The SVR is a full-size standard-gauge railway line running regular steam-hauled passenger trains for the benefit of visitors and enthusiasts alike between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire, a distance of 16 miles. The journey is full of interest, for the route follows closely the meandering course of the River Severn for most of the way on its journey between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. One highlight of the trip is the crossing of the River Severn by means of the Victoria Bridge a massive 200-foot single span, high above the water which, incidentally, features in the film 'The Thirty-nine Steps' with Robert Powell in the leading role.There being few roads in the Severn Valley, some of the views are only visible from the Railway. The scenery is varied and largely unspoiled, punctuated by the quaint 'olde worlde' charm of country stations, each one giving ready access to local villages and riverside walks.A remarkable feature of the Railway not readily appreciated by visitors is that it is very largely run by unpaid volunteers, with a paid staff of around 70 people responsible for administration and commercial activities, plus regular track and rolling stock maintenance. At weekends throughout the year, some 200 volunteers appear on the Railway to perform many tasks, including repairing and repainting stations, reconstruction of viaducts and bridges, and rebuilding locomotives and rolling stock not to mention the operation of the trains ! Many of the trades involved require training. This is provided by professionals who give their time free of charge. The volunteer atmosphere is friendly, and more people are always needed.For four decades, the Severn Valley Railway has graduated from relative obscurity to a prominent position in British railway preservation. Nowadays, the initials SVR are not solely part of the specialist jargon of keen railway enthusiasts, although the line is still happily invaded during the popular enthusiast weekends.Increasingly, the general public has visited the line, thanks partly to extensive TV coverage, which has ensured that very few weeks pass without Severn Valley steam trains appearing on TV screens across the nation.The preservation of the SVR dates from 1965, when a group of railway enthusiasts formed the Severn Valley Railway Society at Kidderminster. Initial efforts succeeded in raising 25 per cent of £25,000 purchase price for the closed 5-mile section of the Severn Valley line from Bridgnorth to Alveley. By 1967, the first rolling stock, an engine and four coaches, had been received. The next three years were spent in restoring the line to operating condition, and obtaining the legal authority, a Light Railway Order, from the Department of Environment, gained only after experiencing considerable difficulties. The section from Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade was opened for public passenger services in May 1970 and the remainder of the purchase price was paid shortly afterwards.Following the closure of Alveley Colliery in 1969, and cessation of Bewdley passenger services in 1970, a campaign was mounted to raise a further £110,000. £74,000 was spent on purchasing the railway from Alveley through Bewdley to Foley Park, near Kidderminster, where an end-on connection was made with British Railways. Spearheaded by the late Sir Gerald Nabarro MP, the fund raising was successful, and after a huge effort by the Severn Valley Railway's engineering volunteers, the line was reopened, at first to Highley in April 1974, and one month later to Bewdley.The 2 mile section from Bewdley to Foley Park, though bought by the Severn Valley Railway in 1974, was for a decade only used on special occasions, mainly by steam trains on Enthusiasts Weekends, by British Railways diesel units on peak Saturdays and Bank Holidays, and by British Railways diesel locomotive hauled excursions.The British Sugar Corporation sidings at Foley Park became disused in 1982, and in 1983-4 over £370,000 was raised by share issue, £80,000 of which was used to fund the purchase of the stretch of line between Foley Park and Kidderminster Junction. The balance of the money raised was used to develop the former railway goods yard site in Comberton Hill, Kidderminster, to form a new SVR passenger station know known as 'Kidderminster Town'. The new section from Bewdley to Kidderminster Town was opened to passenger services on 30 July 1984.Now two Company's make up the present Severn Valley Railway, that is Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC and The Severn Valley Railway Co Ltd. They set in motion plans to consolidate the line purchases made and develop the 16 mile route into a major national and international tourist attraction. The line now carries approximately 250,000 passengers annually.The construction of a boiler repair shop at Bridgnorth ensured that the necessary facilities were available for major locomotive restoration and, at Bewdley and Kidderminster carriage restoration, read more
