We celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Severn Valley line between Worcester and Shrewsbury on February 1st 1862.

Her Majesty Queen Victoria will visit the line over this weekend, calling at our stations to enjoy the entertainments of the time with her subjects.

Attractions include:

A cavalcade of working steam locomotives at Kidderminster including the oldest working steam locomotive in Great Britain. Take a short ride behind Furness Railway 0-4-0 No. 20 at Kidderminster.

The presence of her gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria who will visit all parts of the line in her own special train. Her Majesty will arrive by carriage at Kidderminster station before she boards her train. She will meet Railway staff and her other subjects throughout the day.

Queen Victoria's carriage kindly provided by Warwickshire Horse Carriages at www.wshcarriages.co.uk 

Accommodation provided by Mercure Hotels - Kidderminster at

www.mercure-kidderminster.com

Photographic display in Kidderminster Railway Museum recording the history of the line with a further display at Bridgnorth.

Visit the Victorian beach at Arley complete with traditional 19th century Punch & Judy Show.

Highley Brass Band.

Victorian Classroom.

Step back to 1895 with a visit to Barry Railway Coach No. 163 at Hampton Loade. This carriage is well worth a visit and will be open on both days.

Travel in our luxurious Observation Saloon and enjoy a cream tea served by one of our stewards. A supplement of £5.00 per person per single end to end journey is payable to the steward on the day. The Observation Saloon departs Kidderminster at 10.25am & 2.20pm and from Bridgnorth at 12.15pm & 4.05pm.

Come as you are or, if you wish, enter into the spirit of the occasion by wearing a costume of the Victorian era.

Special timetable.

  Download Event PDF Attachment

It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce that the Olympic Torch will, as part of its tour of the country, be carried on the Severn Valley Railway on Thursday 24th May.

The torch will arrive at Bewdley station at approximately 4.00pm and will be carried by a special train, appropriately named 'The Worcestershire Express', to Kidderminster where it will continue its journey by road.

The Railway will operate normally on May 24th with visitors most welcome to be with us for this once in a lifetime occasion.

On this special day we will be operating an enhanced train service. Timetable 'B' will operate throughout the day instead of Timetable 'A' as previously advertised.

Click here to book your 'Freedom of the Line' tickets in advance.

(PLEASE NOTE THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL ON THE WORCESTERSHIRE EXPRESS)

The Evening Scenic Special is operated by our diesel unit on the following summer Saturday evenings:

Departing at 7.00pm from Kidderminster, enjoy a leisurely journey all the way to Bridgnorth. If you wish you may order a fish and chip supper when on the train (additional charge).

Why not wash it down with a glass (or two) of one of our ales available in the Railwayman's Arms, right on the platform at Bridgnorth?

'Freedom of the Line' tickets are valid on this train if you want to make a long day of it, or you can purchase an evening ticket from the staff on the train.

Bar facilities are available on this train.

Travel in our diesel unit from Kidderminster, calling at Bewdley and Arley on the way to our Visitor Centre at Highley.

On arrival at Highley you are welcome to tour the exhibitions and displays before enjoying a supper from our curry buffet which includes a free beer or alternative soft drink.

Whats included?

Return train travel, your curry and a beer (or soft drink) are included in the price.

Bar facilities are available on this train.

Call 01299 403816 to book. Pre-booking is essential.

A brand new event for 2012.

Bridgnorth station gets 'all steamed up' this weekend with a miniature railway, traction engines, stationary steam engines, model railways and even a velocipede! What's this? Come along and see!

This event is part of the 150th anniversary of the opening of the railway between Worcester, Bewdley, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury.

Saturday: Timetable C, Sunday: Timetable B

We turn the clocks back to the 1940's with this lighthearted journey back to wartime Britain. This is one of our most popular events of the year.

Come as you are or why not dress in 1940s style!!!!!

An intensive service of trains moving troops and their families up and down the line.

Costumed re-enactors and displays.

Battle re-enactment with pyrotechnics.

A 1940's Wedding.

Replica RAF operations room.

Visit by King George VI with his wife Queen Elizabeth who will be entertaining in their royal carriage.

A visit by the Prime Minister, Mr Winston Churchill with speeches.

Replica 1940s displays including a typical 1940s house, an allotment, air raid shelters & ARP post.

Pre-1945 vehicle displays at most stations.

Flypast by aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

(please note that this attraction is currently NOT confirmed)

Kevin Mack - the 1940s crooner.

The ever-popular Big Band Band-Show the the Allen Francis Big Band takes place at Kidderminster Station on June 23rd and June 30th.

(additional charge)

Sales stalls selling 1940s clothing, uniforms and other memorabilia.

Special timetable.

Come as you are or in the costume of the period but, with sensitivity for those with difficult memories, please note that Nazi and SS uniforms, red swastika armbands and portrayals of Adolf Hitler are NOT permitted. The carrying of firearms, replica or deactivated, is not allowed at the Severn Valley Railway unless authorised by the event organisers.

ALL parking is suspended at Highley station and at The Engine House Visitor Centre throughout this event.

  Download Event PDF Attachment

Peep Behind the Scenes provides an insight into all the hard work that goes into keeping the SVR and its heritage trains running.

An opportunity to see, first hand, the skill and dedication that goes into preserving and restoring a heritage steam railway.

Meet the volunteers who work enthusiastically both raising funds and giving their time restoring the heritage.

See the locomotive 'wheeldrop' in action along with other practical demonstrations.

Access signalboxes, workshops and yards not normally open to the public.

All real opportunity to talk our backroom boys who will be only too pleased to share their enthusiasm for railway restoration and operation with you.

The optional additional charge for wristbands allows admission to some of our workshop and other facilities not normally open to the public.

Click here to book your 'Freedom of the Line' tickets in advance.

New for 2012, the Steam & Whistle Activity Club is just the ticket for patient parents rattling through the school summer holidays!

Based at The Engine House, our Visitor Centre at Highley, children's activities change each week. Purchase your train tickets normally at one of our station booking offices or save money by pre-booking on-line or by calling 01299 403816.

When you purchase 'Freedom of the Line' tickets admission to The Engine House and to the Steam & Whistle Activity Club is FREE!!!!!!

Fossil casting

Digging for treasure

Looking at specimenns through a microscope

Archaeology Roadshow

How did our ancestors live and work? Join our facinating quest to uncover secrets of the past.

Archaeology trail/digging

Looking up old treasures

Mending the past

Week 2 - August 7th, 8th & 9th

Meet the Animals

Look out for the many creatures that will be visiting The Engine House for this event!

What makes a busy bee?

What do owls look like close up?

Are ferrets friendly?

Making place mats

Making puppets sticks

Making garden sculptures

Help to make the 2012 Engine House collage

Week 4 - August 21st, 22nd & 23rd

Mischief & Magic

Daily magic sessions by our well known magician and his helpers

Be amazed by the tricks that you see

Why not dress up?

Activities take place throughout the day. We recommend that you check train times carefully. Please note that it may be necessary to amend or suspend any advertised activities without notice.

  Download Event PDF Attachment

A firm favourite with real ale fans, our Beer Festival, organised by Bridgnorth CAMRA, returns to Bridgnorth station in 2012.

Make a note of the dates now!

Timetable B - Thursday & Friday

Timetable C - Saturday

Whether it's a 'Crossley' or a 'Leyland', an 'AEC' or a 'Daimler', these

famous names are music to the ears of the bus enthusiast.

Our bus rally, based at Bewdley station, has now become a firm favourite in the calendar.

Click here to book your 'Freedom of the Line' tickets in advance.

Please note: Parking is not available at Bewdley station during this event. Free parking is available at Bewdley High School which is only a 5-minute easy walk away in Stourport Road, Bewdley.

With a great collection of steam locomotives, a very frequent service of trains and all-night operation. Something for all railway enthusiasts.

Locomotives for this event are now being finalised and will include:

Ex-LNWR Coal Tank 0-6-2 No.7799  - Built in the late 19th century to a design by Chief Engineer, Francis W. Webb.

Courtesy of Bahamas Locomotive Society. Owned by the National Trust

Ex-LSWR T9 4-4-0 No. 30120 - Built in 1899 to a Dugald Drummond design. The class were nicknamed 'Greyhounds' on account of the speed they could achieve.

Courtesy of the National Railway Museum & Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Ex - SR 'Battle of Britain' 4-6-2 No. 34053 'Sir Keith Park' - Withdrawn from service by British Railways in 1965. This is "Sir Keith's" first season of operation since restoration.

Courtesy of Southern Locomotives Ltd

Ex - SR Class U 2-6-0 No. 31806 - From an original K class ‘River’ tank locomotive (A806 River Torridge), the loco was rebuilt in 1928 to a U class 2-6-0 Mogul. The term U-Boat was due to their ‘go anywhere’ ability. This will be the first Southern Mogul to appear on the Severn Valley Railway.

Courtesy of the Mid Hants Railway.

Other attractions include:

Railway Book Publishers Fair at The Engine House

featuring:

Ian Allan, Kingfisher Books & Silver Link Publishing (further confirmations to follow)

Bachmann Model Railways: sales stand at Kidderminster

Special timetable which includes all-night operation

Photograph by Andrew Shapland

Our three-day diesel traction event is back for a second year with a full diesel-only timetable operating on all three days and a train service operating well into the evenings.

We are pleased to announce the first visiting locomotive:

Class 17 Clayton D8568

based on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway

Owned by The Diesel Traction Group

A spectacularly unsuccessful class, the class 17 or Claytons were a victim of poor design and a down-turn in freight traffic on the railways in the 1960s. 117 of the class were built in three years from 1962. The majority of the twin-Paxman-engined locos were built by Clayton Co.  but later locos were built by Beyer Peacock with GEC electrical equipment. The Claytons finished their days based at Polmadie in Glasgow, with all withdrawn from service by 1972. Only four escaped the scrap yard at that time; three were dispatched to the RTC at Derby for further use but were later cut up, while the only survivor went into industrial use before being secured for preservation.

Further locomotives will be announced shortly.

Special timetable

THERE WILL BE NO DAYTIME STEAM SERVICE ON THESE DATES.

Our Members & Shareholders Weekend is usually held in the early part of the year, but this year will be different, as we intend to hold this event in the Autumn.

As well as the usual 'behind the scenes' activities we also hope to have one of the visiting locomotives from the Autumn Steam Gala use on both days.

Although this is a special day for our supporters other visitors are more than welcome to travel.

Full details will follow shortly.

A hit with families in 2011, our Halloween services will keep you on the edge of your seats!

Further information will follow shortly.

In conjunction with Bridgnorth Jazz Festival.

Join Mike Piggott - violin and Spats Langham - guitar who will both entertain you on your journey from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth.

The train departs Kidderminster at 10.25am. Return by any train. Tickets for the Bridgnorth 'Jazz Trail' will be available to purchase on the train during the journey to Bridgnorth.

Join with the staff and passengers of the SVR as we remember those who gave their all in wartime.

There will be a special service at Kidderminster Town station. The service commences at 10.45am and we pause, with the nation, for 2 minutes silence at 11.00am.

There will also be a Service of Remembrance at Bridgnorth.

Timetable A

A firm favourite with families who return year after year. Travel from Kidderminster to visit Santa in his grotto at Arley. Presents for all fare-paying children. Reserved seats on your outward journey.

Our Christmas Carol Trains are an ever-popular part of our Christmas season of services. Why not get your Christmas off to a very special traditional start!

Our Christmas Carol train, operated by our diesel unit, departs from Kidderminster for a return journey to Highley. On the way the train will stop at Arley, where carols will be sung.

Then it's back onto the train for the journey to Highley.

At Highley you will leave the train for the short walk [approximately 150 yards] to The Engine House, our Visitor Centre, where the choir will again lead the singing and a warming glass of punch and a mince pie will be served to passengers.

Other light snacks and a limited bar will also be available at additional cost.

Your return journey to Kidderminster completes the experience.

With the Christmas festivities over, why not blow the cobwebs clean away with a leisurely steam train journey along the Severn Valley.

Trains operate daily over the full length of the line from December 26th to January 6th inclusive.

The Engine House, our Visitor Centre at Highley, is also open throughout this period and makes an ideal point to break your journey. Why not stop off for a visit to this exciting exhibition and enjoy a bite to eat in the Flag & Whistle Food Stop?

Special timetable to be announced.

The Severn Valley Railway is delighted to team up with 'Steam Railway' Magazine for its spring steam enthusiasts' gala event.

One of the great enthusiasts' events of the year.