Changes

In the late 1970s, summer 1977 the SVR experienced two minor derailments in quick succession. The first was unusual for the reason it happened; 45110’s rear coupled driving wheels were derailed by a piece of coal in Bridgnorth yard! The second was notable for the manner in which it was resolved; an engine 47383 got ‘in the dirt’ at Highley while on shunting standby duty. Once the re-railing equipment was in placecrew had packed the wheels with some handy fishplates that were lying about, the conductor-driver of a passing train left his own locomotive, boarded the casualty, drove it back onto the rails, re-joined his own train and left without any delay to the passenger service.