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THE Severn Valley Railway carried off four prestigious accolades at the Heritage Railway Association Award 2025 ceremony in Gateshead on February 8, but it has now passed the acid test big time to show once and for all why it is a market leader - not in just our heritage sector, but in the overall scheme of tourism in our country. The line suddenly found itself cut off from its Bridgnorth terminus and engine sheds by an unexpected freak landslip on January 29. Undeterred, officials set about successfully replanning the imminent half-term services, moving a locomotive by road to Kidderminster to run them and others, maybe only as far as Hampton Loade, but then initiated footplate rides as a significant draw at Bridgnorth, before deciding to go full steam ahead…
THE Nene Valley Railway is celebrating what may have been the most successful event in its history - when LNER A3 Pacific No. 60103 Flying Scotsman made its first passenger journeys of the year as part of the nationwide Railway 200 celebrations. The world's most famous locomotive and its support coach arrived from York by rail via Spalding on February 19. All 10,042 seats (costing £30 per adult) on the five daily round trips hauled by the locomotive from Wansford to Peterborough on February 22/23 and March 1/2 and 8/9 were sold out, with departures at 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm, 2.15pm and 3.45pm. In addition, the A3 hauled evening fish-and-chips specials on February 22, March 1 and 8, attracting another 477 bookings. On non-operating days, visitors were allowed to visit the…
SOUTHERN Railway 4-6-2 Merchant Navy No. 35005 Canadian Pacific had just started running-in trials on the Mid-Hants Railway as its return to public service rapidly drew near as this issue of Heritage Railway closed for press. The line's flagship has been the subject of an overhaul lasting more than a decade, which saw it based in the former Southern Region workshops at Eastleigh, the buildings of which are now owned Arlington Fleet Services. Arriving there in 2011 for undercover storage, overhaul started two years later when it was stripped to allow the full extent of the work to be assessed. An application for grant funding was also submitted for Heritage Lottery Funding, which successfully gained approval in April 2015, providing a vital cash injection which has totalled £1,254,400 towards the…
MARCH 3 saw the Bluebell Railway sign a new agreement that will see redundant railway assets from Network Rail's Sussex route donated to the heritage line include rails and sleepers. With heritage railways like the Bluebell running passenger services at slower speeds, the materials can be safely reused and repurposed for a new lease of life, ensuring the line can continue to welcome about 150,000 visitors each year. Under the agreement, NR will also use the Bluebell's facilities as part of its community engagement activities, including hosting rail experience days to promote the role of rail to people considering a career in the industry. In return, the Bluebell will benefit from NR's in-kind expertise and time, with staff being able to use volunteering leave to support the maintenance and running of the…
THE Severn Railway Valley has given the green light to its planned Spring Steam Gala at Easter on April 18-21 despite its Bridgnorth terminus being cut off by the landslip at Mor Bridge. Trains will operate between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade, with LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 5596 Bahamas booked and an announcement will be made about further guest locomotives. A timetable is being worked on. The January 29 slip, reported in the last issue of Heritage Railway, was the major feature on the BBC Midlands Today news programme soon after it happened. For those unfamiliar with the SVR, the bridge at Mor Brook is not to be confused with Sterns where much remedial work has been carried out. The SVR has never had any issues at Mor Brook bridge before,…
THE Severn Valley Railway has been announced as the first stop for a unique train ona 12-month tour of Britain celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. The Railway 200 train, named Inspiration, is planned to call at 60 destinations up to summer 2026 as part of its journey to promote the past, present and future of the railway and inspire the next generation of workers. More than 200,000 people, including many schoolchildren, are expected to visit the one-of-a-kind train as it makes its way around the national rail network. It will be made up of four specially decorated carriages, each with its own theme and focus. Sporting an eye-catching livery, Inspiration will comprise four reconfigured Mk.3coaches procured by Network Rail. The mobile Railway 200 exhibition is designed to inspire…
