[[File:Flying_Pig_Railtour.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Brochure for SVR Railtours' 1981 "The Flying Pig" railtour]]For many years the SVR was closely associated with steam excursions on the main line. In the mid-1970s, even before the company acquired the final section of the line from Foley Park, the SVR set out to become a ‘BR approved’ steam centre, supplying locomotives and rolling stock overhauled to BR standards for use on main line excursions and charters.
The normal arrangement was that locomotives would leave the SVR and travel to other steam centres, in particular the Bulmers Railway Centre at Hereford, to run tours from there. The time spent away could vary from days to months. In between, locomotives would return to the SVR for repairs and overhauls, as well as working services on the SVR itself. The SVR also organised some of of these railtours.
The first recorded use of the SVR's rolling stock on the main line was an excursion from Bridgnorth to Paddington on 13 November 1976. This was hauled by a BR Western Class diesel locomotive 25292 and 25272 from Bewdleyto Kidderminster, and later by a Class 47 Diesel47120 to Paddington. (<ref>[http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/70s/761113sv.html Railtour details on Six Bells Junction])</ref><ref>[http:/http://www.hatspics.co.uk/type_years_photos.php?type=SVR&year=1976 Alan Thwaites images on hatspics]</ref>
The first recorded use of an SVR based locomotive in revenue-earning service on the main line was [[Former Residents|6960 Raveningham Hall]], which hauled the ‘Cathedrals Express’ from Hereford to Chester on 8 April 1978. ([http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/70s/780408fw.htm Railtour details on Six Bells Junction])
==SVR-based locomotives which hauled revenue-earning services on the main line==
The following lists are an attempt to collate information on all main line revenue-earning services Listings of railtours and other significant main line appearances by SVR locomotives. Links are provided to tour information on external websites, in particular Six Bells Junction (SBJ) and UK Steam (UKS), where more information included on the precise route and timing may be found. The issue number and relevant page of articles in for each SVR News is also shown.locomotive as follows: ===*[[GWR 2857==={Heavy Goods Loco#MainLine | class="wikitable"|Date||Tour name || Route || Notes || Web ||SVR News|-|10 Sep 2857]] : 1985||GW 150 Freight Demo || Kidderminster-Hereford-Newport + return || 25 SVR wagons also used || ||78-17|-|} ===*[[GWR 4930 Hagley Hall=== {| class="wikitable"|Date||Tour name || Route || Notes || Web ||SVR News#MainLine |-|22 Sep 1979||Inter-City || Hereford - Chester - Hereford || D/H with 45000. 4930 first main line run || [httpHagley Hall ]] ://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/70s/790922_1.htm SBJ] ||531979-121986*[[GWR Mogul 7325#MainLine |7325]] : 1995-1998*[[GWR 7802 Bradley Manor#MainLine |04 Oct 1980||Deeside Venturer || Newport - Hereford - Newport || || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/801004dv.htm SBJ7802 Bradley Manor] ||56-12|-|14 Feb 1981||Welsh Marches Express || Hereford - Newport - Hereford || || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/810214sl.htm SBJ] ||60-30|-|14 Mar 1981||Welsh Marches Express || Hereford - Newport - Hereford || || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/810314wm.htm SBJ] ||59-24|1995-2007|?? Oct 1981||Welsh Marches Pullman || || 4930 worked 2 tours in October 1981 (SVR News) || ||63-10|-|17 Oct 1981||Welsh Marches Pullman || Shrewsbury - Hereford || || *[http://locoperformance.tripod.com/edition16/railtourpage02.htm Locoperf] ||63-10|-|20 Mar 1982||Welsh Marches Express || Hereford - Newport - Hereford || D/H with 45000 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/820320sl.htm SBJ] |||-|17 Apr 1982||Welsh Marches Express || Hereford - Newport - Hereford || D/H with GWR 7812 Erlestoke Manor #MainLine || ||64-28|-|24 Apr 1982||Welsh Marches Pullman || Shrewsbury - Hereford || D/H with 7812 Erlestoke Manor || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/820424wm.htm SBJ] ||64-29|-|19 Feb 1983||Welsh Marches Pullman || Hereford - Newport - Hereford || || [http] ://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/830219wm.htm SBJ] ||67-30|-1982|26 Feb 1983||Welsh Marches Pullman || Shrewsbury - Hereford || || *[http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/830226_1.htm SBJ] ||68-31|-|22 Jan 1985||Post Office special || B'ham Moor St-Stratford-Leamington Spa-B'ham Moor St || PO charter celebrating 150th anniversary of post by rail || ||76-21|-|02 Feb 1985||Red Dragon || Newport - Swindon - Gloucester || || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/850202pr.htm SBJ] GWR 7819 Hinton Manor#MainLine ||76-37|-|08 Apr 1985||Great Western Limited || Plymouth - Bristol Temple Meads || D/H with 7819 after working L/E from SVR overnight || [httpHinton Manor]] ://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/850408sl.htm SBJ] ||76-12|-|25 Jun 1985||GW150 Exhibition Train || Highley-Hereford || D/H with 6960 Raveningham Hall || ||77-261991*[[LMS Stanier Mogul 42968#MainLine |42968]] : 1996-1998*[[LMS Ivatt Class 4 43106#MainLine |06 Jul 1985||Western Stalwart || Kidderminster - Cardiff Central - Hereford || DH with 7029 Clun Castle || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/850706pr.htm SBJ43106 ]] ||77-40|-|07 Jul 1985||Great Western Limited || Bristol Temple Meads - Totnes (terminated) || DH with 5051 Drysllwyn Castle || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/850707sl.htm SBJ] ||77-13|1975-1983|13 Aug 1985||GW150 Celebrations Excursions || Swindon Gloucester - Swindon || || *[http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/850813gw.htm SBJ] |||-|30 Dec 1985||Santa Special || Kidderminster - Hereford - Kidderminster || D/H with 3440 City of Truro || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/851230sl.htm SBJ] ||79-12|-|22 Mar 1986||Tiddly Dyke Tour(s) || Andover - Ludgershall (LMS Stanier Class 5 x return) 45110#MainLine || || [http45110]] ://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/860322ty.htm SBJ] ||801998-42000|-|23 Mar 1986||Sunday Steam Specials || Andover - Ludgershall (6 x return) || 4930 last main line appearance || ||80-4|-|} ===7325=== {| class="wikitable"|Date||Tour name || Route || Notes || Web ||SVR News|-|19 May 1995|| || Kidderminster-Newport-Gloucester-Worcester || D/H with 7802 from Gloucester. L/E from Worcester due to hot box on tender. || ||115-44|-|04 Nov 1995|| || Stourbridge - Bristol - Swansea || Possible duplicate of 11 November<ref>Shown as 4 November in Siviter (2008)</ref> || |||-|11 Nov 1995|| || Stourbridge - Bristol - Swansea || D/H with 70000 Britannia from Bristol || ||117-*[[LMS Ivatt Class 246443#MainLine |46443 ]] : 1985-1987*[[LMS Stanier 8F 48773#MainLine |18 May 1996||Steam on the Met || || London Underground 'Steam on the Met' (2 weekends) || [http48773]] ://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/960518lu.htm SBJ] |||1975-2000*[[BR Riddles 4MT 75069#MainLine |19 May 1996||Steam on the Met || || London Underground 'Steam on the Met' (2 weekends) || [http75069]] ://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/960519lu.htm SBJ] |||1985-1994|25 May 1996||Steam on the Met || || London Underground 'Steam on the Met' (2 weekends) || *[[http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/960525lu.htm SBJ] ||119-58|-|26 May 1996||Steam on the Met || |BR Riddles 4MT 80079#MainLine | London Underground 'Steam on the Met' (2 weekends) || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/960526lu.htm SBJ80079] |||-|27 May 1996||Steam on the Met || || London Underground 'Steam on the Met' (2 weekends) || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/960527lu.htm SBJ] |||-|11 Jan 1997||Taffy Apple || Worcester-Hereford-Swansea-Gloucester-Worcester || D/H with 42968 || ||122-4|-|25 Oct 1997||Meldon Meanderer || Bristol - Exeter - Meldon Quarry || D/H with 42968 || ||125-70|-|08 Nov 1997||Pilgrims Progres || Exeter - Plymouth - Bristol || D/H with 42968 || ||125-70|-|15 Nov 1997||Hardy Flyer || Bristol Temple Meads - Yeovil Pen Mill - Bristol || D/H with 42968 || ||126-48|-|22 Nov 1997||Lickey Incliner || Bristol-Bromsgrove-Stourbridge-Gloucester || D/H with 42968, first preserved steam on the Lickey Incline || ||126-2|-|31 Jan 1998||Inclined Salopian || Gloucester - Lickey Incline - Bescot || D/H with 42968 || ||126-49|-|21 Mar 1998||Chester Chuffer || Bescot-Chester + return || || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/980321pr.htm SBJ] |||1980-|}1999
The listings are an attempt to collate information from a number of sources, none of which provides a complete list. Many of the tours are listed on [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/ Six Bells Junction] (SBJ); links have been included to those that are where normally more information on the precise route and timing for the specific tour may be found. [http://www.uksteam.info/tours/index.htm UK Steam] is another useful resource, with reasonably complete lists of railtours since 1996. Where railtours were mentioned in [[Severn Valley Railway News | SVR News]], the issue number and page has been shown.
Other locomotives still resident on the SVR which have worked on the main line in preservation are:
*[[GWR 7802 Bradley Manor | 7802 Bradley Manor]]
*[[GWR 7812 Erlestoke Manor | 7812 Erlestoke Manor]]
*[[GWR 7819 Hinton Manor | 7819 Hinton Manor]]
*[[SR 34027 Taw Valley | 34027 Taw Valley]]
*[[LMS Stanier Mogul 42968 | 42968]]
*[[LMS Ivatt Class 4 43106 | 43106]]
*[[ LMS Stanier Class 5 45110 | 45110]]
*[[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46443 | 46443]]
*[[LMS Stanier 8F 48773 | 48773]]
*[[BR Riddles 4MT 75069 | 75069]]
*[[BR Riddles 4MT 80079 | 80079]]
*[[BR Class 50 50031 Hood]]
*[[BR Class 50 50035 Ark Royal]]
*[[BR Class 50 50044 Exeter]]
*[[BR Class 50 50049 Defiance]]
*[[BR Class 52 D1015 Western Champion]]
*Clapham Buffet 9631
*[[LMS 26986 Brake Third Corridor | LMS 26986]]
*[[LNER 4236 Gangwayed Passenger Brake 4236]]
===The SVR GWR set===
*23 April 1977: Bridgnorth-Hereford-Chester<ref>SVR News 46</ref> [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/70s/770423sv.html link]
*3 July 1977: Paddington-Newport-Shrewsbury<ref name="SVR45">SVR News 45 </ref>[http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/70s/770703la.html link]
*15 October 1977: ??-' The Severn Valley Limited', itinerary included Plymouth and Liskeard.<ref name="SVR45" /><ref>[http://taillampphotography.com/47100_47199.htm Taillamp Photography] (Retrieved 7 October 2019)</ref>
*6 May 1978: Bewdley-Kingswear<Ref>SVR News 48</ref> [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/70s/780506sv.html Link]
*4 November 1978: Bridgnorth-Pwllheli<ref>SVR News 50</ref>
However their use on the main line was short-lived; the as BR then introduced an annual inspection fee of £1,000 per coach which made their use uneconomical.<ref>SVR News 157</ref> The C&W notes in SVR News for summer 1980, reporting on the SVR coaches attending the Rainhill celebrations, ended with the comment “What a pity the whole train cannot go out again”<ref>SVR News 56</ref>.
===Rocket 150, Rainhill 1980===
==SVR Wagons used on the main line in preservation==
[[File:2857 mainline Dave Hill 2.jpg|thumb|300px|right|2857 near Newport]]As part of the 1985 GWR 150 celebrations, the SVR was asked to produce a demonstration goods train to be taken on the main line to Newport, hauled by [[GWR 2857 Heavy Goods Loco | GWR 2857]]. The train left Kidderminster late on 9th September, stayed overnight at Hereford, then continued on to Newport early on the 10th, returning to Kidderminster later that evening. BR C&W inspectors approved 25 wagons to run, the eventual line-up being as follows<ref>SVR News 78</ref>:
*[[GWR 65801 Mogo Van]]
*[http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=7475 LNER NE 274231 Coke Hopper] (Now scrapped?)
*[http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=7461 LNER NE 307306 Coke Hopper] (Now scrapped?)
*[[London Transport ‘Herring’ Ballast Hopper Wagons | LT Ballsat Ballast Hopper Wagon 436 ]] *[[London Transport ‘Herring’ Ballast Hopper Wagons | LT Ballsat Ballast Hopper Wagon 410]]
*[[GWR 40554 Chaired Sleeper Wagon]]
*[[GWR 42272 'Loriot L' Machinery Truck]]
*[[Regent Oil & Texaco 431 Aviation Fuel Tank Wagon]]
A BR Brake van was provided at the rear. The return trip took place in September 1985Six loaded BR open wagons were also used to provide a fitted head for part of the journey.
Three BR Flat ED wagons were supplied by Universal Pictures for [[The Seven-Per-Cent Solution]]. They were originally classified as 'Horse Box Underframe of unknown ID'<ref>SVR Stock Book v7</ref>, and given the temporary numbers SV14191, SV14192 and SV14193. Later research proved their identities to be [[BR 906811 Flat ED | 906811]], [[BR 906825 Flat ED | 906825]] and [[BR 906830 Flat ED | 906830]]<ref>SVR Stock Book v9</ref>, although it is not clear which two took part in the goods train.
