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Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2010-2019

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2012
Significant events in the history of the Severn Valley Railway in preservation between 2010 and the present date are set out below.
 
Information on current events on the SVR can be found [[Current events on the Severn Valley Railway | '''here''']].
==2010==
'''April 2010'''
:A Network Rail test train was used to check On 21 April [[Diesel Locomotives hired by the full length of SVR|E6005 (73005)]] left the line for track twists and dipped rail joints. Those found were dealt with SVR by the Proad.W. staffIt had suffered an axle bearing fault and seized turbo around 2005.<ref name=WRU0510>Express Points Web Round-Up, May 2010</ref> :On 24 April DEMU 1001 operated Hastings Diesels Limited’s 'Severn Explorer' railtour from Hastings to [[Bridgnorth]].<ref>[http://www.hastingsdiesels.co.uk/news/articles/2010a04/ Hastings Diesel Limited] (Retrieved 24 April 2018)</ref><ref name=WRU0510/> :On 26 April a Network Rail test train was used to check the full length of the line for track twists and dipped rail joints. Those found were dealt with by the P.W. staff.<ref name=WRU0510/> :On 28 April [[BR Class 08 D3022|D3022]] conducted a big shunt at [[The Engine House]] with [[LMS 798 Royal Coach]] being moved in.
'''May 2010'''
'''October 2010'''
[[File:Railcars_20101010.jpg | thumb|300px|right|A 7-railcar set in use on 10 October 2010]]
:8-9 October saw a ‘Railcar Reunion’. Visiting diesel railcars varied in age from the oldest active BR diesel unit in preservation, the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway’s BR ‘Lightweight’ unit M79900 of 1956, to the youngest, pioneer ‘Sprinter’ 3-car set 150 001 of 1984 which was still in use by London Midland at the time.
:686 The Lady Armaghdale was moved into The Engine Houseon 18 October, having been repainted into the red livery of her second owners, ICI Limited.
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'''November 2010'''
There were no trains to/from Bridgnorth during November, due to track re-laying on Eardington bank.<ref>Express Points Web Round Up, September 2010</ref>
'''December 2010'''
'''February 2011'''
:7802 Bradley Manor’s firebox was deemed unfit for further service, 8 months before its boiler certificate was due to expire.
 
'''March 2011'''
:On 6 March 40 workers from the national stationery and office supplies retailer Ryman, dressed as nuns in traditional black habits, pulled D8059 over a short section of track as part of a bid to raise £10,000 for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day. The Nuns on the Pull (Planes, Trains and Automobiles) charity day pulled an aeroplane 100 yards at East Midlands Airport before moving to the SVR to pull the locomotive 100 yards along the track.<ref name=WRU0411>Express Points Web Round-Up, April 2011</ref>
:On 11 March the new wheeldrop at [[Bridgnorth Loco Works#Wheel_drop|Bridgnorth Loco Works]] was officially opened in the presence of invited guests, including representatives from First Group and Heritage Railway Awards.<ref name=WRU0411/>
:On 24 March boiler SVR1 was dispatched to the Talyllyn Railway at Tywyn. This was the first new boiler to be completed by the SVR and the first boiler completed in Bridgnorth for nearly two hundred years. It was fitted to Talyllyn Railway No 2 Dolgoch.<ref name=WRU0411/>
'''April 2011'''
:No Spring Steam Gala had taken place due to the engineering work. Plans for an Easter re-visit by 60163 Tornado were thwarted when the locomotive failed in late 2010 with boiler issues. Easter instead saw a ‘Postman Pat’ event at The Engine House.
'''May 2011'''
'''September 2011'''
:[[Autumn Steam Gala]] guests were 6024 King Edward I (deputising for ‘Blue King’ 6023 King Edward II which was unavailable), GWR Large Prairie 4160 (deputising for 5029 Nunney Castle also unavailable), Caledonian Railway McIntosh 812 3F no 828 (BR 57566) making a first visit in preservation to an English railway, and 60163 Tornado whose boiler had been repaired in Germany during the summer. Summer hire-in 9F 92212 also took part. By public demand a new evening fare was introduced for travel on trains between 6.00pm and midnight.
:Phil Brown was appointed to the vacant post of Operations Manager, coming from the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway where he was Deputy Operating Manager.
'''April 2012'''
:Although 2857 had only entered service a year earlier, a decision was reluctantly made to lift the boiler to resolve an ongoing issue with leaking stays.
 
:On 13 April the Parliamentary All-Party Rail Heritage Group enjoyed a day at the railway.<ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/lfw2008/7120800097/in/set-72157629552422882/ Lord Faulkner of Worcester's Flickr page]</ref>
 
:The two Thomas weekends attracted 7,424 passengers.<ref name=WRU0512>Express Points Web Round-Up, May 2012</ref>
:A number of locomotive exhibits were re-arranged in the Engine House. Pannier 7714 left to begin an overhaul at Bridgnorth, while the Royal Mail TPO returned. Jinty 47383, 4930 Hagley Hall and 600 Gordon moved to the ‘back’ road, while 8F 48773 was turned and moved to the ‘front’ road.
 
:Severn Valley Engineering Services at Bridgnorth MPD took delivery of a Colchester 2000 to boost the number of lathes available for use, and a C.N.C. lathe to give the works the ability to produce stays and other associated items for the SVR and for contract<ref name=WRU0512/>.
'''May 2012'''
'''Summer 2012'''
 
:The connection between the SVR and the main line at Kidderminster was upgraded. The work was done in conjunction with Network Rail who were transferring responsibility for main line signalling from the Kidderminster main line signal box to the West Midlands Signalling Centre.
:Negotiations were under way with locomotive owners with a view to establishing a new Rolling Stock Agreement.
:The SVR was again short of locomotives, partly resulting from a succession of spring failures which eventually resulted in a change of spring supplier. Didcot Railway Centre’s GWR Pannier 3650 arrived in July. Having been booked with a cover leaking, investigation showed a long-term cracked cylinder block. This was stitched with Metalock, the owners allowing the locomotive to take part in the Autumn Steam Gala in thanks.
:An SVR landmark disappeared with the demolition of the two 230ft high silos on the former British Sugar Corporation site at Foley Park.
:A 'Visit Heart of England' promotion saw one child travelling free with each adult 'Freedom of the Line' ticket purchased.
[[File: 7812_Hampton_Loade_20120825.jpg|thumb|200px|right|7812 Erlestoke Manor with gold smokebox]]:On 29 August [[GWR 7812 Erlestoke Manor]] masqueraded as sister [[GWR 7802 Bradley Manor]] and was given a Bradley Wiggins-style makeover with a coat of gold paint and sideburns in honour of Team GB’s success at London 2012 Olympics.<ref>Midlands Business News, 29 August 2012</ref>
:English Heritage published a report on signalboxes in England, noting: "... three on the Severn Valley Railway, all good examples in their original locations and in excellent condition; Bewdley North (1878), Bewdley South (date not known) and Highley (1883). All three would be potential listing candidates [...] while the box formerly at Yorton (1882), now moved to Arley on the Severn Valley Railway, is a well-preserved all-timber box."
:The SVR launched a [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Share_offers|share offer]] to raise money for developing the Bridgnorth Station site and returning 4930 Hagley Hall to steam.
:A On 26 October a race from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster was staged between 34053 Sir Keith Park and a Morgan 3-wheeler car to raise money for the BBC’s Children In Need. The car won by 5 minutes, with over £5,000 raised for the charity.
'''November 2012'''
:Metropolitan Railway 0-4-4T No 1 came to the SVR for testing prior to participating in the London Underground events in 2013. The visit was not announced in advance and was not open to the public, as it involved [[High speed testing|running at up to 50mph]] on certain sections of the line.
:The SVR announced its [[Loyalty Pass|Annual Family Pass]] :A 'Visit Heart of England Promotion' allowed one child to travel free with each adult ticket purchased until 25 November 2012.<ref>Express Points Web Round Up, September 2012</ref> 
'''December 2012'''
'''March 2013'''
:The Spring Steam Gala was hit by heavy snow, resulting in attendances being around half of the numbers expected. The Railway still managed to run the services as planned, including guests SR un-rebuilt Bulleid West Country class pacific No 34007 Wadebridge, USA Porter ‘yankee tank’ No 65 (SR 30065), Mike Little’s GWR Collett 1400 class 0-4-2T No [[GWR 1450|1450]], and BR Standard 4MT 4-6-2T No [[BR Riddles 4MT 80072|80072]].:[[The LNER (SVR) Coach Fund]] took delivery of a supply of teak for use in [[Carriages#Set_N|the teak set]].<ref>Express Points Web Round Up October 2013</ref>
'''Summer 2013'''
:The [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Share_offers|share offer]] officially closed, having just passed a total of £2m.
:The Autumn Steam Gala saw visits from LMS Stanier 8P Princess Coronation class No 46233 Duchess of Sutherland (replacing the booked [[BR Standard Class 7 70000 Britannia|70000 Britannia]]), SR Maunsell Schools class No 925 Cheltenham (BR 30925, replacing the booked SR 850 Lord Nelson), Metropolitan Railway 0-4-2T Number 1, and [[GWR 4936 Kinlet Hall|GWR 4936 Kinlet Hall ]] which would remain on hire over the winter season. Talyllyn Railway 2 ft 3 in gauge 0-4-2ST ‘Sir Haydn’ travelled the line as part of the freight workings, and would later spend the winter on display in The Engine House.
:An SVR Family Campaign launched, to increase family visitors and to build a sustainable base level of passengers by showcasing the Railway as a great family day out in its own right on a ‘normal’ operating day. It featured TV adverts, posters on key high traffic sites, adverts in local magazines and newspapers, adverts on London Midland trains and posts on social media.
'''October 2013'''
:On 6 October a special Shareholders' and [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust]] day was held at [[The Engine House]] to witness the removal of [[GWR 4930 Hagley Hall]].<ref>Express Points Web Round-Up, September 2013</ref>  :Gala visitors No. 925 'Cheltenham' and [[GWR 4936 Kinlet Hall|No. 4936 'Kinlet Hall' ]] additionally operated service trains on 12 and 13 October. :The Lord Lieutenants of Worcestershire and Shropshire presented [[Awards|The Queen's Award for Volunteering]] on 21 October.
'''November 2013''':The Lord Lieutenants of Worcestershire and Shropshire presented On 2 November the 'Blue Bell Explorer' rail tour ran from Bridgnorth to the Bluebell Railway in Sussex, becoming the first rail tour to use the newly re-signalled [[AwardsConnection to Network Rail|The Queens Award for Volunteeringmain line connection at Kidderminster]] on 21 October<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150521020833/http://www.svr-association.org.uk/railtours1.html SVRA website via Internet Archive Wayback Machine]</ref>.
'''December 2013'''
:Mike Little’s locomotive No 1450 and two Auto Coaches arrived, initially for the 2014 season.
:The Spring Steam Gala saw visits from BR(W) Hawksworth 1600 class Pannier Tank No 1638, from the Kent & East Sussex Railway, GWR Collett 6400 class Pannier Tank No 6435 from the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, BR(W) 7800 Manor Class No 7828 Odney Manor from the West Somerset Railway, and [[GWR 4936 Kinlet Hall |4936 Kinlet Hall]] which had remained at the SVR since being hired last summer. 7828 had in recent years been running as ‘Norton Manor’ at the WSR, but reverted to its original name during the SVR visit. 4936 finally left the SVR in early summer.
'''April 2014'''
:The SVR occupied a new [[Head Office ]] building at Number One, Comberton Hill, adjacent to Kidderminster station. Long term plans for the Bewdley Station building, the former Head Office, include included a new buffet to replace the current portaportable building. In the event a further temporary building replaced it in 2020. :On 10 April the [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|Charitable Trust]] raised £62,000 from an exceptional charity fundraiser at Ludlow Race Course, doubled by the [[:Category:Lottery funding#National_Lottery_Heritage_Fund|Heritage Lottery Fund]]. A guest from a West Midlands Trust donated a further £106,000 on the day to fund the training of 2 apprentices for 5 years at the newly formed [[Heritage Skills Training Academy]].<ref name=WRU0514>Express Points Web Round-cabinUp, May 2014</ref>  :On 12 April at a job fair at the [[Members & Shareholders Weekend|Members & Shareholders day]] over 100 people registered their interest in volunteering and 33 names and addresses were also recorded to go forward for induction courses.<ref name=WRU0514/> :On 22 April [[BR Class 52 D1015 Western Champion|D1015 Western Champion]] hauled [[BR Class 52 D1062 Western Courier|D1062 Western Courier]] from Kidderminster to Tyseley for tyre turning, providing a maroon Western hauling another on the mainline, a scene not seen for decades.<ref name=WRU0514/>
'''May 2014'''
:Other winter infrastructure work included replacement of the points and installation of improved drainage at the south end of Arley station. Restoration work was also carried out on Bewdley South (Sandbourne) and Bewdley North (Wribbenhall) viaducts.
 
:On 10 January this Wiki went live to the general public. The concept had been under development by a group of SVR Volunteers since the previous summer.<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=3179&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30 SVR-Online Forum post]</ref>
:On 2 February the contractors arrived on site at Kidderminster to begin construction of the new Diesel Depot.
:On Monday 27 April, a Pump Trolley Challenge took place between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, with 13 teams of volunteers in fancy dress taking part. Teams were judged on their costumes and enthusiasm (not speed!), with the Bridgnorth Engineering Services team being awarded first place.
 
:A Monster Raving Loony Party general election address proposed that HS2 be replaced by an extension of the Severn Valley Railway under a new company to be called the Eighth Valley Railway.<ref>Express Points Web Round-Up, May 2015</ref>
'''May 2015'''
:[[LMS Ivatt Class 4 43106 | 43106]] appeared at the LMS themed gala at Barrow Hill, becoming the first of her class to appear at the Roundhouse in half a century.
:The SVR On 29 September the railway purchased ten 10 acres of land to the west West of Bridgnorth Station station, including [[Bridgnorth#Pan Pudding Hill|Pan Pudding Hill]]. The purchase was done to protect its boundaries safeguard the land from any potential developments such as housing encroachment estates, with plans including more permanent parking facilities (the fields had previously been used for overflow parking), and other uses such as a valuable element new volunteer accommodation building.<ref>SVR Notice Board Issue NBI-H-276 "Purchase of 10 Acres of Land to the West of Bridgnorth Development Project. "</ref>
'''October 2015'''
:The railway announced A presentation to the purchase of 10 acres October Board included a comprehensive review of land to track condition along the West of Bridgnorth stationRailway, including [[Bridgnorth#Pan Pudding Hill|Pan Pudding Hill]]. The purchase was done to safeguard based upon measurements undertaken by the land from any developments such as housing estates, with plans including more permanent parking facilities (PWay team using the fields had previously been used for overflow parking), Abtus trolley and other uses such as a new volunteer accommodation buildingmeasuring equipment that was on test on the Railway.<refname=WRU1015>SVR Notice Board Issue NBIExpress Points Web Round-H-276 "Purchase of 10 Acres of Land to the West of Bridgnorth"Up, October 2015</ref>
:Guests at the 2015 Diesel Gala were summer visitor Deltic 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier, Class 14 D9531, [[Clayton Class 17 Bo-Bo D8568|Class 17 D8568]], Class 35 D7076 and Class 52 D1015 Western Champion.
 
:On 8 October [[Class 108 DMU|Driving Motor Composite M52064]] returned after work at Rowsley, Peak Railway.<ref name=WRU1015/>
:LNER A1 No 60163 Tornado arrived on the SVR for a 3 week visit, operating from 6-27 October. Tornado had previously visited in 2009 and 2011.
'''April 2016'''
:Tickets to ride behind Flying Scotsman and Tornado at the autumn ‘Pacific Power’ event went on sale on 5 April. All 7,000 tickets were sold by the end of the day.
 :On 5 April [[LNER 7960 Kitchen Composite]] was displayed at King's Cross station in connection with the unveiling of a sculpture of Sir Nigel Gresley. :The 'first [[Open House Weekend']], formerly known as the '[[Members and & Shareholders' weekendWeekend]], was held on 16-17 April. Steam featured the SVR's two Manors and two Bulleids, with 1501 operating local services. [[BR Class 50 50049 Defiance|50049 Defiance]] returned to service following an overhaul. A number of [[Models of the Severn Valley Railway | model railway layouts]] were displayed at Highley and Kidderminster Railway Museum. :On 30 April [[BR Class 14 D9551|D9551]] ran its first test runs at the SVR in an undressed state with side panels not fitted, with 50049 assisting. [[BR Class 20 D8188|D8188]] ran its first diagrammed passenger turn following return from overhaul.<ref>Express Points Web Round-Up, May 2016</ref>
'''May 2016'''
'''October 2016'''
:On 22 October a new event at [[The Engine House]], the Christmas Gift Fayre, was held for the first time.<ref name=WRU0916>Express Points Web Round-Up, September 2016</ref>
 
:On 22 October the [[Great Western (SVR) Assoc.]] ran the 'Collett to Bridgnorth' special train from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and back to celebrate the re-launch into service of [[GWR 6562 Brake Composite|Collett Brake Composite 6562]].<ref name=WRU0916/>
:The SVR launched a [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Share_offers|share offer]] on 1 November, seeking to raise up to £2.5m towards the [[Bridgnorth#Bridgnorth Development Project | redevelopment of Bridgnorth station]]. Contractors arrived on site on 7 November to begin work on the first phase of the project, SVR staff and volunteers having already carried out some preliminary site clearance work.
:The [[Western Locomotive Association|WLA’s]] AGM on 12 November incorporated a ‘SWINDON '16’ event to celebrate the purchase of [[BR Class 52 D1062 Western Courier|D1062 Western Courier]] 40 years beforehand, the first ‘Western’ in preservation. :A three day Season Finale Gala from 4 to 6 November was held featuring visiting locomotives LMS 'Crab' No 13065, GWR 4200 class 2-8-0T No 4270, and a return visit of LNER-design A1 No. 60163 Tornado. The event also saw the return from overhaul of ex-Port Talbot Railway 0-6-0ST [[GWR 813 Saddle Tank | 813]].
'''December 2016'''
'''January 2018'''
:On 1-2 January [[SR 34053 Sir Keith Park]] completed farewell turns in advance of her departure to the Swanage Railway on 10 January
:The SVR announced the hire of [[Diesel Locomotives hired by the SVR|diesels 37688 and 40135]] for 2018-2019, the former for PWay work and the latter to utilise its steam heat capability. [[BR Class 50 50026 Indomitable|50026 Indomitable]] arrived for commercial repairs in the [[Diesel Depot]]. Didcot Railway Centre announced 6023 'King Edward II' would be moved by road to the SVR in February for testing of her revised draughting, then operating some timetabled trains and attending the [[Spring galaSteam Gala]].
:Winter works saw track either side of [[Bewdley Tunnel]] being cleaned of badly contaminated ballast; the last part of the remedial work to the embankment slippage around the [[Accommodation bridge near Severn Lodge|County Boundary]] area; the partial rebuilding of the platform face at [[Eardington]]; lining of the loco water tank at [[Kidderminster]], and at the same location swapping the water column adjacent to platform 1 runround from a fixed column to a standard GWR swing arm type. At [[Waterworks Crossing|Waterworks straight]] welding was completed to a position that restored line speed following Winter Works in 2017. Permanent Way work also took place at [[Highley|Highley bank]] and [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed]].<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/winter-works-2018 SVRLive]</ref>
:On 16 January the [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd | SVR Charitable Trust]] announced it had reached its appeal target of £10,000 in under a month, for the cost of repairing the vehicles damaged by graffiti in December. A total of £13,000 was raised.
:The railway's published fare structure withdrew discounted fares for Seniors (60+), who instead paid the full adult fare. In addition, it introduced a version of the [[Loyalty Pass | Annual Family Pass]] for single adults.
:On 30 January the polystyrene patterns for the casting of new cylinders for [[GWR 4930 Hagley Hall]] were completed at Premier Patterns following comprehensive design work by Stafford Road Design Ltd.
:The [[Kidderminster Shunter Fund]] transferred [[BR Class 11 12099]] to [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd | SVR Charitable Trust]].
</gallery>
:Demolition of the old 'Trackside Buffet' at [[Bewdley]] took place during the week commencing 16 July. The building had been closed since March 2018.
:On 23 July, [[45110|Black 5 45110]] was moved from the Engine House to Kidderminster in preparation for the August 'End of Steam' events. [[D4100]] provided the motive power.<ref>[https://youtu.be/ao2UcTmxYnQ Vidoe Video on Sharpo's World]</ref>
:On 24 July a group of Belarussian children in remission from cancer visted the SVR and Arley Arboretum, organised by the Chernobyl Children's Charity.
:The SVR sponsored a Catch Me Who Can sculpture entitled 'Just the Ticket' at the front of Bridgnorth as part of the [[Catch Me Who Can#Bridgnorth Arts Trail 2018|Bridgnorth Arts Trail 2018]], the sculpture being one of twelve locomotives positioned around the town. Statue 2: 'Just the Ticket' was designed by Tania Holland of Tania Holland Gallery using archive material provided by the SVR<ref>Bridgnorth Art Trail website</ref> It was unveiled on 24 June 2018.<ref>SVR website</ref>.
'''August 2018'''
:On 2 August Class 40 No. 40145 delivered sister [[BR Class 40 40106 Atlantic Conveyor]] for a short [[Diesel Locomotives hired by the SVR‎|hire period]].
:On 4 August the SVR staged a special event to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of steam on British Railways. Guests included former footplate crews from Lostock Hall and Rose Grove sheds and members of the 'Master Neverers Association'. [[45110]] and [[48773]] appeared on static display at Kidderminster, while an evening special ran to recreate the 'Fifteen Guinea Special'. This was hauled by [[43106]] due to a delay in the planned arrival of guest locomotive LMS Stanier Class 5 45231 The Sherwood Forester. In the event 45231 was unable to visit and on 21 August LMS Stanier Royal Scot 8P Class 4-6-0 46100 Royal Scot was announced as an Autumn Steam Gala visitor instead of 45231.
:The [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd | SVR Charitable Trust]] appeal for [[Falling Sands Viaduct]] passed £200,000 towards the £275,000 target<ref>Express Points, August 2018</ref>
'''September 2018'''
:Bernard Rainbow MBE died on 1 September. He had a sixty year railway footplate career, was President of [[The Erlestoke Manor Fund]] and Chief Traction Inspector on the SVR.
:At the [[Autumn Steam Gala]] on 24 September [[2857]] carried a '100' headboard denoting she had reached 100,000 miles of service in preservation<ref>SVRLive</ref>
:Construction of [[Bridgnorth#Bridgnorth_Development_Project|Bridgnorth Development Project]] Phase IIa (car park and access roads) commenced.
'''October 2018'''
:The SVR hosted from 4-6 October [[Tales from the Severn Valley#Class_50_Golden_Jubilee|the Class 50 Golden Jubilee]], the joint largest operational gathering of one loco type ever staged in preservation (steam or diesel). [[BR Class 50 50049 Defiance]] was formally rededicated at [[Kidderminster]].:Social media announced GWR Collett 6400 class 0-6-0PT No. 6430 would revisit the SVR for the 2019 [[Spring Steam Gala]]<ref>SVR Facebook 10 October 2018</ref>
:The [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|Charitable Trust]] applied to the HLF for [[Falling Sands Viaduct#Prospective_repairs|funds to repair Falling Sands Viaduct]]
:On 10 October [[GWR 4786 Full Third]] was moved to [[Bewdley Down Yard]] for restoration work to begin in earnest
'''November 2018'''
==2019==
'''January 2019'''
:On 21 January Rogue Events Limited announced a Kickstarter special on the SVR, [https://www.murder-on-the-1016.com Murder on the 10:16]. The first event was an all-day 1930s themed event on 8 April 2019, and the organisers commented that should they reach their funding goal they intended to add more dates. In the event no more dates were added.
:On 23 January [[BR 3MT 82045]] was moved to [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]] for continuation of the construction.
:On 31 January the project to reinstate the platform at [[Eardington]] was completed.
:On 14 February the Charitable Trust closed its [[Falling Sands Viaduct|Falling Sands]] appeal, having passed its (increased) target of £397,000
:On 16 February [[BR Riddles 4MT 75069]] returned to traffic after an overhaul costing more than £900,000 and involving more than 25,000 man hours of effort. The locomotive had last steamed in 1994.
:With both [[Diesel Locomotives hired by the SVR|hired-in BR Class 40 40106Atlantic Conveyor]] and [[Class 108 DMU]] unavailable all services were steam-hauled
:On 18 February [[GWR 14984 Workshop Van (Signal Dept)|GWR 6 Wheeled Tool Van 14984]] moved to the SVR
:On 2 and 3 March a Small Engines Weekend featured locomotives 7714, 1501 and doubleheaded 813 and D9551
:A mammoth five day shunt at [[The Engine House]] moved everything around. Taking up residence were [[7819]] as the new footplate accessible locomotive, [[5764]] in its LT guise as L95 and No. 7 'Typhoon' visiting from the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway
:On 15 March visiting LNWR Webb 0-6-2T Coal Tank 58926 (LNWR 1054) failed on the first day of the [[Spring Steam Gala]]. Staff at [[Bridgnorth MPD]] pulled out the stops to make sure she was ready to work her scheduled services on the following days. Other visiting engines for the gala were [[GWR Large Prairie 4144]], GWR 5600 Class [[GWR 5600 Class 5619|5619]] and 6400 class pannier tank 6430.It had a disappointing attendance.<ref name=NBI050320>NBI March 2020</ref>
:The next day 4144 became trapped on the points outside Kidderminster station, also causing delays. For the following weekend's service No 1 Engine Line at Kidderminster was not available for use and trains using platform 1 required a loco change rather than the loco running round its train. It produced a mini-gala with 2857, 4144, 5619, 6430, 7714, 7802, 34027 and 75069 all in use on the standard 3/4 train, plus Footplate Experience, timetable!
:On 20 March 2019 freight operator GB Railfreight and [[The Class 50 Alliance]] unveiled [[BR Class 50 50007 Hercules|50007 Hercules]] and [[BR Class 50 50049 Defiance|50049 Defiance]] into GBRf livery, with the locomotives available to operate selected GBRf trains on a ‘spot-hire’ basis.<ref>Class 50 Alliance, 15 January 2019</ref><ref>GB Railfreight Facebook 20 March 2019</ref>
'''May 2019'''
:The SVR came into unwelcome publicity when found 'naively' to have resold setts donated to the railway as part of the [[Kidderminster#History_before_preservation|development of Kidderminster mainline station]].<ref>[https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/17610810.severn-valley-railway/? 'Gift cobbles to Severn Valley Railway appear on eBay', Kidderminster Shuttle, 2 May 2019] (Retrieved 2 May 2019)</ref>
:A summer swap with the West Somerset Railway saw [[GWR 6960 Raveningham Hall|6960 Raveningham Hall]] return to the SVR with [[GWR 7802 Bradley Manor|7802 Bradley Manor]] enjoying a trip to the seaside. The occasion was a reduced axle loading at the WSR arising from required track and infrastructure works. The Hall's stay was later extended to 2021.
:[[The DMU Group (West Midlands)|The DMU Group]] issued a statement regarding their [[Class 108 DMU]]. Due to required bogie repairs neither unit could run and the 2019 Evening Scenic Specials would be replaced by a heritage diesel and carriages as a substitute<ref>[https://www.svr-dmu.org.uk/DMU%20Group%20Statement%20V3.pdf The DMU Group (West Midlands), 27 May 2019] (Retrieved 25 Hune 2019)</ref>.
:The Committee on Climate Change's [https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Net-Zero-The-UKs-contribution-to-stopping-global-warming.pdf report] recommended a new emissions target for the UK of net-zero greenhouse gases by 2050, with all emissions from all sectors eliminated or offset with removals. In addition The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had proposed a Clean Air Strategy to ban the burning of household coal by 2025. Together they excited much media comment on the threat to the future of heritage railways<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-49237745 'Heritage railway wants government help after coal ban', BBC website, 5 August 2019]</ref>.
'''June 2019'''
'''July 2019'''
:Step back to the 1940s attracted 5,562 visitors (2018: 6,664).<ref name=NBI050320/>
:On 4 July Bewdley P-Way laid a panel of track at Chateau Impney, Droitwich Spa. [[686 The Lady Armaghdale]] was extricated from [[The Engine House]] by [[BR Class 08 D3201|13201]] and transported from Bridgnorth for display at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb Motorsport event the following weekend
:On 7 July [[GWR 7802 Bradley Manor|7802 Bradley Manor]] suffered a broken piston rod whilst working on the West Somerset Railway, with significant consequential damage. [[The Erlestoke Manor Fund]] announced she would be out of service for a considerable period.
:On 8 July [[BR Class 08 D3022]] departed by road to Bristol, St Phillp's Marsh depot for tyre turning
:The railway was closed between Kidderminster and Arley from 14 July to 17 July while three days of filming took place. Passenger services ran between Bridgnorth and Highley using a special 'Timetable D'.
:A summer promotion offered any family purchasing a £49 Family Freedom of the Line ticket could travel again for £19.70, between 20 July and 1 September. The 'hook' was the SVR has been running steam trains since 1970 and this is to celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary. The Summer theme was 'A Very British Summer!' with a myriad of traditional summer activities.The concept brought in families who might not have visited otherwise and passenger numbers were strong.<ref name=NBI050320/>
:On 22 and 23 July, due to a [[Tales from the Severn Valley#Minor_Derailments|fallen tree]] on the line between [[Highley]] and [[Hampton Loade]], trains ran between [[Kidderminster]] and Highley only with a vintage bus service operating between [[Arley]] and Bridgnorth. On 23 July [[7714]] offered footplate rides at Bridgnorth<ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/attractions/2019/07/23/fallen-tree-causes-disruption-to-severn-valley-railway/ Shropshire Star 23 July 2019] (Retrieved 29 July 2019)</ref>.
:On 9 August Class 09s [[BR Class 09 D4100|D4100]] and [[BR Class 09 09107|09107]] replaced [[LMS Ivatt Class 4 43106|43106]] between Bewdley and Kidderminster. With services running late and the crew's hours up, due to a person on the line at Bridgnorth, the decision was made so as to get 43106 back to Bridgnorth without holding the last passenger service from Kidderminster.
:On 20 August out of ticket [[45110]] was taken by low loader for exhibition at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, there to be towed by traction engines.
:On 22 August [[List of film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway#TV_News_and_Documentary|ITV's News at Ten]] carried an item on the need for heritage railway volunteers, featuring the [[Heritage Skills Training Academy]].
:On 30 August the SVR launched its [[Christmas services|Steam in Lights]] service in the run up to Christmas
 
'''September 2019'''
:On 1 September [[Bewdley]] held its tenth and final bus gala, the event having outgrown the site.<ref>Express Points, September 2019</ref>
:The [[Autumn Steam Gala]] on 19-22 September had a Southern theme, with guests Maunsell Q class 0-6-0 30541, Bulleid West Country Class Pacific 34092 City of Wells and BR Standard 4MT class Mogul 76017. At [[Eardington]] the volunteer team attempted to ‘recreate’ the scenes of some of the very limited number of photographs that exist of the tiny station from before the 1960s.
:A team of volunteers from Network Rail spent a day at Highley clearing vegetation on the embankment and pathways around [[The Engine House]], as part of NR's Corporate Social Responsibility programme.
 
'''October 2019'''
:The Autumn Diesel Gala on 3-6 October mainly featured the home fleet. The event included the first passenger runs for [[BR Class 09 09107]] and [[Class 50 Alliance Limited|Class 50 50033 Glorious]]. The Diesel Gala attracted 2,427 passengers against a budget of 3,000 with the Sunday particularly not being as well supported as hoped.
:With Virgin Trains handing over the West Coast trains franchise in December, it donated a collection of Class 390 'Pendolino' name and cone plates to be auctioned, raising nearly £20,000 for the [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|SVR Charitable Trust]] and £5,000 for [[Kidderminster Railway Museum]].<ref>Express Points, October and November 2019 issues</ref>
:[[Helen Smith]] was announced as [[The Severn Valley Railway in preservation#General_Manager|General Manager]] of both SVR(H) and the Guarantee Company on 11 October 2019, in succession to [[Nick Ralls]].
:On 18 October, SVR Patron HRH the Duke of Gloucester visited [[Bridgnorth|Bridgnorth station]]. As well as a short footplate ride on [[75069]], he inspected the newly opened refreshment rooms and presented long service awards to a group of SVR pioneers who between them had accumulated some 450 years of active service.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blnov19 Branch Lines, November 2019]</ref>
:A new [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Shareholder_benefits|Shareholder Travel Pass]] came into use, a photo-bearing credit card pass to replace the previous version that was open to abuse.
 
'''November 2019'''
:LNER Peppercorn A1 Pacific No. 60163 'Tornado' hauled three weekends of passenger trains.
:LMS Stanier Royal Scot 7P Class 4-6-0 No. 46100 Royal Scot visited for running in, but not hauling passenger trains.
:On 16 November diesels 67004 and 67006 hauled a blue and grey Mark 2 set on UK Railtours' 'The Severn Valley Autumn Special' from Euston to Kidderminster Town and the Bridgnorth-Euston return. An amended and augmented public timetable was in force, and the Christmas Fayre at The Engine House.
:On 25 November 47593 delivered eight Mark 3 Sleepers for temporary storage outside [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed]], for Locomotive Services Limited.
:[[Nick Ralls]] left as [[The Severn Valley Railway in preservation#General_Manager|General Manager]] on 29 November. His successor [[Helen Smith]] started two days beforehand.
:On 30 November the SVR operated its first public 'Steam in Lights' services. Press and members' services had operated the previous week. The season's trains sold-out, carrying 8,508 passengers.<ref name=NBI050320/>
:During a vist by SVR Patron HRH The Duke of Gloucester in late November, former [[Charitable Trust]] Chairman [[Hugh McQuade]] was invited to become the Trust's first Vice President<ref>[https://www.svrtrust.org.uk/News 'Hugh McQuade becomes first vice president of the Charitable Trust', Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust website, November 2019] (Retrieved 19 December 2019)</ref>.
 
'''December 2019'''
:On 1 December the Railway celebrated the return of Santa services to Bridgnorth after 40 years with a Santa train charity special. More than 170 passengers enjoyed complimentary tickets, distributed to eight different charities.<ref name="epjan20">[https://www.svrlive.com/epjan20 Express Points January 2020]</ref>
:[[GWR 1450]]'s boiler ticket was extended from Spring to the end of 2020, with replacement of two large tubes.<ref name="epjan20"/>
:[[Regent Oil & Texaco 345 Aviation Fuel Tank Wagon]] was outshopped after overhul and repaint.<ref name="epjan20"/>
:Two [[List of preservation groups|preservation groups with an SVR connection]] were nominated for the [[Awards|Heritage Railway Association's 2020 Awards]]. The [[Class 50 Alliance Limited|Class 50 Alliance]] was shortlisted for the Coiley Locomotive Engineering Award for the restoration of Class 50 no. 50033 Glorious at the SVR. The [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd]] was nominated for the Morgan Award for Preservation for [[LMS 2886 Six-wheel Passenger Brake (later 32919) | 2886]], awarded to an HRA member organisation for an outstanding achievement in the restoration of carriages or rolling stock.
:The SVR delivered £4,000 of toys to Birmingham Children's Hospital and children’s charities across the West Midlands.<ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/attractions/2019/12/18/severn-valley-railway-delivers-4k-of-toys-to-birmingham-childrens-hospital/ Shropshire Star, 18 December 2019].</ref>
:The Chairman of the Diesel Committee advised [[BR Class 27 D5410]] was no longer a SVR resident.
:From 30 December the line was closed between [[Bewdley]] and [[Kidderminster]] for a three month period, for work on [[Falling Sands Viaduct]].
==Steam locomotives used==
| style="text-align:right;" | X
| style="text-align:right;" | X
| style="text-align:right;" | X 9,253&frac12;
| Returned to service December 2016
|-
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| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" | X (S+W)
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|-
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" | <b>61,439</b>
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|}
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