The Severn Valley Railway | 34027, 6960, 75069 & 1501 - Saturday & Sunday 19th/20th September 2020

Описание: #SevernValleyRailway #Steam #Holiday

2019 Autumn Steam Gala...
   • Severn Valley Railway | Autumn Steam Gala ...  
   • Severn Valley Railway | Autumn Steam Gala ...  

Having thoroughly enjoyed our first Autumn Steam Gala experience last year our thoughts immediately turned to 2020 and as soon as the date was confirmed over night accommodation was booked in the Premier Inn at Stourbridge.

However as 2020 evolved it became clear that not only the gala would most likely not take place but it was far from sure that the railway would even be allowed to open. So once it was announced that the railway would at least be open we decided we really wanted to support the line and agreed we would visit for the weekend anyway and make the best of whatever service was offered. A small bonus came in the shape that a lot of people clearly cancelled their booked gala accommodation as we were able to cancel our Stourbridge hotel and book in the more local Kidderminster Weavers Wharf Premier Inn for half the price!

Since reopening in August the railway has run several different booked excursions offering a variety of different set days out. We decided to travel on the Sunday in the Explorer excursion, a trip from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, short half an hour break before then running back as far as Highley where we would have two hours to explore the Engine Shed. The excursion then retraces its steps back to Bridgnorth and finally returns back to Kidderminster with £75 giving us a compartment to ourselves for the 6 and a half hour trip a bargain we felt! This then left us the Saturday free to watch the trains, a day when four excursions were scheduled rather than just the two on the Sunday.

In action on the Saturday's Explorer was WC no.34027 'Taw Valley' swapping to Hall no.6960 'Raveningham Hall' at Bridgnorth after the first run. The Flyer had Std 4 no.75069 in charge and the Adventurer had 15xx no.1501, 75069 would also take charge of the evening dining train. Arriving on the Saturday my video starts at Eardington and the field overlooking the line at the end of the 1 in 100 climb to Bridgnorth. First we see 34027 'Taw Valley' climbing up followed half hour later by 6960 coasting back down the hill with the Explorer, finally another half hour later its 75069 climbing the bank with the Flyer.

Next its the action from Highley on the Sunday and by this time 75069 has swapped with 28xx no.2857. We see her get away from Highley heading for Bewdley and returning two hours later to pick us back up.

Back to Saturday afternoon at Arley, we first see 6960 pass through the station heading for Highley & Bridgnorth with the Explorer, viewed from the footcrossing at the north end of the station. Next its 1501 and the return Adventurer seen crossing Victoria Bridge heading for Arley station and finally 75069 is seen working south through the station with the return leg of the Pioneer. At least that should of been the end at Arley, we had planned to move to Highley to watch 1501 shunt the stock for the Adventurer around and leave for Bridgnorth, except my 8 year old Ford Fiesta decided now was the time for a new battery! Still worse places to break down than the carpark at Arley, overlooking the River. My wife and son walked along the river while I waited in the car for the rescue lorry - can thoroughly recommend Roger's Rescue from Kidderminster all fixed by 6pm and reasonable price for a new battery! Whilst waiting I did manage to return to the bridge to watch 6960 bring the return Explorer through the station thinking I would notice if a rescue truck went past me! Back up and running we finish at Northwood Halt and 75069 brings the evening Sunset Special through the station heading north.

Huge thanks to everyone involved with organising the services, we felt safe at every opportunity and you could see a lot of time and effort has gone into planning the services and organising the movement of people and it works really well. We had a brilliant time and will be back in 2021 in whichever form that takes!

Photos...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...