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February 2025
Team SVR at the Heritage Railway Association awards - four top prizes and two highly commendeds JACK BOSKETT
Welcome to your latest edition of Branch Lines!
Who could have predicted the bad luck the Railway would suffer at the end of January? A massive landslip at Mor Brook meant the closure of the northern end of the line, the worry of sorting out what to do, and the concern over how it would all be paid for. There’s a huge amount still to do, but progress is being made, and the public response has been amazing.
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Against this, there has thankfully been some good news – an absolute triumph for the SVR at this year’s Heritage Railway Association awards, and our groundbreaking HydroShunter recently made its debut to an appreciative audience at Kidderminster station.
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Full reports on all of the above, plus round-ups from across the Railway. Don’t forget, we’re open for 2025 in two days. Determined as always, we’re running along 12 miles of the wonderful Severn Valley Railway, and we’d love to see you there!
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Lesley Carr, editor
The Branch Lines team is Lesley Carr, Karen Crick, Amy Baker, Gary Essex, Pete Cherry and Nicola Fox.
Contents
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What's new?
‘Incredible’ public response to Mor Brook landslip as the Railway works hard to find a solution
The Railway is working closely with structural and geotechnical experts to narrow down repair options for the significant landslip it suffered two weeks ago. Meanwhile, donations continue to come in, and social media legend Francis Bourgeois is adding his influence to the campaign.
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External experts met yesterday with the SVR’s consulting engineer to review the available topographical and borehole data, gathered since the incident happened at Mor Brook.
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‘It was a very positive meeting,’ said Antony Bartlam of J Turner and Associates, who is an SVR volunteer. ‘The good news is that we’ve narrowed down the possibilities to a couple of potential solutions. However, there’s some further work to do before the project team finalises the route we’ll take, and that’s when we’ll be able to understand more about the timescale and the costs.’
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Head of infrastructure, Chris Bond added, ‘This really isn’t a thing we can rush. It’s important to bear in mind that there are extra complications involved with this particular problem. As well as choosing the best repair option, we’ll have to liaise with external agencies and third parties, such as landowners and National Grid, whose power lines are very close to the slip site.
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‘The reality is that there’s a lot of preparatory work to do before there are spades on the ground. We are determined to deliver a safe, long-lasting and cost-effective repair as quickly as circumstances will allow, so we can open-up the northernmost section of our line.’ ​
The landslip meant the immediate closure of the line between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade. However, services between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade are going ahead as the Railway prepares for its half term opening this Saturday.
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‘We’re delighted that we’ve still got 12 miles of the line in full operation,’ said managing director Gus Dunster. ‘We’re looking forward to welcoming lots of visitors for what promises to be a busy half term.
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‘Getting the full line back in operation is of course a huge priority for us, but actually, in civil engineering terms, we’re making great progress.
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‘We are so grateful for the incredible public response to this incident. Donations are arriving every day, and in the couple of weeks since the news broke, we’ve raised more than £75,000 towards the costs of repairing the landslip. Thank you to every single one of the 1,427 people who have so far donated.
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‘We were bowled over when the TikTok and Instagram star Francis Bourgeois came to film with us earlier this week. He wants to highlight our plight to his 4.5 million followers on social media, and will be releasing his film very soon.’
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Visit svr.co.uk to donate to the SVR Resilience Fund.
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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
People, projects and a partnership – the SVR scoops four top heritage awards
The Railway has won four prestigious accolades at this year’s Heritage Railway Association awards, and was highly commended in two further categories.
David Williams, veteran SVR supporter and volunteer, won a lifetime achievement award, to become the Railway Magazine Preservationist of the Year for 2025. David has been involved with the Railway since its very early days, and served 57 years as editor of the quarterly magazine SVR News. He has also volunteered as a locomotive driver and held positions at board level.
The SVR-based Diesel Traction Group, owners of D1015, D821, D7029 and D8568, received the Rail Express Modern Traction Award, recognising their long and continuing involvement with the preservation of main line diesel locos.
Eardington station scooped the award for Station of the Year. Re-opened to passengers in October 2024, the station has been brought back into service by a small group of volunteers, and is the UK's only oil-lit station.
The SVR was a joint winner of the Achievement of the Year award for the landmark partnership with Network Rail. The first and only partnership of its kind in the UK, it has led to cooperation across many aspects of both organisations. Most recently, NR engineers have assisted with investigations into the Mor Brook landslip, whilst the Railway has provided training and testing facilities along with volunteering opportunities for NR employees.
Managing director Gus Dunster was delighted with the SVR’s achievements:
‘What a result! To get this level of recognition across so many different categories, says a huge amount about the breadth and depth of talent at the Severn Valley Railway. In this, our 60th year as a preserved line, we can be very proud that we continue to honour the devotion and passion of the SVR pioneers who started it all back in 1965.’
 
Twenty-one-year-old Jack Baldwin, who volunteers in the SVR’s diesel depot, was highly commended as Young Volunteer of the Year, as was the recently restored Stanier Mogul No 13268 in the Steam Locomotion category. ​
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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
The HydroShunter project is unveiled
Kidderminster Town station was buzzing with reporters, photographers and senior main-line rail representatives on 31 January, for the unveiling of a unique heritage vehicle, the HydroShunter.
This collaboration between the Railway and Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions is seeing the conversion of an 08 Class shunter to hydrogen power.
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Carrying the number H3802, the HydroShunter moved in and out of the station under its own power, at this stage, provided by a 230 Kwh lead acid battery pack. The next stage of the project is to fit the hydrogen elements of the hybrid system, and then commissioning and testing will take place on the SVR. ​
Rob Gibson, CEO of Vanguard STS commented, 'We believe HydroShunter is a trailblazer, not just for Vanguard STS but for the entire rail industry. As the first hydrogen-powered freight locomotive in the UK, it sets a new standard for what’s possible in decarbonising heavy transportation.' 
 
Gus Dunster, the SVR’s managing director, added ‘Working with Vanguard on this project has given the SVR a chance to be part of something ground-breaking. Whilst we are of course a heritage organisation, it’s important that we look to the future as well as the past.
‘It’s also been a superb opportunity for our young volunteers to immerse themselves in a high-profile initiative, and to develop both their engineering and leadership skills.
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‘We can’t wait to see the HydroShunter take its place in our fleet of shunters, without which we simply couldn’t run the Railway.’
Other News
One Railway progress
The project to restructure the Railway is gathering pace. One Railway will see the conversion of SVR (Holdings) Plc into a Charitable Community Benefit Society, which will then amalgamate with the SVR Company Limited (also known as SVRG).
Over the past month, there has been a series of question-and-answer sessions for members and shareholders, both in person and online.
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Meanwhile, the communications team has been answering many additional questions, emailed by members and shareholders. The team is responding directly to individuals and posting its responses on the One Railway pages on svrlive.com.
Charlie Wright, a director of the SVR Company Limited has been closely involved in the Q&A sessions, and told Branch lines:
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‘It’s been fascinating and encouraging to talk with so many people during our meetings. A whole range of questions have come up, and we were keen to give full and frank answers. This has been a very important stage in the process, and we’ve listened carefully to what people have told us.
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‘We’ll move on to consolidate what we’ve learnt, and issue some formal feedback, along with a notice of intent to put the first step of the restructure in place. For this, we’ll be seeking the votes of SVR shareholders to convert SVR (Holdings) Plc into a Charitable Community Benefit Society.’
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Members and shareholders at the One Railway meeting in Kidderminster. LESLEY CARR
Christmas Round Up
Despite a slow start to sales, Christmas at the SVR was a success, with the intensive festive programme winning a positive response from visitors.
Santa Trains carried over 14,000 passengers and hit 90% of the available revenue, after the Railway opted to remove 23 December from the operation. Meanwhile, The Enchanted Express carried over 5,600 passengers, achieving 97% of budget and the Carol Trains drew more than 1,000 visitors for a festive singalong, which was an impressive 127% against budget.
After Christmas, 6,500 paying passengers enjoyed a trip on the Railway, of which over 1,000 visited for the Winter Diesel Day, and more than 2,000 at the Winter Steam Gala.
Overall passenger numbers for 2024 were 3% up on the previous year, with secondary spend up too. Visitor engagement manager Lewis Maddox said:
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‘These figures are a fantastic achievement and represent the effort of the team. We are all looking forward to the sound of trains returning to the SVR from this coming week, 15 February and during the following half-term week!
‘We got a lot of positive feedback from visitor surveys about our Christmas events, and some very helpful suggestions regarding potential improvements. We’re always keen to be even better, so a working group has now been convened with people from across the Railway to look at refining Santa Trains to ensure passengers continue to receive the best possible experience.’
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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
What's coming up?
Half term fun along the line and footplate rides at Bridgnorth
This Saturday, 15 February, sees the start of the SVR 2025 season. A revised timetable will operate on 15,16,18, 19, 20, 22 and 23 February, because of the line closure between Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth following the landslip.
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There’s something for all the family to enjoy. At The Engine House Highley, there’s the chance to let off steam in the outdoor play area or get hands-on sorting mail in the travelling post office. The Engine House is open 10.45am-4.30pm and entry is free, but parking is limited, so the best way to get there is by heritage train.
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Paddington™ Visit
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We’ve got a very special visitor heading our way, from Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 February 2025. Enjoy an exciting heritage train ride to Highley to meet Paddington™, who will be appearing at regular intervals throughout the day at The Engine House Visitor Centre, Highley, and only a few tickets remain.
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Footplate Rides at Bridgnorth
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This February half term break, enjoy a short footplate ride on board an historic steam locomotive at Bridgnorth.
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On all running days, you can join the driver and fireman in the cab for 10 minutes to experience life on board the locomotive. You’ll even blow the whistle! The rides will last for approximately 10 minutes as you travel up and down the platform at Bridgnorth.
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Footplate rides are available for a maximum of two participants (aged 8+) per slot, for £20.00 per person. Children aged 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and tickets can be pre-booked via the website.
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Whilst it may be cut off from the rest of the line because of the landslip, the team at Bridgnorth station is on duty and looking forward to welcoming visitors. Parking at Bridgnorth is free of charge on days when footplate rides operate. The signal box is open for tours, and the Railwayman’s Arms pub and the refreshment room are also open.
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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
Stourbridge Branch Meetings
The Stourbridge Branch has announced its meetings programme up until May.
All meetings will be held at The Bonded Warehouse on Canal Street in Stourbridge at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of the month.
Presentations include ‘A Railway Miscellany’ in February, a look at what it takes to operate Manor class locomotives in March, and a presentation on Black Country industries in May, with April’s speaker still to be announced.
Admission is priced at £3. For more information contact Chris Dyche on 01384 375582.
Peter Rabbit™ to visit in March
Much-loved character Peter Rabbit will be appearing at The Engine House, on the weekend of Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 March 2025.
Families can take an exciting heritage train ride out to The Engine House at Highley to see Peter Rabbit and listen to tales of his adventures at regular intervals throughout the day.
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Lewis Maddox, visitor engagement manager said, ‘We’re thrilled to welcome Peter Rabbit to the Severn Valley Railway. This mischievous and adventurous character has delighted generations of children for more than 120 years.’
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Visitors can pre-book train tickets to make their journey from Kidderminster.
Tickets include reserved seats on a heritage train and timed entry tickets to see Peter Rabbit at The Engine House, Highley. Families can travel back on a train of their choice, with unreserved seating.
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As well as seeing Peter Rabbit at The Engine House, there are plenty of other fun activities to keep everyone entertained. Children can let off steam in the outdoor play area or get hands-on sorting mail in the travelling post office. There will also be magic shows throughout the day for all the family to enjoy.
Hop on board the Boogie Lights Express!
If you fancy a bit of a boogie, don’t delay, as tickets for the SVR’s brand-new event are selling fast.
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Starting on Friday 28 February, the Boogie Lights Express is a chance to sing, dance and cheer on the SVR’s musical party train – perfect for a night out with friends and family.
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It’s an incredible sound and light show, consisting of thousands of coloured LED lights and LED wristbands, creating a kaleidoscope of different colours and flashing patterns.
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Marvel at the canopy of lights in every carriage, bringing the light show inside the train. Enjoy the fun, interactive show hosted by the legendary Voiceover Man, as heard on Britain’s Got Talent and the X-Factor. Be part of the show, with your very own LED wristband, adding to the magic on board the train.
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The Boogie Lights Express departs from Kidderminster on Friday and Saturday nights from 28 February to 29 March.
Tickets available at svr.co.uk.
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Discounts are available for SVR members, shareholders and Unlimited Pass holders.
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Not sure what to expect? Check out this video clip of the Boogie Lights Express.
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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
Across the Railway
S&T team repositions location cabinet
Have you ever spotted the grey metal boxes, dotted along the side of the Railway? These are known as location cabinets, and the signal and telegraph (S&T) team refers to each of them as a 'Loc', all of which are numbered for easy identification. They contain a variety of electrical equipment to operate the signals, points and track circuits on the Railway.
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One of the cabinets, Loc 60, at Kidderminster, was sited hard up to the boundary fence on the car park side, and this caused various issues for the S&T team. It contains various power supplies and four track circuit relays for track circuits in the station and supplies power to four signal lamps.
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During the closed period the volunteer S&T team took the opportunity to move Loc 60 to a more central and convenient site between the running lines in the rear of platform 1 home signal No 62/58.
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This not only involved moving the Loc itself, along with its foundations, but also re-routing the many cables which connect the Loc to the signal box, the signal lamps and various track circuits.
The cables run in modular concrete toughing, which interlocks to form cable runs. This makes it relatively easy to re-configure the layout, although it’s heavy work!
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The team reused existing cables where possible, but some renewals were necessary to complete the job. The mid-week team comprising Matt, Dan, Brian, Steve, Simon, Geoff and Ollie undertook this job, with preparatory work commencing on 20 January, and all the work being completed in under seven days, using the road rail vehicle to do some of the heavy lifting and digging.
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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
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In the footsteps of The Signalman
A group of TV and railway historians recently visited the Railway, to follow in the footsteps of a BBC drama, filmed almost 50 years ago at the SVR.
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The group included TV actor and director Mark Gatiss and was on a pilgrimage to the locations where The Signalman was shot. This Christmas ghost story, filmed in 1976, was based on the Charles Dickens’ novel.
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The visitors were hosted by SVR volunteers Peter Davenport, Malcolm Broadhurst and Peter Darkin, and visited Bewdley tunnel and Highley signal box, both of which featured in the drama, as well as the locomotive which starred in the production, then GWR pannier 5764, now L95, in The Engine House at Highley.
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A G Smith*(Alan), who organised the visit, said ‘My friend, the writer and film historian Jon Dear is currently working on a definitive history of the BBC’s iconic Christmas ghost story productions, and together with the current BBC Ghost Stories director Mark Gatiss, he was keen to visit the key locations for The Signalman.’
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‘It was such an honour and pleasure to be taken around the iconic locations for The Signalman,’ added Mark Gatiss. ‘This is one of the greatest of director Lawrence Gordon Clark’s Ghost Stories for Christmas. We couldn’t have been in better, more helpful or friendlier hands than those of the SVR volunteers.’
‘The moment I first saw the tunnel, and glimpsed into the signal box at Highley will remain with me for ever,’ said Jon Dear. ‘A unique and unforgettable experience, a dream come true to see where The Signalman was made. We are so fortunate that the Severn Valley Railway exists to preserve these treasures of our heritage.’
*A G Smith is the author of Weeping Bank 
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​Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
Lots of permanent way activity during the shutdown
The permanent way teams have been continuing with the many tasks needed to keep the track in good condition whilst the line is closed to public trains. The full-time gang have been continuing with the replacement of sleepers on Kidderminster points and assisting the borehole team investigating the landslip at Mor Brook.
The volunteer team at Bewdley have been assisting with the Kidderminster works and correcting a twist fault at Borle Brook Viaduct, south of Highley. A twist fault is a difference in cross levels between the two rails of the track, which can lead to derailments if the twist is serious enough.
The Bridgnorth team have been replacing ferrules on a long section of track near Sterns, north of Hampton Loade, which insert between the screws and rail chairs, preventing movement. The ferrules are made of nylon and eventually wear, causing movement as trains pass over. The new ferrules will secure this section of track for many years to come. The team have also been carrying out a survey of rail joint gaps, as a prelude to re-gapping joints, which alter with the traffic moving along the rail. The action of locos passing over the track causes rails to creep over time, and they eventually need re-setting, by removing rails and repositioning them.
Work at Foley Park to clear the site for further development of storage sidings has commenced. Some tree and undergrowth clearance has taken place and excavating the siding area has provided a large quantity of fill material suitable for a future platform extension at Kidderminster.
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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
SVR hosts royal seal of approval
At the end of January, Bridgnorth station hosted the presentation of a prestigious award to members of local community operation, Midlands Cave Rescue Organisation (MCRO).
MCRO is formed of local cavers and mine explorers, who voluntarily assist those lost or injured in the caves and mines of the West Midlands, Shropshire, and beyond.
Eighteen members of the organisation were selected to receive the King’s Coronation medal, which recognises the service of emergency services personnel. Mike Clayton, chairman of MCRO said:
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‘As a Shropshire-based organisation, we wanted an iconic setting within the county for the presentation, and where better than the SVR’s station at Bridgnorth!’
In front of a backdrop of GWR steam locos, the medals were presented by the King’s representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner. Bridgnorth Station master Chris Thomas said:
“The SVR has a history of working with local community organisations, and it was an honour and a pleasure to host the MCRO’s presentation for the afternoon. What some of those folk have done defies belief. Personally, I can think of few people more deserving of an award than these – like us, they do it all for free too.’
Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
Rolling stock
Ivatt 46443 locomotive group seeks new blood as it prepares for a restructure
Ivatt 2MT 46443 has been on display in The Engine House visitor centre at Highley since its withdrawal from active service in October 2011. The locomotive is owned by the SVR 46443 Fund, which is applying for charitable status, and wants to restructure and enhance its committee.
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The Fund’s chair Alvin Barker told Branch Lines: 
‘For this incredibly useful engine to live again on the SVR, it will need significant fundraising. The committee felt the best way forward is to convert to a charity, giving access to more sources of funds and Gift Aid on donations, where applicable.
‘We’re looking for a new treasurer and a secretary, to work with the existing postholders, and to take overall responsibility by December 2025. We also want to recruit a membership secretary, and a fundraiser to prepare and administer applications for the Heritage Lottery Fund and other suitable organisations.’
The fund is also looking for additional committee members to enhance its overall capabilities, especially those with website and social media skills.
If you are interested in any of the roles, please contact 46443fund@svrlive.com.
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Built at Crewe in 1950, 46443 arrived on the SVR in full working order on 22 April 1967 and rapidly became a stalwart of the fleet. The locomotive was reliable, economical, and well-suited to footplate experience courses and shorter six- or seven-coach trains. The engine fully deserved its nickname, 'The People's Engine' due to the sheer number of SVR volunteers, and others, who contributed to its purchase in 1984. 
Winter maintenance at Bridgnorth MPD
Bridgnorth’s volunteer shedmaster Martin White reports on the examination and maintenance of the locomotives expected to operate in 2025:
The brief winter shutdown means lots of activity at the steam loco workshops at Bridgnorth. Here’s a summary of what we’ve done so far.
During test runs in December, it was clear that the new valves on 1450 needed bedding in. Appearances during the Winter Diesel Day and the Winter Steam Gala have helped, and further opportunities to acquire mileage will be sought, subject to future operational circumstances. The locomotive brake is receiving a major overhaul and the blower in the smokebox will be replaced once a new casting is available; our patternmakers are making the necessary pattern. The grate is also receiving some attention.
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75069’s annual boiler exam is due later in the year and over winter there’s been work on the brake ejector, whistle valve, drain cock/atomiser valve, blast pipe, and some pipework. The line closure at bridge 25 has prompted us to move both locomotive and tender by road from Bridgnorth in early February to provide the initial steam traction from Bewdley this season. 75069 has been selected both because its winter maintenance has already been completed and for its ability to handle the full range of SVR trains, including the new Boogie Lights service.
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7802 ‘Bradley Manor’ returned to the SVR on Monday 27 January from Tyseley, where it has been overhauled. This included replacement cylinder blocks, a very significant job, as the SVR team know from experience with 4930. 7802 has now been coupled to 2857’s newly repainted tender. It was due to be undergoing commissioning and running-in about now, but the landslip at bridge 25 sadly means this cannot commence. It is too early to say what will happen next.
7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor’ is part-way through its annual mechanical and boiler exams. The safety valves are being fettled during this period.
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13268 is undergoing significant repair and modification to its ashpan. It will revert to a more original design with a flat floor that has to be manually cleaned out with a rake from beneath, rather than the hopper type ashpan, which unfortunately gave us significant issues last season.
4930 ‘Hagley Hall’ and pannier tank 7714 have received little attention so far, however the pannier has its annual examination scheduled for March.
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Finally, amongst the many issues that the landslip issue has caused, is the supply of locomotive coal. An ample supply is now isolated at Bridgnorth where it was expected to be used during the first part of the February operations. At Kidderminster, the stock for December running had had been run down leaving less than a ton remaining. The Railway simply cannot afford to have thousands of pounds worth of coal sitting in the pile at Bridgnorth and so arrangements are being made for a local haulier to transfer some to Kidderminster by road.
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Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.
v1 13th February 25
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Any opinions or views expressed in this newsletter are entirely the opinions of the contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Directors of Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC. which owns the Severn Valley Railway, Severn Valley Railway Company Limited, the members of which are responsible for its operation, or the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust.