Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2020-2029 and Bridgnorth: Difference between pages

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Significant events in the history of the Severn Valley Railway in preservation between 2020 and the present date are set out below.
[[File:46443 severn valley railway (3).jpg|thumb|300px|right |Bridgnorth station, viewed from the footbridge]]


Information on current events on the SVR can be found [[Current events on the Severn Valley Railway | '''here''']].
{| class="wikitable"
|+Next stations
|-
! Up (towards [[Kidderminster]]) !!  Down (towards [[Shrewsbury]])
|-
| [[Hampton Loade]] (4&frac12; miles)<br>via [[Eardington]] || Present day: line terminates.<br>Pre closure: [[Linley]]
|-
|}
==The station==
Bridgnorth is the current Northern terminus of the SVR. It has two platforms connected by a [[Bridgnorth Station Footbridge|footbridge]], a yard, and a [[Bridgnorth signal box|signal box]].  The original Severn Valley Railway continued northwards towards Ironbridge through [[Bridgnorth Tunnel|a 550 yard long tunnel]] underneath Bridgnorth High Town. From time to time the possibility of re-opening the section of the line north of Bridgnorth is raised on discussion forums and elsewhere. The official stance of the SVR has over time varied between ''"maintaining a watching brief"'' and ''"the railway land north of Bridgnorth has been long since sold, and there is now no possibility of Severn Valley trains reaching Ironbridge and Shrewsbury ever again"''. An application by [[The Ironbridge Railway Trust]] in 2021 to the 'Restoring Your Railway Ideas Fund' was unsuccessful.
 
The main station building is listed Grade II by Historic England for its special architectural or historic interest.<ref>[https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1053173 Bridgnorth Station on the Historic England list]</ref>
 
The yard at Bridgnorth is home to the [[Bridgnorth Loco Works | Loco Works]]. [[Bridgnorth MPD]] (Motive Power Department) is the principal base for the Railway's steam locomotives.  Bridgnorth is also home to two new build projects, BR Class 3 locomotive [[BR 3MT 82045 | 82045]] and a replica of the Trevithick locomotive [[Catch Me Who Can]].
 
Day to day restoration and maintenance is carried out by a group going by the name of 'The Wailing Wall Construction Company plc (pretty limited craftsmen)'.
 
==Facilities==
Bridgnorth has two car parks. The entrance to the smaller coach/car park next to the station building is in Hollybush Road and includes disabled parking spaces. The entrance to the larger 'West' car park is at the end of Station Lane off Hollybush Road, 100 yards to the north of the main station entrance. For both an ANPR system operates, with visitors to the [[Bridgnorth Station Shop]] or 'The Railwayman's Arms' pub entering their registration number on a tablet to avoid parking charges.
 
Facilities for visitors include the gift shop, Refreshment Rooms and 'The Railwayman’s Arms' pub. High Town, with its Castle Gardens and Cliff Railway, can be accessed from the SVR via a footbridge outside the entrance to the Station building.
 
A lineside public viewing area is situated at the foot of [[#Pan_Pudding_Hill | Pan Pudding Hill]], on the opposite side of the line from Platform 1.  This can normally be accessed by taking the steps down from the car park near the Railwayman's Arms pub (the '[[Donkey Gallops]]') and going through the [[Engine Shed Underpass]]. A flight of steps on the right then leads up to the viewing area.  When access is allowed to the Bridgnorth Works (normally only during Gala events), access to the viewing area is possible direct from the south end of Platform 2.
 
==Bridgnorth Development Project==
[[File:Bridgnorth New Building 20181229.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The new building in December 2018]]
[[File:Bridgnorth_Artists_Impression_1_20161126.jpg|thumb|300px|right |Artist's impression of the new station building beyond the footbridge, with the existing building in the foreground.]]
[[File:Bridgnorth_Artists_Impression_2_20161126.jpg|thumb|300px|right |Artist's impression of the new station building looking north.]]
[[File:Bridgnorth_station_elevation_thumprint_June_2021.jpeg|thumb|300px|right |Elevations for Listed building alterations in June 2021 in association with the reconstruction of the former parcels office and change of use to a shop.]]
[[File:Bridgnorth_station_floorplan_thumbprint_June_2021.jpeg|thumb|300px|right |Floorplan for Listed building alterations in June 2021 in association with the reconstruction of the former parcels office and change of use to a shop.]]


==2020==
===Objectives===
2020 saw the 50th anniversary of the official opening of the SVR.  A ‘must-do’ engineering project was starting, an overhaul of [[Falling Sands Viaduct]], with trains restricted to the [[Bridgnorth]] to [[Bewdley]] section from 30 December 2019.
The Bridgnorth site is the subject of a development project, the first phase of which saw the long-overdue removal of the Portacabin style Refreshment room (installed in 1979 "as a temporary measure"<ref>SVR News 51</ref>; previous buffet facilities having been in an old [[Carriages formerly resident on the SVR#Carriages formerly at the SVR but later moved elsewhere | BR Mk 1 Tourist Second Open]]), and its replacement with a circa-1900 Great Western style single-storey building which is located to the south of the existing Jacobean style station building.
 
===The 'Inchcape' site===
On 17 June 2014 David Postle attended an SVR(H) Board meeting to propose the acquisition of the adjacent 'Inchcape' site at ‘no cost’ to the railway, leasing the site at a cost of £65,000 per annum for three years with an option to purchase at a price of £1,200,000. Together with colleagues he offered that the first three years' costs would be underwritten so that there would be no financial impact on the railway. The Board considered that the price was over-stated as advisors had indicated a market value of approximately £750,000.<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2422 General Manager's Statement 23 June 2014]</ref>
 
===Evolution of plans===
Other phases should also see the refurbishment of the existing station building including the booking hall, shop and Railwayman's Arms, and the installation of a [[Bridgnorth Turntable|turntable]]. Subject to funding, a further phase will see construction of a new volunteer accommodation building. A summary of the evolution of plans is shown below.
 
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! Project !! 2012 share offer !! 2016  share offer !! September 2018<ref>NBI September 2018</ref> !!  SVR News 204 Winter 2018 !! Branch Lines October 2020<ref name=bloct20/> || Notes
|-
|New catering and toilets||Included||Phase I, reduced height and size||Phase I||Phase I|| ||Opened January 2019. Non-uniformed staff catering from 2018 included in the Graham Hill building (next to the Boilershop)
|-
|Refurbished station|| Included ||Phase I||Phase III||Phase IV||Phase I || In November 2016 work was continuing on detailed plans for the refurbishment of the existing station, with the contract for the remaining works of the first phase to be signed in January 2017.<ref>SVR Live</ref> In September 2018 plans and costs were incomplete and "will inevitably take a period of time to reconcile". Works were not to begin before Winter 2019/20 to develop the plans, apply for funding and a period of calm.<ref>NBI September 2018</ref> In October 2020 it required detailed plans to be drawn up before going for confirmed costings.<ref name="bloct20"/> In June 2021 the SVR applied for Listed building alterations (see 'Milestones' below) 
|-
|New car park in fields|| Included ||Phase II||Phase II||Phase II|| || Opened December 2018
|-
|Turntable, renewal of track work in Bridgnorth yard along with the provision of a new loco pit|| Included ||Phase II||Phase IIb (TBC)|| Phase III|| Phase II || As of October 2020, there will be a need to raise further finance, once Phase I is completed.<ref name=bloct20/>
|-
|Volunteer accommodation|| Included, in plans for Hollybush Road sidings ||Phase III*||Phase IV||Not included||  || *Funds for Phase III were not within the 2016 share offer of £2.5m.<br>
Intended as part of workshop and stores to rear of MPD, a storage block is now not urgently required. The SVR will reconsider how best to provide volunteer accommodation, this was then unlikely to commence until 2021 because of the current commitments on civils and building projects.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/epmay19 Express Points May 2019]</ref>
|-
|Independent mobility across the site|| Included, by means of additional lifts at the north end of the station ||Not included||Not included||Not included|| ||
|-
|Public viewing area for MPD|| Included ||Not included||Not included||Not included|| ||
|-
|New visitor centre|| Included ||Not included||Not included||Not included|| ||
|-
|}


'''January 2020'''
In October 2020 the SVR reverted to the phasing in the 2016 prospectus, with conservation of the Bridgnorth station building prioritised as a phase I project for the remaining share monies.<ref name="bloct20">[https://www.svrlive.com/bloct20 Branch Lines, October 2020]</ref>
*Winter works included track relaying to effectively join up the two previous relayings between [[Bewdley Tunnel]] and Falling Sands Viaduct. The opportunity was taken to install a new point at [[Foley Park]] as part of a long term plan to develop the area.  
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
Foley_Park_Points_20200912.jpg|The new points at Foley Park. The [[Underbridge off Lisle Avenue]] is just beyond the points with [[Falling Sands Viaduct]] in the distance.
</gallery>
*3 January was the 50th anniversary of the final regular timetabled BR passenger services between Bewdley and Hartlebury and Kidderminster.
*A new buffet building was installed at [[Bewdley]].
*New cylinder patterns were produced for [[GWR 7802 Bradley Manor|7802 Bradley Manor]].
*The SVR announced a new [[Unlimited Pass|Loyalty Pass]] to replace the Annual Family Pass, now available to individuals, couples, less-able visitors or families.


'''February 2020'''
===Milestones===
*The [[Bridgnorth#Footbridge_outside_Bridgnorth_Station|Footbridge outside Bridgnorth Station]] was closed for repairs to the damaged holding down bolts discovered in [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2010-2019#2018|2018]].  
Major milestones in the project have been as follows:
*Storm Dennis, with heavy rain falling on already saturated ground, contributed to record highs on the [[River Severn]] and consequent widespread flooding. Access to the SVR was disrupted during half-term running from 15 to 23 February, with lower than usual passenger numbers. Flooding caused land movements at [[Sterns]] and [[Alveley Sidings|Alveley Woods]].   
*October 2009: Plans for a refurbishment of the Bridgnorth station site began with the announcement of the Project Development Teams.<ref>SVR News 167, General Manager's Notes</ref>
*On 25 February [[Other rolling stock visiting the SVR‎ |PPM50 Parry People Mover Class 999 No. 999900]] visited for testing. It was previously tested in [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2000-2009#2002|2002]] and has since been renumbered 139000 and most recently 139012<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_139 British Rail Class 139] on Wikipedia</ref>.
*October 2012: The SVR launched a [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Share_offers|share offer]] to raise funds for various objectives, including developing the Bridgnorth Station site. Plans and illustrations of the proposed development were put on public display at Bridgnorth, attended by the steering group and architectural team to provide answers to questions and receive comments. Written comments submitted were published, over 100 in total, with "Overall, the feedback has been very positive with over 70% of people attending the exhibition being supportive, albeit with comments both practical and aesthetic as to how the proposals could be improved" (SVR General Manager).<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2422&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=225 SVRA forum thread] (Retrieved 12 June 2017)</ref>
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
*March 2013: Following criticism of the initial plans, which some considered out of character with the existing station, the SVR(H) Board resolved on 19 March to establish a Conservation and Heritage Committee under the Chairmanship of David Postle.<ref>Announcement by Nick Ralls (General Manager), reported on [https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2422&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=615 SVR-OnLine forum]</ref>
File:PPM_20210417.jpg | 'PPM 139000' at Highley (2021)
*September 2015: New plans and illustrations of the proposed development were put on public display in the booking office at Bridgnorth.
</gallery>
*January 2016: The planning application was submitted to Shropshire Council on 13 January.<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2422&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=720 SVR Forum]</ref>
*On 27 February [[WD 71516 Welsh Guardsman]] arrived at Bridgnorth.  
*August 2016: The planning application was approved by the Council.<ref>[http://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=742 SVR Website news item]</ref>
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
*November 2016:
WD_71516_20200307.jpg|WD 71516 at Bridgnorth, March 2020
:The SVR launched a further [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Share_offers|share offer]] seeking to raise £2.5m towards the project. The share offer document confirmed that £1m from the 2012 share offer been spent or committed to the project, and that the additional £2.5m was required to meet the anticipated costs of completing Phase One (station buildings) and Phase Two (car parking and turntable). A third phase (new accommodation building) was not part of the share offer.<ref>2016 Share Offer Document pp. 16-19.</ref>
</gallery>
:Contractors arrived on site to begin work on the first phase, some preliminary work having already been carried out by SVR staff and volunteers. Completion was initially expected to be in mid-2017.
*December 2016: Installation of all 63 piles completed.
*April 2017: Construction of the base for the new station building, originally targetted for January, was completed.
*May 2017: Bricklaying began at a ceremony on 3 May. A revised target date of October 2017 was imtimated for the new building.
*October 2017: It was announced the new facility would not provide for staff meals "across the whole service" as beforehand, due to the dimensions of the new buffet. A Working Group was set up to utilise instead the Engineering Services mess room for volunteer catering.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/working-members SVRLive]</ref>
*October 2017: Proceeds from the share offer reached the target on the final day: it raised £2,548,595 gross, £2,427,348 net of costs. £807,000 was allocated from the 2012 share monies giving a net total of £3,234,348 for the project. Work continued on the building structure.
*March 2018: First phase work, much delayed, continued with the first roof slates being laid by the end of the month. A project team was working on the specification of the West side project, which includes the field car park, access roads and [[Bridgnorth Turntable|turntable]]. It was intended to tender for this phase during the summer of 2018.<ref>SVR NBI March 2018</ref>
*April 2018 roofing took place and the scaffolding was largely removed from the exterior of the building
*June 2018 In the rear service yard area, the “Bovey Tracey” outbuilding building had the framework erected and covered in breathable felt ready for the external corrugated cladding to be applied. This is based on a goods lock up that used to adorn Bovey Tracey station on the Moretonhampstead branch in Devon. The SVR version serves as a plant room housing the heating boiler and food preparation area for the volunteer [[Severn Valley Venturer]] catering staff.
*July 2018 a completion and hand-over was forecast for the third week in July.<ref>SVR News 201, p. 15</ref> This was followed by a revised plan to open on 3 September.  An announcement in September gave a date of end of 2018, with a formal opening in Spring 2019.<ref>SVR Forum, September 2018</ref>
* October 2018 the former ‘overflow’ parking field was closed for contractors to construct a carefully surfaced, illuminated 200-space visitor West car park and access/egress routes. Walsh Construction successfully tendered for this work at a cost of £642,000.<ref>SVR News 205</ref> It opened in December 2018 with further works in the New Year. Barriers and parking charges came into use on 14 April 2019.
* December 2018 the contractors' site offices and associated buildings were removed from the station car park following the practical completion of the much delayed, as yet unopened, new station building. The toilets and (unfinished) new car park opened. On 19 December the planning application for the proposed relocation of the turntable was withdrawn.<ref>[https://pa.shropshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=PHW267TDHOM00 Shropshire Council 18/05183/FUL | Construction of locomotive turntable reclaimed from Bath Road Bristol and associated enabling works] (Retrieved 31 December 2018)</ref>
* January 2019 the new Bridgnorth Refreshment Room opened daily during closed season.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/RailwaymansArms/photos/a.1457434694370776/2055781847869388/?type=3&theater Railwayman's Arms Facebook 26 January 2019]</ref> The official opening was 4 April.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/grandopening 'SVR Shareholder Event 2019', SVRLive, 22 February 2019] (Retrieved 23 February 2019)</ref>
*On 12 March 2019 the planning application for the proposed relocation of the turntable was resubmitted. Approval was granted on 30 April 2019.<ref>[https://pa.shropshire.gov.uk/online-applications/ Shropshire Planning] Ref:19/01151/FUL</ref>
*In June 2021 the SVR applied for Listed building alterations in association with the conservation, renovation and reordering of Bridgnorth station, including reconstruction of the former parcels office and change of use to a shop.<ref name=blaug21>[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug21 Branch Lines, August 2021]</ref>
*In autumn 2023 work commenced on converting the former ladies' toilet to a new [[Severn Valley Railway Engineering Services|SVR Engineering (ESMP)]] office, which had been occupied by June 2024.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bljun24 Branch Lines June 2024, ''New ESMP office saves costs'']</ref> This use is seemingly incompatible with the previously announced plans to relocate the shop and reinstate the waiting room.


'''March 2020'''
SVR(H) Annual Reports give the total capital sums spent on the Bridgnorth project to the end of 2020 as £3,236k comprising:
*Specialist contractors removed asbestos from around the cylinder block of [[GWR Large Prairie 4150]].<ref>[http://www.4150.org.uk/news/4150_mar20.html 4150 Fund March 2020 restoration update] (Retrieved 2 April 2020)</ref>
*2015: £90k
*A new pair of cylinder blocks for [[GWR 7802 Bradley Manor]] were poured, believed to be the first 7800 class cylinder blocks to be cast for 70 years.<ref>[https://www.erlestokemanorfund.co.uk/march-2020-update/ Erlestoke Manor Fund March 2020 update] (Retrieved 2 April 2020)</ref>
*2016: £243k
*Brush Class 47 Co-Co 47773 [D1755] arrived at the SVR from Tyseley for contract bodywork repairs in the [[Diesel Depot]].
*2017: £551k (all three years from the 2012 share issue)
*A severe acute respiratory syndrome, [[2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic|coronavirus disease (COVID-19)]], was declared a pandemic. It caused widespread disruption and international travel restrictions. On 18 March the SVR cancelled all services and closed [[The Engine House]] and refreshment rooms throughout March and April. It cancelled the following events: Easter Holidays, [[Spring Steam Gala]], [[Open House Weekend]], Spring Diesel Festival and 50th Anniversary Event. On 20 March it announced it would close the Railway's two pubs in line with a measure announced by the Government that day, and the shops followed on 24 March.
*2018: £1,693k (principally £1,188k refreshment room/toilet block and £493k new car park/access roads)
*The combination of February's flooding, the continuing planned work at Falling Sands, coronavirus and land movements meant the SVR was faced with a serious financial challenge. On 20 March the Railway launched an Emergency Appeal for £250,000 to help the SVR through the emergency, which raised £50,000 in the first four days.
*2019: £625k (final payments and retention monies for the refreshment room/toilet block and new car park/access roads)  
*2020: £17,289 on the refreshment room, disabled toilet block, car park and access roads.<ref>SVR(H) Financial Statements for period ending 3 January 2021</ref>  
*2022: £31,624 on windows, roof and professional fees.<ref>SVRH Report and accounts up to 2 January 2023</ref>


'''April 2020'''
In October 2019 the SVR issued an update suggesting the next phase (the Bridgnorth Turntable pit, restoration of the Turntable, renewal of track work in Bridgnorth yard and the provision of a new loco pit) would be delayed until further quotes were obtained and plans developed. The full announcement may be read on SVRLive [https://www.svrlive.com/post/bridgnorth-development-update-oct19 here]. Previous updates on this project including pictures of the work in progress can be found on the [https://www.svrlive.com/bridgnorth-development SVRLive Bridgnorth Development page].
*By 2 April the emergency appeal total reached £120,000.
*The Coronavirus pandemic lead to further total closures until the end of June and the cancellations of the [[Step Back to the 1940s]] weekends.
*A minimal contract engineering presence saw tests on the [[Bridgnorth Loco Works#New_boiler_assembly_and_production|second of five new boilers for the Isle of Man Railway]].
*On 15 April [[Ruston and Hornsby 165hp Diesel Shunter D2960|D2960 Silver Spoon]] took [[GWR 9055 Nondescript Saloon]] for a test after overhaul, running within the confines of the section signal at Kidderminster. The line to Bewdley remained severed for the winter works, interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
*The SVR reported an increase in trespassing during the closure.<ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/bridgnorth/2020/04/29/warning-to-trespassers-on-severn-valley-railway/ Shropshire Star 29 April 2020] (Retrieved 29 April 2020)</ref>
*[[John Leftwich]], interim chairman of the [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|SVR Charitable Trust]], died.
*On 30 April the renamed Fight Back Fund total passed £650,000.


'''May 2020'''
In October 2020, the SVR announced that there was £264,000 remaining share monies, which was ring-fenced for the remaining phase I of the project (the Bridgnorth station building conservation and extension of the bar). It required detailed plans to be drawn up before going for confirmed costings. Phase II of the project, which includes the turntable and renewal of track work in Bridgnorth yard along with the provision of a new loco pit, will follow, but there will be a need to raise further finance, once Phase I is completed.<ref name="bloct20"/>
*Kidderminster station was lit to honour the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.
*On 15 May the second [[Bridgnorth Loco Works#New_boiler_assembly_and_production|Isle of Man boiler]] built at Bridgnorth was despatched following completion and testing.
*Phase 2 of the [[Falling Sands Viaduct]] work commenced on 18 May while the railway was closed to other traffic, involving replacing damaged brickwork and corbelling, and repointing throughout. 
:On 28 May 47593 and 47805 delivered nine HST trailers to Kidderminster from Crewe for storage, and moved one stored sleeper out.


'''June 2020'''
By November 2021 the start date of work on the station building had been put back from 2022 to 2023, and the turntable delayed until after the yard had been relaid.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blnov21 Branch Lines November 2021]</ref> By August 2022 the building conservation and renovation was 'unlikely to go ahead until 2024 at the earliest' with a £300,000 funding gap having opened by rising costs since the work was first deferred.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug22 Branch Lines August 2022]</ref>
*By 1 June the Fight Back Fund reached £745,000.
*The Railway was granted by HSBC a £1.5 million loan under the CBILS scheme, which alongside its existing overdraft facility would mean £3 million available. The SVR Charitable Trust applied for a [[:Category:Lottery funding|National Lottery Heritage Fund]] grant to support the reopening of the Railway.
*The Railway detailed remedial work planned for landslips at [[Sterns]] (water managenent and drainage) and [[Alveley Sidings|Alveley woods]] (drainage scheme, soil nailing and partial replacement of the existing ash embankment material).<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bljun20 Branch Lines, June 2020]</ref>
*On 26 June [[BR Class 33 33108|33108]] took a train of 19 coaches as part of a stock move from Bewdley to Kidderminster, for maintenance and turning and reforming to prepare the sets as all compartment rakes for August reopening. The line had been breached for nearly six months.


'''July 2020'''
*26 July saw the final testing and commissioning of the new S&T equipment between Kidderminster and Bewdley, including the new [[Ground Frames at Foley Park|ground frame at Foley Park]].<ref name="blaug20"/>
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
Foley_Park_Ground_Frame_20210630.jpg|The ex-Kidderminster ground frame at Foley Park (June 2021)
File:Bridgnorth_Plans_20150930.jpg | Proposed site plan on display, September 2015
Bridgnorth_20170430.jpg|The completed base for the new building, April 2017.
Bridgnorth_Roof_20180401.jpg|View of the roof on 1 April 2018
Bridgnorth_20180705.jpg||Following a concrete pour to extend the terrace, July 2018
</gallery>
</gallery>
*On 27 July the first services ran on the SVR since the closedown in March. The passengers were SVR staff and volunteers, the intention being to test social distancing and other arrangements ahead of a public opening on 1 August.
 
*[[The Erlestoke Manor Fund]] announced it was in discussion with [[The 5164 Preservation Group]] and the SVR regarding the proposed transfer of [[GWR Large Prairie 5164]] to the EMF.<ref>[https://www.erlestokemanorfund.co.uk/announcement-gwr-5164/ EMF announcement]</ref>
== Points of interest ==
*The value of the [[Diesel Depot]] as a revenue earning resource was demonstrated by contract work on [[BR Class 37 37308]], [[Clayton Class 17 Bo-Bo D8568]], [[Other rolling stock visiting the SVR|PPM50 Parry People Mover No 999 900]] and 47773.<ref name="blaug20">[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug20 Branch Lines, August 2020]</ref>
 
*[[WD 71516 Welsh Guardsman]] steamed for the first time on the SVR, tested to ensure it to be fit to run if needed, or should the owner should have a request for it to work elsewhere.<ref name="blaug20"/>
=== Footbridge outside Bridgnorth Station  ===
*The [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|Charitable Trust]] agreed grants of £120,000 for repair work at [[Sterns]] and £12,000 to complete the restoration of [[GWR 2242 Corridor Brake Third]]. The work at Sterns completed on 29 July.<ref name="blaug20"/>
 
This view from Bridgnorth Station shows the footbridge connecting the station to New Road. It is sometimes referred to as the Hollybush Road footbridge, after the road which passes beneath it. The War Memorial in Bridgnorth High Town’s Castle Gardens can also be seen in this image.
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
Sterns_20200808.jpg|Lineside view of the drainage ditch and repair works uphill from it, looking north
File: Footbridge_outside_Bridgnorth_Station_20150411.jpg |The new footbridge
Sterns_Drone.jpg|Aerial view of the repair works looking south (River Severn to the left)
</gallery>
</gallery>
*The long running project to replace the lighting at [[Bridgnorth]] progressed with the erection of four of lamp standards along the embankment side of the car park<ref name="blaug20"/>. 


'''August 2020'''
The original footbridge at this location was built for Bridgnorth Corporation by [[David Owen#Rubery_Owen|Rubery Owen & Co. Ltd.]] in 1895 at a cost of £1400, for which the GWR contributed £95.<ref>[http://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/278547 Kelly's Directory of Shropshire, 1913]</ref> It had been delayed due to a landslip that occurred near to one of the buttresses.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10231068542323539&set=gm.148420681436716&idorvanity=137861129159338 Gwilt, C., Bridgnorth history Facebook page, 19 May 2023]</ref>
*On Saturday 1 August passenger services restarted as planned, with the day being a sell-out.
 
*The [[Stanier 8F Locomotive Society]] announced it had raised £60,000 towards the costs of the next overhaul, against a stretching target of £250,000.<ref name="blaug20"/>
Its condition was allowed to deteriorate following the closure of the railway at Bridgnorth in 1963, and by 1967 owners Bridgnorth Council had announced plans for its demolition. A Public Enquiry into the future of the footbridge was held on 1 April 1968,<ref>SVR News 19</ref> and a [[Bridgnorth Footbridge Trust#Events prior to the establishment of the Bridgnorth Footbridge Trust|campaign to save the bridge]] was launched in 1969. The footbridge was closed and boarded up on 30 September 1970. In [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1970-1979#19745| April 1974]] Bridgnorth was demoted to rural borough status, losing its powers to spend money maintaining the footbridge. Later that year it was sold to the SVR for a nominal £1, but was reluctantly deemed beyond repair and demolished in 1976.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 105.</ref> A short section was cosmetically restored by SVR volunteers and placed as a feature on the roundabout at the junction of the A458 and A442 on the outskirts of Bridgnorth.<ref>[https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.5279776,-2.4123035,3a,75y,68.21h,85.73t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sblf9KSdqoLBDX4V_-HByLA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 Section of footbridge visible on Google Street View]</ref> The 1895 bridge can also be seen in photographs 8 and 9 in the gallery of Sellick photographs below.
*On 2 August arsonists attacked and badly damaged [[Country Park Halt‎]],.<ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/bridgnorth/2020/08/02/arsonists-wreck-roof-at-severn-valley-railway-site/ Shropshire Star,'Arsonists wreck roof at Severn Valley Railway site', 2 August 2020] (Retrieved 2 August 2020)</ref>  
*By 6 August the Fight Back Fund reached £900,000.
*From 13 August locos in service [[2857]], [[7714]] and [[75069]] carried wreaths in memory and support of those who were involved in the previous day's collision at Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire.<ref name="blsep20">[https://www.svrlive.com/blsep20 Branch Lines, September 2020]</ref>
*Access to the [[Bewdley South signal box#Signalling_controlled_from_the_Box|large bracket outside of Bewdley South signal box]] was prohibited due to rot, with a temporary replacement prepared.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/epsep20 Express Points newsletter, September 2020] (Retrieved 29 August 2020)</ref>  
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
Bewdley_South_Ian_Murray.jpg|The large bracket signal on the approach to Bewdley South (right)
File:Bridgnorth foot bridge.jpg | The original 1895 footbridge
</gallery>
</gallery>
*During a test run on 24th August with [[1501]], a crack was discovered in the right hand return crank. Luckily no further damage was caused.<ref name="blsep20"/>
*Restoration work to repair the brickwork at [[Falling Sands Viaduct]] restarted after the discovery of bats<ref name="blsep20"/>.


'''September 2020'''
The new footbridge was built under the auspices of the [[Bridgnorth Footbridge Trust]] and opened on 22 July 1994. Ownership of the footbridge later transferred to Shropshire County Council.
*On 1 September the PPM50 Parry People Mover (see February) departed on a low loader.
 
*On 4 September the first advertised passenger diesel trains of the decade ran.
In January 2018 the footbridge was closed due to the station end lifting: it appeared the bridge was under tension and the bolts at either end had corroded, and so the bridge had come adrift at each end. Shropshire County Council instigated a temporary repair before the start of the running season with permanent repairs to follow.<ref>[http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/2018/01/footbridge-severn-valley-railway/ Shropshire County Council 19 January 2018] (Retrieved 20 January 2018)</ref> The bridge was closed for 4 weeks in February 2020 for these repairs to be completed.
*On 23 September the film [[Enola Holmes]], filmed partly on the SVR the previous year, was released
*Wyre Forest District Council awarded the Railway £50,000 under its discretionary business grant scheme for [[2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic|COVID-19]] relief.<ref name="bloct20">[https://www.svrlive.com/bloct20 Branch Lines, October 2020]</ref>
*Bewdley station hosted a VIP delegation that included the Mayor of Bewdley and the High Sheriff of Worcestershire to show support and appreciation for the efforts made following the February floods and the coronavirus pandemic<ref name="bloct20"/>.  


'''October 2020'''
=== Platform 1 ===
*On 1 October [[Bewdley South signal box|Bewdley South wooden bracket signal]] was taken down due to rot in the post. A temporary replacement was installed.<ref name="bloct20"/>
*On 7 October SR Bulleid West Country class Pacific 34046 Braunton arrived with the Saphos Trains 'Severn Valley Enterprise' railtour. The locomotive was declared a failure on arrival at Kidderminster due to a hot box on a driving wheel axle, and remained at Bridgnorth MPD for some days after moving there light engine. 34027 Taw Valley hauled the tour from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and back to Bewdley, from where Class 47 47805 made the return trip to Crewe.
*On 9 October the SVR was awarded a £906,000 grant from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/445-heritage-organisations-saved-by-103-million-investment-from-government Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport] (Retrieved 9 October 2020)</ref> Nigel Huddlestone MP, The Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage visited the SVR.
*More than a mile of track that was removed as part of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension was donated to the SVR by Transport for West Midlands and the Midland Metro Alliance.


'''November 2020'''
The south end of platform 1 originally ended by the water tower, as can be seen in the picture by David Cooke below and in photographs 8 and 9 in the gallery of Sellick photographs. A 200 ft extension was added by SVR volunteers in 1981 using 30,000 bricks recovered from the ex-GWR goods shed at Cradley, coping stones from the former relief line platform at Acock’s Green, and fencing from Dunstall Park. At the same time contractors re-faced the original platform and raised the level at the south end.<Ref Name = SVRNews60” /> There is a noticeable change in the appearance of the platform at the junction of the old and new platforms, which can be seen in this photograph.  
*On 5 November a second national lockdown in England came into effect, and services suspended for four weeks.
*[[Helen Smith]] and [[Diane Malyon]] became the first women to join the board of [[SVR(H)]].<ref name="bldec20">[https://www.svrlive.com/bldec20 Branch Lines, December 2020]</ref>
*The [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd]] produced a [https://www.fallingsandsviaduct.org.uk/remembering-the-severn-valley. podcast of oral histories from some of the founding volunteers] as part of the [[Falling Sands Viaduct]] project<ref name="bldec20"/>.  


'''December 2020'''
In early 2016 volunteers completed a further extension of the platform at the north end.<ref>[https://svrbridgnorth.wordpress.com/tag/platform-1-north-extension/ Bridgnorth Station 'platform 1 north extension'] Retrieved 14 February 2017</ref> This enabled 9-coach trains such as those with an additional observation saloon to be fully 'on platform'. The work also included replacing the adjacent 'barrow crossing'.<ref>SVR News 194</ref>
*[[Christmas services]] ran to [[Arley]] for the Railway’s first-ever Christmas show, ''Jingle, Jangle and the Christmas Cookbook''.<ref name="bldec20"/>
*On 5 December a power-twin set of vehicles 50933 and 52064 became the first [[Class 108 DMU|DMU]] to operate for two years following bogie repairs, when it operated the Christmas staff train.<ref name="bldec20"/>  
*On 9 December a special autotrain ran with [[GWR 1450|1450]] and [[GWR 178 Autotrailer Third]] for several trips between Bridgnorth and Highley for the [[Pull Push Limited|owner]] to mark the end of the locomotive's boiler ticket.<ref name="bldec20"/>
*The civil engineering work on Falling Sands Viaduct was completed in mid-December with the final piece of corbelling being slotted into place.<ref name=bljan21>[https://www.svrlive.com/bljan21 Branch Lines, January 2021]</ref>  
*On 17 December [[4930| 4930 Hagley Hall]]’s boiler arrived back from Northern Steam Engineering following its extensive overhaul.
*On 29 December snowfall resulted in the day's services bring cancelled.
*On 31 December COVID-19 restrictions resulted in services being suspended for the third time.


==2021==
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
2021 started in a third English national lockdown for the COVD-19 pandemic. All non-essential voluntary work was prohibited and vulnerable staff and volunteers required to 'shield', by staying at home. Vaccines were being rolled out to the population, with the most vulnerable (elderly and front line workers) being given priority. Many SVR staff were furloughed. SVR public trains had been cancelled and The Engine House, the pubs, refreshment rooms and shops closed, with services hoped to recommence in April 2021.  
File:Bridgnorth_Platform_1969.jpg | Bridgnorth Platform 1 in 1969 (David Cooke)
File: Bridgnorth_Platform_20150503.jpg | Bridgnorth Platform 1
</gallery>


'''January 2021'''
=== The Railwayman's Arms ===
*A reduced programme of winter works commenced consolidating works undertaken in 2020, with major works deferred.<ref name=bljan21/>
*On 14 January [[John Hill]] died. He had the honour of driving the first passenger train out of Bridgnorth in 1967.


'''February 2021'''
Bridgnorth Station building includes a licensed public bar, The Railwayman’s Arms.  This remained open when the station was closed by BR in September 1963 - the group of potential preservationists who visited Bridgnorth in [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1965-1969#1965 | July 1965]] were challenged by [[Tales from the Severn Valley#George_Thorpe.2C_licensee_of_The_Railwayman.27s_Arms|George Thorpe]] who ran it at the time.
*On 11 February, during the third COVID-19 lockdown, a particularly egregious act of trespass occurred and was reported in the media. Two trespassers were disturbed by an engineers' train on [[Victoria Bridge]], with abseiling equipment. The police were informed.<ref>[https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/severn-valley-loco-makes-emergency-19825592 Brock, Alexander, 'Severn Valley loco makes emergency stop to avoid trespasser "set to climb off edge of bridge"', Birmingham Mail, 12 February 2021] (Retrieved 15 February 2021)</ref>
*On 15 February locomotive 66702 hauled newly converted 69001 from Longport (Stoke) to Kidderminster, for the delayed commencement of a testing contract.
*New build [[GWR 2999 Lady of Legend | 2999 ''Lady of Legend'']], GWR Churchward 2900 Saint class 4-6-0, was announced for the 2021 Spring Steam Up event which replaced the Spring Steam Gala. It had been announced for the 2020 event, cancelled due to COVID-19.


'''March 2021'''
The bar and cellar were extended in 1979, the contract for the work being awarded to the building contractors in February of that year.<ref>SVR News 51</ref>
*The SVR announced an end to lineside passes and privately-run photo charters as income received is insignificant when compared to the potential risk these activities naturally contain.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blmar21 Branch Lines, March 2021] (Retrieved 7 March 2021)</ref>
*In the same announcement, [[Helen Smith]] said "The SVR is of particular interest to the ORR because of the two fall from height incidents that have happened in less than a year."<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/post/statement-lineside-passes-and-photo-charters-at-the-severn-valley-ralway 'STATEMENT - Lineside passes and photo charters at the Severn Valley Railway, SVRLive News item updated: 17 March 2021] (Retrieved 30 July 2024)</ref> The ORR subsequently commenced a prosecution of [[SVR(H)]] following 'a safety incident that occurred in 2021'.<ref>SVR(H) Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023, p. 40</ref>  
*Thieves on 29 and 30 March stole 23 metal signs from [[Arley]].
*On 30 March [[4150|GWR Large Prairie 4150]] was shunted out of [[Bewdley Down Yard]] after more than 43 years there, in preparation for a move to [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]] for restoration to be completed. The move followed the following month.


'''April 2021'''
The pub has four different pub signs. Two, which feature paintings by [[Paintings of the Severn Valley Railway#John Austin|John Austin]] of [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46443 | Ivatt 'Mickey Mouse' 46443]] and [[GWR 7802 Bradley Manor]], were on the platform side of the pub until late 2024, when they were swapped to the entrance on the car park side. They were replaced on the platform side by the other two signs which feature a fireman's arms and a speedometer, one labelled BR showing a speed in excess of 70mph (in fact the line speed on the Severn Valley Branch in service was never more than 50mph), the other labelled SVR showing a speed of 25mph (the maximum speed anywhere on the branch in preservation).
*On 2 April Arts Council England awarded [[Kidderminster Railway Museum|Kidderminster Railway Museum Trust Ltd]] £19,025 through the Government's Culture Recovery Fund.
*On 14 April six new livestream cameras were launched to provide 24/7 coverage of SVR stations to viewers across the globe.<ref name=blmay21>[https://www.svrlive.com/blmay21 Branch Lines, May 2021]</ref>
*On 28 April the HRA awarded [[Class 50 Alliance Limited]] the [[Awards|Award for Diesel Locomotion 2021]].<ref name=blmay21/>


'''May 2021'''
In February 2017 it won the CAMRA Bridgnorth Pub Of The Year Award 2017.
*The SVR Charitable Trust’s £425,000 'Home & Dry Appeal' launched to raise funds to make [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]] a safer, drier, and more efficient place to work.<ref name=blmay21/>


'''June 2021'''
*On 5 June the first charter visited the SVR since England entered its second lockdown, with a private GBRf charter utilising the high profile VSOE Pullman<ref name=bljun21>[https://www.svrlive.com/bljun21 Branch Lines, June 2021]</ref>.
*Between 16 June and 3 July the SVR hosted [[Other rolling stock visiting the SVR|a new weedkilling train]] undergoing [[High speed testing|high speed testing]] between Kidderminster and Bewdley.
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
50049 Defiance runs past with the Bayer Smart Weed System train just north of Bewdley tunnel July 2021. Matt Robinson.jpg| [[50049|50049 Defiance]] with the train near [[Bewdley Tunnel]]. Photo: Matt Robinson
Railwaymans_Arms_20150503.jpg | The Railwayman's Arms occupies the south wing of the station building.
Railwaymans_Arms_20150516.jpg | The '46443' sign
Railwaymans_Arms_20150816.jpg | The '7802' sign
Railwaymans_Arms_Sign_BR_20241102.jpg | The 'BR' sign
Railwaymans_Arms_Sign_SVR_20241102.jpg | The 'SVR' sign
</gallery>
</gallery>
*The SVR applied for Listed building alterations in association with the conservation, renovation and reodering of [[Bridgnorth#Bridgnorth_Development_Project|Bridgnorth station]], including reconstruction of the former parcels office and change of use to a shop.<ref name=blaug21>[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug21 Branch Lines, August 2021]</ref> 


'''July 2021'''
===Hanbury Cottage===
*A further short-term stabling contract commenced with [[Other rolling stock visiting the SVR|five Class 43 HST power cars]] temporarily stored at [[Arley]].<ref name=blaug21/>
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
Arley_20210729.jpg|Five HST Power Cars at Arley
</gallery>
*Plans for the [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]] 'Home & Dry' project were submitted to Shropshire County Council.<ref name=blaug21/>
*[[Keith Norton]] became chairman of the SVR Charitable Trust.<ref name=blaug21/>


'''August 2021'''
Hanbury Cottage forms a distinctive backdrop to Bridgnorth MPD. The cottage, together with a half-acre of land, was bought by the SVR for £165,000 in May 2007 after it fell vacant.<ref>SVR News 158, Boardroom Notes</ref> By 2009 it had been converted into the MPD crew room with DSM and Inspector's offices, plus a small kitchen and a pattern store.<ref>SVR News 168</ref> The 1884 OS Map below refers to the property as 'Ambrose Cottage'.
*On 1 August friends and family gathered at [[Kidderminster Railway Museum]] to celebrate the life of [[John Hill]].<ref name=blaug21/>
*The SVR Charitable Trust’s 'Home & Dry Appeal' reached £330,000 against a revised target of £475,000, because of the spiralling cost of steel and additional improvements needed inside Bridgnorth Loco Works.<ref name=blaug21/>
*It was announced that the 2021 [[Christmas services]] would include the 'Enchanted Express', based around the classic poem ''‘Twas the Night Before Christmas'', narrated by actress Dame Julie Walters.<ref name=blaug21/>
*On 4 August [[GWR 1450]] was moved by low loader to the Flour Mill locomotive repair workshop in Bream, Gloucestershire, where the owner [[Pull Push Limited]] had arranged for its overhaul.<ref name=blaug21/>
*[[SVR(H)]] announced that an increase in the shareholding levels at which various [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Benefits_from_2022|shareholder travel benefits]] are earned, effective from 2022. This was the first change to benefits since 2010.
*[[British Sugar 7-plank open wagon]] had its new signage painted at [[Kidderminster Railway Museum]] by former Gloucestershire and England wicket keeper Jack Russell MBE.<ref name=blsep21>[https://www.svrlive.com/blsep21 Branch Lines, September 2021]</ref>
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
BSC_13_20210911.jpg|BSC 13 after signwriting in August 2021
Hanbury_Cottage_20150614.jpg|Hanbury Cottage
</gallery>
*[[Other rolling stock visiting the SVR|PSL 193 'Plimsoll']] revisited during the Vintage Transport Extravaganza on 7 and 8 August.
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
File: Land_Rover_Highley_20170812.jpg | 'Plimsoll' at Highley during a previous visit
</gallery>
</gallery>


'''September 2021'''
===Lighting===
*On 4 and 5 September a group of volunteers organised an [[Model Railway and Tramway exhibitions|'SVR O Gauge event']] with five layouts at [[The Engine House]], including [[Burlish Road in O gauge]].<ref name=blsep21/>
Current lighting installed on the site is 21st century, using period new GWR no 2 lampposts with associated luminaires and half-harps, plus corner brackets to match the original gas fittings. This was undertaken by suitably qualified volunteers with £60,000 raised by Bridgnorth Station Fund, and was mainly complete by 2021.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blmar21 Branch Lines March 2021]</ref>  
*From 7 September the Railway welcomed back ‘hop on, hop off’ passengers to all regular services and the return of observation saloons and footplate experiences, following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in July.<ref name=blsep21/>
*[[BR Class 50 50044 Exeter|50044 Exeter]] returned to the mainline on 12 September for the first time since 2012.<ref name=blsep21/>
*In its first mainline outing since suffering a major B engine failure in 2016, [[BR Class 52 D1015 Western Champion|D1015 Western Champion]] suffered a seized engine during a test run on 17 September.
*The [[Autumn Steam Gala]] on 16-19 September featured GWR 4953 Pitchford Hall and GWR 0-6-0PT 9466. The Hall did not work on the Sunday due to a failure, while 9466 did not arrive in time to work on the Thursday but was also used on passenger services until 16 October. [[813]] suffered from leaking boiler tubes and was withdrawn on the Friday of that event.<ref name=bloct21>[https://www.svrlive.com/bloct21 Branch Lines, October 2021]</ref>
*At the SVR(H) several attendees expressed concerns over the way in which changes to shareholder benefits were communicated. [[Helen Smith]] apologised and [[Nick Paul]] agreed to put a moratorium on changes until the board had the opportunity to reflect and review the decisions.<ref name=bloct21/>
*The [[Severn Valley Railway Company Limited|Guarantee company]] announced a major reorganisation of the Volunteer Liaison Office, with five co-ordinators sought.<ref name=blsep21/>
*A project at Bewdley to improve access to the station for passengers with limited mobility saw contractors lay a reinforced concrete path between the gates protecting the rail crossing and the yard gates adjoining the car park.<ref name=bloct21/>
*[[Nick Paul]] stood down as Chairman of [[SVR(H)]] after 10 years and was succeeded by [[Mike Ball]].
*A start was made on the [[Bewdley#Facilities|2021/22 project]] funded primarily by the SVR Charitable Trust to improve access at Bewdley for those with restricted mobility.<ref name=bloct21/>


'''October 2021'''
It replaced reinforced concrete lighting, manufactured in Taunton by BR in the 1950s, evident in the image 1) from the Sellick collection in the below gallery. That lighting had begun to disintegrate and had become unsafe.
*[[GWR 813 Saddle Tank|813]] underwent a retube.<ref name=bloct21/> The owning [[The GWR 813 Preservation Fund]] became a charity this month.
*On 17 October, the Great Western (SVR) Association officially commemorated the return to service of [[GWR 6045 Bow-end Composite]] with a special train for supporters and volunteers. On 30 October the [[Stanier Mogul Fund]] organised the 'SMF 50 Golden Jubilee' charter train to mark 50 years as a preservation group in 2020. In both cases the celebration had been delayed by COVID-19.<ref name=blnov21>[https://www.svrlive.com/blnov21 Branch Lines, November 2021]</ref>


'''November 2021'''
=== Pan Pudding Hill ===
*The SVR again provided testing facilities for Bayer CropScience Uk who were producing a fleet of weedkilling trains for the UK Network.<ref name=blnov21/>
*813 moved to the Telford Steam Railway for Christmas and New Year, the first [[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events#Steam_locomotives_timeline_2020-2029|SVR-based locomotive to visit another event]] since COVID-19.
*On 24 November More4 broadcast an episode of [[List of film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway#Documentary|Britain's Scenic Railways]] featuring the SVR.
*A new [[Christmas services|Christmas service]], the Enchanted Express, first ran. It was a sell out.
*The SVR announced the Loyalty Pass would end.
*[[GWR Large Prairie 5164]] transferred to the ownership of [[The Erlestoke Manor Fund]].


'''December 2021'''
Pan Pudding Hill, or sometimes Panpudding Hill or Pampudding Hill<ref>[https://www.bridgnorthtowncouncil.gov.uk/venues-bookings/castle-grounds-and-other-open-spaces/ Pampudding Hill on www.bridgnorthtowncouncil.gov.uk]</ref>, is a scheduled ancient monument which overlooks Bridgnorth station.<ref>[https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1013493 Pan Pudding Hill on the Historic England Scheduled Monument list]</ref> The man-made hill was built in 1102, on the orders of King Henry I, as a siege earthwork to attack and capture Bridgnorth Castle. The distance from the hill to the castle, nearly 300 yards, is a testament to the power of medieval siege catapults.
*The Home & Dry appeal total reached 'almost £460,000'.<ref name=bldec21>[https://www.svrlive.com/bldec21 Branch Lines, December 2021]</ref>
*The Falling Sands Viaduct restoration project was highly commended at the [[Awards|National Railway Heritage Awards]].<ref name=bldec21/>
*On 6 December new-build [[BR 3MT 82045]] became a 2-6-2 for the first time, when fitted with its front and rear pony trucks.<ref name=bldec21/>
*The SVR announced that it had been awarded £1,012,900 as part of the latest round of the Culture Recovery Fund, paying for salaries and running costs for the period between 1 October 2021 and 31 January 2022<ref>[https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/12/culture-recovery-fund-severn-valley-railway-awarded-1-million-in-latest-round.html?mc_cid=c5ab8cec52&mc_eid=1655d51c43 Rail Advent]</ref>.


==2022==
Pan Pudding Hill was used to attack Bridgnorth Castle on other occasions, and finally in 1646 by Cromwell’s Parliamentarians during the English Civil War.  After the last attack Bridgnorth Castle was blown up, leaving only the remains of the keep which can be seen in the castle grounds in High Town.<ref>[http://www.shropshirehistory.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/theme:20061123173140 shropshirehistory.org.uk] Retrieved 26 May 2015</ref>
2022 started with the COVD-19 pandemic continuing into a third year in the UK, with some mask wearing restrictions in place. The 2022 season was delayed until April to allow Network Rail to replace the [[Kidderminster Footbridge|long footbridge at Kidderminster]], and for preparation for the roof and crane works at [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]]. No new major infrastructure works were planned, in recognition of the SVR's financial state after two years' disruption.  


'''January 2022'''
In 2000 the TV series 'Time Team' visited Bridgnorth to investigate the area around St Mary’s Church.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0957382/ Internet Movie Database, Time Team, Series 8, episode 11, first broadcast 11 March 2001] (Retrieved 29 December 2020)</ref> Part of the dig concentrated on Pan Pudding Hill – then in the ownership of The Apley Estate.<ref>[http://apleyestate.co.uk/film-location/ The Apley Estate] Retrieved 5 October 2017</ref> The episode is available on [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8o1yhCNpXg YouTube]. In October 2015 the SVR purchased ten acres of land to the west of Bridgnorth Station from The Apley Estate Trustees, which includes Pan Pudding Hill.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/copy-of-bridgnorth-development-1 SVRLive 'Purchase of 10 acres of land to the West of Bridgnorth Station' 5 October 2015] (Retrieved 14 February 2017)</ref>
*The Home & Dry appeal reached its target of £475,000
*[[BR Standard Class 7 70000 Britannia|70000 Britannia]] visited the SVR for testing and running in after overhaul.
*Contractors removed part of the formation at [[Sterns]] to replace with lightweight infill material, and undertook drainage works around [[Country Park Halt]]. 


'''February 2022'''
A planning recommendation for the Bridgnorth refreshment rooms was for access to Pan Pudding Hill. Shropshire Wildlife Trust subsequently prepared a recommendation for the whole hill, including a steadily graded path in a zig-zag formation up the south face to the summit, for which the Railway would need the consent of Shropshire County Council. In October 2022 a Severn Trent Water team, as part of that company’s community assistance scheme, helped construct a flight of steps up to the fence alongside the headshunt, providing for future access.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bloct22 Branch Lines October 2022</ref>
*[[List of film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway#Documentary|Match of the Day]] was broadcast live from Kidderminster Town station featuring visiting [[BR Standard Class 7 70000 Britannia|70000 Britannia]], prior to Kidderminster Harriers' FA Cup tie against West Ham United on 5 February.
*The SVR announced that later in the year [[34027|34027 Taw Valley]] would temporarily carry a different name and appear in a brand-new purple livery to commemorate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The new name, "Elizabeth II", was chosen by a public vote.  


'''March 2022'''
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
*The [[Kidderminster Footbridge|long footbridge at Kidderminster]] was removed, to be replaced
File: Pan_Pudding_Hill_20150503.jpg | Pan Pudding Hill, with the public viewing area below
*The SVR announced that it had cancelled its two [[Step Back to the 1940s|1940s-themed weekends]] later in the year, in the light of the conflict taking place in Ukraine.
</gallery>
*It announced that footplate experiences in April and May would be cancelled to conserve its coal stocks. It soon extended this to cancelling Monday and Tuesday trains all season, and running all standard timetables with some diesel operation. Ovoids and e-coal were also to be tested.
*60007 Sir Nigel Gresley [LNER 4498] visited for testing and running in.


'''April 2022'''
===Locomotive watering facilities===
The SVR launched a new [[Unlimited Pass]] to replace the former Loyalty Pass.
*[[WD 71516 Welsh Guardsman]] operated its first public trains on the SVR in preparation for its appearance that month at the [[Spring Steam Gala]].
*Around 7,500 visitors attended the Spring Steam Gala over the four days. For context, pre-pandemic visitor numbers peaked at around 4,500 for what was usually a three-day spring event. The last [[Autumn Steam Gala]] to attract that many visitors was in 2008 (7,596), the first 'proper' gala after the [[2007 Storm Damage]].
*Contractors arrived to commence the roof and crane works at [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]], with areas out of bounds including the main locomotive shed and paint shop. Work was expected to take until August.


'''May 2022'''
BR had already demolished the water tank on Pan Pudding Hill and the watering columns on platforms 1 and 2 before the fledgling SVR Society made contact in July 1965 asking them to stop demolition works while negotiations to buy the line took place. The SVR Society acquired replacement ‘rail level’ water columns from nearby Stourbridge MPD, and a replacement water tank from Henley in Arden, the latter arriving in August 1970. These were installed during the following year – until they were commissioned locomotives were watered at Eardington where possible, or otherwise from a simple hosepipe connected to a nearby tap at Bridgnorth.
*On 11 May the SVR announced that the railway would be hosting a section of the Queen's Baton Relay on Saturday 23 July as part of the final build-up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
*Also on 11 May, after a major overhaul which began in 2013, [[4930|4930 Hagley Hall]] moved a few yards in the works yard under its own steam. The locomotive was last steamed in 1986.
*The [[Charitable Trust]] launched an appeal to help raise £500,000 to restore [[Bridgnorth MPD|Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard]].
 
'''June 2022'''
*The Railway began offering discounted travel to emergency and forces personnel.
*On Thursday 4 June the SVR began a four-day special event to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Locomotives used included [[34027|No 70 Elizabeth II]] in 'Royal Purple' livery with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee logo on the tender, and 2900 Saint class [[GWR 2999 Lady of Legend | 2999 ''Lady of Legend'']] which had [[Steam Locomotives hired by the SVR|remained on hire]] following an appearance at the April Spring Steam Gala. 
*[[BR Class 20 20048]] arrived on hire to help with running diesel services due to the ongoing coal supply issues.
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
BR_Class_20_20048_Bridgnorth_20220616.jpg | 20048 at Bridgnorth, June 2022
</gallery>


'''July 2022'''
In October 1972, the platform water columns from Henley were obtained with a view to replace those previously obtained from Stourbridge. During winter maintenance shut down in January 2020 the [[Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane|30-ton steam crane]] lifted the constituent parts of the Platform 2 water column to deal with an internal leak and to replace a bearing at its base.
*The increased fire risk following hot and dry weather led to an all-diesel service from 13 July. Two more class 20s, 20142 and 20189, arrived on short term hire to help cover services.
*On Saturday 23 July the SVR hosted a leg of the Queen's Baton Relay as part of the final build-up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The baton travelled from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth aboard a special train piloted by [[34027 | No 70 'Elizabeth II']], double headed with visiting Class 20 20142 due to the continuing fire risk. The Baton Relay had begun on 7 October 2021, when Her Majesty The Queen placed her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton at the start of its 294-day journey which took in all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
*On 27 July steam services restarted, although both [[1501]] and [[7714]] were paired with a Class 20. The following day normal steam services resumed.
*The EMF announced the launch of an appeal to raise funds to return [[5164|Large Prairie 5164]] to service<ref>[https://www.erlestokemanorfund.co.uk/the-big-large-prairie-appeal-returning-5164-to-service/ EMF: ''The Big "Large Prairie" Appeal – Returning 5164 to service''] (retrieved 1 August 2022)</ref>.


'''August 2022'''
In 1980 Severn Trent Water re-connected the local water supply to a bore hole which supplied water with a very high level of dissolved salts.  The water softening plant was unable to cope with this, resulting in boilers scaling and locomotives 'priming' within 3 days of a washout.<ref>SVR News 57</ref> The following year, to resolve the issue, the SVR laid a water main to Bridgnorth from [[Knowlesands Tunnel | Knowlesands]], the nearest source of softer water<Ref Name = SVRNews60”>SVR News 60</ref>.
*On train dining returned with the [[Severn Valley Limited]] on 3 August, for the first time since Covid-19 restrictions.<ref name=blaug22>[https://www.svrlive.com/bldec21 Branch Lines, August 2022]</ref>
*The Environment Agency declared a drought in the West Midlands on 23 August and across much of the country, following 11 weeks of hot and dry weather. Fire risk saw the reintroduction of exclusively diesel-hauled passenger services from 10 to 15 August, and for a third time from 31 August.<ref name=blaug22/>
*The [[Charitable Trust]] appeal to restore Bridgnorth Locomotive Yard passed £100,000.<ref name=blaug22/>
*The roof and crane works at Bridgnorth Loco Works were completed on time and on budget.<ref name=blaug22/>
*Leading geotechnical specialist company 'Geobear' trialled a geo-polymer injection system in pioneering stabilisation work at Alveley Woods, at zero cost to the SVR.<ref name=blaug22/>
*The Railway announced that the contract for the [[Bridgnorth#Evolution_of_plans|refurbishment of the existing Bridgnorth station building]] was 'unlikely to go ahead until 2024 at the earliest' and now required around £300,000 of additional funding. It was a phase I project under the oversubscribed [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC#Share_offers|2016 share offer]] and originally it had been announced the contract tender would be issued in January 2017.


'''September 2022'''
===Weighbridge===
*On Wednesday 7 September the [[Charitable Trust]] hosted a ceremony at [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]] to mark the completion of the "Home and Dry" upgrade of the building.
All locomotives must be weighed before first use on the SVR to ensure they comply with axle weight limits. Individual wheels are also weighed to check for correct weight distribution after replacement of springs. A locomotive is moved slowly over a section of strain gauged track adjacent to platform 1 at Bridgnorth with the results displayed on a screen in the signal box.
*Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8 September, the SVR announced that it would continue to operate services but with all locomotives carrying wreaths. Books of condolence were also opened at the main stations. 34027 remained in purple '70' livery but in addition to carrying a wreath, the locomotive also carried black flags and black 'Elizabeth II' nameplates as a mark of respect.
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
<gallery mode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">
File:Weighbridge.jpg | Weighbridge adjacent to Platform 1
70_Elizabeth_II_Plates_20220915.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>
*[[4930|4930 Hagley Hall]] returned to passenger service. The locomotive took part in a renaming ceremony at Kidderminster on Friday 8 September before completing two round trips carrying invited guests.
*The [[Autumn Steam Gala]] on 15-18 September featured guest locomotives LMS Stanier 'Black 5' 45231 ''The Sherwood Forester'', GWR-inspired WSR Mogul 9351 and Hunslet 0-6-0ST Works No. 1873 Jessie. 15-inch gauge Exmoor Steam Railway 0-6-2T Works No. 323 ''Anne'' carried passengers on a 200m track at The Engine House. The event was also billed as featuring the return to service of [[4930|4930 Hagley Hall]], although unfortunately the locomotive was withdrawn after the first two days following three lineside fires.
*From 24 September a fourth steam ban was introduced following further lineside fires and representations from the fire services and local residents and landowners.
*During the 1992 [[Diesel galas|Diesel Gala]], 50031 became the first Class 50 to haul a public passenger train in preservation. On Saturday 24 September the [[Class 50 Alliance Limited|Class 50 Alliance]] celebrated the 30th anniversary of the event with four class 50s rostered to the "S1 diagram"; the morning run being 'top and tailed' by 50007 and 50049 and the afternoon run by 50033 and 50035.
*On Tuesday 27 September the SVR hosted an incoming HST rail tour from Leeds to Bridgnorth, which took place to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Modern Railways magazine and 40 years of HSTs on CrossCountry's North East to South West route. While at the SVR, CrossCountry power car 43366 was named "HST40" (sub-scripted with "Celebrating 40 years of High Speed Train services on the Cross Country network"), while GBRf loco 66799 was named "Modern Railways Diamond Jubilee". The HST set including power car 43184 then worked two return trips to Bridgnorth.<ref>SVR News 220, pp.40-41.</ref>


'''October 2022'''
==Exhibitions==
*SVR News 2019 enclosed a 'Values and Behaviours' document for working members, for them to help "us all to work collectively to keep the SVR as the best place to work, volunteer and visit in the UK."
*From 16 June 2012 an exhibition was mounted for the Victorian weekend and following station festival in Platform 2 waiting room, with a history of the station.<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1098 SVR Forum]</ref>  
*The new [[Kidderminster Footbridge]] was craned into place.
*On 24 June 2018 a [[Catch Me Who Can]] sculpture was unveiled as a part of the Bridgnorth Art Trail. The sculpture was one of twelve positioned around the town. They were aluminium castings that represent the locomotive in a much simplified form and were used as the ground for competition winning individual artists and groups to decorate. Statue 2: 'Just the Ticket' was positioned outside Bridgnorth station booking office and was designed by Tania Holland of [https://www.taniaholland.co.uk/ Tania Holland Gallery] using archive material provided by the SVR. It was also sponsored by the SVR.<ref>[https://bridgnorth-art-trail.org.uk/statue-2-just-the-ticket/ Bridgnorth Arts Trail] (Retrieved 10 July 2019)</ref>
*[[SR 34027 Taw Valley|34027 Taw Valley]] reverted to its correct name and number, although still carrying a purple livery.<ref name=blnov22>[https://www.svrlive.com/blnov22 Branch Lines, November 2022]</ref>
*From 16 to 30 August 2019 [http://www.kathrynoconnorphotography.co.uk/ Kathryn O’Connor], a black and white photographic documentary artist, ran an exhibition in the then-new Bridgnorth Refreshment Room as part of the Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival. It comprised a selection of individual people then working in Bridgnorth, in as many diverse workplaces as possible, and short work history questionnaires they had completed.<ref>SVR website</ref>
*On 13 October [[Mk 3a Convertible Sleeper|Mk3a sleeping coach 10569 ‘Leviathan’]] left the SVR.<ref name=blnov22/>
*On 22 October the resurrected [[SVR Apprentices|Junior Club]] held an induction session for a new cohort.<ref name=blnov22/>
*Eight-year-old Corey Clark was the guest of some of the SVR’s volunteers. His fundraising work for the Food Share Wyre Forest Project, including a 10-mile sponsored walk, had raised £920.<ref name=blnov22/>
*On 29 October, LNER B1 Class No. 61306 ''Mayflower'' arrived behind 20107 and 20096 with [[Carriages visiting the SVR|support coach 35461]] for test running following an overhaul which included the fitting of air brakes.<ref>[https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/10/severn-valley-railway-to-welcome-steam-locomotive-61306-mayflower.html Rail Advent, ''Severn Valley Railway to welcome steam locomotive 61306 Mayflower''] (Retrieved 29 October 2022)</ref>
*More than 2,500 passengers visited the SVR over the Halloween period.<ref name=blnov22/>


'''November 2022'''
===Postmark===
*On 5 November [[Class 108 DMU|DMU car 51941]] was lifted off its bogies at [[Diesel Depot|Kidderminster TMD]] and lowered back down onto a set of accommodation bogies. The removed bogies will be overhauled by an engineer in Yorkshire.<ref name=blnov22/>
[[File:Bradley Manor stamp postmark.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Bridgnorth postmark]]
*With test running completed, 61306 ''Mayflower'' left on 8 November.
In 2004 a Bridgnorth postmark was used in conjunction with Royal Mail's Classic Locomotives stamp issue, which featured the SVR's [[GWR 7802 Bradley Manor | Bradley Manor]].
*On 9 November [[GWR 7812 Erlestoke Manor|7812]] made its first movements under its own steam at Tyseley Locomotive Works, following overhaul.
*On the evening of 26 November the SVR ran a diesel-hauled ‘park and ride’ public service between Kidderminster and Bewdley, for Bewdley’s Christmas light switch on.<ref name=blnov22/>


'''December 2022'''
==Bridgnorth history before preservation==
*7812 Erlestoke Manor returned to the SVR for further testing.
[[File:Bridgnorth 1849 poster.jpg | thumb|200px|right | Poster for a goods conveyancing service to Wolverhampton in 1849]]
*Damage to points at Arley meant the cancellation of two of the seven Santa trains on the following day. Concerted efforts saw them repaired for the final week's services.
[[File:GWR Bridgnorth advert 1956.jpg | thumb|200px|right | Advert for GWR passenger and parcels service to Shifnal station in 1856]]
[[File:Bridgnorth pre 1887.jpeg | thumb|200px|right | Bridgnorth Station from Pan Pudding Hill before the footbridge was built in 1887]]
[[File:Bridgnorth Station 1901291 3efa8154.jpg | thumb|200px|right | Bridgnorth under threat of closure in 1962 (Wikimedia Commons)]]
[[File:Bridgnorth Station plan 1929.jpg | thumb|200px|right | Floor plan of station building in 1929]]


==2023==
*1849 A goods conveyancing service by road to Wolverhampton Railway Station is advertised by a local carrier in partnership with the Grand Junction Railway.
2023 saw the Railway announcing voluntary redundancies, cost savings and a reduced four days a week peak service with a maximum of one steam engine in use on non-special days, as it had recorded its third consecutive annual loss in excess of £400,000 and faced nationwide reduced footfall, economic contraction and a cost-of-living crisis.<ref group="note">The 2023 accounts noted "''2023 [saw] staff reductions and redundancies for the first time in the history of the Severn Valley Railway''". The 2011 accounts, however, had similarly noted: "''..staff head count has reduced [..] through [..] some redundancies''".</ref> It coincided with the resignation of [[Helen Smith]] as Managing Director, who moved to another heritage role. The year marked the 60th anniversary of the official closure of the SVR north of Bewdley. Another ‘must-do’ engineering project was starting, with phase 1 of the relaying of [[Bridgnorth MPD|Bridgnorth Loco Works' yard]].


'''January 2023'''
*1856 A passenger and parcels service by road to Shifnal Railway Station is advertised by the GWR.
*On 2 January [[1501]] and [[2857]] both came out of traffic at the expiry of their boiler tickets.
*[[SVR(H)]] vice-chair Jonathan Dunster was appointed interim Managing Director.
*On 10 January an allotment of shares took the [[SVR(H)]] issued capital to £11,000,457.
*Phase 1 of the relaying of Bridgnorth Loco Works' yard started.


'''February 2023'''
*1862 Bridgnorth has a population of 6569<ref>[[Bibliography | Handbook to the Severn Valley Railway, J. Randall, 1863]]</ref> (Population; 12,079 in 2011 census)<ref>[https://www.ons.gov.uk/help/localstatistics "Bridgnorth (Parish): Key Figures for 2011 Census". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics] (Retrieved 23 November 2015)</ref>
*On 15 February the SVR announced a statutory consultation on 18 compulsory redundancies. On the same day [[The Erlestoke Manor Fund]] and the Railway announced newly overhauled [[7812]] would spend the summer on the West Somerset Railway where it could earn fees, as with up to six steam locomotives in traffic the SVR was over-supplied for its reduced timetable.


'''March 2023'''
*1862: When the original Severn Valley Railway opened, Bridgnorth Station is the principal intermediate station and crossing point between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. The station building is made of stone in a Jacobean architectural style.
*The season opened with a limited service running between Kidderminster and Highley, while infrastructure work was completed at the north end of the line. Phase 1 of the relaying of Bridgnorth Loco Works' yard and attention to trackbed levels at Alveley Woods were completed by the month end.
*[[Mike Ball]] stepped down as Chairman of SVR(H) and was succeeded as interim Chairman by [[Chris Walton]]. [[Tim Hargest]] stepped down as Chairman of the Charitable Trust and was succeeded as acting Chairman by [[Ron Treverton-Jones]]. With the SVR(H) interim Managing Director position, three of the most senior roles were being held on an interim or acting basis.


'''April 2023'''
*1887: The down platform is extended, a passenger shelter is erected, and a [[Bridgnorth Station Footbridge|cast-iron and wrought-iron lattice footbridge]] is built to connect it to the up platform.
*The full line reopened on 1 and 2 April with the [[Open House Weekend]].
*The SVR announced the launch of a '''Survival Fund''' to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVR's [https://svr.co.uk/survival/ Survival Fund] page.
*A successful three-day [[Spring Steam Gala]] attracted 5,000 paying passengers and [[Steam Locomotives visiting the SVR for galas#2020-present|GWR Collett 4-6-0 4079 Pendennis Castle]], its first visit to a heritage railway since its repatriation from Australia. 4079 also featured in the SVR's first photo charter since 2021.


'''May 2023'''
*1887: The Town Corporation pays for a new approach road to the station.
*On 5 May RailAdventure's 43484 and 43465 delivered three wagons to the [[Diesel Depot]] for contract examination/storage.
*A second steam hauled train was reintroduced on a timetable for busier 'regular' days.
*The [[Diesel galas|spring diesel festival]] featured 22 locomotives from 15 classes, plus others on display. It attracted record visitor numbers.


'''June 2023'''
*1892: Two fully interlocked signalboxes open at the north and south ends of the station, replaced in 1923 by a [[Bridgnorth signal box|single central box]] on the up platform.
*The Railway offered a weekday discount throughout June for people living in nearby postcodes.
*Guided tours of Bridgnorth MPD were provided in June and July, the first time for many years.
*[[1501]] and [[50007]] were exhibited at the Rail Live 2023 exhibition at Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre. It raised the Railway's profile in the mainstream rail industry as it sought more commercial work, in order to secure the future of the heritage operations.
*[[Step Back to the 1940s]] returned after a three-year gap.
*The Charitable Trust's Survival Fund Appeal reached £343,587, including Gift Aid.
*SVRH's 2022 annual accounts were published. They looked at the need to look at the way the Railway is structured across three companies, and the benefits that would accrue'' "if we could achieve a structure that has charitable status at its heart." ''


'''August 2023'''
*1895: The Town Corporation pays for a lattice footbridge to shorten the route from High Town to the railway, at a cost of £1,400.
*The SVR confirmed the sale of [[45110|LMS Black 5 45110]]. The locomotive left the railway by road on 15 August.<ref>[https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2023/08/severn-valley-railway-confirms-sale-of-steam-locomotive.html Rail Advent]</ref>


'''September 2023'''
*1904: A [[Bridgnorth steam bus service | steam bus service]] to [[Wolverhampton]] commences.
*On 8 and 9 September respectively 7714 operated as long-scrapped classmates 9624 and 4665 with a 'last train' headboard, to mark the 60th anniversary of the last BR passenger service to leave Bridgnorth.
*The SVR announced an official partnership with Network Rail.  Billed as a 'win-win' for both parties, the SVR would receive professional skills, advice and redundant railway materials, while Network Rail would receive support, training and facilities to help their staff operate and maintain more traditional railway technology.<ref>[https://svr.co.uk/news/railways-go-back-to-the-future-with-landmark-partnership/ SVR Announcement]</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-66876835 BBC News]</ref>
*1922: [[Knowlesands Sidings | Knowlesands Brick Works sidings]] open, with [[List_of_signal_boxes#List_of_historical_Signal_Boxes_and_Ground_Frames | ground frames]] at either end of the loop, capable of accommodating 35 standard wagons plus engine and brake van.


'''November 2023'''
*1922: [[SVR staff in 1922#Severn Valley Railway (Kidderminster to Bridgnorth)|GWR staff records for 1922]] show the station had a staff of 19.
*[[GWR Large Prairie 5164]], which had been stored at Barrow Hill since 2014, appeared at the [[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events#Steam_locomotives_timeline_2020-2029|Warley Model Railway Club Show at Birmingham NEC]] on 25-26 November before moving to Tyseley Locomotive Works for eventual overhaul.
*It was announced that [[David Williams]] was to step down as editor of [[Severn Valley Railway News|SVR News]], a role he had held for more than 57 years.<ref>Heritage Railway issue 313, p.106.</ref>
*The 'Survival Fund' had raised nearly £500,000 of its £1,500,000 target.<ref>The Railway Magazine, January 2024 issue 313</ref>.


'''December 2023'''
*1923 Traders' siding completed.<ref>GWR Magazine January 1923</ref>
*Christmas week saw the first [[Diesel galas|winter diesel gala]].


==2024==
*1923 New brick-built [[Bridgnorth signal box| signal box]] opened with manual interlocking and 54 levers. Track circuit installed at the Worcester end of station.<ref>GWR Magazine March 1923</ref>  
The continuing financial difficulties saw SVR(H) enter the year after a fourth consecutive large annual loss, notwithstanding a profit of £250,000 from the sale of [[45110]] and £725,000 in grants from the Charitable Trust.<ref>Severn Valley Railway Company Limited Annual Report 2023</ref> The 2023 figure of £641,224 gave an accumulated 2020-23 loss exceeding £1.96 million. Early 2024 saw phase 2 of the project to re-lay [[Bridgnorth MPD|Bridgnorth Loco Works' yard]]. The year marked the 50th anniversary of the reopening from Hampton Loade to Bewdley, and the 40th anniversary of the reopening to Kidderminster Town. 


'''January 2024'''
*1927 A loading bank was provided to facilitate ordinary goods business and to accommodate the new sugar beet traffic for The West Midlands Sugar Co (later British Sugar Corporation) factory at the site of [[Foley Park sidings]].<ref>GWR Magazine August 1927</ref>
*The 2023 season ended with the SVR's first [[Winter Steam Gala]] on 6-7 January 2024. The event saw a return to passenger services after a lengthy overhaul for Stanier Mogul [[2968]] and also saw the retirement of 'Flying Pig' [[43106]] at the end of its ticket. It attracted more than 2,500 paying passengers, with revenue twice as much as had been expected.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bljan24 Branch Lines January 2024]</ref>
*An indication of the continuing trading difficulties was 2023 had generated just 6,516 more [[SVR Passenger numbers|ticket sales]] than COVID-19’s 2021 (which had no services until April, followed by restricted numbers until September). This was despite 2023 having two extra galas and visitors having an incentive of a free return ticket. It was just 69% of the tickets sold in the last pre-pandemic year, 2019.


'''February 2024'''
*1928 [[Country Lorry Service and Cartage Service|Country Lorry Service]] introduced.<ref>GWR Magazine June 1928</ref>
*SVR individuals and groups won three [[Awards|HRA awards]].
*February half-term services were reintroduced.


'''March 2024'''
*1929 The GWR began a long distance coach service from [[Wolverhampton]] to Aberystwyth via Bridgnorth and Ludlow; departing at 11.40am using a 26 seater, 6 cylinder Thorneycroft Victor vehicle.<ref>GWR Magazine September 1929</ref>
*The SVR gained a few more yards of infrastructure when [[50035]] was used to test out the new [[Foley Park sidings]] and [[Ground Frames at Foley Park|ground frame]], the first locomotive to access it.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/svrofficial/posts/pfbid02M7MmEHiutpafkpGdygDmaPFa8CpzhRNZLJDn7PSQmx1BLBNgQPTqcuSmohMvpCCtl SVR Facebook post 13 March 2024] (Retrieved 14 March 2024)</ref>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Peppercorn_Class_A2_60532_Blue_Peter LNER-designed Peppercorn Class A2 No. 60532 Blue Peter] arrived for running in and testing, following overhaul, in preparation for its future mainline duties.
*The Railway commemorated on social media the 50th anniversary of the recommissioning of [[Highley signal box]] on 2 March 1974, prior to the recommencement of services from Hampton Loade to Highley in April of that year. Otherwise the 50th anniversaries of the southwards extensions to Bewdley (May 1974) were unpublicised, ahead of celebrations of Kidderminster Station 40th Anniversary in July.


'''April 2024'''
*1937 The supply and erection of a timber-framed warehouse was carried out by W&A Edgell Limited of Radstock.<ref>GWR Magazine January 1937</ref> A similar building was erected at Stourport.<ref>GWR Magazine August 1937</ref>
*New-build locomotive 6880 ‘Betton Grange’ did not appear at the [[Spring Steam Gala]] for what would have been its first runs in traffic. There was insufficient time to organise transport and allow sufficient loaded testing for it to take part, as had been planned.
*Replica GWR cast signs were stolen from [[Hampton Loade]], and [[Eardington#Lamps|lamps]] from Eardington.


'''May 2024'''
*1956: [[Railcar 22|GWR Diesel Railcar W10W]] was burnt out in a fire while standing at Platform 1.  
*A shunt took place at [[The Engine House]] on 7 May, with [[686 The Lady Armaghdale]] returning from a period in storage at [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed]] in exchange for [[LMS Jinty 47383]].
*The Charitable Trust's Survival Fund, launched in April 2023, was wound up with £500,000 raised of the £1,500,000 target. At the same time [[Severn Valley Railway Company Limited]] launched a new ''SVR Resilience Fund'', 'aimed at supporting its operational resilience in the coming years', with no specified fundraising target amount<ref>News item on SVR website, 22 May 2024</ref>.


'''June 2024'''
*1960: The loop capacity, for the purpose of crossing trains, was 59 wagons, plus engine and brake van.<ref>Sectional Appendix to the Working Time Tables and Books of Rules and Regulations, Birmingham Traffic District, October 1960</ref>
*On 3 June the partly assembled firebox, boiler shell and smokebox destined for new-build [[BR 3MT 82045]] was lowered into the frames for the first time in the [[Bridgnorth Loco Works#Boiler_shop|boiler shop]], for a successful 'trial fit'. It was then removed for further work towards completion.<ref>[http://www.82045.org.uk/news/82045_news-extra-june24.html 82045 SLT news update, June 2024] (Retrieved 6 June 2024)</ref>
*[[Barry Railway Carriage 163]] left the SVR.
*A special [[Members & Shareholders Weekend#2024_Supporters.E2.80.99_Day|Supporters’ Day]] was arranged, on a non-public service day. Over 1,300 shareholders, members and Charitable Trust patrons and guardians enjoyed a complimentary day out on the line, with an intensive timetable and special behind-the-scenes activities on offer.<ref>[https://svr.co.uk/news/severn-valley-railways-agm-follows-a-universally-positive-supporters-day-event/ SVR website news page, 26 June 2024] (Retrieved 28 June 2024)</ref>
*GWR Churchward 2900 Saint class 4-6-0 [[GWR 2999 Lady of Legend | 2999 ''Lady of Legend'']] arrived for an extended visit as cover for the home fleet, prior to an Autumn Gala appearance.


'''July 2024'''
*1962: Bridgnorth Town Council objects to BR's proposals to withdraw passenger trains between Shrewsbury and Bewdley, believing the line could be promoted as a holiday attraction.
*On 27-28 July the railway operated special services to celebrate [[Kidderminster|Kidderminster Station]]'s 40th Anniversary.
*A 46-foot long solid steel artwork depicting [[4930|4930 Hagley Hall]] was unveiled on platform 2 at [[Kidderminster mainline station]]. The work was the initiative of the 'Wyre Forest & District u3a Station Adopters group'.<ref>[https://svr.co.uk/news/stunning-heritage-rail-artwork-at-kidderminster-station/ SVR Website news article]</ref>
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
Kidderminster_Mural_20240728.jpg|The mural in July 2024
</gallery>


'''August 2024'''
*1963: Official notice is given of the withdrawal of passenger services north of Bewdley, to be effective from 9 September 1963. Freight and parcels will continue until the end of the year, after which time only coal traffic from the south to and from Alveley Colliery will use the line. The last BR passenger service to run into Bridgnorth from the south is on 8 September 1963, double headed by ex-GWR 0-6-0 Pannier Tanks Nos 9624 and 4665.
*Kidderminster led the way in testing new ETCS (European Train Control System) digital signalling. Hitachi tested some Network Rail Class 43 power cars that were being fitted with ETCS for the NR 'New Measurement Train', as part of the East Coast Main Line resignalling. It involved placing test balises on the track at Kidderminster to make sure the vehicles could transition to different ETCS levels.<ref>Jonathan Dunster on LinkedIn, 12 August 2024</ref>
*On 27 August [[The Erlestoke Manor Fund]] and [[The 2857 Society]] announced an agreement under which [[GWR 7802 Bradley Manor]] will re-enter service paired with the tender from out-of-ticket [[GWR 2857 Heavy Goods Loco|2857]] for a period of 12-15 months while the EMF completes the building of a new 3500 Gallon tender for 7802.<ref>Joint Press Release issued by the EMF and the 2857 Society on 27 August 2024</ref>


'''September 2024'''
At the end of 1963 Bridgnorth and all the other Severn Valley line stations except Bewdley and Stourport are closed completely, and the track is taken up between Bridgnorth and Buildwas.<ref>Information from the Bridgnorth Station website</ref>
*The SVR announced that permanent home fleet was to increase with the addition of a three-carriage [[Class 101 DMU|Class 101 Diesel Multiple Unit]] (DMU), formerly based at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.<ref>[https://svr.co.uk/news/a-second-diesel-multiple-unit-boosts-the-severn-valley-railways-home-fleet/ SVR Website]</ref>
*SVR(H) was fined £40,000 plus £48,000 costs after pleading guilty to offences after an investigation and prosecution by the Office of Rail and Road. An incident happened in 2021 at [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]] where an employee suffered serious injuries after a fall. The railway apologised to the person and their family, and had since brought in a 'raft of measures'.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6qqq6pppjo Lissaman, Clare, 'Heritage railway fined £40k over painter's fall', BBC News, 17 September 2024] (Retrieved 18 September 2024)</ref>  
*[[Steam Locomotives visiting the SVR for galas|Gala visitors]] GWR 2900 Saint class 4-6-0 [[GWR 2999 Lady of Legend | 2999 ''Lady of Legend'']] and LMS Stanier Jubilee 6P class 4-6-0 45596 ''Bahamas'' were both rostered for passenger services for several weeks before their appearances at the [[Autumn Steam Gala]].
*[[Judith Meredith]] became the [[The Severn Valley Railway in preservation#Chairmen|sixth Chair of the Charitable Trust since 2019]].


'''October 2024'''
{| class="wikitable"
*4,104 visitors attended the [[Diesel galas|Autumn Diesel Bash]], a 12% increase from 2023 and 29% ahead of the event budget.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bloct24 Branch Lines October 2024]</ref>
|+ [[The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership#Traffic statistics|GWR Traffic statistics]] for Bridgnorth, selected years prior to 1939<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Nabarro (1971)]] p. 55.</ref>
*[[Diesel Locomotives visiting the SVR for galas#2020-present|Gala visitor 58023]] hauled the first UK Class 58 passenger working since 2002.<ref>SVR Social Media</ref> The Class 58 was planned an extended stay at the Railway to appear on footplate experience courses and at both the 2024 Winter and 2025 Spring Galas<ref>Railways Illustrated, November 2024, page 24</ref>.
|-
! !! colspan="3" | Passenger Traffic !! colspan="2" | Freight Traffic !!
|-
! Year !! Tickets issued !! Parcels despatched !! Revenue (&pound;) !! Tons received &amp; despatched !! Revenue (&pound;) !! Total revenue (&pound;)
|-
|1903||style="text-align:right"|52,796||style="text-align:right"|40,029||style="text-align:right"|9,318||style="text-align:right"|46,455||style="text-align:right"|15,536||style="text-align:right"|24,854
|-
|1913||style="text-align:right"|69,062||style="text-align:right"|48,730||style="text-align:right"|9,802||style="text-align:right"|50,213||style="text-align:right"|16,470||style="text-align:right"|26,272
|-
|1923||style="text-align:right"|40,127||style="text-align:right"|44,603||style="text-align:right"|10,231||style="text-align:right"|49,210||style="text-align:right"|28,320||style="text-align:right"|38,551
|-
|1933||style="text-align:right"|17,232||style="text-align:right"|38,478||style="text-align:right"|4,755||style="text-align:right"|31,651||style="text-align:right"|15,708||style="text-align:right"|20,463
|-
|1938||style="text-align:right"|13,500||style="text-align:right"|37,800||style="text-align:right"|3,190||style="text-align:right"|29,141||style="text-align:right"|15,367||style="text-align:right"|18,557
|-
|}


==Steam locomotives used==
===Station Masters===
A table of steam locomotives used since 2020 is shown below. Where detailed mileage records were not published in SVR News, locomotives used are marked 'X'.


Included are [[Steam Locomotives hired by the SVR| locomotives hired in]], and the table identifies whether they were present either for the Summer (S) or Winter (W).
{| class="wikitable  
 
|+ Early Station Masters
Not included are locomotives visiting for primarily for rail tours, test running or galas, even if they also operate SVR services for a short period (as did, for example, USATC Hill S160 class 2-8-0 2253 ''Omaha'' in 2023/4), unless their mileage is included in the SVR News mileage records as hired locomotives.
|-
!Name!!Born !! From !! To !! Comments
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
| <b>Locomotive</b>
| William Doughty  || 15 February 1817 Broseley, Shropshire  || data-sort-value="1/8/1863" | August 1863  || data-sort-value="1/9/1866" | September 1866  ||  
| style="text-align:right;" | <b>2020</b>
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | <b>2021</b>
| Isaac Norris Hunt ||   18 April 1828 Clifton, Gloucestershire || data-sort-value="1/9/1866" | September 1866  || data-sort-value="1/1/1869" | January 1869  || Previously station master at [[Stourport]]  
| style="text-align:right;" | <b>2022</b>
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | <b>2023</b>
| Samuel Martin || 13 April 1834 Weymouth, Dorset  || data-sort-value="1/1/1869" | January 1869  || data-sort-value="1/4/1872" | April 1872  ||  
| style="text-align:right;" | <b>2024</b>
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | <b>2025</b>
| James Alexander Masters ||   3 July 1840 Witney, Oxfordshire || data-sort-value="1/4/1872" | April 1872  || data-sort-value="6/7/1873" | 6 July 1873  || Deceased
| style="text-align:right;" | <b>2026</b>
| style="text-align:right;" | <b>2027</b>
| style="text-align:right;" | <b>2028</b>
| style="text-align:right;" | <b>2029</b>
| style="text-align:left;" | <b>Comment</b>
|-  
| [[813]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 347
| style="text-align:right;" | 2,230
| style="text-align:right;" | 368
| style="text-align:right;" | -
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |
|
|-
| [[1450]]  
| style="text-align:right;" | 213
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |  
|  
|-  
| [[1501]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,264
| style="text-align:right;" | 5,801
| style="text-align:right;" | 6,074
| style="text-align:right;" | 128
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |
|  
|-
|-
| [[2857]]
| William Edward Bradshaw ||   29 May 1845 Sulgrave, Northamptonshire || data-sort-value="1/9/1873" | September 1873  || data-sort-value="1/7/1875" | Around July 1875  ||  
| style="text-align:right;" | 2,235
| style="text-align:right;" | 4,054
| style="text-align:right;" | 4,294
| style="text-align:right;" | 146
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |  
|  
|-
|-
| [[GWR 4930 Hagley Hall|4930 Hagley Hall]]
| Frederick Conran Barratt ||   14 September 1833 Crewkerne, Somerset || data-sort-value="1/7/1875" | July 1875  || data-sort-value="1/9/1877" | Around September 1877  || Died November 1877.
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" | 595
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,943
| style="text-align:right;" | X
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |  
|  
|-
|-
| [[GWR 6960 Raveningham Hall|6960 Raveningham Hall]]
| William Gannimon Bowerman || 10 March 1836 Witney, Oxfordshire  || data-sort-value="1/9/1877" | September 1877  || data-sort-value="10/11/1896" | 10 November 1896  || Retired
| style="text-align:right;" | (S) (W) 705
| style="text-align:right;" | 784
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| On hire 2020-21.
|-
|-
| [[7714]]
|John Samuel <nowiki>Collett</nowiki>|| 3 June 1858 Chadlington, Oxfordshire || data-sort-value="1/12/1896" | December 1896|| data-sort-value="1/5/1905" | May 1905|| Died 30 August 1905. Served 33 years and left widow and three young children<ref>GWR magazine, October 1905</ref>
| style="text-align:right;" | 2,935
| style="text-align:right;" | 5,132
| style="text-align:right;" | 4,188
| style="text-align:right;" | 5,010
| style="text-align:right;" | X
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
|
|-
| [[GWR 7812 Erlestoke Manor | 7812 Erlestoke Manor]]
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" | 720
| style="text-align:right;" | X
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| Will include [[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events|mileage on hire at other railways]]
|-
| [[LMS Stanier Mogul 13268 | 13268]]
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" | 805
| style="text-align:right;" | X
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
|
|-
| [[34027|34027 Taw Valley]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,437
| style="text-align:right;" | 3,195
| style="text-align:right;" | 3,241
| style="text-align:right;" | 3,274
| style="text-align:right;" | X
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
|
|-
|-
| [[43106]]
|William James Cowan || 27 July 1857 Stonehouse, Devon|| data-sort-value="1/10/1905" | October 1905|| data-sort-value="1/1/1914" | 1914|| Retired in 1921 as Station Master at Newquay (Cornwall). He started in 1874 on the Devon and Cornwall Railway. He spent 9 years as Station Master at Bridgnorth from 1905<ref>GWR magazine, November 1921</ref>
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,870
| style="text-align:right;" | 5,382
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,382
| style="text-align:right;" | 2,488
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |  
|  
|-
|-
| [[75069]]
|George Smith || 14 January 1867 Shipton under Wychwood, Oxon ||data-sort-value="1/1/1917" | By 1917 || data-sort-value="1/1/1929" |1929|| George Smith, recently retired Station Master at Bridgnorth, received a presentation on 26 April 1929. His replacement, Mr Tubey presided.<ref name=GWR29>GWR magazine, June 1929</ref>
| style="text-align:right;" | 3,941
| style="text-align:right;" | 3,717
| style="text-align:right;" | 2,691
| style="text-align:right;" | 4,948
| style="text-align:right;" | X
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |
|
|-
|-
| [[WD 71516 Welsh Guardsman]]
|Mr Tubey || || data-sort-value="1/1/1929" |1929 || || <ref name=GWR29/>
| style="text-align:right;" | 393
| style="text-align:right;" | 2,182
| style="text-align:right;" | 352
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |
| Mileage mainly at other railways
|-
|-
| [[GWR 2999 Lady of Legend | 2999 Lady of Legend]]
|D.B. Davis || || data-sort-value="1/1/1931" | 1931 || data-sort-value="1/1/1941" | 1941 || Retirement after 45 years service. Been at Bridgnorth for 10 years following Withington and Chipping Norton<ref>GWR magazine, January 1941</ref>
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" | 743
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,147
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" | X
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |  
| style="text-align:right;" |
| [[Steam Locomotives hired by the SVR|Hire]] plus [[Steam Locomotives visiting the SVR for galas|gala appearances]]
|-
|-
| <b>Total</b>
| style="text-align:right;" | 15,340
| style="text-align:right;" | 34,024
| style="text-align:right;" | 27,214
| style="text-align:right;" | 21,406
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
| style="text-align:right;" |
|
|}
|}


Note Mileage totals 2021-2023 include gala guests etc.
==Historic maps of Bridgnorth Station==


==See also==
*GWR plan of Bridgnorth with the original track plan in blue and later amendments in red.
{{TimelineNavbox}}
*1884 map showing the station with no footbridges.
*1903 map showing the footbridges
*1927 map showing the bus garage at the south end of the station site and the signal box to the north of the station building.


<gallery>
File:GWRplanBridgnorth.jpg
File:Bridgnorth1884map.jpg | 1884
File:Bridgnorth1903map.jpg | 1903
File:Bridgnorth1927map.jpg | 1927
</gallery>
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Bridgnorth-5538-1957-04-23.jpeg| 1) Ex-GWR Small Prairie 5538 calls at Bridgnorth in April 1957 ([[Sellick Collection]])
File:GW-Railcar-Bridgnorth-1962-08-24.jpg| 2) A steam-hauled service and an ex-GWR Diesel Railcar pass at Bridgnorth in August 1962 ([[Sellick Collection]])
File:Bridgnorth-Railcar-1962-09-07.jpg| 3) An ex-GWR Diesel Railcar passes a Northbound train at Bridgnorth in September 1962 ([[Sellick Collection]])
File:Bridgnorth-SB-82xxx-1962-09-07.jpg| 4) The pre-preservation signal box and a Northbound train in September 1962 ([[Sellick Collection]])
File:Bridgnorth-2MT-DMU-1962-10-06.jpg| 5) Ex-LMS Ivatt Tank 41202 passes a BR DMU at Bridgnorth in October 1962 ([[Sellick Collection]])
File:Bridgnorth-80072-1963-01-12.jpeg| 6) [[BR Riddles 4MT 80072|80072]] stands at Bridgnorth in snowy conditions on 12 January 1963 ([[Sellick Collection]])
File:Bridgnorth-80072-2-1963-01-12.jpg| 7) [[BR Riddles 4MT 80072|80072]] departs Bridgnorth. Note the van included in the train ([[Sellick Collection]])
File:Bridgnorth-3619-1963-01-26.jpg| 8) Ex-GWR Pannier 3619 takes water at Bridgnorth in January 1963 ([[Sellick Collection]])
File:Bridgnorth-Pannier-RR-1963-01-26.jpg| 9) A view of the station and high town from Pan Pudding Hill in January 1963 ([[Sellick Collection]])
File:Bridgnorth-1963-07-31.jpg| 10) An ex-LMS locomotive calls at Bridgnorth on 31 July 1963, shortly before the closure of the line ([[Sellick Collection]])
File:Bridgnorth-Last-Train-1963-09-08.jpg| 11) GWR Panniers 9624 and 4665 prepare to depart Bridgnorth with the last BR train on 8 September 1963 ([[Sellick Collection]])
File:PGH RailcarBridgnorth.jpg|12) Former GWR Railcar W26W arrives on a down service, whilst the waiting up service takes water. Note the military lookout/radio station on Pan Pudding Hill. (PG Hindley)
File:4114 at Bridgnorth.jpg|13) GWR Small Prairie 4114 ready to depart towards Shrewsbury on 25 July 1959
File:Bridgnorth Bridge Shropshire Star 1967.jpg|14) Demolition of the railway bridge in 1967
</gallery>
== See also ==
*[[Variant spellings of SVR station names]]
*[[List of stations]]
*[[Bridgnorth MPD]]
*[[Bridgnorth Loco Works]]
*[[Bridgnorth Turntable]]
*[[GWR Bus Garage (Ex Bridgnorth)]]
*[[:Category:Rolling stock at Bridgnorth | List of Rolling stock at Bridgnorth]]
*[[Shropshire Historic Environment Record]]


==References==
==References==
SVR News unless otherwise stated.
<references />
<references />


==Notes==
==Links==
<references group="note"/>
 
[http://www.bridgnorthstation.co.uk/index.html Bridgnorth Station web site]
 
{{#coordinates:52.530602|-2.420648|[primary|][dim:1000]}}
{{StationNavbox}}
[[Category:Featured articles]]

Revision as of 15:39, 2 July 2025

Bridgnorth station, viewed from the footbridge
Next stations
Up (towards Kidderminster) Down (towards Shrewsbury)
Hampton Loade (4½ miles)
via Eardington		 Present day: line terminates.
Pre closure: Linley

The station[edit | edit source]

Bridgnorth is the current Northern terminus of the SVR. It has two platforms connected by a footbridge, a yard, and a signal box. The original Severn Valley Railway continued northwards towards Ironbridge through a 550 yard long tunnel underneath Bridgnorth High Town. From time to time the possibility of re-opening the section of the line north of Bridgnorth is raised on discussion forums and elsewhere. The official stance of the SVR has over time varied between "maintaining a watching brief" and "the railway land north of Bridgnorth has been long since sold, and there is now no possibility of Severn Valley trains reaching Ironbridge and Shrewsbury ever again". An application by The Ironbridge Railway Trust in 2021 to the 'Restoring Your Railway Ideas Fund' was unsuccessful.

The main station building is listed Grade II by Historic England for its special architectural or historic interest.[1]

The yard at Bridgnorth is home to the Loco Works. Bridgnorth MPD (Motive Power Department) is the principal base for the Railway's steam locomotives. Bridgnorth is also home to two new build projects, BR Class 3 locomotive 82045 and a replica of the Trevithick locomotive Catch Me Who Can.

Day to day restoration and maintenance is carried out by a group going by the name of 'The Wailing Wall Construction Company plc (pretty limited craftsmen)'.

Facilities[edit | edit source]

Bridgnorth has two car parks. The entrance to the smaller coach/car park next to the station building is in Hollybush Road and includes disabled parking spaces. The entrance to the larger 'West' car park is at the end of Station Lane off Hollybush Road, 100 yards to the north of the main station entrance. For both an ANPR system operates, with visitors to the Bridgnorth Station Shop or 'The Railwayman's Arms' pub entering their registration number on a tablet to avoid parking charges.

Facilities for visitors include the gift shop, Refreshment Rooms and 'The Railwayman’s Arms' pub. High Town, with its Castle Gardens and Cliff Railway, can be accessed from the SVR via a footbridge outside the entrance to the Station building.

A lineside public viewing area is situated at the foot of Pan Pudding Hill, on the opposite side of the line from Platform 1. This can normally be accessed by taking the steps down from the car park near the Railwayman's Arms pub (the 'Donkey Gallops') and going through the Engine Shed Underpass. A flight of steps on the right then leads up to the viewing area. When access is allowed to the Bridgnorth Works (normally only during Gala events), access to the viewing area is possible direct from the south end of Platform 2.

Bridgnorth Development Project[edit | edit source]

The new building in December 2018
Artist's impression of the new station building beyond the footbridge, with the existing building in the foreground.
Artist's impression of the new station building looking north.
Elevations for Listed building alterations in June 2021 in association with the reconstruction of the former parcels office and change of use to a shop.
Floorplan for Listed building alterations in June 2021 in association with the reconstruction of the former parcels office and change of use to a shop.

Objectives[edit | edit source]

The Bridgnorth site is the subject of a development project, the first phase of which saw the long-overdue removal of the Portacabin style Refreshment room (installed in 1979 "as a temporary measure"[2]; previous buffet facilities having been in an old BR Mk 1 Tourist Second Open), and its replacement with a circa-1900 Great Western style single-storey building which is located to the south of the existing Jacobean style station building.

The 'Inchcape' site[edit | edit source]

On 17 June 2014 David Postle attended an SVR(H) Board meeting to propose the acquisition of the adjacent 'Inchcape' site at ‘no cost’ to the railway, leasing the site at a cost of £65,000 per annum for three years with an option to purchase at a price of £1,200,000. Together with colleagues he offered that the first three years' costs would be underwritten so that there would be no financial impact on the railway. The Board considered that the price was over-stated as advisors had indicated a market value of approximately £750,000.[3]

Evolution of plans[edit | edit source]

Other phases should also see the refurbishment of the existing station building including the booking hall, shop and Railwayman's Arms, and the installation of a turntable. Subject to funding, a further phase will see construction of a new volunteer accommodation building. A summary of the evolution of plans is shown below.

Project 2012 share offer 2016 share offer September 2018[4] SVR News 204 Winter 2018 Branch Lines October 2020[5] Notes
New catering and toilets Included Phase I, reduced height and size Phase I Phase I Opened January 2019. Non-uniformed staff catering from 2018 included in the Graham Hill building (next to the Boilershop)
Refurbished station Included Phase I Phase III Phase IV Phase I In November 2016 work was continuing on detailed plans for the refurbishment of the existing station, with the contract for the remaining works of the first phase to be signed in January 2017.[6] In September 2018 plans and costs were incomplete and "will inevitably take a period of time to reconcile". Works were not to begin before Winter 2019/20 to develop the plans, apply for funding and a period of calm.[7] In October 2020 it required detailed plans to be drawn up before going for confirmed costings.[5] In June 2021 the SVR applied for Listed building alterations (see 'Milestones' below) 
New car park in fields Included Phase II Phase II Phase II Opened December 2018
Turntable, renewal of track work in Bridgnorth yard along with the provision of a new loco pit Included Phase II Phase IIb (TBC) Phase III Phase II As of October 2020, there will be a need to raise further finance, once Phase I is completed.[5]
Volunteer accommodation Included, in plans for Hollybush Road sidings Phase III* Phase IV Not included *Funds for Phase III were not within the 2016 share offer of £2.5m.

Intended as part of workshop and stores to rear of MPD, a storage block is now not urgently required. The SVR will reconsider how best to provide volunteer accommodation, this was then unlikely to commence until 2021 because of the current commitments on civils and building projects.[8]

Independent mobility across the site Included, by means of additional lifts at the north end of the station Not included Not included Not included
Public viewing area for MPD Included Not included Not included Not included
New visitor centre Included Not included Not included Not included

In October 2020 the SVR reverted to the phasing in the 2016 prospectus, with conservation of the Bridgnorth station building prioritised as a phase I project for the remaining share monies.[5]

Milestones[edit | edit source]

Major milestones in the project have been as follows:

  • October 2009: Plans for a refurbishment of the Bridgnorth station site began with the announcement of the Project Development Teams.[9]
  • October 2012: The SVR launched a share offer to raise funds for various objectives, including developing the Bridgnorth Station site. Plans and illustrations of the proposed development were put on public display at Bridgnorth, attended by the steering group and architectural team to provide answers to questions and receive comments. Written comments submitted were published, over 100 in total, with "Overall, the feedback has been very positive with over 70% of people attending the exhibition being supportive, albeit with comments both practical and aesthetic as to how the proposals could be improved" (SVR General Manager).[10]
  • March 2013: Following criticism of the initial plans, which some considered out of character with the existing station, the SVR(H) Board resolved on 19 March to establish a Conservation and Heritage Committee under the Chairmanship of David Postle.[11]
  • September 2015: New plans and illustrations of the proposed development were put on public display in the booking office at Bridgnorth.
  • January 2016: The planning application was submitted to Shropshire Council on 13 January.[12]
  • August 2016: The planning application was approved by the Council.[13]
  • November 2016:
The SVR launched a further share offer seeking to raise £2.5m towards the project. The share offer document confirmed that £1m from the 2012 share offer been spent or committed to the project, and that the additional £2.5m was required to meet the anticipated costs of completing Phase One (station buildings) and Phase Two (car parking and turntable). A third phase (new accommodation building) was not part of the share offer.[14]
Contractors arrived on site to begin work on the first phase, some preliminary work having already been carried out by SVR staff and volunteers. Completion was initially expected to be in mid-2017.
  • December 2016: Installation of all 63 piles completed.
  • April 2017: Construction of the base for the new station building, originally targetted for January, was completed.
  • May 2017: Bricklaying began at a ceremony on 3 May. A revised target date of October 2017 was imtimated for the new building.
  • October 2017: It was announced the new facility would not provide for staff meals "across the whole service" as beforehand, due to the dimensions of the new buffet. A Working Group was set up to utilise instead the Engineering Services mess room for volunteer catering.[15]
  • October 2017: Proceeds from the share offer reached the target on the final day: it raised £2,548,595 gross, £2,427,348 net of costs. £807,000 was allocated from the 2012 share monies giving a net total of £3,234,348 for the project. Work continued on the building structure.
  • March 2018: First phase work, much delayed, continued with the first roof slates being laid by the end of the month. A project team was working on the specification of the West side project, which includes the field car park, access roads and turntable. It was intended to tender for this phase during the summer of 2018.[16]
  • April 2018 roofing took place and the scaffolding was largely removed from the exterior of the building
  • June 2018 In the rear service yard area, the “Bovey Tracey” outbuilding building had the framework erected and covered in breathable felt ready for the external corrugated cladding to be applied. This is based on a goods lock up that used to adorn Bovey Tracey station on the Moretonhampstead branch in Devon. The SVR version serves as a plant room housing the heating boiler and food preparation area for the volunteer Severn Valley Venturer catering staff.
  • July 2018 a completion and hand-over was forecast for the third week in July.[17] This was followed by a revised plan to open on 3 September. An announcement in September gave a date of end of 2018, with a formal opening in Spring 2019.[18]
  • October 2018 the former ‘overflow’ parking field was closed for contractors to construct a carefully surfaced, illuminated 200-space visitor West car park and access/egress routes. Walsh Construction successfully tendered for this work at a cost of £642,000.[19] It opened in December 2018 with further works in the New Year. Barriers and parking charges came into use on 14 April 2019.
  • December 2018 the contractors' site offices and associated buildings were removed from the station car park following the practical completion of the much delayed, as yet unopened, new station building. The toilets and (unfinished) new car park opened. On 19 December the planning application for the proposed relocation of the turntable was withdrawn.[20]
  • January 2019 the new Bridgnorth Refreshment Room opened daily during closed season.[21] The official opening was 4 April.[22]
  • On 12 March 2019 the planning application for the proposed relocation of the turntable was resubmitted. Approval was granted on 30 April 2019.[23]
  • In June 2021 the SVR applied for Listed building alterations in association with the conservation, renovation and reordering of Bridgnorth station, including reconstruction of the former parcels office and change of use to a shop.[24]
  • In autumn 2023 work commenced on converting the former ladies' toilet to a new SVR Engineering (ESMP) office, which had been occupied by June 2024.[25] This use is seemingly incompatible with the previously announced plans to relocate the shop and reinstate the waiting room.

SVR(H) Annual Reports give the total capital sums spent on the Bridgnorth project to the end of 2020 as £3,236k comprising:

  • 2015: £90k
  • 2016: £243k
  • 2017: £551k (all three years from the 2012 share issue)
  • 2018: £1,693k (principally £1,188k refreshment room/toilet block and £493k new car park/access roads)
  • 2019: £625k (final payments and retention monies for the refreshment room/toilet block and new car park/access roads)
  • 2020: £17,289 on the refreshment room, disabled toilet block, car park and access roads.[26]
  • 2022: £31,624 on windows, roof and professional fees.[27]

In October 2019 the SVR issued an update suggesting the next phase (the Bridgnorth Turntable pit, restoration of the Turntable, renewal of track work in Bridgnorth yard and the provision of a new loco pit) would be delayed until further quotes were obtained and plans developed. The full announcement may be read on SVRLive here. Previous updates on this project including pictures of the work in progress can be found on the SVRLive Bridgnorth Development page.

In October 2020, the SVR announced that there was £264,000 remaining share monies, which was ring-fenced for the remaining phase I of the project (the Bridgnorth station building conservation and extension of the bar). It required detailed plans to be drawn up before going for confirmed costings. Phase II of the project, which includes the turntable and renewal of track work in Bridgnorth yard along with the provision of a new loco pit, will follow, but there will be a need to raise further finance, once Phase I is completed.[5]

By November 2021 the start date of work on the station building had been put back from 2022 to 2023, and the turntable delayed until after the yard had been relaid.[28] By August 2022 the building conservation and renovation was 'unlikely to go ahead until 2024 at the earliest' with a £300,000 funding gap having opened by rising costs since the work was first deferred.[29]

  • Proposed site plan on display, September 2015

    Proposed site plan on display, September 2015

  • The completed base for the new building, April 2017.

    The completed base for the new building, April 2017.

  • View of the roof on 1 April 2018

    View of the roof on 1 April 2018

  • Following a concrete pour to extend the terrace, July 2018

    Following a concrete pour to extend the terrace, July 2018

Points of interest[edit | edit source]

Footbridge outside Bridgnorth Station[edit | edit source]

This view from Bridgnorth Station shows the footbridge connecting the station to New Road. It is sometimes referred to as the Hollybush Road footbridge, after the road which passes beneath it. The War Memorial in Bridgnorth High Town’s Castle Gardens can also be seen in this image.

  • The new footbridge

    The new footbridge

The original footbridge at this location was built for Bridgnorth Corporation by Rubery Owen & Co. Ltd. in 1895 at a cost of £1400, for which the GWR contributed £95.[30] It had been delayed due to a landslip that occurred near to one of the buttresses.[31]

Its condition was allowed to deteriorate following the closure of the railway at Bridgnorth in 1963, and by 1967 owners Bridgnorth Council had announced plans for its demolition. A Public Enquiry into the future of the footbridge was held on 1 April 1968,[32] and a campaign to save the bridge was launched in 1969. The footbridge was closed and boarded up on 30 September 1970. In April 1974 Bridgnorth was demoted to rural borough status, losing its powers to spend money maintaining the footbridge. Later that year it was sold to the SVR for a nominal £1, but was reluctantly deemed beyond repair and demolished in 1976.[33] A short section was cosmetically restored by SVR volunteers and placed as a feature on the roundabout at the junction of the A458 and A442 on the outskirts of Bridgnorth.[34] The 1895 bridge can also be seen in photographs 8 and 9 in the gallery of Sellick photographs below.

  • The original 1895 footbridge

    The original 1895 footbridge

The new footbridge was built under the auspices of the Bridgnorth Footbridge Trust and opened on 22 July 1994. Ownership of the footbridge later transferred to Shropshire County Council.

In January 2018 the footbridge was closed due to the station end lifting: it appeared the bridge was under tension and the bolts at either end had corroded, and so the bridge had come adrift at each end. Shropshire County Council instigated a temporary repair before the start of the running season with permanent repairs to follow.[35] The bridge was closed for 4 weeks in February 2020 for these repairs to be completed.

Platform 1[edit | edit source]

The south end of platform 1 originally ended by the water tower, as can be seen in the picture by David Cooke below and in photographs 8 and 9 in the gallery of Sellick photographs. A 200 ft extension was added by SVR volunteers in 1981 using 30,000 bricks recovered from the ex-GWR goods shed at Cradley, coping stones from the former relief line platform at Acock’s Green, and fencing from Dunstall Park. At the same time contractors re-faced the original platform and raised the level at the south end.[36] There is a noticeable change in the appearance of the platform at the junction of the old and new platforms, which can be seen in this photograph.

In early 2016 volunteers completed a further extension of the platform at the north end.[37] This enabled 9-coach trains such as those with an additional observation saloon to be fully 'on platform'. The work also included replacing the adjacent 'barrow crossing'.[38]

  • Bridgnorth Platform 1 in 1969 (David Cooke)

    Bridgnorth Platform 1 in 1969 (David Cooke)

  • Bridgnorth Platform 1

    Bridgnorth Platform 1

The Railwayman's Arms[edit | edit source]

Bridgnorth Station building includes a licensed public bar, The Railwayman’s Arms. This remained open when the station was closed by BR in September 1963 - the group of potential preservationists who visited Bridgnorth in July 1965 were challenged by George Thorpe who ran it at the time.

The bar and cellar were extended in 1979, the contract for the work being awarded to the building contractors in February of that year.[39]

The pub has four different pub signs. Two, which feature paintings by John Austin of Ivatt 'Mickey Mouse' 46443 and GWR 7802 Bradley Manor, were on the platform side of the pub until late 2024, when they were swapped to the entrance on the car park side. They were replaced on the platform side by the other two signs which feature a fireman's arms and a speedometer, one labelled BR showing a speed in excess of 70mph (in fact the line speed on the Severn Valley Branch in service was never more than 50mph), the other labelled SVR showing a speed of 25mph (the maximum speed anywhere on the branch in preservation).

In February 2017 it won the CAMRA Bridgnorth Pub Of The Year Award 2017.

  • The Railwayman's Arms occupies the south wing of the station building.

    The Railwayman's Arms occupies the south wing of the station building.

  • The '46443' sign

    The '46443' sign

  • The '7802' sign

    The '7802' sign

  • The 'BR' sign

    The 'BR' sign

  • The 'SVR' sign

    The 'SVR' sign

Hanbury Cottage[edit | edit source]

Hanbury Cottage forms a distinctive backdrop to Bridgnorth MPD. The cottage, together with a half-acre of land, was bought by the SVR for £165,000 in May 2007 after it fell vacant.[40] By 2009 it had been converted into the MPD crew room with DSM and Inspector's offices, plus a small kitchen and a pattern store.[41] The 1884 OS Map below refers to the property as 'Ambrose Cottage'.

  • Hanbury Cottage

    Hanbury Cottage

Lighting[edit | edit source]

Current lighting installed on the site is 21st century, using period new GWR no 2 lampposts with associated luminaires and half-harps, plus corner brackets to match the original gas fittings. This was undertaken by suitably qualified volunteers with £60,000 raised by Bridgnorth Station Fund, and was mainly complete by 2021.[42]

It replaced reinforced concrete lighting, manufactured in Taunton by BR in the 1950s, evident in the image 1) from the Sellick collection in the below gallery. That lighting had begun to disintegrate and had become unsafe.

Pan Pudding Hill[edit | edit source]

Pan Pudding Hill, or sometimes Panpudding Hill or Pampudding Hill[43], is a scheduled ancient monument which overlooks Bridgnorth station.[44] The man-made hill was built in 1102, on the orders of King Henry I, as a siege earthwork to attack and capture Bridgnorth Castle. The distance from the hill to the castle, nearly 300 yards, is a testament to the power of medieval siege catapults.

Pan Pudding Hill was used to attack Bridgnorth Castle on other occasions, and finally in 1646 by Cromwell’s Parliamentarians during the English Civil War. After the last attack Bridgnorth Castle was blown up, leaving only the remains of the keep which can be seen in the castle grounds in High Town.[45]

In 2000 the TV series 'Time Team' visited Bridgnorth to investigate the area around St Mary’s Church.[46] Part of the dig concentrated on Pan Pudding Hill – then in the ownership of The Apley Estate.[47] The episode is available on YouTube. In October 2015 the SVR purchased ten acres of land to the west of Bridgnorth Station from The Apley Estate Trustees, which includes Pan Pudding Hill.[48]

A planning recommendation for the Bridgnorth refreshment rooms was for access to Pan Pudding Hill. Shropshire Wildlife Trust subsequently prepared a recommendation for the whole hill, including a steadily graded path in a zig-zag formation up the south face to the summit, for which the Railway would need the consent of Shropshire County Council. In October 2022 a Severn Trent Water team, as part of that company’s community assistance scheme, helped construct a flight of steps up to the fence alongside the headshunt, providing for future access.[49]

  • Pan Pudding Hill, with the public viewing area below

    Pan Pudding Hill, with the public viewing area below

Locomotive watering facilities[edit | edit source]

BR had already demolished the water tank on Pan Pudding Hill and the watering columns on platforms 1 and 2 before the fledgling SVR Society made contact in July 1965 asking them to stop demolition works while negotiations to buy the line took place. The SVR Society acquired replacement ‘rail level’ water columns from nearby Stourbridge MPD, and a replacement water tank from Henley in Arden, the latter arriving in August 1970. These were installed during the following year – until they were commissioned locomotives were watered at Eardington where possible, or otherwise from a simple hosepipe connected to a nearby tap at Bridgnorth.

In October 1972, the platform water columns from Henley were obtained with a view to replace those previously obtained from Stourbridge. During winter maintenance shut down in January 2020 the 30-ton steam crane lifted the constituent parts of the Platform 2 water column to deal with an internal leak and to replace a bearing at its base.

In 1980 Severn Trent Water re-connected the local water supply to a bore hole which supplied water with a very high level of dissolved salts. The water softening plant was unable to cope with this, resulting in boilers scaling and locomotives 'priming' within 3 days of a washout.[50] The following year, to resolve the issue, the SVR laid a water main to Bridgnorth from Knowlesands, the nearest source of softer water[36].

Weighbridge[edit | edit source]

All locomotives must be weighed before first use on the SVR to ensure they comply with axle weight limits. Individual wheels are also weighed to check for correct weight distribution after replacement of springs. A locomotive is moved slowly over a section of strain gauged track adjacent to platform 1 at Bridgnorth with the results displayed on a screen in the signal box.

  • Weighbridge adjacent to Platform 1

    Weighbridge adjacent to Platform 1

Exhibitions[edit | edit source]

  • From 16 June 2012 an exhibition was mounted for the Victorian weekend and following station festival in Platform 2 waiting room, with a history of the station.[51]
  • On 24 June 2018 a Catch Me Who Can sculpture was unveiled as a part of the Bridgnorth Art Trail. The sculpture was one of twelve positioned around the town. They were aluminium castings that represent the locomotive in a much simplified form and were used as the ground for competition winning individual artists and groups to decorate. Statue 2: 'Just the Ticket' was positioned outside Bridgnorth station booking office and was designed by Tania Holland of Tania Holland Gallery using archive material provided by the SVR. It was also sponsored by the SVR.[52]
  • From 16 to 30 August 2019 Kathryn O’Connor, a black and white photographic documentary artist, ran an exhibition in the then-new Bridgnorth Refreshment Room as part of the Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival. It comprised a selection of individual people then working in Bridgnorth, in as many diverse workplaces as possible, and short work history questionnaires they had completed.[53]

Postmark[edit | edit source]

Bridgnorth postmark

In 2004 a Bridgnorth postmark was used in conjunction with Royal Mail's Classic Locomotives stamp issue, which featured the SVR's Bradley Manor.

Bridgnorth history before preservation[edit | edit source]

Poster for a goods conveyancing service to Wolverhampton in 1849
Advert for GWR passenger and parcels service to Shifnal station in 1856
Bridgnorth Station from Pan Pudding Hill before the footbridge was built in 1887
Bridgnorth under threat of closure in 1962 (Wikimedia Commons)
Floor plan of station building in 1929
  • 1849 A goods conveyancing service by road to Wolverhampton Railway Station is advertised by a local carrier in partnership with the Grand Junction Railway.
  • 1856 A passenger and parcels service by road to Shifnal Railway Station is advertised by the GWR.
  • 1862 Bridgnorth has a population of 6569[54] (Population; 12,079 in 2011 census)[55]
  • 1862: When the original Severn Valley Railway opened, Bridgnorth Station is the principal intermediate station and crossing point between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. The station building is made of stone in a Jacobean architectural style.
  • 1887: The Town Corporation pays for a new approach road to the station.
  • 1892: Two fully interlocked signalboxes open at the north and south ends of the station, replaced in 1923 by a single central box on the up platform.
  • 1895: The Town Corporation pays for a lattice footbridge to shorten the route from High Town to the railway, at a cost of £1,400.
  • 1923 Traders' siding completed.[56]
  • 1923 New brick-built signal box opened with manual interlocking and 54 levers. Track circuit installed at the Worcester end of station.[57]
  • 1927 A loading bank was provided to facilitate ordinary goods business and to accommodate the new sugar beet traffic for The West Midlands Sugar Co (later British Sugar Corporation) factory at the site of Foley Park sidings.[58]
  • 1929 The GWR began a long distance coach service from Wolverhampton to Aberystwyth via Bridgnorth and Ludlow; departing at 11.40am using a 26 seater, 6 cylinder Thorneycroft Victor vehicle.[60]
  • 1937 The supply and erection of a timber-framed warehouse was carried out by W&A Edgell Limited of Radstock.[61] A similar building was erected at Stourport.[62]
  • 1960: The loop capacity, for the purpose of crossing trains, was 59 wagons, plus engine and brake van.[63]
  • 1962: Bridgnorth Town Council objects to BR's proposals to withdraw passenger trains between Shrewsbury and Bewdley, believing the line could be promoted as a holiday attraction.
  • 1963: Official notice is given of the withdrawal of passenger services north of Bewdley, to be effective from 9 September 1963. Freight and parcels will continue until the end of the year, after which time only coal traffic from the south to and from Alveley Colliery will use the line. The last BR passenger service to run into Bridgnorth from the south is on 8 September 1963, double headed by ex-GWR 0-6-0 Pannier Tanks Nos 9624 and 4665.

At the end of 1963 Bridgnorth and all the other Severn Valley line stations except Bewdley and Stourport are closed completely, and the track is taken up between Bridgnorth and Buildwas.[64]

GWR Traffic statistics for Bridgnorth, selected years prior to 1939[65]
Passenger Traffic Freight Traffic
Year Tickets issued Parcels despatched Revenue (£) Tons received & despatched Revenue (£) Total revenue (£)
1903 52,796 40,029 9,318 46,455 15,536 24,854
1913 69,062 48,730 9,802 50,213 16,470 26,272
1923 40,127 44,603 10,231 49,210 28,320 38,551
1933 17,232 38,478 4,755 31,651 15,708 20,463
1938 13,500 37,800 3,190 29,141 15,367 18,557

Station Masters[edit | edit source]

Early Station Masters
Name Born From To Comments
William Doughty 15 February 1817 Broseley, Shropshire August 1863 September 1866
Isaac Norris Hunt 18 April 1828 Clifton, Gloucestershire September 1866 January 1869 Previously station master at Stourport
Samuel Martin 13 April 1834 Weymouth, Dorset January 1869 April 1872
James Alexander Masters 3 July 1840 Witney, Oxfordshire April 1872 6 July 1873 Deceased
William Edward Bradshaw 29 May 1845 Sulgrave, Northamptonshire September 1873 Around July 1875
Frederick Conran Barratt 14 September 1833 Crewkerne, Somerset July 1875 Around September 1877 Died November 1877.
William Gannimon Bowerman 10 March 1836 Witney, Oxfordshire September 1877 10 November 1896 Retired
John Samuel Collett 3 June 1858 Chadlington, Oxfordshire December 1896 May 1905 Died 30 August 1905. Served 33 years and left widow and three young children[66]
William James Cowan 27 July 1857 Stonehouse, Devon October 1905 1914 Retired in 1921 as Station Master at Newquay (Cornwall). He started in 1874 on the Devon and Cornwall Railway. He spent 9 years as Station Master at Bridgnorth from 1905[67]
George Smith 14 January 1867 Shipton under Wychwood, Oxon By 1917 1929 George Smith, recently retired Station Master at Bridgnorth, received a presentation on 26 April 1929. His replacement, Mr Tubey presided.[68]
Mr Tubey 1929 [68]
D.B. Davis 1931 1941 Retirement after 45 years service. Been at Bridgnorth for 10 years following Withington and Chipping Norton[69]

Historic maps of Bridgnorth Station[edit | edit source]

  • GWR plan of Bridgnorth with the original track plan in blue and later amendments in red.
  • 1884 map showing the station with no footbridges.
  • 1903 map showing the footbridges
  • 1927 map showing the bus garage at the south end of the station site and the signal box to the north of the station building.
  • GWRplanBridgnorth.jpg
  • 1884

    1884

  • 1903

    1903

  • 1927

    1927

Gallery[edit | edit source]

  • 1) Ex-GWR Small Prairie 5538 calls at Bridgnorth in April 1957 (Sellick Collection)

    1) Ex-GWR Small Prairie 5538 calls at Bridgnorth in April 1957 (Sellick Collection)

  • 2) A steam-hauled service and an ex-GWR Diesel Railcar pass at Bridgnorth in August 1962 (Sellick Collection)

    2) A steam-hauled service and an ex-GWR Diesel Railcar pass at Bridgnorth in August 1962 (Sellick Collection)

  • 3) An ex-GWR Diesel Railcar passes a Northbound train at Bridgnorth in September 1962 (Sellick Collection)

    3) An ex-GWR Diesel Railcar passes a Northbound train at Bridgnorth in September 1962 (Sellick Collection)

  • 4) The pre-preservation signal box and a Northbound train in September 1962 (Sellick Collection)

    4) The pre-preservation signal box and a Northbound train in September 1962 (Sellick Collection)

  • 5) Ex-LMS Ivatt Tank 41202 passes a BR DMU at Bridgnorth in October 1962 (Sellick Collection)

    5) Ex-LMS Ivatt Tank 41202 passes a BR DMU at Bridgnorth in October 1962 (Sellick Collection)

  • 6) 80072 stands at Bridgnorth in snowy conditions on 12 January 1963 (Sellick Collection)

    6) 80072 stands at Bridgnorth in snowy conditions on 12 January 1963 (Sellick Collection)

  • 7) 80072 departs Bridgnorth. Note the van included in the train (Sellick Collection)

    7) 80072 departs Bridgnorth. Note the van included in the train (Sellick Collection)

  • 8) Ex-GWR Pannier 3619 takes water at Bridgnorth in January 1963 (Sellick Collection)

    8) Ex-GWR Pannier 3619 takes water at Bridgnorth in January 1963 (Sellick Collection)

  • 9) A view of the station and high town from Pan Pudding Hill in January 1963 (Sellick Collection)

    9) A view of the station and high town from Pan Pudding Hill in January 1963 (Sellick Collection)

  • 10) An ex-LMS locomotive calls at Bridgnorth on 31 July 1963, shortly before the closure of the line (Sellick Collection)

    10) An ex-LMS locomotive calls at Bridgnorth on 31 July 1963, shortly before the closure of the line (Sellick Collection)

  • 11) GWR Panniers 9624 and 4665 prepare to depart Bridgnorth with the last BR train on 8 September 1963 (Sellick Collection)

    11) GWR Panniers 9624 and 4665 prepare to depart Bridgnorth with the last BR train on 8 September 1963 (Sellick Collection)

  • 12) Former GWR Railcar W26W arrives on a down service, whilst the waiting up service takes water. Note the military lookout/radio station on Pan Pudding Hill. (PG Hindley)

    12) Former GWR Railcar W26W arrives on a down service, whilst the waiting up service takes water. Note the military lookout/radio station on Pan Pudding Hill. (PG Hindley)

  • 13) GWR Small Prairie 4114 ready to depart towards Shrewsbury on 25 July 1959

    13) GWR Small Prairie 4114 ready to depart towards Shrewsbury on 25 July 1959

  • 14) Demolition of the railway bridge in 1967

    14) Demolition of the railway bridge in 1967

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Bridgnorth Station on the Historic England list
  2. ↑ SVR News 51
  3. ↑ General Manager's Statement 23 June 2014
  4. ↑ NBI September 2018
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Branch Lines, October 2020
  6. ↑ SVR Live
  7. ↑ NBI September 2018
  8. ↑ Express Points May 2019
  9. ↑ SVR News 167, General Manager's Notes
  10. ↑ SVRA forum thread (Retrieved 12 June 2017)
  11. ↑ Announcement by Nick Ralls (General Manager), reported on SVR-OnLine forum
  12. ↑ SVR Forum
  13. ↑ SVR Website news item
  14. ↑ 2016 Share Offer Document pp. 16-19.
  15. ↑ SVRLive
  16. ↑ SVR NBI March 2018
  17. ↑ SVR News 201, p. 15
  18. ↑ SVR Forum, September 2018
  19. ↑ SVR News 205
  20. ↑ Shropshire Council 18/05183/FUL | Construction of locomotive turntable reclaimed from Bath Road Bristol and associated enabling works (Retrieved 31 December 2018)
  21. ↑ Railwayman's Arms Facebook 26 January 2019
  22. ↑ 'SVR Shareholder Event 2019', SVRLive, 22 February 2019 (Retrieved 23 February 2019)
  23. ↑ Shropshire Planning Ref:19/01151/FUL
  24. ↑ Branch Lines, August 2021
  25. ↑ Branch Lines June 2024, New ESMP office saves costs
  26. ↑ SVR(H) Financial Statements for period ending 3 January 2021
  27. ↑ SVRH Report and accounts up to 2 January 2023
  28. ↑ Branch Lines November 2021
  29. ↑ Branch Lines August 2022
  30. ↑ Kelly's Directory of Shropshire, 1913
  31. ↑ Gwilt, C., Bridgnorth history Facebook page, 19 May 2023
  32. ↑ SVR News 19
  33. ↑ Marshall (1989) p. 105.
  34. ↑ Section of footbridge visible on Google Street View
  35. ↑ Shropshire County Council 19 January 2018 (Retrieved 20 January 2018)
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 SVR News 60
  37. ↑ Bridgnorth Station 'platform 1 north extension' Retrieved 14 February 2017
  38. ↑ SVR News 194
  39. ↑ SVR News 51
  40. ↑ SVR News 158, Boardroom Notes
  41. ↑ SVR News 168
  42. ↑ Branch Lines March 2021
  43. ↑ Pampudding Hill on www.bridgnorthtowncouncil.gov.uk
  44. ↑ Pan Pudding Hill on the Historic England Scheduled Monument list
  45. ↑ shropshirehistory.org.uk Retrieved 26 May 2015
  46. ↑ Internet Movie Database, Time Team, Series 8, episode 11, first broadcast 11 March 2001 (Retrieved 29 December 2020)
  47. ↑ The Apley Estate Retrieved 5 October 2017
  48. ↑ SVRLive 'Purchase of 10 acres of land to the West of Bridgnorth Station' 5 October 2015 (Retrieved 14 February 2017)
  49. ↑ [https://www.svrlive.com/bloct22 Branch Lines October 2022
  50. ↑ SVR News 57
  51. ↑ SVR Forum
  52. ↑ Bridgnorth Arts Trail (Retrieved 10 July 2019)
  53. ↑ SVR website
  54. ↑ Handbook to the Severn Valley Railway, J. Randall, 1863
  55. ↑ "Bridgnorth (Parish): Key Figures for 2011 Census". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics (Retrieved 23 November 2015)
  56. ↑ GWR Magazine January 1923
  57. ↑ GWR Magazine March 1923
  58. ↑ GWR Magazine August 1927
  59. ↑ GWR Magazine June 1928
  60. ↑ GWR Magazine September 1929
  61. ↑ GWR Magazine January 1937
  62. ↑ GWR Magazine August 1937
  63. ↑ Sectional Appendix to the Working Time Tables and Books of Rules and Regulations, Birmingham Traffic District, October 1960
  64. ↑ Information from the Bridgnorth Station website
  65. ↑ Nabarro (1971) p. 55.
  66. ↑ GWR magazine, October 1905
  67. ↑ GWR magazine, November 1921
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 GWR magazine, June 1929
  69. ↑ GWR magazine, January 1941

Links[edit | edit source]

Bridgnorth Station web site


Stations and halts
Present day stations and halts
Former stations and halts
Severn Valley branch
Loop line

In reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR)

In reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR)

Severn Valley Railway

British Rail or British Railways

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Motive Power Depot

Great Western Railway

Ordnance Survey

Charles Benjamin Collett, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the Great Western Railway 1922-1941

Locomotive with a 2-6-2 wheel configuration

London Midland & Scottish Railway

Henry George Ivatt, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1946-1948. CME of BR (London Midland Region) 1948-1951

Diesel Multiple Unit

Notice Board Issue. The SVR's on-line method of circulating information to working members.

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