Changes

2023 saw the Railway announcing voluntary redundancies, cost savings and a reduced four days a week peak service with a maximum of one steam engine in use on non-special days, as it had recorded its third consecutive annual loss in excess of £400,000 and faced nationwide reduced footfall, economic contraction and a cost-of-living crisis. It coincided with the resignation of [[Helen Smith]] as Managing Director, who moved to another heritage role. The year marked the 60th anniversary of the official closure of the SVR north of Bewdley. Another ‘must-do’ engineering project was starting, with phase 1 of the relaying of [[Bridgnorth MPD|Bridgnorth Loco Works' yard]].

*[[Step Back to the 1940s]] returned after a three-year gap. *The Charitable Trust's Survival Fund Appeal reached £343,587, including Gift Aid.*SVRH's 2022 annual accounts were published. They looked at the need to look at the way the Railway is structured across three companies, and the benefits that would accrue'' "if we could achieve a structure that has charitable status at its heart." '' '''August 2023'''*The SVR confirmed the sale of [[45110|LMS Black 5 45110]]. The locomotive left the railway by road on 15 August.<ref>[https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2023/08/severn-valley-railway-confirms-sale-of-steam-locomotive.html Rail Advent]</ref> '''September 2023'''*On 8 and 9 September respectively 7714 operated as long-scrapped classmates 9624 and 4665 with a 'last train' headboard, to mark the 60th anniversary of the last BR passenger service to leave Bridgnorth.*The SVR announced an official partnership with Network Rail. Billed as a 'win-win' for both parties, the SVR would receive professional skills, advice and redundant railway materials, while Network Rail would receive support, training and facilities to help their staff operate and maintain more traditional railway technology.<ref>[https://svr.co.uk/news/railways-go-back-to-the-future-with-landmark-partnership/ SVR Announcement]</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-66876835 BBC News]</ref> '''November 2023'''*[[GWR Large Prairie 5164]], which had been stored at Barrow Hill since 2014, appeared at the [[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events#Steam_locomotives_timeline_2020-2029|Warley Model Railway Club Show at Birmingham NEC]] on 25-26 November before moving to Tyseley Locomotive Works for eventual overhaul.*It was announced that [[David Williams]] was to step down as editor of [[Severn Valley Railway News|SVR News]], a role he had held for more than 57 years.<ref>Heritage Railway issue 313, p.106.</ref>*The 'Survival Fund' had raised nearly £500,000 of its £1,500,000 target.<ref>The Railway Magazine, January 2024 issue 313</ref>. '''December 2023'''*Christmas week saw the first [[Diesel galas|winter diesel gala]]. ==2024==Early 2024 saw phase 2 of the project to re-lay [[Bridgnorth MPD|Bridgnorth Loco Works' yard]]. The year marked the 50th anniversary of the reopening from Hampton Loade to Bewdley, and the 40th anniversary of the reopening to Kidderminster Town.  '''January 2024'''*The 2023 season ended with the SVR's first [[Winter Steam Gala]] on 6-7 January 2024. The event saw a return to passenger services after a lengthy overhaul for Stanier Mogul [[42968]] (running as LMS 2968) and also saw the retirement of 'Flying Pig' [[43106]] at the end of its ticket. It attracted more than 2,500 paying passengers, with revenue twice as much as had been expected.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bljan24 Branch Lines January 2024]</ref> '''February 2024'''*SVR individuals and groups won three [[Awards|HRA awards]].*February half-term services were reintroduced. '''March 2024'''*The SVR gained a few more yards of infrastructure when [[50035]] was used to test out the new [[Foley Park sidings]] and [[Ground Frames at Foley Park|ground frame]], the first locomotive to access it.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/svrofficial/posts/pfbid02M7MmEHiutpafkpGdygDmaPFa8CpzhRNZLJDn7PSQmx1BLBNgQPTqcuSmohMvpCCtl SVR Facebook post 13 March 2024] (Retrieved 14 March 2024)</ref>*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Peppercorn_Class_A2_60532_Blue_Peter LNER-designed Peppercorn Class A2 No. 60532 Blue Peter] arrived for running in and testing, following overhaul, in preparation for its future mainline duties.

Not included are locomotives visiting for primarily for rail tours, test running or galas, even if they subsequently operate SVR services for a short period (as did , for example, GWR Churchward 2900 Saint class 4-6-0 2999 ''Lady of Legend'' in 2022and USATC Hill S160 class 2-8-0 2253 ''Omaha'' in 2023/4), unless their mileage is included in the SVR News mileage records as hired locomotives.

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| Returned to traffic late 2023

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| Out of ticket January 2024

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