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→1996: The diesel gala included four hired in milk tankers, hired in to recreate WR scenes of the past. From a Facebook picyure 11.10.96
==1990==
1990 saw the [[Severn Valley Railway ]] celebrate its Silver Jubilee.
'''February 1990''':
:The heavy overhaul of [[LNER 60009 Union of South Africa |60009 Union of South Africa]] was completed two days inside the agreed 1 year period. The locomotive ran three return test runs in mid-February which were made open to the public, drawing a large crowd. The locomotive rapidly returned to the main line, hauling a VIP special across the Forth Bridge on 4 March.
:[[61994 The Great Marquess |The Great Marquess]] hauled “The White Rose” from London Marylebone to Sheffield on 17 February. The locomotive continued to Scotland to haul a return tour from Carlisle to Skipton a week later. SVR News reported that this was the first engine to work from London to Scotland in steam since Flying Scotsman’s non-stop run in 1968.
'''March 1990''':
:[[SR 34027 Taw Valley |34027 Taw Valley]] returned from the winter season at Marylebone, before later setting off on another season of Crewe-Holyhead express working.
:An appeal was launched to build a new footbridge to connect [[Bridgnorth|Bridgnorth Station ]] to New Road, between Low Town and High Town. The previous footbridge had been deemed beyond repair and demolished by Bridgnorth Council in 1976.
'''May 1990''':
:1 May saw the 150th anniversary of the Penny Black postage stamp introduced by Kidderminster’s Sir Rowland Hill. A private Royal Mail / British Rail charter ran from London to Birmingham hauled by electric locomotive 90019, newly named “Penny Black”. Haulage from Birmingham to [[Kidderminster ]] was by diesel electric 47515 “Night Mail”. On the SVR, BR locomotive 47474 was named “Sir Rowland Hill”.
:Sunday 13 May saw the normal summertime Table C timetable in use, requiring 5 steam locomotives. Only later was it pointed out that the SVR had unknowingly achieved a ‘full house’ by rostering [[GWR Small Prairie 4566|GWR 4566]], [[SR 34027 Taw Valley]], [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46443|LMS 46443]], LNER 3442 The Great Marquess and [[BR Riddles 4MT 75069|BR Standard 75069 ]] on the same day.
:As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations, [[Railcar 22 ]] returned to the SVR and appeared at the Diesel Gala, remaining until July.
:SVR membership reached 15,000.
'''Summer June 1990''': 7812 Erlestoke Maor left The SVR staged a "Heavy Freight Weekend" on 2-3 June. As the SVR for overhaul at Swindonevent came to a close, becoming a number of wagons were unfortunately derailed on the first SVR locomotive not to be overhauled in trap points at the north end of Bridgnorth Loco Worksstation<ref>SVR News 97</ref>.
'''Summer 1990''': [[GWR 7812 Erlestoke Manor|7812 Erlestoke Manor]] left the SVR for overhaul at Swindon, becoming the first SVR locomotive not to be overhauled in the [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]]. '''August 1990''': :Saturday 25 August, the first day of the bank holiday weekend, saw [[Kidderminster Railway Museum]] open to the public for the first time. '''September 1990''': 60103 Flying Scotsman (in BR LNER green liveryas No 4472) arrived for the Jubilee Autumn Gala on 17 September, accompanied by owner Sir William McAlpine.
'''October 1990''':
:HRH The Duke of Gloucester officially opened the [[Bridgnorth Loco Works | Bridgnorth Boiler shop]]. [[GWR 7819 Hinton Manor|7819 Hinton Manor ]] carried the appropriate Royal headlamp code for the occasion.
:A two-car DMU arrived on loan to the SVR for a two year trial period. The group organising the loan proposed to use it for ‘untapped’ portions of the market such as one-off hires and evening / scenic specials.
'''November 1990''': Platform 2 at [[Kidderminster]] was brought into use on 25 November, with [[7819 | 7819 Hinton Manor]] making the first operational entry.
'''December 1990''':
:Following ballasting and laying of sleepers and rails during the year, Platform 2 at Kidderminster was brought into use. This allowed two trains to be in Kidderminster Station at the same time. Previously, commissioning of the [[Kidderminster signal box ]] in late 1987 had removed the ‘One Engine in Steam’ restriction on the Kidderminster to [[Bewdley South signal box|Bewdley]] section, but services had to cross in the passing loop outside the station.
:1990 saw new records for the number of passengers on the [[Christmas services|Santa Services Special services]] (42,602) and ticket sales in the year (209,837). Turnover exceeded £2m for the first time.
==1991==
'''Spring 1991''':
:'Black 5' no [[LMS Stanier Class 5 45000 |45000]] returned to the [[National Railway Museum | NRM]], together with coach no 93619631, the “Clapham Buffet”. The latter had seen regular use, and correspondence in SVR news suggested its departure was regretted more than that of the Black 5!
:SVR News also noted that [[SR 34027 Taw Valley|34027 Taw Valley]], out on the main line at the time, was ‘unlikely to return’.
:The Share issue [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Share_offers|share offer]] launched in May 1988 reached the target of £500k.
'''April 1991''': Following further running in, [[LMS Stanier Mogul 42968 |Stanier Mogul 42968]] entered service for the first time.
'''Summer 19811991''': The Kidderminster Turntable Project was launched, seeking funds to install the [[Kidderminster Turntable|ex-Fort William 70ft turntable ]] at [[Kidderminster]]. The smaller ex-Whitchurch turntable was still being considered for installation at [[Bridgnorth]], but as a lower priority.
'''August 1991''': :August bank holiday weekend saw Kidderminster Railway Museum open [[BR Riddles 4MT 75069|75069]] and [[GWR 7819 Hinton Manor|7819 Hinton Manor]] took turns to work the public for the first timeCambrian Coast Express between [[Shrewsbury]] and Barmouth.
'''December 1991''':
:[[LNER 60009 Union of South Africa |60009 Union of South Africa]] returned from the main line for maintenance, and was used on the Christmas services before work began.
:The P.W. Department completed the process of replacing all wooden sleepers throughout the Railway with concrete sleepers, apart from within stations.
Locomotives hired out to other railways during the year were as follows:
*[[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46443|46443]]: Summer hire to Llangollen Railway until boiler tubes failed*[[GWR Small Prairie 4566|4566]]: Summer hire to Llangollen Railway replacing 46443*47373 [[LMS Jinty 47383|47383]] Summer hire to North Norfolk Railway
==1992==
Despite the recession, the SVR continued to adopt the policy of having 15 serviceable locomotives, of which 3-4 would be used on the main line or hired out.
'''April 1992''':: The Spring Gala featured un-rebuilt Bulleid Battle of Britain class no 34072 257 Squadron which made a 2 month visit. Also featured was [[LNER 60009 Union of South Africa |60009 Union of South Africa]] whose winter maintenance had been completed. ‘No 9’ worked a rail tour to Scotland before leaving the SVR at the end of the month.:The grounded body of [[Barry Railway Carriage 163]] arrived at [[Hampton Loade]].
'''Summer 1992''': Three SVR locomotives were on hire to other railways. [[GWR 2857 Heavy Goods Loco|2857]] spent the season at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, [[GWR Small Prairie 4566 |4566]] went back to Llangollen and [[LMS Stanier 8F 48773|the 8F ]] (now repainted as 48773) went to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.
'''June 1992''':
:The SVR staged its first ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ event, featuring Manchester Ship Canal No 32 ‘Gothenburg’ (HC 680/1903) from the East Lancashire Railway. The two days saw nearly 17,000 visitors to the railway.
:June 1992 saw the celebration of ‘Ashford 150’. [[BR Riddles 4MT 75069 |75069]] traveled south to join [[SR 34027 Taw Valley|Taw Valley ]] and SR 30777 'Sir Lamiel', and worked a series of shuttles between Ashford and Hastings.
'''July 1992''':
:[[Highley ]] station was closed for 2 weeks; SVR News noted '''The deterioration of Highley Station Platform was felt to have gone far enough when a hole appeared in it''.'
:The [[SVR Apprentices|SVR Junior Club ]] did a full 32 mile return trip using the pump trolley to raise money for charity.
:The SVR experimented with a TV advertisement for the first time.
:[[GWR Mogul 7325|Collett Mogul 7325 ]] returned to steam for the first time in 28 years.
'''September 1992''': The Autumn Gala guest was LNER A4 pacific 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley (BR 60007); a total of 12 engines were in steam for the event.
'''October 1992''': During the [[Heritage buses and other vehicles#Prior events|annual Vintage Vehicle Rally]] on 11 October, a small line-up of diesel traction in Platform 2 included BR Class 58 no 58028 courtesy of BR Railfreight Coal at Bescot.<ref>SVR News 106</ref>
Locomotives hired out to other railways during the year were as follows:
*4566: Summer hire to Llangollen
*48773: Summer hire to Worth Valley Railway
==1993==
[[File:Archive poster 13.jpg|thumb|300px|right|1993 poster]]1993 marked 25 years since the end of BR steam in 1968, and also 30 years since the last train from [[Bridgnorth]]. The recession continued to bite; the membership briefly dropped below 15,000 and the management began to review the ‘large engine’ policy.
'''April 1993''': The Spring Steam Gala saw a return visit from 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley, standing in at short notice for Flying Scotsman which had failed prior to the event.
'''Summer 1993''':
:Summer 1993 saw 5 SVR engines on hire to other railways. [[GWR Pannier 5764 |5764]] went to the South DevonRailway, [[LMS Jinty 47383 |47383]] to the North NorfolkRailway, [[BR Riddles 4MT 80079 |80079]] to the LlangollenRailway, [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46521|46521 ]] to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway and [[LMS Stanier 8F 48773|48773 ]] to the West SomersetRailway.
:Black 5 44767 George Stephenson paid a short visit to the SVR prior to beginning main line running
'''September 1993''':
:On 4 September the SVR was visited by Prince and Princess Michael of Kent aboard a charter consisting of 10 coaches of the VSOE ‘Orient Express’. [[LMR 600 Gordon |600 Gordon]] provided the motive power for a [[Kidderminster ]] – Bridgnorth return, being the only SVR locomotive equipped to work with air braked stock.
:A special train ran to mark the 30th anniversary of the last BR passenger service to leave Bridgnorth.
'''December 1993''':
:The SVR found out ‘by chance’ that landlords BR were planning to auction the 7.6 acre site on which the SVR’s Kidderminster station was built (in 1984 the SVR had bought the line to KiderminsterKidderminster, but could only afford to lease the land for the station itself). Contact was hastily made with BR, who agreed to an offer of £450k to secure the site without an auction. The purchase (plus £80k of recoverable VAT) was initially funded by a bridging loan, and inevitably triggered another [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Share_offers|share prospectusoffer]].
:The contract for construction of the [[Bridgnorth#Footbridge outside Bridgnorth Station | New Road footbridge ]] was signed just in time to qualify for a grant from the European Regional Development Fund..
Locomotives hired out to other railways during the year were as follows:
*[[GWR Pannier 5764|5764]]: Summer hire to South Devon*[[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46521|46521]]: Summer hire to GWSR*47373[[LMS Jinty 47383|47383]]: Summer hire to North Norfolk*[[LMS Stanier 8F 48773|48773]]: Summer Hire to West Somerset*[[BR Riddles 4MT 80079|80079]]: Summer hire to Llangollen
==1994==
[[File:Archive poster 15.jpg|thumb|300px|right|1994 poster]]
'''Winter 1993/Spring 94''': Another major overhaul of Victoria Bridge was carried out, partly funded by English Heritage due to the bridge’s listed status. Repairs continued into the spring, with repainting completed in May.
'''April 1994''':
:On the afternoon of Wednesday 6 April a skip lorry struck [[Hay Bridge]], demolishing the west-side walkway and pushing the main girders two feet out of alignment. Easter week services were suspended, but round the clock work by the PW Department supported by the Highways Department and the Railway Inspectorate saw the bridge reopened just 48 hours later. Visiting locomotive 6024 King Edward I was first to cross the repaired bridge, echoing the events of May 1983 when 92220 Evening Star ‘tested’ the repaired embankment at Bridgnorth.
:The Spring Gala included the unusually high number of 5 visiting locomotives. 1993 Autumn Gala guest 44442 had returned to steam following repair over the winter, 6024 King Edward I was another winter visitor for engineering work, 5029 Nunney Castle had arrived in connection with the launch of a share issue, while LMS Stanier Jubilee 45596 Bahamas and Standard Tank 80080 (sister of the SVR’s 80079) were also present.
'''May 19841994''': 7802 Bradley Manor was formally commissioned, following a period of running in following restoration. The locomotive was originally acquired as a source of spares for 7812 Erlestoke Manor, and indeed the SVR Stock Book published in 1980 listed 7802 under ‘Vehicles scrapped on the SVR’!
'''June 1994''':
'''July 1994''': The footbridge between Bridgnorth Station and New Road was completed and opened to the public.
'''September 19841994''':
:September began with a ‘Thomas’ weekend featuring the SVR’s new Thomas and regular Gordon, together with ‘Daisy the DMU’. As a prelude to the Autumn Gala, Lady Lucinda Lambton was invited to christen the newly installed Kidderminster Turntable by turning 60103 Flying Scotsman (in typical fashion Gordon had already sneaked in a turn before the Thomas event!).
:Another ‘monster gala’ followed with 17 in steam, including guests 6024 King Edward I, 60103 Flying Scotsman (now in BR livery with German-style smoke deflectors) and 60009 Union of South Africa which had visited again for more repairs. Operations were hampered by the discovery of a broken rail at Alveley, causing a speed restriction right at the foot of the bank which affected the timetable. '''Winter 1994''': The SVR(H) Board announced the sale of 45690 Leander (and 45699 Galatea) to the family of Dr. Peter Beet. The justification given was that the offer was attractive, the locomotive had been stored out of use for 7 years, funds were not available for a General Repair, and once repaired the locomotive would see limited use on the SVR due to its size and axle loading. Predictably many members complained of the Railway ‘selling the family silver’.
'''Winter 1994''': The [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC | SVR(H)]] Board announced the sale of 45690 Leander (and 45699 Galatea) to the family of Dr. Peter Beet. The justification given was that the offer was attractive, the locomotive had been stored out of use for 7 years, funds were not available for a General Repair, and once repaired the locomotive would see limited use on the SVR due to its size and axle loading. Predictably many members complained of the Railway ‘selling the family silver’.
==1995==
'''Spring 1995''':
:Over the winter ten feet of river bank was washed away at [[Sterns]], triggering further slippage. 3,000 tons of rock was deposited on the river bank as a temporary measure while a geological survey was undertaken.The other major engineering task was the reinforcement and strengthening of the abutments of the [[Underbridge at Hampton Loade]], during which the steelwork was taken to Bridgnorth to be needle gunned and repainted. A limited Sunday-only service operated between Kidderminster and Highley in January, February and March using the [[DMU]] and small tank engines with nearly 4,500 passengers being carried. The main season opened as planned on 1 April.<ref>SVR News 114</ref>
:Bridgnorth District Council announced a plan to build a halt at the Alverly Countryside Park, to be called [[Country Park Halt]]. Construction would take place in late 1995, and the Halt would be open in time for the 1996 season.
:80079 was one of three locomotives taking part in the ‘Steam on the Met’ festival organised by London Underground Limited (LUL). SVR personnel were allowed to drive and fire the locomotive under supervision of an LUL conductor. Preserved steam on the Metropolitan Line between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Amersham had started in 1989, and previous SVR participants were 46521 in 1993 and 80079 in 1984.
:The pilot episode of the TV sitcom “"[[Oh, Doctor Beeching!]]” " was filmed at Arley
'''June 1995''': The Railway’s ‘Steam School’ courses received a boost following the filming and broadcast of a feature on Blue Peter with presenter Diane-Louise Jordan.
==1996==
'''April 1996''': :[[Country Park Halt]] opened on 4 April.: The Spring Gala featured GWR Collett 7800 Manor class no 7822 Foxcote Manor from Llangollen, and GWR Churchward 4200 class 2-8-0T no 4277. The latter, owned by Peter Best, had been at the SVR for completion of restoration as a contract job. The gala was intended to feature 8 GWR locomotives; in the event 46521 (an honorary GWR engine being Swindon-built) had to substitute for a failed 4566.
'''May 1996''':
:Filming of the first series of ''Oh, Doctor Beeching! '' took place at Arley.
:7325 returned to steam following a major cylinder repair including welding and ‘stitching’, and took part in ‘Steam on the Met’.
'''September 1996''': The Autumn Steam Gala featured repeat visits from guests 5029 Nunney Castle and 6024 King Edward I, the latter having been shortened in height during a recent overhaul to improve gauge clearance.
'''October 1996''': The diesel gala included four hired in milk tankers, hired in to recreate WR scenes of the past.
'''Late 1996''':
:6960 Raveningham Hall left the Railway, following a change of ownership. The locomotive is now one of a number owned by Jeremy Hosking.
:A project was announced to build a new Carriage Shed, seeking financial assistance from [[:Category:Lottery funding#National_Lottery_Heritage_Fund|National Lottery ]] funding.
==1997==
'''April 1997''': The application for Heritage Lottery funding for the Kidderminster Carriage Shed was submitted. The proposal included under-cover storage for 56 carriages, together with a Locomotive Display Building. The latter proposal would later be dropped.
'''Spring 1997''': : A new mezzanine storage and office area was constructed in Bridgnorth Loco Works. ‘Tranter Towers’ as it became known was removed in 2014 to provide additional locomotive working space.
:52044 (L&Y 2F 0-6-0 no 957) arrived on the SVR from the KWVR for a planned two year restoration to running order<ref>SVR News 122</ref>. '''May 1997''': Filming of the second series of ''Oh, Doctor Beeching! '' took place at Arley.
'''Summer 1997''':
'''October 1997''': Stanier Mogul 42968 embarked on a series of 9 rail tours between October and January. Highlights included a climb of Sugar Loaf summit with a gross load of 365 tons (in BR days Class 5 engines were limited to 240 tons!), and the first steam ascent in preservation of the 1:37 Lickey Incline in tandem with 7325.
'''November 1997''': Class 50 Diesel [[BR Class 50 50031 Hood | No 50031 Hood ]] made a main-line debut, hauling Past-Time Rail’s ‘The Pilgrim Hoover’ from Birmingham International to Plymouth and return.
'''Winter 1997''':
==1998==
'''Spring 1998''':
:75079 76079 from Llangollen visited the SVR, principally for working charter trains.
:LNER B12 4-6-0 8572 (BR 61572) was announced as the Autumn Steam Gala guest.
:A 65ft (SVR News65'3" turntable, Wikipedia states 70ft) turntable ex-Bristol (Bath Road) , arrived at Eardington, intended for installation at Bridgnorth. See [[Bridgnorth Turntable]].
:The Board authorised the re-cladding of the Bridgnorth main loco shed (ex-Portskewett) which had been damaged by storms over the winter.
:The owner of no 78019 was approached by a group from the Great Central Railway at Loughborough offering to complete the restoration of the locomotive on agreement that it remained at the GCR for an undisclosed period of time. This move became permanent, leaving 4150 as the SVR’s only ex-Barry restoration still in progress.
:Filming took place for TV Movie “Cider with Rosie”“[[Cider With Rosie]]”, featuring [[GWR Pannier 5764| 5764]].
'''September 1998''': A special event took place to mark the 20th anniversary of the arrival of Western Diesels D1013 Western Ranger and D1062 Western Courier twenty years earlier.
'''October 1998''': A Great Western 2+8 HST worked a Cheshire Railtours trip from Exeter at Bridgnorth on a filthy 31 October.<ref>[http://www.hatspics.co.uk/type_years_photos.php?type=SVR&year=1998 Images on Alan Thwaites' hatpics website] (Retrieved 28 September 2022)</ref>
'''November 1998''': Hunslet 0-6-0 No 686 The Lady Armaghdale celebrated her 100th birthday. The locomotive was briefly painted into her original black livery as Manchester Ship Canal No 32, before returning to Thomas duties.
==1999==
'''May 1999''':
:On 12 May the award of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £1.757m towards the construction of Kidderminster Carriage Shed was announced.<ref name=SVR130>SVR News 130</ref>.
'''June 1999''':
:Planning permission for the construction of [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed]] was granted on 22 June<ref name=SVR130/>.
'''July 1999''':
:On 24 July the Railway saw an incoming railtour from Preston to Arley using Black 5 45407.
:On 28 July the ‘first sod’ was cut on the site of the new Kidderminster Carriage Shed<ref name=SVR130/>. '''August 1999''': :From 1 August [[High speed testing|line speeds were increased]] to allow commissioning of new 'Coradia 1000' Class 175 diesel multiple units under special conditions.
'''September 1999''':
:The Railway was saw an unusual visitor on 18 September with a through Bridgnorth - Paignton excursion using a BR HST.
:Contractors Carrillion Construction arrived on site on 20 September to begin work on the new Carriage Shed. This spurred a marathon of junk moving by the PW staff and volunteers – more than a mile of old track was recovered!
:Denis Howells’ pannier 9466 and [[BR Riddles 4MT 80072 |80072]] visited the Railway for the Autumn Steam Gala and October Classic Vehicle Day. :Five BR Standard 2-6-4 tanks lined up for the steam gala, guests 80080, 80098, 80104 and 80136 plus resident 80079.
'''November 1999''': The first steelwork was installed for the new Carriage Shed.
| 46521 || style="text-align:right;" | || style="text-align:right;" | 158 || style="text-align:right;" | 7,409 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,382 || style="text-align:right;" | 8,107 || style="text-align:right;" | 5,507 || style="text-align:right;" | 6,889 || style="text-align:right;" | 8,780 || style="text-align:right;" | 8,652 || style="text-align:right;" | 7,766 ||
|-
| 47373 47383 || style="text-align:right;" | 1,222 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,703 || style="text-align:right;" | 331 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,017 || style="text-align:right;" | 566 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,794 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,431 || style="text-align:right;" | 1,230 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,207 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,360 ||
|-
| 48773 || style="text-align:right;" | 3,120 || style="text-align:right;" | 5,509 || style="text-align:right;" | 4,770 || style="text-align:right;" | 9,450 || style="text-align:right;" | 6,821 || style="text-align:right;" | || style="text-align:right;" | || style="text-align:right;" | || style="text-align:right;" | 6,273 || style="text-align:right;" | 7,056 ||
==See also==
==SourcesReferences==
SVR News unless otherwise stated. Locomotive mileages from SVR News Issue 152 page 25 "SVR Steam Locomotive Mileages 1990-2004 compiled by Graham Nangreave".
<references />
