Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2020-2029

Significant events in the history of the Severn Valley Railway in preservation between 2020 and the present date are set out below.

Information on current events on the SVR can be found here.

Contents

2020

2020 saw the 50th anniversary of the official opening of the SVR. A ‘must-do’ engineering project was starting, an overhaul of Falling Sands Viaduct, with trains restricted to the Bridgnorth to Bewdley section from 30 December 2019.

January 2020

Winter works included track relaying to effectively join up the two previous relayings between Bewdley Tunnel and Falling Sands Viaduct. The opportunity was taken to install a new point at Foley Park as part of a long term plan to develop the area.

3 January was the 50th anniversary of the final regular timetabled BR passenger services between Bewdley and Hartlebury and Kidderminster.

A new buffet building was installed at Bewdley.

New cylinder patterns were produced for 7802 Bradley Manor.

The SVR announced a new Loyalty Pass to replace the Annual Family Pass, now available to individuals, couples, less-able visitors or families.

February 2020

The Footbridge outside Bridgnorth Station was closed for repairs to the damaged holding down bolts discovered in 2018.

Storm Dennis, with heavy rain falling on already saturated ground, contributed to record highs on the River Severn and consequent widespread flooding. Access to the SVR was disrupted during half-term running from 15 to 23 February, with lower than usual passenger numbers. Flooding caused land movements at Sterns and Alveley Woods.

On 25 February PPM50 Parry People Mover Class 999 No. 999900 visited for testing. It was previously tested in 2002.

On 27 February WD 71516 Welsh Guardsman arrived at Bridgnorth.

March 2020

Brush Class 47 Co-Co 47773 [D1755] arrived at the SVR from Tyseley for bodywork repairs in the Diesel Depot.

A severe acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus disease (COVID-19), was declared a pandemic. It caused widespread disruption and international travel restrictions. On 18 March the SVR cancelled all services and closed The Engine House and refreshment rooms throughout March and April. It cancelled the following events: Easter Holidays, Spring Steam Gala, Open House Weekend, Spring Diesel Festival and 50th Anniversary Event.

The combination of February's flooding, the continuing planned work at Falling Sands, coronavirus and land movements meant the SVR was faced with a serious financial challenge.

Steam locomotives used

A table of steam locomotives used since 2020 is shown below. Where detailed mileage records were not published in SVR News, locomotives used are marked 'X'. For locomotives hired in, the table identifies whether they were present either for the Summer (S) or Winter (W).

Locomotive	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	Comment
813	X
1450	X
1501	X
2857	X
7714	X
7802 Bradley Manor
7812 Erlestoke Manor
34027 Taw Valley	X
13268
43106	X
6960 Raveningham Hall	X										On hire 2020
Total

References

SVR News unless otherwise stated.