Although it is one of the longest heritage lines in the UK, I have rarely visited the Severn Valley Railway. An initial visit in the mid-seventies was before the service reached Kidderminster and a visit in the mid-eighties on a railtour was more about the journey on a Hastings unit as it was about the preserved railway. There was a brief visit without travelling the line a few years ago to the relatively new “Engine House” at Highley.
Today is a chance to see the line properly. I drive and park at Kidderminster, the southern terminus which has grown a completely new station since my last visit. Plus extensive sheds for the diesel and carriage fleets as we leave the town. I am a little surprised at how full the parking already is this morning and half way to the station I discover the camera battery is completely flat requiring a return to the car. Parking is £4.20 payable by Ringgo.
A Class 46, 46045, is at the head of the train and I take the journey to Bridgnorth in full. There is a fair bit of waiting around at the stations on the way and at several the train length exceeds the platform length. The train is reasonably loaded and during my trips we stop at both of the request stops on the line so travel is very definitely not end to end unlike some lines and the intermediate stops have attractions of their own. We wander through the scenic valley of the river Severn and it is noticeable that the river banks are adorned with fishermen, although it is not obvious if much is being caught.
At Bridgnorth I move to the other platform as I want to catch the first departure – which is the steam hauled service today. Power is provided by 1450 and 7714 – a pair of tank engines. 1450 I believe provided the power on the Dart Valley Railway when I visited there in the early 70’s but it has been at the SVR since 2014. It has had a recent full overhaul and a new owner so it may at some point move on from the SVR as it is not powerful enough to handle the current services on its own. 7714 has always resided at the SVR and its current boiler ticket is soon to expire so like many locos these days may not see an early return to steam as again it is probably underpowered for today’s longer trains.
The SVR certainly seems to have a good level of volunteering with visible staff on all platforms and at various points along the lineside undertaking work. It is a large enterprise and the standards are high from the items which can be seen. There is a lot of freight stock which looks fettled alongside the needed coaching stock. A platform extension is underway at Kidderminster to enable the longer trains being used today and at Bridgnorth it was impossible to obtain photos of the two tank engines as they were off the platform.
A third service was being run by DMU. To me it is a pity that the economics could not justify two out of the three services being steam hauled.
7802 Bradley Manor was in steam and would later haul the boogie train on the evening service but I do prefer steam on general services and for two to be diesel was unwelcome to me but I doubt it was impacting the usage. However once back at Kidderminster I take the steam service back to Bewdley where I can wait for the DMU to bring me back to Kidderminster and the car back to my hotel.