Advice needed re. visiting Severn Valley Railway

elephant71 · Post by **elephant71** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 11:07 am

It's fair to say that since MSTS came into being, my interest in real railways has been rekindled. I grew up in the 70's, so my earliest memories are of diesels in BR corporate blue and the occasional sightings of Deltics (and later HSTs) when they were diverted through Lincoln.

So I am planning to visit the SVR Autumn Diesel Gala in three weeks time,
but I've never been to it before. I'm not sure how much time I will have, so is there any one place (Bridgnorth, Bewdley or Kidderminster) that is the 'hub' and essential to visit, or is it a case of moving between all three?

I know how to get to all three stations by car, and I want to spend some time in Bridgnorth itself, so what does anybody recommend?

Thanks,

Colin

delticbob · Post by **delticbob** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 12:42 pm

I have found that any of the stations have a real GWR feel to them.

The main Motive Power Depot is at Bridgenorth, and this is always popular.

The last time I visited, about 4 years ago

I was based at Kidderminster. At that end of the line there were station loco's in one siding to view, the Warship was doing driver experiance runs down another, into the carriage yard & return, and the passenger service was intense, every 20 mins or so.

For parking I have often prefered to go to Bewdley rather that either of the main termini, cos they are so popular. For a treat drive through to Highley. Great views from the wrong side of the line, and if its fine would make a nice sopt for a picnic....do I sound too domestic???

Bob

elephant71 · Post by **elephant71** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 2:18 pm

Bob,

Many thanks for the info - I think I will head to Bridgnorth first as I need to go there anyway, have a look around then hopefully get a return or rover ticket to Kidderminster - should have time for this if the services are as frequent as you mentioned. If not, i can easily drive down to Highley instead (or as well!) - not ashamed to admit that a picnic lunch was what I had in mind anyway!

Roll on October 4th!

Thanks,

Colin

delticbob · Post by **delticbob** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 6:06 pm

You might find a visit to the SVR website useful too.

http://www.svr.co.uk/

Bob

markw · Post by **markw** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 8:41 pm

If I recall there are some pay and displays in Bridgnorth High Town, so it may be possible to park in one of those, have a mooch around the town (good views of the station can be had from the church yard gardens) and then walk across the restored footbridge to the station. If it is the peak timetable then getting off at Highley is nice, and catching the following train back (they cross at Arley if I remember, together with Bewdley) to Bridgnorth allows you to get maximum haulage in. Highley is a lovely station and the ten minute wait will seemlike a journey back fifty years.

Bewdley is worth a visit, a nice riverside town that floods annually. Nice chippy by the river that has to be refitted every year after floods so is always clean as a new pin.

Some people like to get off at Hampton Loade and walk along the banks of the Severn to Highley, but I could never be bothered. Too much like hard work - I'd even prefer to sit in a 1930's GWR Collett coach than do that...

Kidderminster - mmm. Station is ok, usually fine for parking (I've even managed to get on the SVR overflow car park on the Santa Special days) but it's best function is as a place to park derelict restoration jobs and interchange with the Jewellery Line. As a town I'm afraid it has few attractions, apart from a nice Army and Navy store. Nice little museum, usual sales outlets (this time with more than just Thomas stuff) and given the station was built in the 1980's quite a good atmosphere.

Might be worth getting a line guide which is quite informative and explains some of the off line attractions like the Hampton Ferry, Arley village, etc.
Oh, and watch out for the Yaks and Buffalo on approach to Bewdley.

elephant71 · Post by **elephant71** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 9:55 pm

markw - info much appreciated. I'd forgotten about the safari park! I drove through Bewdley earlier this year and it does look worth exploring further. Hmm - so many possibilities and so little time!

Bob - have had a look at SVR website but it's not bursting with information about the Diesel Gala, shall we say. Have seen elsewhere that there will be 3 Deltics in attendance, having never been to previous Galas I don't know if that is a rarity or just par for the course. Looking forward to seeing them!

Thanks to you both,

Colin

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 10:11 pm

Highley is a good place to get up close to locos. Since it has only 1 platform, you can cross on the barrow crossing and then sit on a bench and watch trains pull in and go out again (it's not a crossing place). The best part is that since you are on ground level you get the big beasties stopped right in front of you, excellent for detail shots of bogies, underframes or steam loco motion. I can't recommend a better place on the line for close up loco and stock photos. Pretty walks down by the river too - take a picnic (or at least a 4-pack!)

delticbob · Post by **delticbob** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 10:27 pm

I have a little list (especially when drunk

) of several SVR sites.

This one too may be of use, as a general visitor, http://www.7valley.org.uk/

Bob,

Oh, I don't know about 3 deltics...9 & 19 are at the SVR, 16 is at the East Lancs Rly, D9000 has retired hurt to Wembley Depot, 15 is still in a state of disrepair at Butterley (Midland Rly Centre) and 55002 is I believe STILL languishing at Falcon Works, Loughborough.

No. 9 has brought 1023 Western Fusilier across from York.

elephant71 · Post by **elephant71** » Sun Sep 15, 2002 4:31 pm

Bob,

Thanks again - lots more on that website - still looking as I type this. I believe D9000 was to have been the third Deltic, before its "injury".

Martin,

Although (shock horror) I am not a photographer, I will definitely be trying to fit in a stop at Highley - would hate to go home feeling that I had missed out one of the best bits (and I don't mean the picnic!)

Thanks to all,

Colin

Hymek · Post by **Hymek** » Sun Sep 15, 2002 8:58 pm

Here we go

Kidderminster is the Desiel hub of the railway

Locos that are or might run on that weekend
37 906 Probable
D 821? Possible ( i cant remember greyhounds no!!!)
50 031 Not Sure
50 035 Probable
50 044 Not Sure
50 049 Not sure
D1013 Definate
D1015 Definate
D1023? Defineate
D9019 Definite
D9016 Probable (from what ive heard its the purple peril thats turnin up)
D9009 Definate Its here i just havent seen it
Class 108 DMu Possible (I work on it and we havent had any news
Class 221 Super Voyager Definate (being named at Kiddr on sat i believe)

Just some handy advice, If you are going to turn up make sure its earlyish cus from experiance. The later you board with desiels like these the less sitting/standing room youll have.

Ill update further during the weeK

markw · Post by **markw** » Sun Sep 15, 2002 10:41 pm

A 221 at Kiddy? They were supposed to be naming them after explorers , so what is that going to be named? I can't think of any explorers from the Severn Valley, nor for that matter from the wider West Midlands off the top of my head - any clues?

Hymek · Post by **Hymek** » Mon Sep 16, 2002 8:36 pm

i think its a 220 actually im not sure. Whatever it is its going to be called severn voyager or summit like that

delticbob · Post by **delticbob** » Tue Sep 17, 2002 6:08 pm

Stick it in the river & call it 'Severn Submarine'