Severn Valley Railway – History and Operation

At our meeting on November 25th we were entertained by Society Secretary Richard Morris who presented Severn Valley Railway – History and Operation. One of the first heritage lines the line opened in 1862 from Hartlebury to Shrewsbury as the West Midland Railway later absorbed by the GWR, Later the GWR joined at the southern end from Kidderminster to Bewdley. The line was always single track though the right of way was wide enough for double track. the series “Oh Dr Beeching” was filmed at Arley . The line closed to passengers in 1963 though goods traffic continued between Kidderminster and Bewdley until 1982.. The SVR Society was formed in 1965 and the Light Railway Order to Alvely colliery. initially allowed operation to commence between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade in 1970 extended to Bewdley in 1974 and reached Kidderminster in1984. Highlights of the line are the impressive Victoria Bridge and the Engine House at Highley.. Richard alighted at the two request stops Country Park Halt and Northwood Halt. The talk was profusely illustrated with the lines stock of ex GWR and LMS steam including Large Prairie 5164, 1501, 7714, Manors 7812 and 7819.and Hall class 6960.LMS locos Leander, 42968 and 46521 also featured as did push pull operation. 34027 featured in purple for the Queens Jubilee and also in BR green as 2C127. Diesel enthusiasts were covered by unique class 17 8568, Western 1062 the resident Class 50’s and a class 31.

For the second part of his talk Richard presented photographs from around the pandemic period many from around his Cheltenham home but some from further afield. We say two 68’s on a nuclear flask train at Cheltenham, a rare shot of the World War 1 HST and the Word War 2 commemorative IET side by side. The Cotswold Festival of Steam on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway produced 7802 and 7903 and LNER B1 1254, He sneaked in a trip to Switzerland on the Jungfrau Bahn and a rack railway branch. The Network measuring Train was shown hauled by classes67, 43, and 97303/4 on the Cambrian coast. narrow gauge Bure Valley and Lynton and Barnstaple 2-4-2 Lyn were also illustrated. In tribute to Richard’s former employment some Stagecoach buses also crept in.
A most entertaining talk which was well received by a good audience in the room and on line.

John Fitzgerald