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→2015: Information and events from SVR News 192
'''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 the disused [[Eardington|Eardington Halt]], 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 27th 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.
'''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" from , between Bewdley to 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.
'''July 2015'''
:On Monday 6th 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.
:On Friday 17th 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).
'''September 2015'''
:The SVR's patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, visited the railway on Thursday 17th September. After a reception at Bridgnorth, he travelled to [[Hampton Loade]] and back on an autotrain hauled by GWR 1450. HRH accepted the opportunity to drive the train in both directions, which was done from the driving compartment of the autocoach on the outward journey. He then met a number of staff from the Bridgnorth locomotive works and boiler shop, as well as members of the 82045 Trust, of which he is also patron.
:The Autumn Steam Gala had a 50th anniversary theme. Two guest locomotives were former residents, BR Standard Class 7 [[BR Standard Class 7 70000 Britannia | 70000 Britannia]] and LMS Ivatt Class 2 Mogul [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46521 | 46521]]. The gala also featured LMS Royal Scot No. 46100 Royal Scot, newly returned to steam following a 5-year overhaul.
'''October 2015'''
:The railway announced the purchase of 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><ref id=>
:Guests at the 2015 Diesel Gala were summer visitor Deltic 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier, Class 14 D9531, Class 17 D8568, Class 35 D7076 and Class 52 D1015 Western Champion.
'''November 2015'''
:[[GWR 7802 Bradley Manor | 7802 Bradley Manor]] returned to service following an overhaul. The return coincided with the 'Manor 50' weekend, held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of steam on the Cambrian network. Bradley Manor was joined for the occasion by 7812 Erlestoke Manor and 7820 Dinmore Manor; the three locomotives being the last of their class to work on the Cambrian mainline. :[[GWR 9103 Nondescript Saloon]] was awarded the title of Overall Winner in the Carriage and Wagon category of the Heritage Railway Association Awards in November 2015, due to the quality of its 30 year restoration that finished in 2013. '''December 2015''':Structural work on the Diesel Depot was complete by December, with jobs such as wiring, installation of internal fittings, and painting being done by volunteer labour.<ref>[http://forum.svra.org.uk/viewtopic.php?p=48311#48311 Diesel Depot thread on SVRA forum]</ref> :The lease of the [[Stourport Branch]] as far as Mount Pleasant tunnel to Rail Safety Solutions (RSS) was announced, this land still being owned by the SVR despite no track existing beyond the [[Stourport triangle]]. RSS planned to train Network Rail apprentices in tracklaying and maintenance activities, and in return for the use of the land, the SVR would gain free training for its own staff, and use of a relaid portion of the Stourport Branch. :Planned maintenance work over the winter of 2015/2016 included the relaying of a section of track near [[Eardington Summit]], and repointing of [[Wribbenhall Viaduct]] and [[Borle Viaduct]].
==Locomotives used==