Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1965-1969

Significant events in the history of the Severn Valley Railway in preservation between 1965 and 1969 are set out below.

1965

• July 1965: A meeting of a group of railway enthusiasts is held at the Cooper’s Arms in Kidderminster on 6 July to discuss the feasibility of preserving a section of the former GWRGreat Western Railway Severn Valley Railway which was closed by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways). The group determines that the section south of Bridgnorth would be most suitable. On 25 July, the group inspects the line between Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth, and quickly makes contact with BRBritish Rail or British Railways asking them to stop taking up the line. The group goes on to form the Severn Valley Railway Society.

1966

• February 1966: A price of £25,000 is agreed with BRBritish Rail or British Railways for purchase of line between Hampton Loade and Alveley Colliery.

1967

• January 1967: Purchase by Severn Valley Railway Society from BRBritish Rail or British Railways of track from Bridgnorth southwards to Alveley Colliery.
• March 1967: The first locomotive, 3205, arrives on 25 March.
• April 1967: 46443 arrives on 22 April.
• May 1967: Severn Valley Railway Company Limited is incorporated on 24 May, enabling an application for a Light Railway Order to take place.
• June 1967: Contracts are exchanged on 1 June for sale of the line from Bridgnorth to Alveley.
• October 1967: MW 2047 arrives on 22 October.
• November 1967: 813 arrives on 25 November.

1968

• April 1968: An Easter Steam Gala is held featuring No 3205 (this was before regular public passenger services had begun).
• May 1968: 47383 arrives on 26 May.
• July 1968: Peckett 1738 arrives on 13 July.
• August 1968: 43106 arrives on 2 August.

1969

• January: 48773 [LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway 8233] arrives on 4 January.
• February 1969: The adjacent section of the line from Alveley to Bewdley is officially closed by BRBritish Rail or British Railways on 3 February.
• July 1969: HE 686 arrives on 14 July.
• December 1969: The Severn Valley Railway Society merges with the Severn Valley Railway Company.

References and sources

Visitors to the Engine House at Highley can watch a video which gives a detailed history of the meeting at the Cooper’s Arms and subsequent events leading to the purchase of the line, including interviews with some of those concerned.
Information on the early history of the SVRSevern Valley Railway can be found on the SVR website and the Bridgnorth Station website.
Information on locomotive arrivals and the Easter Gala is from past editions of Severn Valley Railway News.

See also