Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1965-1969

Significant events in the history of the Severn Valley Railway in preservation between 1965 and 1969 are set out below.

1965

• July 1965:The formation of the Severn Valley Railway in preservation begins:
  • Keith Beddoes, a local railway enthusiast, organises a meeting at the Cooper’s Arms in Kidderminster on 6 July to discuss the feasibility of preserving a section of the former GWRGreat Western Railway Severn Valley Railway which was closed by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways). The group who met there forms the Severn Valley Railway Society (“the Society”).
  • The Society determines that the section south of Bridgnorth would be most suitable. On 25 July, they inspects the line between Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth, and quickly make contact with BRBritish Rail or British Railways asking them to stop taking up the line.

1966

• February 1966: A price of £25,000 is agreed with BRBritish Rail or British Railways for purchase of line between Bridgnorth and Alveley Colliery. BRBritish Rail or British Railways agree to allow the Society access on receipt of a deposit against the purchase price.

1967

• January 1967: The deposit is paid and the Society has access (the balance of the purchase price is paid shortly after the official opening in May 1974).
• March 1967: The first locomotive, 3205, arrives on 25 March.
• April 1967: 46443 arrives on 22 April.
• May 1967: The procedural steps necessary to create the heritage railway are established with the then Ministry of Transport:
  • BRBritish Rail or British Railways will apply for an Order to downgrade the line from “secondary railway” to “light railway” status.
  • Once this is granted, a new Company will apply for a Light Railway Order to transfer responsibility for the line. Severn Valley Railway Company Limited is incorporated on 24 May for this purpose.

• June 1967: Contracts are exchanged on 1 June for sale of the line from Bridgnorth to Alveley.
• October 1967:
  • Manning Wardle 2047 Warwickshire arrives on 22 October.
  • The SVRSevern Valley Railway held a Steam Gala, with 3205 and 46443 making alternate trips to Hampton Loade. The Railway had not yet received a Light Railway Order allowing rides to be given to the general public. However SVRSevern Valley Railway members could travel, so the Railway did a brisk trade in ‘Day Member’ tickets. Full membership of the Severn Valley Railway Society also benefitted, passing the 1,000 mark.
• November 1967: 813 arrives on 25 November.

1968

• April 1968: An Easter Steam Gala is held featuring No 3205.
• May 1968: 47383 arrives on 26 May.
• July 1968: Peckett 1738 arrives on 13 July.
• August 1968: 43106 arrives on 2 August.

1969

• January 1969: 48773 [LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway 8233] arrives on 4 January.
• February 1969: The adjacent section of the line from Alveley to Bewdley is officially closed by BRBritish Rail or British Railways on 3 February.
• July 1969: HE 686 The Lady Armaghdale arrives on 14 July.
• December 1969: The Severn Valley Railway Society merges with the Severn Valley Railway Company.

References and sources

Visitors to The Engine House at Highley can watch a video which gives a detailed history of the meeting at the Cooper’s Arms and subsequent events leading to the purchase of the line, including interviews with some of those concerned.
Information on the early history of the SVRSevern Valley Railway can be found on the SVR website and the Bridgnorth Station website.
Information on locomotive arrivals and the Easter Gala is from past editions of Severn Valley Railway News.

See also

The Severn Valley Railway in preservation
Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1970-1979