Sterns

Revision as of 19:09, 7 March 2021 by Patrick Hearn (talk | contribs) (2020: Electronic ‘tilt monitoring’ equipment was fitted in February 2021)
The telegraph pole at Sterns (summer)
The telegraph pole at Sterns (spring)
Sterns is situated between Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth at the foot of Eardington Bank, at approximately milepost 147. It is at a place where the River Severn approaches close to the railway at almost 90 degrees before turning away southwards towards Bewdley, and is notorious as a maintenance trouble spot due to the ground regularly slipping towards the river on numerous occasions over the history of the railway. During the last Ice Age, the valley of the River Severn was scoured out by glacial action and bands of different types of material were deposited at varying depths. This subsequently resulted in the formation of 'slip-planes' where the different layers can slide over each other, particularly when placed under a load such as the presence of a railway line and especially after periods of heavy rain. Slip-planes exist throughout most of the valley but have resulted in areas of major instability at Jackfield and Sterns.[1]

The line of telegraph poles adjacent to the railway at Sterns vividly illustrates the ground movements that have taken place. One post which stood next to the track until shortly before 1979[2] has been carried a significant distance towards the river by slips since that time and is now only just visible in the trees towards the river. The post is mentioned in the Railway's From The Window booklet as one of the items to see during the journey and it carries a yellow flash to make it more visible.


Contents

Repair work

SVR News and newsletters regularly refer to repair work at Sterns. Some examples are as follows.

1976-77

Over the winter of 1976-77, intense cold followed by heavy rain resulted in the line dropping 2ft 6" and moving 4ft nearer the river. Permanent way work in progress at Borle Viaduct was halted while repairs were carried out at Sterns. Remedial work enabled the line to re-open in March with trains passing Sterns at the slowest possible speed, repairs there being completed some three weeks later[3].

1994-95

In 1994-95 ten feet of river bank was washed away, triggering further slippage. 3,000 tons of rock was deposited on the river bank as a temporary measure to protect the bottom of the embankment from further erosion and to 'toe-load' the slip area. A large ditch was also dug alongside the line on the uphill side[1].

2007

The cap of the 150 foot retaining wall alongside Sterns Cottage

In the Summer 2007 storm damage, the first severe thunderstorm did not affect Sterns. However further slips began in the following weeks as the wet weather continued, both at the area normally affected and further to the north by Sterns Cottage, the house alongside the line on the side nearer the river.

Part of the solution involved building a 150 foot long piled concrete retaining wall alongside Sterns Cottage. This required 75 24-foot long vertical piles reinforced by 37 42-foot long angled soil-nails and covered by a concrete cap[1].

2014

Dip in the line seen from the DMU

In mid-February 2014 evidence emerged that further subsidence was taking place when a significant dip in the line appeared at the north end of the Sterns area close to Sterns Cottage. A 'stop and proceed with caution' restriction was put in place until repairs could be completed over the following months. A large concrete sleeper wall was built at the toe of the slip and packed behind with approximately 150 tonnes of ballast. This was topped off with around 200 tonnes of graded stone in order to help to stabilise the slip and drain the water from the embankment. Full-time staff, with the help of hired in plant completed the repairs to the line[4].

2020

Lineside view of the drainage ditch and repair works uphill from it, looking north
Aerial view of the repair works looking south (River Severn to the left)

Following extensive flooding in February 2020 land movements were again observed. A comprehensive drainage network was proposed to collect rainwater and transport it to the river in an efficient manner before it could get down to the slip planes and exacerbate the problem.[5] Contractors Walsh Construction completed this water management work by 29 July as planned, with the final item being the lining of the existing drainage ditch with concrete canvas. The work was funded by £120,000 from the SVR Charitable Trust.[6]

Electronic ‘tilt monitoring’ equipment was fitted in February 2021[7].

Speed restrictions

The section of line through Sterns was for many years under a strict 5mph speed limit, with the drainage improvements and earthworks in 2013/14 finally allowing for the limit to be increased to 15mph (although further ground movement led to the reinstatement of a lower temporary speed limit soon after). A consequence of this speed restriction is that northbound trains are made to work harder as they are prevented from 'taking a run' at Eardington Bank.

Access for photography

Travelling South on the B4555 follow the road past Eardington station. A large layby can be found on the right hand side of the road which is ideally suited to the location at Sterns, accessed via the left turn just before the road diverges underneath the railway.

Directions

The nearest Postcode for Satnav directions is WV16 6AU
Lat. & Long. coordinates; 52.369457, -2.280311 View location on Google Maps
Ordnance Survey Grid Reference; View location on an OS map

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sowden (2012) pp. 12-14.
  2. SVR News 52 p26
  3. SVR News 43, 44
  4. SVR Live April 2014
  5. Branch Lines, June 2020 (Retrieved 26 June 2020)
  6. Branch Lines, August 2020 (Retrieved 3 August 2020)
  7. Branch Lines, March 2021 (Retrieved 7 March 2021)
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Welcome to the Severn Valley Railway Wiki

From this week's featured article
Trimpley Reservoir can be seen to the west of the line between Bewdley and Arley. The reservoir, which is managed by Severn Trent Water, was opened in 1968 and covers 29 acres. It is open to the public and is used by the Trimpley Sailing Club, while other activities include angling, wildlife watching and walking. (Full article...)
Schematic Map of the SVRSevern Valley Railway
BridgnorthEardingtonHampton LoadeCountry Park HaltHighleyThe Engine HouseArleyVictoria BridgeNorthwood HaltWyre Forest LineBewdleyStourport BranchBewdley TunnelConnection to Network RailKidderminsterMaps#Schematic maps of the pre-closure SVRMapandlinks.png
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larger interactive version

For 101 years between 1862 and 1963, the Severn Valley Railway formed part of the national railway network, running for 40 miles between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. Established as a separate company, it was mainly operated by the Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) and later by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways).

The present day Severn Valley Railway (SVRSevern Valley Railway) was established in 1965 to preserve part of the line as a heritage railway. Today it has six stations and two halts and runs for 16 miles along the Severn Valley between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Operations involve a mixture of steam and heritage diesel-hauled services.

This unofficial website is a project aimed to collect information and record events relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both past and present.

For timetables, fare information, and news about special events, please visit the SVR Official Website. Other news and information of interest to members, shareholders and enthusiasts can be found on SVRLive.

In April 2023 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Survival Fund page.

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History of the Severn Valley Railway

Current events on the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Information about the SVRSevern Valley Railway

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Unsurprisingly, there are a large number of questions about the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both in pre-preservation days and for a number of historical items since then. Take a visit down to Query Corner to see if you have a recollection relating to some long forgotten event, or know of a reliable source (maybe an early edition of the SVR News?) that might have the information we need!

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