Severn Valley Venturer
The Severn Valley Venturer is a pair of vehicles forming a dining set that accommodates 42 passengers and is usually located at Bridgnorth when not in service. During the operating season from May to October it operates a dining service that is completely volunteer operated, usually running in the path behind the Severn Valley Limited. Although the rolling stock and majority of staff start from Bridgnorth the dining service commences at Kidderminster, meaning there is one meal sitting only despite the stock and staff normally operating two round trips.
It also usually operates a breakfast service during the Autumn Steam Gala.
A history of the Venturer featured in SVRSevern Valley Railway News issue 207, pp. 26-27.
Vehicles used
As of 2020[update] the designated vehicles are LMS Restaurant First Open 7511 and BR Restaurant Buffet 1682, although 2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused all services to be suspended. Other vehicles previously used include BRBritish Rail or British Railways First Opens 3103 and 3109.
Food preparation
Prior to the Bridgnorth Development Project Venturer staff used a GWRGreat Western Railway-style corrugated building on platform 1 for stores and food preparation. As part of the development this moved to the Bovey Tracey building, a building based on a goods lock up that used to adorn Bovey Tracey station on the Moretonhampstead branch in Devon, which is situated in the rear service yard area of the Bridgnorth refreshment room. This serves as a plant room and food preparation area.
