Severn Valley Railway - heritage line, Worcestershire and Shropshire - merged posts

[whole diary]

[bobm]

From the Severn Valley Railway Facebook page

Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that a builder's plate from DRS^» (Direct Rail Services Ltd, a national rail freight operator providing a range of services with its head office in Carlisle and depots at the South East, York, Crewe, Sellafield, and Scotland. - about) Class 68 has been removed whilst the loco was stabled at Bewdley overnight.

The non-return of this important item could jeopardise DRS visits to the SVR and Diesel events in the future.

If anyone can provide any information as to its location please contact General Manager, Nick Ralls on Nick.Ralls@svrlive.com or call 01562 757900

[RobT]

Builder's plate returned. From SVR Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/svrofficial/?fref=nf

We're really pleased to report the safe return turn of the missing builder's plate!

The item from DRS^» (Direct Rail Services Ltd, a national rail freight operator providing a range of services with its head office in Carlisle and depots at the South East, York, Crewe, Sellafield, and Scotland. - about) Class 68 diesel locomotive was removed while it was stabled at Bewdley overnight (May 21st) following its visit for our Spring Diesel Festival.

Yesterday, the item, was returned anonymously in the post to General Manager, Nick Ralls.

We are very pleased and relieved that the plate has been returned safely so that it can be put back in its rightful place.

Thank you to everyone that shared our posts on this matter and helped spread the word.

[ChrisB]

I hope the police are now investigating

[RailCornwall]

Festive Season Service Update

Not something we wanted to wake up to...in the last 48 hours, vandals have attacked some of our historic carriages at Kidderminster with graffiti. An investigation is underway.

In light of this, some of our trains will be shorter than planned as the affected carriages will be removed from service. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

We are extremely saddened by this turn of events, especially in the season of goodwill. But, in true Severn Valley Railway spirit, we will continue with smiles on our faces and ensure the much-loved and painstakingly-restored vehicles are returned to service as quickly as possible for our passengers to enjoy.

| from …….. | SVROFFICIAL on FACEBOOK.COM| 26-Dec-2017 @ 11:13|

[bobm]

While the railway obviously needs to explain why services may be disrupted I question whether there is a need to publish photos of the vandalism.  Don’t give the perpetrators the privilege of seeing their mindless work in print for perpetuity.

[grahame]

While the railway obviously needs to explain why services may be disrupted I question whether there is a need to publish photos of the vandalism.  Don’t give the perpetrators the privilege of seeing their mindless work in print for perpetuity.

I would agree that concern, Bob.   However the "SVROfficial" Facebook feed - which I have no reason to doubt is indeed their official source - has chosen to post them in public. I would suspect that their Facebook poster is caught between something of a rock and a hard place in making decision here; publish the photos and it leads to the concerns above, or post a pure text piece and it fails to reach the audience you want to alert about short formed trains over the New Year.

[bobm]

Yes, to be clear I was questioning the need for the Severn Valley to publish the photos in the first instance.  Not the fact they have been reposted here. 

[Electric train]

Yes, to be clear I was questioning the need for the Severn Valley to publish the photos in the first instance.  Not the fact they have been reposted here. 

Whilst they (SVR) would not wish this on themselves they have slightly different motivators to a public service railway operator.   First they need to inform their customers why they cannot provide the "entertainment" experience advertised; yes at hey are at the end of the day an entertainment provider.   Secondly and a lot lower in the motivation by making the public aware of this criminal act they may get information about the perpetrators and may even get denotations towards the repairs 

[RobT]

Good to see that SVR have reached their £10k target, and that repairs are well under way on the vandalised carriages.
https://www.steamrailway.co.uk/steamnews/2018/1/18/svr-carriage-appeal-raises-10k-in-one-week

Two historic carriages - ex-GNR teak corridor composite No. 2701, and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Collett corridor third No. 1146 – were sprayed with graffiti over the Christmas period, causing thousands of pounds’ worth of damage.

SVRCT director Shelagh Paterson said: “The speed and generosity of the response we’ve received shows us just how shocked people were when the news of this awful incident broke. It also shows the depth of their passion for the Severn Valley Railway, and everything it stands for. Keeping our heritage alive and accessible is clearly very important to the wide range of people who’ve come forward to add their support.

“With the exception of a handful of larger amounts, most of the donations we received were between £10 and £25. Each one was a vote of confidence in the sterling skills of the SVR’s restoration volunteers and staff, and we are so grateful to everyone for their support.”

Work to restore the teak-bodied 1922-built No. 2701 is well underway in the SVR’s Kidderminster paint shop. A team of volunteers spent three days removing the spray paint by hand. The gold leaf lettering and painted lining on the carriage was badly damaged but is now being painstakingly restored. The team will then apply several fresh coats of varnish to finish things off. Paint removal will begin in the next few days on the second vandalised carriage, the metal-skinned No. 1146.

The unscheduled work to restore these two important carriages has meant a delay to this month’s scheduled projects, including the conversion of a vehicle to provide first class dining accommodation, suitable for wheelchair users and their companions.

Although the initial appeal target of £10,000 has been reached, further contributions to carriage restoration are needed, and donations can be made online at www.svrtrust.org.uk or by phoning 01562 757940.

[chuffed]

and may even get denotations towards the repairs 

I can't help thinking that you meant Detonations towards the perpetrators 

[PhilWakely]

No - not the steam gala, but the return to active service of class 50, 50033 'Glorious'.

Whilst the world, his wife and children were attending the Severn Valley Railway's steam gala on a glorious Saturday, 21st September, I was privileged to be invited to the unveiling of the fully-restored 50033 'Glorious' - the sixth member of the class belonging to the Class 50 Alliance.

I pay tribute to the team of volunteers who have spent many hours restoring the locomotive from its neglected 'static exhibit' status at the NRM^» (National Railway Museum, at York and Shildon - about) to being fully operational [though not quite mainline certified].

Seen at Kidderminster TMD^▸ (Traction Maintenance Depot) with four of its five Class 50 Alliance stable mates (50049, 031, 044 and 007).

It will be 'top of the bill' at the forthcoming SVR diesel gala.





Usually, launches like this involve the subject exiting a shed into the open, but [for safety reasons with the SVR steam gala happening in close proximity], in this case the reverse happened as seen in the following video by tnxrail...........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV-acKikc-M

[JayMac]

Half expected to see Mark Hopwood standing in the cab doorway.

[infoman]

Does the heritage railway have access to the British Rail main line?

Thanks in advance.

[grahame]

Does the heritage railway have access to the British Rail main line?

Thanks in advance.

I believe it is one of so many that has access but it's used only in "special" circumstances.

To my knowledge the only one with regular services onto the network is the North Yorkshire, and the only ones with trains scheduled onto their tracks from the main network are the Swanage (to Corfe Castle) and last year's trial on the West Somerset to Bishops Lydeard.

[rogerw]

There is definitely a connection between the SVR and main line at Kidderminster. It is fully signalled and used for stock movements and specials. I travelled over it last November.