Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1980-1989
Significant events in the history of the Severn Valley Railway in preservation between 1980 and 1989 are set out below.
1980
Over the winter of 1979-80, major engineering work was carried out on Victoria Bridge, including replacement of the bridge decking and a complete repaint. 1980 again saw BRBritish Rail or British Railways providing a DMUDiesel Multiple Unit service from Kidderminster to the SVRSevern Valley Railway at Bewdley on summer Saturdays and Bank Holidays.
May 1980:
- SVRSevern Valley Railway participants in the grand parade at the Rocket 150 celebrations at Rainhill were 3205, 43106, 45000, 600 Gordon, 80079, D1062 Western Courier and 3 coaches. 3020 Cornwall was also due to take part, but was forced to withdraw when the BRBritish Rail or British Railways boiler inspector put his hammer right through the front ring of the boiler barrel!
- The Railway played host to two incoming main line rail tours through to Bridgnorth on the same day. The Bridgnorth station announcer took the opportunity to make an announcement surely never heard before or since, “The next service will call at Bewdley, Basingstoke, Winchester, Eastleigh and Southampton. Change at Bewdley for Leeds, Keighley, Haworth and Oxenhope.” The two 10-coach tours passed at Arley, the only loop large enough to handle the crossing.
June 1980:
- The SVRSevern Valley Railway membership exceeded 10,000 for the first time.
- The Great Western Weekend saw 7 of the SVRSevern Valley Railway’s GWRGreat Western Railway engines in action.
September 1980:
- In the annual Enthusiasts Weekend, considered the most successful to date, 12 SVRSevern Valley Railway locomotives were in steam including 45690 Leander which had just returned from main line duties for an overhaul.
Locomotives used during the year and the mileages recorded were as follows:
| Locomotive | 1979 | Total | Coment |
| 4930 Hagley Hall | 4,225 | 4,870 | |
| 7819 Hinton Manor | 3,775 | 15,825 | |
| 43106 | 3,420 | 17,617 | Return from overhaul. |
| 45000 | 3,130 | 4,780 | |
| 45110 | 2,615 | 21,185 | |
| 6960 Raveningham Hall | 2,300 | 9,110 | |
| 80079 | 2,260 | 12,205 | |
| 5164 | 1,765 | 2,275 | |
| 600 Gordon | 1,710 | 9,775 | |
| 5764 | 1,650 | 12,087 | |
| 46521 | 1,470 | 12,775 | Return from overhaul. |
| 7812 Erlestoke Manor | 1,300 | 1,765 | |
| 3205 | 1,128 | 3,556 | |
| 48773 | 735 | 16,610 | |
| 45690 Leander | 495 | 495 | Entry into service following arrival. |
| WD 193 Shropshire | 435 | 9,895 | |
| 2857 | 195 | 215 | |
| Other | - | 59,051 | |
| Total | 32,608 | 214,091 |
1981
1982
1983
1984
July 1984: Kidderminster Station was opened on 31 July 1984. Trains ran over the full 16 miles from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster for the first time in the preservation-era.
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
References and sources
Information is from past editions of Severn Valley Railway News unless otherwise stated. Locomotive mileages for 1980 taken from SVRSevern Valley Railway News #58 Winter 1980/81, page 34, "Steam Locomotive Mileages for the Decade".
