Bridgnorth MPD might be cut off from the rest of the line because of the landslip, but plenty of activity continues, as volunteer shedmaster Martin White reports: 

Last month, we reported that 75069 was moved by road to Bewdley MPD, from where it has been the sole steam locomotive operating SVR services. These include both the current operations between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade, and the newly introduced Boogie Lights service. This latter operation includes the locomotive, tender and passenger carriages being dressed with LED lighting. For operational reasons, both workings are currently top and tailed with 75069 at the Kidderminster end and a diesel loco at the other. It is pleasing to be able to report that, as I write this update, 75069 has worked faultlessly, without any need for paid staff attention.  

Despite the rest of the operational fleet being isolated at Bridgnorth by the landslip, the northern end of SVR has, in fact, been the centre of most of the steam activity. 7802 ‘Bradley Manor’ has been steamed following its delivery from Tyseley. Due to the restrictions enforced by the landslip at Mor Brook bridge, these tests have been restricted to light engine movements in the immediate area around the station. Nothing major has shown itself during these initial tests, but work continues in the hope that the loco will be ready to take part in the Spring Steam Gala in April. 

Sister loco, 7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor’ was used as the footplate ride engine during the first weekend of the season, standing in for 0-4-2 tank 1450. The little tank engine had received several repairs during the winter but then failed a pre-season steam test. The component at fault was the lubrication pipe; located beneath the boiler cladding, a lot of dismantling was necessary to access it, and that’s why it missed its first slots on the footplate rides. It has since worked quite well, economically providing the rides to happy visitors. It is worth noting that, although a small locomotive, it possesses a comparatively roomy cab and is thus well suited to the footplate-ride role. 

Within the works, the ashpan repairs on 13268 are continuing along with some routine winter maintenance tasks. 34027’s tender overhaul and partial rebuild is also progressing and on the loco, the stripping of the boiler internals has been taking place during the winter. If evidence is needed that ‘Dunrobin’ hasn’t been forgotten, its bunker has been fitted onto the frames. 

Somewhere alongside all of this, paid and volunteer staff have fitted in a myriad of routine tasks, such as brake block changes, boiler washouts and tube cleaning. Even when trains aren’t running, loco cleaning continues, with ’spit and polish’ being applied to ensure that the fleet re-enters service in the best possible condition. 

Although Bridgnorth is cut off from the rest of SVR, it will be open during Open House weekend, and we’re offering tours of the loco shed and machine room, as well as the signal box. 

Click on the gallery for larger images and descriptions.