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The Engine House is our new building which will stand on a piece of land to the south of Highley Station known as the 'Landsale Yard', former railway sidings. It will be used to house our collection of steam locomotives not currently in service on the Railway together with other appropriate exhibits and displays. The Heritage Lottery Fund has approved a grant of approximately £3.3 million towards the construction of this facility and, with grants from European Funds of about £1 million, we will to be able to provide a quality visitor attraction at this station. Highley is approximately half way along the Severn Valley Railway making this new attraction very accessible from both ends of the line.  Education... The Engine House will provide significant opportunities for school and adult groups to learn more about the SVR, railways in general and the Severn Valley as an important natural feature of Worcestershire and Shropshire. It will also provide a base for other educational events and activities organised by the SVR School Education Service. The opportunity to provide a large area of quality undercover accommodation with a variety of displays will, we are sure, readily appeal to visiting groups, families and individuals of all ages who will break their rail journeys at Highley for a visit that promises to be exciting and informative. What exhibits will be included?... As we mentioned earlier, the main purpose of the building is to store and display part of our collection of steam locomotives, those that are currently out of service and awaiting major overhaul. In addition we hope that The Engine House will tell some of the important stories related to railways, the Severn Valley Railway, the Severn Valley and possibly Highley itself as a former mining town with strong railway connections. If space permits other large exhibits may form part of the exhibition from time to time, and it is also possible that space may be available for short term topical displays connected with current anniversaries and special events. The Severn Valley Railway's considerable paper archive may also be housed within The Engine House with a view to making it available for exhibition, inspection and research in the future. What visitor facilities will be included?... Besides the major exhibits the building will also house a shop, and a tea room. Lecture Rooms with full audio visual facilities will also be provided. To the rear of he building is an area of woodland which we hope to open to the public over time and which will complement the visit. This will offer the opportunity of a gentle walk for some or a great educational opportunity for others. A former quarry forms part of the site and is quite spectacular and of significant geological interest. When will the The Engine House open?... It is hoped that The Engine House will open in late Spring 2007. Where are we now?... We are very pleased to tell you that all of the funding for this project is now in place. Site investigations and detailed planning is now underway with a view to our contractor being on site in early spring 2006. The Severn Valley Railway gratefully acknowledges the finacial and other assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Euroean Regional Development Fund, Advantage West Midlands and Bridgnorth District Council.
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