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The Severn Valley Railway on the main line

Revision as of 13:51, 10 June 2016 by Robin (talk | contribs) (Add details of main line appearances (3 Manors))

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 from Bewdley, and later by a Class 47 Diesel. (Railtour details on Six Bells Junction)

The first recorded use of an SVR based locomotive in revenue-earning service on the main line was 6960 Raveningham Hall, which hauled the ‘Cathedrals Express’ from Hereford to Chester on 8 April 1978. (Railtour details on Six Bells Junction)


Contents

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 and other significant appearances by SVR locomotives. Many of these tours are listed on Six Bells Junction (SBJ); links have been included to the relevant pages where more information on the precise route and timing for the specific tour may be found. UK Steam is another useful resource, with lists of railtours since 1996. The issue number and page of articles in SVR News is also shown.

2857

Date Tour name Route Notes Web SVR News
10 Sep 1985 GW 150 Freight Demo Kidderminster-Hereford-Newport + return 25 SVR wagons also used 78-17

4930 Hagley Hall

Date Tour name Route Notes Web SVR News
22 Sep 1979 Inter-City Hereford - Chester - Hereford D/H with 45000. 4930 first main line run SBJ 53-12
04 Oct 1980 Deeside Venturer Newport - Hereford - Newport SBJ 56-12
14 Feb 1981 Welsh Marches Express Hereford - Newport - Hereford SBJ 60-30
14 Mar 1981 Welsh Marches Express Hereford - Newport - Hereford SBJ 59-24
?? Oct 1981 Welsh Marches Pullman 4930 worked 2 tours in October 1981 (SVR News) 63-10
17 Oct 1981 Welsh Marches Pullman Shrewsbury - Hereford Locoperf 63-10
20 Mar 1982 Welsh Marches Express Hereford - Newport - Hereford D/H with 45000 SBJ
17 Apr 1982 Welsh Marches Express Hereford - Newport - Hereford D/H with 7812 Erlestoke Manor 64-28
24 Apr 1982 Welsh Marches Pullman Shrewsbury - Hereford D/H with 7812 Erlestoke Manor SBJ 64-29
19 Feb 1983 Welsh Marches Pullman Hereford - Newport - Hereford SBJ 67-30
26 Feb 1983 Welsh Marches Pullman Shrewsbury - Hereford 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 SBJ 76-37
08 Apr 1985 Great Western Limited Plymouth - Bristol Temple Meads D/H with 7819 after working L/E from SVR overnight SBJ 76-12
25 Jun 1985 GW150 Exhibition Train Highley-Hereford D/H with 6960 Raveningham Hall 77-26
06 Jul 1985 Western Stalwart Kidderminster - Cardiff Central - Hereford DH with 7029 Clun Castle SBJ 77-40
07 Jul 1985 Great Western Limited Bristol Temple Meads - Totnes (terminated) DH with 5051 Drysllwyn Castle SBJ 77-13
13 Aug 1985 GW150 Celebrations Excursions Swindon Gloucester - Swindon SBJ
30 Dec 1985 Santa Special Kidderminster - Hereford - Kidderminster D/H with 3440 City of Truro SBJ 79-12
22 Mar 1986 Tiddly Dyke Tour(s) Andover - Ludgershall (5 x return) SBJ 80-4
23 Mar 1986 Sunday Steam Specials Andover - Ludgershall (6 x return) 4930 last main line appearance 80-4

7325

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[1]
11 Nov 1995 Stourbridge - Bristol - Swansea D/H with 70000 Britannia from Bristol 117-2
18 May 1996 Steam on the Met London Underground 'Steam on the Met' (2 weekends) SBJ
19 May 1996 Steam on the Met London Underground 'Steam on the Met' (2 weekends) SBJ
25 May 1996 Steam on the Met London Underground 'Steam on the Met' (2 weekends) SBJ 119-58
26 May 1996 Steam on the Met London Underground 'Steam on the Met' (2 weekends) SBJ
27 May 1996 Steam on the Met London Underground 'Steam on the Met' (2 weekends) 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 SBJ

7802 Bradley Manor

Date Tour name Route Notes Web SVR News
29 Mar 1995 Bristol-Paignton + return Test trip prior to summer season (Pete Waterman) 114-59
19 May 1995 Gloucester-Worcester-Kidderminster D/H with 7325 to Worcester. 115-44
14 Oct 1995 Duchy Explorer Bristol-Penzance D/H with 70000 Britannia 117-2
20 Jan 1996 Teign Valley Wanderer Stourbridge - Newton Abbot 117-7
17 Feb 1996 Newton Abbot-Plymouth D/H with 5029 Nunney Castle PSOV
24 Feb 1996 Plymouth-Newton Abbot D/H with 5029 Nunney Castle PSOV 119-39
16 Mar 1996 Totnes-Worcester (single headed) PSOV 119-39
22 Jan 2000 Flying Dutchman Bristol Temple Meads - Plymouth - Bristol Temple Meads SBJ
10 Aug 2003 Torbay Express Bristol Temple Meads - Paignton - Kingswear failed with hot box at Kingswear SBJ 145-31
31 Aug 2003 Torbay Express Bristol-Kingswear + return UKS 145-31
07 Sep 2003 Torbay Express Bristol-Kingswear + return UKS 145-31
23 Oct 2004 Cambrian Coast Express Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury SBJ
28 Feb 2005 Staite Pullman Taunton - Paignton - Tanton D/H with 6024 SBJ
12 Mar 2005 Cambrian Coast Express Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury Replaced 42968 SBJ
16 Sep 2006 Cambrian Coast Express Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury EMF
10 Mar 2007 Cider Express Hereford - Bishops Lydeard - Minehead - Bishops Lydeard SBJ
28 Mar 2007 Severn Valley Wanderer Bristol Temple Meads - Kidderminster SBJ

7812 Erlestoke Manor

Date Tour name Route Notes Web SVR News
17 Apr 1982 Welsh Marches Express Hereford - Newport - Hereford D/H with 4930 Hagley Hall 64-28
24 Apr 1982 Welsh Marches Pullman Shrewsbury - Hereford D/H with 4930 Hagley Hall SBJ 64-29
05 May 1982 Welsh Marches Express Hereford - Chester 66-9
05 Jun 1982 Shrewsbury-Newport D/H with 43106

7819 Hinton Manor

Date Tour name Route Notes Web SVR News
07 Apr 1985 Great Western Limited Bristol - Taunton (1) - Tiverton Jn(2) - Exeter St Davids(3) - Plymouth(4) (1)D/H with 6000, (2)Solo, (3)Diesel Assisted, (4)L/E SBJ 76-12
08 Apr 1985 Great Western Limited Plymouth - Bristol Temple Meads D/H with 4930 Hagley Hall SBJ 76-12
26 May 1985 GW150 Portishead Shuttles Bristol Temple Meads - Portishead return Hauled first Steam Special on Spring Bank Holiday wekend 80-40
13 Aug 1985 GW150 Celebrations Excursions Swindon Gloucester - Swindon Various other runs around this time (pool of 7 locos used) SBJ
21 Aug 1985 GW150 Celebrations Excursions Swindon Gloucester - Swindon
24 May 1987 Machynlleth - Barmouth + return Supplement to longer railtour 86-37
25 May 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 SBJ 85-33
26 May 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 85-33
27 May 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 SBJ 85-33
31 May 1987 Barmouth Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return Supplement to longer railtour SBJ 85-33
20 Jul 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 86-38
21 Jul 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 85-11
22 Jul 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 85-11
26 Jul 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Pwllheli + return 85-11
02 Aug 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 SBJ 86-39
16 Aug 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Aberystwyth + return 86-39
19 Aug 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 86-40
23 Aug 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 SBJ
30 Aug 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 SBJ
16 Jun 1991 Cambrian Limited Shrewsbury - Barmouth (75069 worked the return leg) SBJ 100-38
23 Jun 1991 Cambrian Limited Shrewsbury - Barmouth (75069 worked the return leg) SBJ 100-38
29 Sep 1991  ?? Via Talerddig 101-25

Other locomotives still resident on the SVR which have worked on the main line in preservation are:



(lists to be added)

SVR Carriages used on the main line in preservation

The following carriages travelled on the main line while based at the SVR, either as part of revenue-earning rail tours or to attend celebratory events:

Rail 150, Shildon 1975

  • Clapham Buffet 9631
  • LMS 26986
  • LNER Passenger Brake 4236

The SVR GWR set

In the mid to late 1970s the SVR provided a rake of GWR carriages for use on mainline excursions. The first rail tour used 10 carriages, subsequent excursions normally featured a rake of 11. The following carriages were used[2]:

Rail tours recorded in SVR News as using the SVR rolling stock included the following (external links are to tour details on www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk where listed there):

  • 13 November 1976: Bewdley to Paddington[2] link
  • 23 April 1977: Bridgnorth-Hereford-Chester[4] link
  • 3 July 1977: Paddington-Newport-Shrewsbury[5]link
  • 15 October 1977: ??-Liskeard[5]
  • 6 May 1978: Bewdley-Kingswear[6] Link
  • 4 November 1978: Bridgnorth-Pwllheli[7]

However their use on the main line was short-lived; 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”[8].

Rocket 150, Rainhill 1980

Main line support coaches

GWR 6913 Brake Composite was overhauled to main line standard in 1985 for use as a support coach for SVR locos working on the main line. The first trip following the overhaul was with 7819 Hinton Manor[9].

SVR Wagons used on the main line in preservation

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. BR C&W inspectors approved 25 wagons to run, the eventual line-up being as follows[10]:

A BR Brake van was provided at the rear. The return trip took place in September 1985.

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'[11], and given the temporary numbers SV14191, SV14192 and SV14193. Later research proved their identities to be 906811, 906825 and 906830[12], although it is not clear which two took part in the goods train.

References

  1. ↑ Shown as 4 November in Siviter (2008)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 SVR News 41
  3. ↑ SVR News 44
  4. ↑ SVR News 46
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 SVR News 45
  6. ↑ SVR News 48
  7. ↑ SVR News 50
  8. ↑ SVR News 56
  9. ↑ SVR News 77
  10. ↑ SVR News 78
  11. ↑ SVR Stock Book v7
  12. ↑ SVR Stock Book v9
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E1682 is a BRBritish Rail or British Railways Mk 1 Buffet Restaurant carriage. It was acquired by the SVRSevern Valley Railway (BRBritish Rail or British Railways) Buffet Car Fund in 1981 and used for many years on the Severn Valley Venturer dining service. (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 SVRMapandlinks3.png
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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.

Categories of article

History of the Severn Valley Railway

Current events on the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Information about the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Miscellaneous


Query Corner

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!

In addition are a number of stub articles requiring further input.

Adding to this Wiki

This site, or "wiki", is a collaborative effort, and anyone who has any knowledge relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway should feel free to contribute. Once you have created a user account and logged in, you can modify any page by clicking the "Edit" button in the top right hand corner. For some tips on how to format pages, and some guidelines on how to make this wiki accessible can be found on Tips for contributing to the SVR Wiki.

Alternatively, if you don't feel confident editing this Wiki (although there is no reason you shouldn't!!), each article also has a "Discussion" page, which can be accessed by clicking the relevant button in the top left hand corner. This allows you to make additions, suggestions, or corrections to a page without making any change to the article itself.


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