buildings and structures alongside the Bay Platform are the work of the Friends of Kidderminster Town Station.  Some are original and have been relocated and painstakingly restored, while others are newly built re-creations. Starting nearest the main station building, the Bay Platform includes:
 +
*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-Shrewsbury Pagoda. The GWR introduced this style of building in the early 1900s at many of its smaller halts. A newly built example can be seen at [[Northwood Halt]]. This example was relocated from Allscott Sidings near Shrewsbury in 2001.
 +
*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]
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
File: Kidderminster_Parcels_Office_20150528.jpg | Ex-Henley in Arden Parcels Office
 +
File: Kidderminster_Uffculme_Building_20150528.jpg | Uffculme Building
 +
File: Kidderminster_Pagoda_20150528.jpg | Ex-Shrewsbury Pagoda
 +
File: Kidderminster_Lamp_Hut_20150528.jpg | Ex-Henley in Arden Lamp Hut
 +
File: Kidderminster_Cycle_Rack_20150528.jpg | Cycle rack
 +
File: GWR_37150_20150411.jpg | Body of van 37150
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
===Infrastructure===
 +
The site at Kidderminster is also home to key parts of the preservation infrastructure of the railway. The main [[Carriage Repair Works]], aka North Star Works, is located near the Network Rail car park, and is where a considerable amount of restoration on the railway's heritage carriage fleet takes place. Visitors riding the railway towards Bewdley, after passing under the footbridge, will also notice the large railway yard on the right, which includes the [[Diesel Depot]] and the 1/5th Mile long [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed | Carriage Shed]], where the SVR's working rakes of carriages are stored when not in use on the regular services.
 +
 
 +
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 Tower
 +
File:Kidderminster_Platelayers_Hut_20160403.jpg | Early 20th century brick platelayers' hut
 +
File:Bus_Garage_20160305.jpg | GWR Bus Garage (Ex Bridgnorth)
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
===Water columns===
 +
Two water columns were erected following the [[The development of Kidderminster 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. [[7819|7819  Hinton Manor]] took part in the ceremony, although Tyseley's 7029 Clun Castle and the SVR's [[4930|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.
 +
 
 +
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>
 +
 +
In January 2018 the fixed column was replaced by another swing arm type, a project that had been planned since the 1980s, as the replacement is better suited to the variety of locomotives the SVR sees. This was the last of three cranes dug out by SVR volunteers in 1968 from Stourbridge Junction loco shed, 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 original fixed column was retired to the custody of [[Kidderminster Railway Museum]] for possible display.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/winter-works-2018 SVRLive 'Winter works 2018' 16 January 2018]</ref>
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:7714 Water 20170422.jpg | 7714 takes water at the old platform 1 GWR fixed water column
 +
File:7714 Water 20170325.jpg | 7714 stands in platform 2 with the GWR swing arm column in the foreground
 +
File:Kidderminster Water Column 20170819.jpg | Inscription on Platform 2 water column
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
== Other attractions at Kidderminster ==
 +
Kidderminster is home to the [[Coalyard Miniature Railway]] and [[Kidderminster Railway Museum]]
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
*[[Kidderminster mainline station]]
 +
*[[List of stations]]
 +
*[[Kidderminster Shed | Kidderminster Engine Shed]]
 +
*[[The development of Kidderminster Town Station]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
<references />
 +
 
 +
==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]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{#coordinates:52.384437|-2.239659|[primary|][dim:1000]}}
 +
{{StationNavbox}}
 +
 
 +
[[Category:SVR fundraising lotteries]]

Latest revision as of 10:32, 10 April 2023

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 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 Bewdley.

Next stations
Up Down (towards Bridgnorth)
Line terminates
(Connection to Network Rail) 		Bewdley (3½ miles)

Contents

The Station

Kidderminster Town is the newest of the railway's stations, having been built by the SVR on the site of the old 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 layout of the station offers the railway a variety of running options, and is often home to frequent simultaneous train movements during the busier timetable spells. The station has two platforms for passenger use, which both offer the ability to depart towards Bewdley. These platforms are each served by their own engine runaround lines, where watering facilities for the steam locomotives are available. Both engine runaround lines also possess Dock platforms at the station building end, which are frequently used to stable the railway's inspection saloons and dining carriages for servicing and restocking between dining trains.

The station has a support group, the Friends of Kidderminster Town Station.

Facilities

Facilities for visitors at Kidderminster Station are comprehensive; Under the covered concourse is the railway's Cafe, the gift shop, and the heritage sweet shop. The "King & Castle" pub forms an integral part of the station building and serves a selection of real ales and alcoholic beverages. Also located on the site is the Kidderminster Railway Museum, and the Coalyard Miniature Railway, which offers a short ride adjacent to the Kidderminster Station platforms for a small additional fee.

The station has a large car park for those arriving by car to the railway, for which £4 a day is charged on 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 West Midlands Railway mainline services.

Points of Interest

Station entrance

  • Main Entrance Canopy. The ‘Porte Cochere’ style canopy over the station entrance was the first major project undertaken by the Friends of Kidderminster Town Station. The canopy at Ross-on-Wye sloped downwards, but to allow additional clearance for coaches an upward sloping design was 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[1][2]. Link
  • Ornamental Roof Crestings. The addition of the roof crestings was the Friends’ second major project; funding was helped by a raffle circa 1996 organised by the SVRA Stourbridge Branch.[3] 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). Link
  • Bundy Time Clock. This clock, which can be seen outside the station, was used to provide a reliable method of time recording on the Birmingham Bus and Tram system. It was re-commissioned in October 2001. Link
  • Horse trough. The Horse Trough situated next to the Bundy Time Clock is a casting made by the Friends, from an original trough recovered from Wolverhampton Road, Sedgely and thought to date from the early 1920s. Link
  • Coal yard offices. The wooden building behind the Bundy clock was a coal merchant's office dating from the early 20th Century.[4] 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.[5]

  • Canopy over the station entrance (Wikimedia Commons)

  • Roof crestings

  • Bundy Clock

  • Horse Trough

  • Coal yard offices

  • Commemorative stones

Station concourse

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 multiple award-winning King and Castle Pub.

The concourse roof was also added in 2006.

The concourse features the W.H. Smith & Son bookstall, now used as a sweet shop, and the replica independent tobacconists kiosk used as the Kidderminster Station Fund Shop. From time to time temporary sales stands manned by other preservation groups are also found on the concourse.

  • Phase 3 commences in 2006 (Wikimedia Commons)

  • The West wing and station entrance (Wikimedia Commons)

  • The East Wing (Wikimedia Commons)

  • Booking office (Wikimedia Commons)

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.

  • Running in board at Kidderminster

  • Gaslights on Kidderminster platform at dusk.

Bay Platform

Most of the buildings and structures alongside the Bay Platform are the work of the Friends of Kidderminster Town Station. Some are original and have been relocated and painstakingly restored, while others are newly built re-creations. Starting nearest the main station building, the Bay Platform includes:

  • 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. 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. Link
  • Ex-Shrewsbury Pagoda. The GWR introduced this style of building in the early 1900s at many of its smaller halts. A newly built example can be seen at Northwood Halt. This example was relocated from Allscott Sidings near Shrewsbury in 2001.
  • 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. 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. Link
  • The body of Goods Van 37150. Van bodies were often re-used for storage by the GWR and other railway companies of that era. Link

  • Ex-Henley in Arden Parcels Office

  • Uffculme Building

  • Ex-Shrewsbury Pagoda

  • Ex-Henley in Arden Lamp Hut

  • Cycle rack

  • Body of van 37150

Infrastructure

The site at Kidderminster is also home to key parts of the preservation infrastructure of the railway. The main Carriage Repair Works, aka North Star Works, is located near the Network Rail car park, and is where a considerable amount of restoration on the railway's heritage carriage fleet takes place. Visitors riding the railway towards Bewdley, after passing under the footbridge, will also notice the large railway yard on the right, which includes the Diesel Depot and the 1/5th Mile long Carriage Shed, where the SVR's working rakes of carriages are stored when not in use on the regular services.

Kidderminster is home to the SVR's largest 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 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.

  • Kidderminster Signal Box and Water Tower

  • Early 20th century brick platelayers' hut

  • GWR Bus Garage (Ex Bridgnorth)

Water columns

Two water columns were erected following the 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. 7819 Hinton Manor took part in the ceremony, although Tyseley's 7029 Clun Castle and the SVR's 4930 Hagley Hall had already taken water earlier in the day before departing on a main line run.[6] Prior to the commissioning of this column, locomotives at the southern end of the line could only take water at Bewdley.

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.[7] SVR News did not record the exact date of installation of this water column, although it was first pictured in use in Autumn 1993.[8]

In January 2018 the fixed column was replaced by another swing arm type, a project that had been planned since the 1980s, as the replacement is better suited to the variety of locomotives the SVR sees. This was the last of three cranes dug out by SVR volunteers in 1968 from Stourbridge Junction loco shed, 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.[9] 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.[10]

The original fixed column was retired to the custody of Kidderminster Railway Museum for possible display.[11]

  • 7714 takes water at the old platform 1 GWR fixed water column

  • 7714 stands in platform 2 with the GWR swing arm column in the foreground

  • Inscription on Platform 2 water column

Other attractions at Kidderminster

Kidderminster is home to the Coalyard Miniature Railway and Kidderminster Railway Museum

See also


References

  1. ↑ SVR News 112
  2. ↑ Friends of Kidderminster Town website
  3. ↑ SVR News 121
  4. ↑ Wyre Forest DC Heritage Preservation List Retrieved February 2016)
  5. ↑ SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition P. 76.
  6. ↑ SVR News 71
  7. ↑ SVR News 98
  8. ↑ SVR News 108
  9. ↑ SVR News 203
  10. ↑ SVR News 203
  11. ↑ SVRLive 'Winter works 2018' 16 January 2018

Links

Friends of Kidderminster Town archived web site
Railings at Kidderminster Railway Station on the Kidderminster & District Archaeological & Historical Society web site


Stations and halts
Present day stations and halts
Former stations and halts
Severn Valley branch
Loop line
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Welcome to the Severn Valley Railway Wiki

From this week's featured article
"76738" is a London and North Western Railway Company 10-ton Goods Van, although it carries a fictitious number as its true identity is unknown. After restoration it saw limited use in the SVRSevern Valley Railway's demonstration goods train, but due to its age and wooden underframe it is now in static use as a sales coach at Bridgnorth. (Full article...)
Schematic Map of the SVRSevern Valley Railway
BridgnorthEardingtonHampton LoadeCountry Park HaltHighleyThe Engine HouseArleyVictoria BridgeNorthwood HaltWyre Forest LineBewdleyStourport BranchBewdley TunnelConnection to Network RailKidderminsterMaps#Schematic maps of the pre-closure SVRMapandlinks.png
Click on the map for a
larger interactive version

For 101 years between 1862 and 1963, the Severn Valley Railway formed part of the national railway network, running for 40 miles between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. Established as a separate company, it was mainly operated by the Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) and later by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways).

The present day Severn Valley Railway (SVRSevern Valley Railway) was established in 1965 to preserve part of the line as a heritage railway. Today it has six stations and two halts and runs for 16 miles along the Severn Valley between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Operations involve a mixture of steam and heritage diesel-hauled services.

This unofficial website is a project aimed to collect information and record events relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both past and present.

For timetables, fare information, and news about special events, please visit the SVR Official Website. Other news and information of interest to members, shareholders and enthusiasts can be found on SVRLive.

In April 2023 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Survival Fund page.

Categories of article

History of the Severn Valley Railway

Current events on the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Information about the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Miscellaneous


Query Corner

Unsurprisingly, there are a large number of questions about the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both in pre-preservation days and for a number of historical items since then. Take a visit down to Query Corner to see if you have a recollection relating to some long forgotten event, or know of a reliable source (maybe an early edition of the SVR News?) that might have the information we need!

Adding to this Wiki

This site, or "wiki", is a collaborative effort, and anyone who has any knowledge relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway should feel free to contribute. Once you have created a user account and logged in, you can modify any page by clicking the "Edit" button in the top right hand corner. For some tips on how to format pages, and some guidelines on how to make this wiki accessible can be found on Tips for contributing to the SVR Wiki.

Alternatively, if you don't feel confident editing this Wiki (although there is no reason you shouldn't!!), each article also has a "Discussion" page, which can be accessed by clicking the relevant button in the top left hand corner. This allows you to make additions, suggestions, or corrections to a page without making any change to the article itself.


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