Query Corner

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Welcome to Query Corner!

This is a location to ask (and answer!) about any gaps in the information available on the SVRSevern Valley Railway. We are interested in both personal recollections and of potential sources of information, such as old editions of the SVRSevern Valley Railway News, articles published in newspapers or magazines, or photographs you may have.

Please add to this page as questions come to mind. To add to a new question, put a short summary as a new section title (e.g. == Kidderminster Questions ==), and add some context below.

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There is now an ongoing project to post questions daily(ish) over on the Daily Question page, the questions also being posted to the Unofficial SVRSevern Valley Railway Facebook Group.

Wanted Pages

We have a small number of links to pages that don't exist yet
If you have any knowledge of the subject, please go ahead and create the page.

Ground Frames at Alveley, Foley Park, and Kidderminster

  • It is known that Alveley Sidings had two ground frames, North and South, and that the South survived into preservation for some years. However, details are incredibly sketchy! I have seen photos of special trains at Alveley in early days, perhaps one of these includes them?
  • Foley Park Sidings almost certainly had at least one, possibly two, ground frames for access. I have no information on these. I have also come across a photo showing two temporary GFs on the SVRSevern Valley Railway/BRBritish Rail or British Railways boundary - see Ground Frames at Foley Park - but nothing else is known.
  • I've seen reference to a ground frame at Kidderminster Town station in early days, controlling the run round, before the box was built. Was this one GF or two, given the distance? Again, any information appreciated!

--Danny252 (talk) 22:48, 9 January 2015 (UTC)

I asked some of these questions to the FB group, and predictably it raised more questions than answers! See Link. --Danny252 (talk) 22:11, 10 January 2015 (UTC)

Which carriages are in regular use?

There's a good article in the latest SVRSevern Valley Railway News about the make up of the carriage rakes in use for the Diesel Gala.
Can that be taken as the current standard make up? It only show four carriages on the Severn Valley Limited and makes no mention of the Severn Valley Venturer.
If the carriage shed is 1/5 mile long, that's room for 15 carriages at 70' on each of the four roads. If there are six sets, BRBritish Rail or British Railways Maroon, BRBritish Rail or British Railways Carmine & Cream, LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway, LNERLondon & North Eastern Railway, plus SVV & SVL I take it that leaves plenty of room for the TPOs, spares etc.?
--Graham Phillips 110 (talk) 08:32, 27 January 2015 (UTC)

Because its on a slight curve each of the four roads of the carriage shed varies slight in length. It capacity is generally considered to be 56 bogies coaches.
Boldford (talk) 17:45, 1 February 2015 (UTC)

I'll take a look at the news next time I'm home, but the Limited would usually be S(5). The Venturer would be two coaches attached to the South (KR) end of Bridgnorth's service train for the day.

I guess I may as well mention the Observation Saloons, which will run as required for Cream Tea services (one obbo at the KR end of the train) or as private charters attached to one end or the other of a service train (I think the KR end is more usual, but I've seen it the other way round, and even with an obbo both ends). --Danny252 (talk) 09:57, 29 January 2015 (UTC)

I've had a go at adding the various sets to the carriages page.
I'll try to compile all the information I want by observation over the next few weekends, but in the meantime, does anyone know:
Is the list in SVRSevern Valley Railway News, Winter 2014, still current?
Which LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway carriage is in Set S?
Which carriages make up the SVV?
--Graham Phillips 110 (talk) 12:41, 25 February 2015 (UTC)

The Winter 2014 list is a little out of date. I've added a note under the set lists for M,N and C of the configurations that were in use last Saturday (7th March). I guess things get added and taken off as required - the Crimson and Cream set had 6 in use for a footplate experience but would presumably grow to 7 or 8 if used in service. Interesting that a couple of the changes are in the middle of sets though.--Robin (talk) 19:05, 13 March 2015 (UTC)

I noticed your lists were a bit different to the ones I copied. Presumably the buffet was left out as it's not needed on a Footplate Experience. Isn't there some complication with mixing and matching couplings and corridor connections, which might explain why carriages are not always added or removed from one end or the other?
80609 is not on the VCT list. Is that the correct number, have they missed it?
If the sets are going to change frequently, then perhaps the section needs altering. Maybe we could either give a list of known previous compositions of each set, which could get quite long with all the possible combinations, or just word it something like "Set C is made up of up to 9 of the following carriages..."
--Graham Phillips 110 (talk) 23:47, 14 March 2015 (UTC)

80609 should be 80969 (typos, my specialism!). AIUI there are a number of other considerations. The Guard/brake van has to be near the middle to be on platform at shorter stations while the buffet tends to be near the middle, presumably for expediency. Obbos would naturally tend to go on the end. The lists you copied were from the Autumn Steam Gala where presumably the requirement is maximum possible passenger numbers hence 8 regular carriages in each set. However sets may be shorter at other times, for example the AN1 set in March may only need 6 + an obbo for cream teas or whatever. It will be interesting to see what is in use for the Spring Gala, and whether it changes again afterwards.
For what it's worth the sets in use yesterday were: N(7) on AN1, C(7)+80969 on AS1 and DMUDiesel Multiple Unit(4) on AS2. --WillSalt (talk) 16:31, 15 March 2015 (UTC)
Also FWIW M, C and S were in use today, so I've added them to the current configurations. Once we see how often they change, we can decide on the best way of keeping track, but probably one of Graham's suggestions.--Robin (talk) 16:53, 15 March 2015 (UTC)

Foundation/building behind Bewdley North Signal Box

A Facebook discussion has brought up this image of a brick construction, situated behind Bewdley North signal box, with the question being what it actually was. Initial suggestions were that it might be an air raid shelter, but the lack of an entrance and strange siting seem to rule that out, and it has been mentioned that the brickwork seems similar to the the signal box itself. The leading suggestion now seems to be that it could have been a lamp hut, but with no real evidence other than it being of about the right size and in a sensible location.

Some alternative views can be found in photo 1 and photo 2.

Does anyone have information as to the origin/history of the item? --Danny252 (talk) 09:22, 20 April 2015 (UTC)

I've added the combined thoughts of John Marshall, Michael V.E. Dunn and Keith Beddoes as they appeared in SVRSevern Valley Railway news, see Bewdley North signal box#Lamp Room and plinth. Draw your own conclusions, for what it's worth I go with the John Marshall view that the plinth was built for the lamp room, typical GWRGreat Western Railway "when in doubt over-engineer it so it won't fall down".--Robin (talk) 23:10, 27 December 2015 (UTC)

Width of Bridge 16 at Arley

The Accommodation bridge south of Arley appears to be the only bridge not originally built to double track width.
Does anyone know why? --Graham Phillips 110 (talk) 08:52, 18 November 2015 (UTC)

Appeared as the daily question on 17th November, although no definite answer was given. --Danny252 (talk) 11:57, 19 November 2015 (UTC)

Potentially dated statements

There are a number of articles containing potentially dated statements.
Can you help with any of these?

Bridgnorth Bus Garage

One of the buildings in the old coal yard between Kidderminster station and the Footbridge is the restored ex-Bridgnorth bus garage, of which details and a picture can be found on the Friends of Kidderminster Station website here. Is this the same building that can be seen just behind the pannier tank in this Sellick photograph? It would seem a logical place for it.

--Robin (talk) 22:26, 13 January 2016 (UTC)

Self answered question. Yes it was.--Robin (talk) 17:40, 22 June 2016 (UTC)

Bridge 27

Not been in query corner for a while, but here's two for the price of one. Looking at the Occupation bridge near Eardington ground frame the other day, I noticed a couple of oddities. Firstly the bridge is No 27 in the List of infrastructure, but has an obvious number 32 in the style used for bridge numbering (left of the photo). Were the bridges renumbered at some point? Secondly, there is a sign saying (I think) "Huxleyheath Junction". I know the location of the Ground Frame used to be called Osborne Junction, but is there any reason for the name there now?

--Robin (talk) 17:40, 22 June 2016 (UTC)

I think that sign is very recent - I don't remember seeing it when I walked past a month ago! Sadly I can't say I definitively know the answer... --Danny252 (talk) 22:28, 22 June 2016 (UTC)
Just a guess, but there's about five more bridges between Hartlebury and Bewdley than there are between Kidderminster and Bewdley. Could that be the original SVB number? If so, it's very durable paint. --Graham Phillips 110 (talk) 05:58, 23 June 2016 (UTC)
Was yellow spray paint used in the 1960s or earlier? Maybe... --Danny252 (talk) 09:50, 23 June 2016 (UTC)
I think Graham is on the right track (sorry!). Engine Shed Underpass (now Bridge 36) has a similar looking number 40 visible from platform 1. If BRBritish Rail or British Railways bridge 32 at Eardington became SVRSevern Valley Railway bridge 27 (-5), and BRBritish Rail or British Railways bridge 40 at Bridgnorth became SVRSevern Valley Railway bridge 36 (-4), then there is one more numbered bridge between Eardington and Bridgnorth in preservation than there was under BRBritish Rail or British Railways. The Bypass bridge post-dates BRBritish Rail or British Railways.... --Robin (talk) 20:18, 16 July 2016 (UTC)

Motorised Points

When point(s) at crossing loops were motorised in the 1930s, were any signals motorised at the same time? SevenHills (talk) 07:19, 3 October 2016 (UTC)

I dare say I've never heard of any motor-operated signals on the line, and wouldn't really have expected them, given that the distances to signals were generally less than they are now (not many 1000-yard signals back then!). Still, never say never... --Danny252 (talk) 08:38, 3 October 2016 (UTC)

Wagons December 2017

Two Parr wagons joined the SVRSevern Valley Railway. From photos these are 967577 and 96752n [incomplete]. Can someone confirm identities? There are three dogfish, two have moved to the Swanage Railway. Which, please? Thanks Patrick 9/1/18 (can't find the date stamp)

All wagons now identified. --Graham Phillips 110 (talk) 19:24, 18 August 2018 (UTC)

Rapier H7 Crane

Eric Tyler on Pres is seeking information on a road vehicle Rapier H7 Crane, he thinks that the SVRSevern Valley Railway had one in 2010. Is the Crane is still at the SVRSevern Valley Railway, and any contact for information would be appreciated.Thanks Patrick 2/5/18 (can't find the date stamp)

Santa services

The December 23 page says 193 hauled the first Santas in 1973. The SDR claims Carnavon carried Santa in 1969. Patrick 16/9/18 (can't find the date stamp)

I can't find any mention of it in either SVRSevern Valley Railway News or Chris Magner's book. Since the LROLight Railway Order wasn't granted until 1970, it could presumably only have been a static event at Bridgnorth, so it wouldn't have been classed as as a 'Santa Service'. --Robin (talk) 18:33, 29 November 2018 (UTC)

Mystery object

Seen at Highley, February 2019


This piece of on-track plant was at Highley last weekend. Can anyone shed any light on what it is, what it does, and whether it is on hire or has been acquired? --Robin (talk) 20:48, 18 February 2019 (UTC)

GWRGreat Western Railway Pannier Tank 6430

Paul Fisher on FB says 6430 in 1996 spent some time having cracked cylinder blocks repaired at the Valley. Can anyone verify details, so it can ve added to the Timeline? Thanks--Patrick Hearn (talk) 19:38, 15 August 2019 (UTC)

To Do list

Not a query as such, more a list of photos to take and information to research etc..

  • Fill in gaps in the table for the location of various Goods Wagons
We probably need a standard 'location' description for wagons (and carriages) that are in use and move up and down the line on a regular basis. "In service"?
Various culverts etc. on Wyre Forest District Council Local Heritage List
Road Railers:Done for those of which I had photos.--Robin (talk) 16:16, 12 September 2018 (UTC)
BR Class 09 09107
  • Add slogans and campaigns to the Marketing Department page
  • Add more photography locations
  • Complete Class 50 mainline appearances
  • Find and photograph boundary markers. Rumoured to be one at Hoo Road Bridge (requires track side access) and one under Sandbourne Viaduct.