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Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2010-2019

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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==

'''January 2010'''

:New points were installed at [[Hampton Loade]] to replace those damaged in the derailment the previous autumn. Services from Kidderminster terminated at [[Highley]] while the work took place.

'''February 2010'''

:On 23 February the internal enquiry team's report into the previous year's [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2000-2009#2009|Hampton Loade derailment]] was presented to the [[SVR(H)]] Board. The recommendations were accepted in full. These included responsibility for safety residing solely with SVR(H) rather than the Joint Board, reviewing the SMS and insituting an audit procedure to ensure compliance<ref>SVR News 169</ref>.

'''March 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 P~~road.~~W. staff~~It 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'''

'''July 2010''':

:42968 became the first locomotive to use the new wheel-drop ‘in anger’, with the rear driving wheels being removed to attend to wear in the axle boxes.

:'Kids for a Quid' offered £1 fares for children from 24 July to 31 August. Ticket Treats for Grown-Ups offered reduced price off-peak travel during July.<ref>Express Points web round up, August 2010</ref>

:The Ffestiniog Railway’s 1' 11½" gauge 1863 locomotive No 2 ‘Prince’ was on display in The Engine House.

'''Summer 2010'''

:The locomotive fleet was again ‘one short’ for the summer peak service, resulting in the hire of [[GWR 2884 Class 3802]] from Llangollen, utilising 7822 'Foxcote Manor's' tender to save transport costs.

'''August 2010''':A Q&A session on 21 August reported the recession had truly hit; in the first six months of the year [[SVR Passenger numbers]] were 13% down and all departments were asked to economise as much as possible.<ref>Express Points web round up, September 2010</ref> The Railway Magazine reported the SVR was set to make redundancies.<ref>The Railway Magazine, September 2010</ref> :The railway pulled in more than 30 prospective new guards from a special recruiting day on 14 August<ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2010/08/18/severn-valley-railway-in-recruitment-boost/ 'Severn Valley Railway in recruitment boost', Shropshire Star, 18 August 2010]</ref>.

'''September 2010'''

:The Autumn ‘Anniversary’ Gala saw three former resident locomotives revisiting; 3205 (which hauled the first train on opening day 40 years earlier), 45690 Leander and 3717 City of Truro. GWR ‘Small Prairie’ 5542 and SR Bullied un-rebuilt West Country Class No 34070 Manston also took part.

'''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.

'''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'''

'''June 2011'''

:The SVR ran a special train on 1 June with proceeds going to help the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, which had suffered two successive embankment collapses. The GWSR was one of the railways which had come to the aid of the SVR following the flood damage in 2007.

:Members of the cast of the TV series 'Allo 'Allo were interviewed prior to 2011 Severn Valley Railway [[Step Back to the 1940s|1940s weekend]]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlCSyObHpj4&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2G-KCxUrQnq3Y5uQ4DgZtmAqtmGt3wd0quneGXnSqc3rBWpJWrSMwDpoo, Youtube, 24 June 2011] (Retrieved 28 June 2019)</ref>.

'''Summer 2011'''

:BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No 92212 from the Mid Hants Railway became the third summer hire-in in three years, working services in July and August. The SVR’s new policy of weighing new locomotives on arrival (another legacy of the derailment) revealed two broken springs, which slightly delayed the entry into service.

:The Bewdley Carriage & Wagon Works won a contract job to finish paint Mike Little’s GWR Auto Coach No 238 ‘Chaffinch’. Mike Little’s locomotive No 1450 and his two Auto Coaches later moved to the SVR in 2014.

:No [[2857 ]] re-entered service after a lengthy overhaul. :[[Nick Paul]] became [[SVR(H)]] Chairman on 19 July. :From 23 July to 4 September advance purchase 'Summer Saver Tickets' gave a saving of 20% off the normal ‘Freedom of the Line’ price<ref>Express Pionts web round up, August 2011</ref>. '''August 2011''':There was confusion over expansion plans. Local press reported the SVR could be extended and new stations built under ambitious multi-million pound plans. Quoting [[Nick Ralls]], SVR general manager, it reported the SVR was considering “very aspirational” proposals that could be 20 years away to provide a link from Bridgnorth to the Ironbridge Gorge.<ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2011/08/09/severn-valley-railway-has-major-expansion-plans/ 'Severn Valley Railway has major expansion plans', Shropshire Star, 9 August 2011] (Retrieved 1 August 2019)</ref> A clarification followed shortly thereafter ruling out an extension, but confirmed that [[SVR(H)]] had agreed to look again at the concept<ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2011/08/11/bosses-rule-out-severn-valley-railway-extension/ 'Bosses rule out Severn Valley Railway extension', Shropshire Star, 11 August 2011] (Retrieved 1 August 2019)</ref>.

'''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.

'''November 2011'''

:BR Standard Tank No [[BR Riddles 4MT 80072|80072]] arrived on hire from Llangollen to help with the [[Christmas services|Santa Special services]].

==2012==

'''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'''

:On Thursday 24 May the Olympic Torch arrived on the SVR. 7812 Erlestoke Manor carried the torch between Bewdley and Kidderminster, pausing for a photo opportunity with [[Safari Park | Bewdley Safari Park’s elephants]].

:SR Bullied Battle of Britain class locomotive ~~34054~~ 34053 Sir Keith Park arrived at Bridgnorth on indefinite loan from owners Southern Locomotives Limited. The locomotive, newly restored from ex-Barry condition, entered service in August following final testing and ‘fettling’ at the SVR.

'''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.

:On 6 August ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley drove a steam train at Bewdley as pert of BBC WM’s Red Alert Appeal for the charity Cure Leukaemia, the first of a series of fundraising challenges.<ref>Express Points web round up, September 2011</ref>

:Residents in Birmingham and Worcestershire enjoyed a day out on the SVR on 19 August from just £5 each as part of celebrations to mark the co-operative movement. Birmingham Co-operative Housing Services (bchs) and Redditch Co-operative Homes (RCH) organised the trip to celebrate the International Year of the Co-operatives, which aimed to raise awareness of businesses owned and run by their members.

: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."

:Tentative discussions were held with representatives of 5029 Nunney Castle concerning the possibility of her having a home at the SVR, operation on the SVR and occasional mainline trips, which did not come to fruition<ref>SVR Live</ref>.

'''September 2012'''

:The Autumn Steam Gala featured two Southern locomotives, the NRM’s LSWR Drummond T9 No 30120 and the Mid Hants Railway’s SR Maunsell U class No 31806. The gala also featured a return visit from the LNWR Webb Coal Tank 1054, this time in LMS livery as 7799. GWR Pannier 3650 also took part following the summer hire and repair.

:Indie band British Sea Power call in to perform a live gig at Kidderminster Station on 13 September.<ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/music/2012/08/02/british-sea-power-steam-in-for-severn-valley-railway-show/ 'British Sea Power steam in for Severn Valley Railway show', Shropshire Star, 2 August 2012] (Retrieved 1 August 2019)</ref>

:The Heritage Railway Association presented their Carriage & Wagon Competition award for 2010 on 22 September for [[LMS 7511 Restaurant First Open]]

'''October 2012'''

: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'''

:2857 suffered a failure of a copper steam pipe. As a result, Ian Riley’s Black 5 44871 spent 2 weeks at the SVR assisting with the [[Christmas services|Santa ~~Services~~Special services]].

:‘Mighty Mogul’ 42968 bowed out of traffic on the final working day of the 2012 season.

'''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 4T 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. :The SVR leased a unit at Stanmore Industrial Estate, Bridgnorth to clear the MPD of stores and what was affectionately known as ‘Tranter Towers’. The cleared space was to allow for the relocation of some workshop machinery and open up further space for locomotive overhaul. :S&T rewired [[Hampton Loade signal box]] from 9 September, with an amended timetable in operation. :The [[Great Western (SVR) Association]] ran a special train on 18 September to mark the completion of GWR Saloon 9103. This was the first chance to see the tthree saloons 9055, 9369 and 9103 together. The train included a stop at Bewdley to view progress on GWR Collett open brake third 650. '''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''':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 [[Connection to Network Rail|main line connection at Kidderminster]]<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'''

:Large Prairie 5164 retired from service at the end of the 2013 season, running its last public passenger trains on ~~5th~~ 5 January 2014.

The total mileages for the year recorded by the SVR's steam locomotives are shown in the table below.<ref>SVR News 185. p12.</ref>

: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 ~~porta~~portable 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-~~cabin~~Up, 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''':Peter’s Railway Young Engineers’ Centre opened on 24 May at [[The Engine House]] explaining more about railway engineering and how a steam locomotive works.

'''Summer 2014'''

:Trials of Welsh steam coal from Ffos-y-fran proved successful, and this became the normal source of supply.

:On 14 July [[Barry Railway Carriage Trust]] and the SVR made a loan agreement for the presence and future use of [[Barry Railway Carriage 163]].

:The total locomotive mileage passed 2 million steaming miles.

:Replica locomotive Catch Me Who Can spent 2 months on display at the Dutch Railway Museum at Utrecht as part of the 175th anniversary of the railways in the Netherlands.

:A Bridgnorth Conservation Plan was published, as a precursor to the [[Bridgnorth#Bridgnorth_Development_Project|Development Project]].

:On 16 July a wheel lathe was moved from the [[Carriage Repair Works]] at Kidderminster to the South Devon Railway. It had been unused for 20 years due to insufficient power supply.

:Despite an extensive television advertising campaign and a leaflet drop the passenger numbers in August were disappointing, with visitors 2,000 below 2013.

:The Engine House was newly licensed to conduct Weddings and Civil Ceremonies

'''September 2014''':

:The 'Fantastic Fares' offer returned with up to 30% off adult and child fares throughout September and October. :On 6 September Chiltern Trains operated a return ‘Silver King’ charter from London Marylebone to Bridgnorth using their modern rolling stock, ~~the powered units being~~ Bo-Bo 67010 and Driving Van Trailer 82301. :Stepping back to 1965, on 7 September the railway recreated the SLS special of 19 September 1965 to [[Alveley Colliery]]. Locomotives Nos. 1450 and 4566 stood in for former classmates 1420 and 4555. :On 8 September a shunting incident occurred at Eardington involving a run through of the points. :On 19 September B&Q donated £8,000 of tools and vouchers for [[Heritage Skills Training Academy]]'s use, secured by the SVR Charitable Trust.

:Autumn Steam Gala visitors were Somerset & Dorset Fowler 7F No 88 (BR 53808) from the West Somerset Railway (making its last visit to another Railway before going out of ticket), LSWR Drummond M7No 30053 from the Swanage Railway, and LMS Fowler 4F No 43924 from the Worth Valley Railway. Caprotti Standard 5MT No 73129 also took part before returning to Butterley.

:Access to the Enterprise Investment Scheme, by which new shares issued by SVR qualified for tax relief, ended on 30 September.

'''Winter 2014'''

:BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No 92214 was hired in from the Great Central Railway to help with the [[Christmas services|Santa Special services]].

The total mileages recorded by the SVR's steam locomotives in 2014 were as follows:

: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.

'''April 2015'''

:On Monday 13 April, HRH The Princess Royal paid her first visit to the SVR. The visit began at Bewdley with a welcome and summary of the flood damage repairs, which were the focus of the last Royal Visit by HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2008. The Princess Royal then rode to Kidderminster on the footplate of 7812 Erlestoke Manor, crewed by driver [[Paul Fathers ]] and fireman Ryan Green. After meeting four of the SVR’s founding members, Keith Beddoes, Christopher George, Columb Howell and Roger Hobson, The Princess Royal then unveiled a plaque celebrating 50 years of the SVR, and was presented with a locoman's billy can as a memento of the occasion.

:On Friday 17 April, the [[The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust|82045 Steam Locomotive Trust]] organised the [[The Eardington Explorer|Eardington Explorer]], a special train calling at disused [[Eardington]], using locomotive [[1450]]. Tickets were priced at £19.65, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the SVR, with funds going towards the purchase of [[82045]]'s boiler.

: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'''

:English Electric Class 73/9 Electro-diesel No 73952 arrived on 4 May for three weeks of testing and crew training.

:On 16 May [[SR 34027 Taw Valley | 34027 Taw Valley]] returned to service after a lengthy overhaul. She hauled an incoming railtour from London Victoria, "The Golden Jubilee Pullman", between Bewdley and Bridgnorth, also working an SVR service from Bridgnorth back to Kidderminster. She carried a wreath, as did the other SVR locomotives in service on the day, to commemorate the death earlier in the week of former owner Bert Hitchen. '''June 2015''':[[50031]] was on the move 29 June from Eastleigh – RVEL Derby where it underwent a generator swap

'''July 2015'''

:On Monday 6 July, a special 50th Anniversary Dining Train was arranged for founding members and early pioneers of the SVR, being hauled by early SVR locomotive 43106. A photographic lineup was organised at Bridgnorth, with five SVR locomotives forming the backdrop.

:From 6 July the SVR planted some golden tickets offering six winners and their guest the chance to enjoy an exclusive, behind-the-scenes, VIP experience at the Severn Valley Railway. :On ~~Friday~~ 17 July, a separate 50th Anniversary Dinner was held at Spring Grove House, West Midland Safari Park, including a talk by Antiques Roadshow expert and railway enthusiast Paul Atterbury.

'''August 2015'''

:The "Step back to the 1960s" event was run on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th, with many 60s-themed exhibits, including car displays and a fashion show at The Engine House. On both evenings, music shows were held at Kidderminster, with performances by tribute acts The Stones (Friday) and The Who 2 (Saturday).

:On 8 August the SVR was operated almost entirely by current and former members of the [[SVR Apprentices|SVR Junior Club]] in a unique tribute to much-loved volunteer, the late Don Wilcox - "Don's Day".

:Fifteen [[BR 'Rudd' Ballast Wagons]] were purchased from DB Schenker, which had been on loan since the [[2007 Storm Damage]].

'''September 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.

:On 29 September the railway purchased 10 acres of land to the West of Bridgnorth station, including [[Bridgnorth#Pan Pudding Hill|Pan Pudding Hill]]. The purchase was done to safeguard the land from any developments such as housing estates, with plans including more permanent parking facilities (the fields had previously been used for overflow parking), and other uses such as a new volunteer accommodation building.<ref>SVR Notice Board Issue NBI-H-276 "Purchase of 10 Acres of Land to the West of Bridgnorth"</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 station~~Railway, ~~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 building~~measuring equipment that was on test on the Railway.<refname=WRU1015>~~SVR Notice Board Issue NBI~~Express 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.

:Having stayed at the SVR after its appearance at the Autumn Steam Gala, 46100 Royal Scot underwent high speed testing between Bewdley and Kidderminster, in preparation for a return to mainline service. During two weekends, Royal Scot was also used on passenger services alongside Tornado.

:On 11 October the [[Great Western (SVR) Association]] ran the a special train to celebrate the launch into service of [[GWR 650 Brake Third Open (Excursion)|GWR Collett open brake third 650]] and to celebrate 100 years of [[GWR 3930 Full Third|3930]].<ref>Express Points Web Round-Up, August 2015</ref>

'''November 2015'''

'''March 2016'''

:The Spring Steam Gala featured two visiting GWR Collett 6400 Pannier Tanks, numbers 6412 and 6430, both of which worked with the SVR's autocoaches. Talyllyn Railway 2ft 3in gauge loco No 4 Edward Thomas gave footplate rides on a short section of track specially installed in the Engine House car park. GWR Modified Hall No [[6990 Witherslack Hall]] was due to appear in the gala but was unable to take part having suffered a hot box after arrival; however it was repaired in time to work service trains on the following Easter weekend and a further two weekends. Although this was the first time 6990 had visited the SVR, her Hawksworth designed tender was previously on display in the Engine House behind [[GWR 4930 Hagley Hall |4930 Hagley Hall]] before being the subject of an exchange for a Collett style tender in 2013.

:Terence Cuneo - The Man and His Mouse - exhibition showcasing the work of the famous railway artist opened at The Engine House on 18 March.

'''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~~' weekend~~Weekend]], 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'''

:The [http://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=730 SVR announced] that the [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd | SVR Charitable Trust]] had won a grant of £75,000 in a [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rail-tourism-winners-announced Department for Transport competition], for an ambitious scheme to transform the Railway’s travel offering for disabled passengers. The scheme is to involve the restoration and conversion of two [[Carriages#BR Designed Coaches | 1950s carriages]], and the purchase of lightweight, portable ramps for each of the Railway’s wheelchair-accessible carriages.

:A routine inspection of visiting 55019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’ found a burst air pipe under the no.2 nose end air intake grills which required repairs. The SVR offered the facilities of the new diesel depot.

'''June 2016'''

'''July 2016'''

:Shropshire Council granted planning permission for the SVR's proposed [[Bridgnorth#Proposed development | redevelopment of Bridgnorth Station]] on 19 July 2016<ref>Shropshire Council web site [http://pa.shropshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=O0YI8ATDK4U00 Link]</ref>.

:From July 11 evening and night testing of rebuilt Network Rail Class 73s Nos. 73952 and 73951 took place. They left on 3 August.

:BBC4’s ‘Trainspotting Live’ on 13 July featured the SVR. BBC spent a day the previous month filming young volunteers and apprentices, the Diesel Depot and on the footplate of both a diesel and steam locomotive.

:A 'Family Summer Saver offer' costing £39 was available from 23 July

:Bridgnorth and Kidderminster Town (‘Kidderminster Old Station’) Stations became Pokéstops, part of the Pokémon Go craze.

'''August 2016'''

:[[LNER 24506 Brake Third]] entered service following its restoration/conversion from former Gangwayed Full Brake/Pigeon Van 70759.

:On 26 August the Guarantee Company AGM was held. Originally arranged for July, there were several errors in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2015 resulting from an earlier incorrect draft of the accounts being used by the printers. Directors took legal advice on the validity of the proceedings and decided that the AGM should be postponed.<ref>D Mellor, SVR (G) Company Secretary, 1 July 2016.</ref>

:On 26 August, [[GWR 7812 Erlestoke Manor|7812 Erlestoke Manor]] reached 100,000 miles in preservation.

'''September 2016'''

:On 8 September, LNER-design 60163 'Tornado' brought Vintage Trains' 'Severn Valley Venturer' from London Victoria to Bridgnorth. [[SR 34027 Taw Valley|34027 Taw Valley]] was due to return the tour to Bewdley, but suffered a brake pump problem and [[BR Class 50 50049 Defiance | 50049 Defiance]] ran instead. 66151 took over at Bewdley to haul 1Z75 back to London Victoria. The intention was for this to be a positioning move for Tornado to attend SVR's 'Pacific Power' event from September 21-26 but unavailability of other locomotives meant that she instead ran to Bristol on 9 September to haul the Torbay Express, returning to SVR metals on 12 September.

:The 2016 Bridgnorth Beer Festival was cancelled due to the proposed Development Project work about to take place at the station.

:On 15 September 2426 GWR Churchward 'Toplight' Third moved for the first time in 28 years, taken from Hampton Loade to Kidderminster Carriage and Wagon by D4100 'Dick Hardy', to begin its long path to assessment, woodworm removal then restoration. 4-wheel Riding/Dormitory Van No. 55 was delivered for use as temporary overnight volunteer accommodation.

:On 17 September, newly overhauled [[BR Class 50 50031 Hood]] was re-dedicated in a ceremony at Kidderminster. The event marked two anniversaries; 100 years since the keel of HMS Hood was laid in 1916 and 75 years since the ship was sunk by the German battleship Bismark during World War 2.

:The SVR staged 'Pacific Power' featuring the first meeting of LNER A1 60103 Flying Scotsman and LNER-design 60163 Tornado. On Wednesday 21 September, Flying Scotsman hauled three round trips for around 1,200 supporters of the [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd | SVR Charitable Trust]]. The next five days saw four round trips per day using one locomotive from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and the other for the return. The special services ran with a full rake of 9 Gresley teaks, the first time that nine teak coaches have run together since 2 May 1964 (by then repainted into BR maroon).<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?p=51701#51701 SVRA Forum]</ref> The visitors were supported by home locomotives including the SVR-based Pacifics [[SR 34027 Taw Valley | Taw Valley]] and [[SR 34053 Sir Keith Park | Sir Keith Park]]. The event, which saw a total of 15,267 visitors and a result of over £280,000 [https://www.svrlive.com/copy-of-news-300516-1-4 'Pacific Power event September 2016', SVRLive], replaced the traditional Autumn Steam Gala.

:The SVR and Auctus Apprentice Training Agency entered into a new partnership aimed at boosting the number of apprentices in the rail industry.

'''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) Association]] 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/>

'''November 2016'''

: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'''

'''December 2017'''

:On 10 December all [[Christmas services|Santa ~~Steam Specials~~ Special services]] were cancelled in light of heavy snow overnight and complete loss of power at Arley Station.

:On 26 December it was found [[GNR 2701 Composite Corridor]] and [[GWR 1146 Full Third]] stabled at Kidderminster Town station had been vandalised with graffiti

:The post-Christmas Festive service saw the four seviceable cars of the [[Class 108 DMU]] stood down and replaced by loco and coaches due to higher passenger traffic numbers. Visiting [[BR Class 33 33108]] ran one day (no train heating) before steam took over the remaining days.

'''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 ~~gala~~Steam 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]].

:At [[Eardington]] contractors finished brickwork for the restored platform, incorporating around 6,000 GWR bricks reclaimed and donated from the GWR main line electrification.

:The [[Northern Belle]] stock was rebased at Carnforth by 9 March, by which time the compound was cleared and only two spare vehicles remained on the SVR.<ref>[http://www.lnersvrcoachfund.org.uk/news_letters/Newsletter_68-2018.pdf LNER Coach Fund Newsletter No. 68]</ref>

:On 11 March the Thompson B1 Locomotive Trust announced that Thompson B1 ~~61624~~ 61264 would be unable to attend due to overrunning winter maintenance. S&DJR 53808 was announced as a replacement visitor on 13 March. The Spring Steam Gala was unusual with only three of the home fleet (1450, 1501 and 7714) timetabled for use, the fewest since 2009 (two), with six [[Steam Locomotives visiting the SVR for galas|visiting locomotives]]. In the event home-fleet 43106 also made an appearance.

:On 28 March [[BR 4593 Tourist Standard Open‎]] was moved to the dock in front of the [[Bewdley|Bewdley buffet]] to be used as seating for staff and the public, as a prelude to demolition of the buffet building (but not the more recent toilet block and kitchen.) The building had recently been assessed by the SVR's consultant civil engineer and its increasing external dilapidation led to the decision to demolish it.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/epapril18 Express Points, April 2018] </ref>

:The polystyrene patterns for [[4930]]'s new cylinders were transported to Shakespeare Foundry in Preston for casting<ref>[https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/new-cylinders-cast-for-hagley-hall/ Railway Magazine website]</ref>.

</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>

:On 11 August the 'Steam on the Road' event featured an return appearance by [[Other rolling stock visiting the SVR#2018|'Plimsoll']], a rail-mounted Land Rover, which made another return trip between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster during the day.

'''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'''

:On 11 November [[2857]] again carried the '100' headboard, this time commemorating the centenary of Remembrance Day.

:[[6990 Witherslack Hall]] was hired to provide support to the locomotive fleet for winter services

:On 23 November the SVR made a 'Black Friday' discount offer of unsold [[Christmas services|Santa ~~Steam~~ Special services]] tickets.

:The [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd | SVR Charitable Trust]] announced costs for [[Falling Sands Viaduct#Prospective_repairs|repairs to Falling Sands Viaduct]] had risen, and raised the appeal target to £397,000 (originally £275,000).

:[[BR Class 52 D1015 Western Champion|D1015]] was painted into BR blue livery at the [[Diesel Depot]], the first time all three 'Westerns' on the line were blue.

==2019==

'''January 2019'''

:On 21 January Rogue Events Limited announced a Kickstarter special ~~event to be held~~ on the SVR, [https://www.murder-on-the-1016.com Murder on the 10:16]. The first event ~~advertised~~ 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>

:On 25 March the SVR announced a grant of £853,800 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help restore [[Falling Sands Viaduct]] and to launch an exciting programme of community engagement and exhibitions that will explore the Railway’s early history<ref>SVR Website</ref>.

'''April 2019'''

:On 4 April the SVR staged a special event to celebrate the opening of the [[Bridgnorth#Bridgnorth Development Project|new refreshment room at Bridgnorth]], attended by around 650 shareholders who had invested in the [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Share_offers|2017 share offer]]. The SVR ran a number of special trains between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth for the event.

:On 14 April [[BR Class 33 33108|33108]] hauled the ''[[Tales from the Severn Valley#The_Rag_Express_-_official.21|Rag Express]]''. A volunteer at the [[Diesel Depot]] sourced an 18-tonne consignment of scrap rags which junior volunteers and ex-[[SVR Apprentices]] sorted, then arranged a special train with [[GWR 17410 'Toad' 20T Goods Brake Van|GWR 'Toad' 17410]] and [[GWR 2926 Siphon G Bogie Milk Van|GWR Siphon 2926]] to deliver rags up the line, so that other groups could benefit. They also made a 'Rag Express' traditional headboard for the trip.

'''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'''

:GBRf Class 66 [[Locomotives named after the Severn Valley Railway|66763 Severn Valley Railway]] visited for four days accompanied by [[Other rolling stock visiting the SVR#2019|three GBRf IIA hoppers]]. The special footplate experience trips, in conjunction with another diesel charter, resulted in the introduction of a previously unannounced 'Timetable C'.

:[[Other rolling stock visiting the SVR#2019|18 Osprey flat wagons]] visited the SVR, used to deliver a large quantity of rail.

:[[Nick Ralls]] resigned as General Manager

'''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 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 of [[Enola Holmes]] 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>.

'''August 2019'''

:On 8 August a donation wall was erected at [[The Engine House]] to recognise contributors to the [[Falling Sands Viaduct|‘helping hands for Falling Sands’]] appeal

: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.

:Stephen Turner, ORR HM Principal Inspector of Railways, spent two days at the SVR conducting a scheduled routine inspection. He wrote that “the railway in general appears to be well managed and operated”.<ref>SVR(H) annual report and financial statements for the period ended 5 January 2020</ref>

'''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.

:A 200' long westward extension to the[[Bridgnorth Loco Works]] footprint was added by the building of a wall of concrete sleepers, for additional storage space.<ref>SVR News 210</ref>

: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;" | 2017

| style="text-align:right;" | 2018

| style="text-align:right;" | 2019

| style="text-align:left;" | Comment

|-

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | 515

| style="text-align:right;" | X1,724| style="text-align:right;" | X1,592| style="text-align:right;" | 1,344

| Returned to service November 2016

|-

| style="text-align:right;" | 1,714

| style="text-align:right;" | 1,297

| style="text-align:right;" | X 2,640 | style="text-align:right;" | X 3,487 | style="text-align:right;" | 1,178 | Arrived on SVR March 2014.

|-

| [[1501]]

| style="text-align:right;" | 4,356

| style="text-align:right;" | 4,755

| style="text-align:right;" | X 5,546 | style="text-align:right;" | X 8,042 | style="text-align:right;" | 5,311

| Returned to service September 2012

|-

| style="text-align:right;" | 10,828

| style="text-align:right;" | 8,216

| style="text-align:right;" | X 5,278 | style="text-align:right;" | X 8,209 | style="text-align:right;" | 8,605

| Returned to service summer 2011

|-

| style="text-align:right;" | 5,644

| style="text-align:right;" | 4,346

| style="text-align:right;" | 84

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | X

| style="text-align:right;" | 8,556

| style="text-align:right;" |

| [[5764]]

| style="text-align:right;" | X

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | 366

| style="text-align:right;" | X 7,770 | style="text-align:right;" | X 7,105 | style="text-align:right;" | 9,253½

| Returned to service December 2016

|-

| style="text-align:right;" | 1,238

| style="text-align:right;" | 9,139

| style="text-align:right;" | X 7,592 | style="text-align:right;" | X 8,739 | style="text-align:right;" | 4,328 | Withdrawn Feb 2011. Returned Nov 2015. Withdrawn 2019.

|-

| [[7812|7812 Erlestoke Manor]]

| style="text-align:right;" | 7,725

| style="text-align:right;" | 9,402

| style="text-align:right;" | X 7,278 | style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" |

| Withdrawn Dec 2017.

| style="text-align:right;" | 6,265

| style="text-align:right;" | 7,716

| style="text-align:right;" | X 5,956 | style="text-align:right;" | X 7,241 | style="text-align:right;" | 7,002

| Returned to service May 2015

|-

| style="text-align:right;" | 8,130

| style="text-align:right;" | 7,054

| style="text-align:right;" | X6,375| style="text-align:right;" | 132

| style="text-align:right;" |

| Returned to Swanage at the end of the 2017 season

| style="text-align:right;" | X

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | 10,247

| style="text-align:right;" | 6,767

| style="text-align:right;" | X9,934| style="text-align:right;" | X7,911| style="text-align:right;" | 4,779

| Mid-term overhaul in 2013

|-

| style="text-align:right;" | X

| style="text-align:right;" |

| Withdrawn January 2012

|-

| [[75069]]

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | 310

| style="text-align:right;" | 7,214

|

|-

| [[GWR 2884 Class 3802|3802]]

| style="text-align:right;" | X (S)| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| [[GWR 5600 Class 6695|6695]]

| style="text-align:right;" | X (W )

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| [[BR Standard 9F 92212|92212]]

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | X (S)

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| [[BR Riddles 4MT 80072|80072]]

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | X (W )

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | 465 (W ) | style="text-align:right;" |1,259

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | X (S)

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | X (W )

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| style="text-align:right;" | X (Spring)

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | X 680 (W)| style="text-align:right;" | 48

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | 897 (W)

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | 414

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| [[GWR Large Prairie 4144|4144]]

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | 5,742 (S)

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| [[GWR 6960 Raveningham Hall|6960 Raveningham Hall]]

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | 4,659 (S+W)

| style="text-align:right;" |

|-

| Total

| style="text-align:right;" |

| style="text-align:right;" | 56,147

| style="text-align:right;" | 59,573

| style="text-align:right;" | 63,613| style="text-align:right;" |58,496| style="text-align:right;" | 61,439

| style="text-align:right;" |

|}

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