62. SVR diesel gala-30.09.21

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2021 > 62. SVR diesel gala-30.09.21

On a particularly wet and miserable day after a fantastic few weeks of warm and sunny weather, Andy and I chose to go to the first day of the Severn Valley Railway's autumn diesel gala! Due to the awful weather, we decided to purchase a couple of ranger tickets rather than lineside the event.

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Images 1-27 of 27 displayed.

50035, stabled, Kiderminster SVR station
50035 'Ark Royal was the first member of the class to be preserved back in 1991 after being donated by NSE to The Fifty Fund during a ceremony at one of Old Oak Common's renowned open days. Since then it has been extensively overhauled a number of times and now works almost exclusively on its home railway at the SVR. Not registered for mainline operation it is a regular performer on the line. It stands at Kidderminster waiting to work its first train of the 2021 diesel gala, the 10.30 shuttle to Bewdley.
Keywords: 50035 Kiderminster SVR station Ark Royal

31466, 10.10 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth, Kidderminster SVR station
Dating from 1959 31466 (formally D5533 and 31115) looks superb in its late EWS livery as it stands at Kidderminster station. Andy and I would be hauled by this locomotive to Arley as the 10.10 departure to Bridgnorth making it our first haulage of the day. Being more used to Class 31s in BR blue I think that this livery really suits this veteran machine that is now over fifty years old!
Keywords: 31466 10.10 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth Kidderminster SVR station EWS

Andy on-board 10.10 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth, Kidderminster SVR station
Andy luxuriates himself in the sumptuous seating of a Mk1. compartment waiting to leave Kidderminster as the first journey of our trip to the SVR's diesel gala. We both commented on the stark contrast with today's appalling seating offered by train manufacturers. The hard and cramped seating (including those in first-class as is shown here) is such a retrograde step with the luxurious interiors as seen here much lamented.
Keywords: Andy on-board 10.10 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth, Kidderminster SVR station

D8568, 09.52 Bewdley-Kidderminster, Kidderminster SVR station
A few months ago Clayton Class 17 D8568 was revealed to the world in its new blue livery with a small yellow warning panel. The Diesel Traction Group, who are custodians of the 1964 locomotive, made to bold decision to paint it in this non-authentic colour earlier in the year and it appears to have gone down well. It is seen leading the 09.52 Bewdley to Kidderminster diesel gala service entering its destination.
Keywords: D8568 09.52 Bewdley-Kidderminster Kidderminster SVR station

172345, 08.49 King's Norton-King's Norton (37E), Kidderminster
West Midlands Railway 172345 and another unit pass Kidderminster having not stopped at the station located just to my left working an unusual empty coaching stock move. The 08.49 King's Norton to Kings Norton working took a very long and convoluted route seemingly encompassing the entire West Midlands Trains' network! I am not at all sure as the purpose of this extravagant run unless anybody can advise. Notice the semaphore to the right that is controlled by the Severn Valley Railway's signal box.
Keywords: 172345 08.49 King's Norton-King's Norton Kidderminster

D1062, 09.05 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster, Kidderminster approach
With a wave from the driver D1062 'Western Courier' approaches journey's end on the approach to Kidderminster leading the 09.05 from Bridgnorth. We were being held whilst the incoming service made its way in due to the limitations imposed by the Severn Valley Railway's long sections of singletrack. Despite this, they operate an ambitious and intensive timetable during their galas with very little scope for things to go wrong!
Keywords: D1062 09.05 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster Kidderminster approach Western Courier

D9551, 10.00 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster, Arley station
The second train of our visit to the Severn Valley's diesel gala arrives at Arley station. Class 14 D9551 is leading the 10.00 Bridgnorth to Kidderminster train that we took the short distance back to Bewdley. The Class 17s were built at Swindon and were actually a good design despite them having non-standard hydraulic transmission (as was deemed later by BR). The problem was that they were built for work that had largely gone from the railways by the end of the 1960s hence they were rendered redundant. Nearly all found work on industrial lines and survived into the 1980s, many years longer than they worked on the national network! No fewer than nineteen of the fifty-six built have been preserved with this example in the care of the Severn Valley Railway Class 14 Company Ltd following its working life at Corby steelworks coming to an end in 1981.
Keywords: D9551 10.00 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster Arley station Teddy Bear

M52064, M50933, M51941, E59250 & M56208, stabled, Bewdley station
Unlike my last visit to the SVR's autumn diesel gala back in 2015, see...... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/C370724604/x59-svr-diesel-gala-02-10-15 there were no DMUs in operation today. Seen adjacent to Bewdley station car numbers M52064, M50933, M51941, E59250 and M56208 are seen lined up and out of use. Owned and maintained by DMU Group West Midlands the class 108s are in receipt of bogie overhauls and other work with the group's volunteers undertaking the work.
Keywords: M52064 M50933 M51941 E59250 M56208 Bewdley station

50035, running round, Bewdley station
Seen earlier prior to its departure from Kidderminster 50035 'Ark Royal' is seen at Bewdley running round its stock that is made up of a set of superb quad art coaches. Once coupled up to the stock Ark Royal will then lead the 11.42 shuttle back to Kidderminster.
Keywords: 50035 Bewdley station Ark Royal

D1015, 11.05 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth, Bewdley station
D1015 'Western Champion' draws into Bewdley station working the 11.05 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth gala service. Andy and I took the train all the way to its destination enjoying some Hydraulic action! However, despite appearances, all was not well! The Western was only running on one engine due to the seizure of the other one during a loaded test run a few weeks ago on 17.09.21 in preparation to it leading the Champion Torbay Express railtour that obviously it did not do with Class 50 haulage have to suffice, see.... http://www.hondawanderer.com/50007_50049_Lower_Wick_2021.htm This was a costly and gutting event for the locomotive's custodians, the Diesel Traction Group, coming at the end of a lengthy and full restoration; let's hope the situation can be put right and that soon we can hear some Maybach music back on the mainline again!
Keywords: D1015 11.05 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth Bewdley station Western Champion Hydraulic Western

43277, stabled, Arley station
Following their retirement from the network in the spring HST power cars and stock have been heading off in all directions for possible future use. Four power cars have ended up on the Severn Valley Railway not for use on the heritage line but simply in store. Following their short term storage and re-activation Colas Rail will then be operating them for use on additional Network Rail infrastructure monitoring trains. Last in use with East Midlands Railway, unusually still carrying the operator's vinyls, 43277 stands at Arley. The last time that I saw this power car it was storming down the ECML, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/27085865404/x43277-12-02-york-london-king-s-cross
Keywords: 43277 Arley station HST

D1015, 11.05 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth, Highley station
With considerably more stock than the platforms can accommodate the trains running on the Severn Valley Railway's diesel gala overhung the platforms at some of their stations such is the case here at Highley. The second man in the cab of D1015 'Western Champion' peers back waiting for the right away from the guard in order to get the 11.05 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth underway.
Keywords: D1015 11.05 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth, Highley station Western Champion

50007, 11.50 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster, Hampton Loade station
As our train, led by D1015 'Western Champion' arrives at Hampton Loade station 50007 'Hercules' patiently waits leading the 11.50 Bridgnorth to Kidderminster service. Now wearing its non-authentic GBRf livery the 50 is mainline registered and sees regular outings on the mainline, indeed I saw it tearing along the WCML a few weeks previously along with 50049 'Defiance', see...... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30017120846/x50007-50049-thanet-thunderer-06
Keywords: 50007 11.50 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster Hampton Loade station Hercules

31466, 12.45 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster, Bewdley station
Having arrived at Bridgnorth behind Western Champion Andy and I hopped on to the returning 12.45 service to Kidderminster behind 31466 that we had been hauled by earlier in the morning. We took this train back to Bewdley here it is seen here waiting to depart.
Keywords: 31466 12.45 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster Bewdley station EWS

50035, 13.50 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth, Bewdley station
With the rain starting to come down again, 50035 'Ark Royal' arrives at Bewdley station leading the 13.50 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth diesel gala service. Andy and I took this train back up the line to Hampton Loade enjoying some English Electric action! Notice D1062 'Western Courier' waiting to the right that will work the 14.27 shuttle service to Kidderminster. It was also nice that we were able to share our compartment with Sally Murray the widow of well known and respected SVR and prolific Class 50 photographer Ian Murray who sadly recently died after a long battle with cancer. She was travelling in memory of her late husband behind one of his beloved Class 50s, see..... https://www.pressreader.com/uk/heritage-railway/20210803/282462826962925
Keywords: 50035 13.50 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth Bewdley station Ark Royal

D8568 & D9551, 14.33 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster & 50035, 13.50 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth, Hampton Loade station
With a combined one thousand two hundred and fifty horsepower from the Clayton D8568 and Class 14 'Teddy Bear' D9551 there will be no problems getting Andy and me the short hop from Hampton Loade to Highley whilst they double head the 14.33 Bridgnorth to Kidderminster train. In the pouring rain, they arrive at Hampton Loade station while 50035 'Ark Royal' waits to leave with the 13.50 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth service.
Keywords: D8568 D9551 14.33 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster 50035 13.50 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth Hampton Loade station Ark Royal Clayton

Highley signal box (GW, 1873)
Highley signal box is a little unusual as an example on a heritage line as it is actually pretty much original and as-built in 1873. When closed by BR in 1969 it survived the ravages of pilferers and vandals until acquired by the fledgling SVR in 1973 and was described by the railway as 'a virtually intact and working box together with all the original signals and associated track and point work'. It was simply serviced, painted and put into use and has been doing so ever since. Notice the one hundred and forty-three and a quarter milepost in front of the box indicating the distance from Paddington.
Keywords: Highley signal box GW

Andy, 80079, 47383, 46443 & 600, on display, Highley Engine House
With some twenty minutes in hand and with it absolutely teaming with rain Andy and I decided to take shelter in the superb Higley Engine House museum. Unfortunately, this was not enough time to explore this excellent SVR attraction that was full of interesting locomotives and artefacts. In this view, the gargantuan proportions of the former Longmoor Military Railway 2-10-0 War Department 600 'Gordon' dominates the scene. Somewhat dwarfed is 4MT 80079, LMS 3F 47383 and in the background is Ivatt Class 2 number 64443. It's a shame that we had so little time to explore the museum further as it really did look to be a fantastic new addition to the line's attractions.
Keywords: Andy 80079 47383 46443 & 600 Highley Engine House Longmoor Military Railway LMR

40106, 14.45 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth, approaching Highley
With the rain coming down like stair rods the driver of 40106 'Atlantic Conveyor' peers from his cab window on the approach to Highley station no doubt getting a soaking! The Whistler is leading the 14.45 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth service that Andy and I were about to take just one stop to Hampton Loade. Not being regular attendees of galas and travellers on charters both Andy and myself were unable to recall the last time that we had haulage behind a Class 40 even if it was for a relatively short distance. The short section of line in the foreground allows locomotive access to and from the superb Highley Engine House museum.
Keywords: 40106 14.45 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth approaching Highley Atlantic Conveyor

Arley signal box, ex Yornton (GW, 1878)
Arley signal box is a reproduction of the original structure located on the same spot that was closed in the summer of 1964. Ironically, the volunteers of the fledgling SVR demolished the old box during the early years of the railway's operations as they thought it unlikely that the tracks would ever be extended south from Hampton Loade! The superstructure of the box is from Yorton on the Crewe to Shrewsbury line whilst the internals came from a number of boxes including the long-closed Kidderminster Station and Severn Beach boxes. Along with Hampton Loade, Arley can be switched out when traffic on the line is light, definitely not the case on a day like today with an intensive gala timetable in operation!
Keywords: Arley signal box Yornton GW 1878

43251 & 43257, stabled, Arley station
The purists will be shocked to see modern traction in the form of HST power cars sitting in a siding directly behind Arley station's up platform! However, 43251 and 43257 will not actually haul trains on the Severn Valley Railway with them in temporary storage for Colas Rail along with two other power cars prior to overhaul and entry into service with Network Rail. The last time that I photographed 43251 was, by way of an irony, on the Azuma launch day back in 2019, a day that was the beginning of the end for these iconic trains, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/26500887204/x4325-07-30-edinburgh-london-king
Keywords: 43251 43257 Arley station

D1062, 15.40 Kidderminster-Brodgnorth, Arley station
As Andy and I wait to leave Arley station on our final journey on the Severn Valley Railway D1062 'Western Courier' leads the 15.40 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth into the station. I always associate Wester Courier with maroon livery so seeing it in BR blue was an odd experience. I first saw this locomotive back in 1978, the year after the final Western had been withdrawn, at the Torbay and Devon Railway event, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/25351482004/d1062-16-00-paignton-kingswear-kingswear
Keywords: D1062 15.40 Kidderminster-Bridgnorth Arley station Wester Courier

D1013 & 37308, stored, Kidderminster depot
On the approach to Kidderminster station, be it on the national network or on Severn Valley Railway metals, a clear view is afforded of the preserved line's extensive diesel maintenance depot. Amongst much on view D1013 'Western Ranger' is seen under a large tarpaulin with 37308 to the extreme right. The Western has been in receipt of tens and hundreds of pounds worth of restoration money spent on it with even more hours of volunteer labour over the last decade or so. The final significant task now being undertaken is the assessment and overhaul of the bogies. The train was last lifted forty-five years ago so the Western Locomotive Association are intrigued to find out what things are like 'down below'! It is estimated that it will cost an eye-watering twenty thousand pounds per bogie to overhaul them making them fit for a further ten years and one hundred and fifty thousand miles of service.
Keywords: D1013 37308 Kidderminster depot

D8568, stabled & 37308, stored, Kidderminster depot
Having been in service earlier in the day Class 17 Clayton D8568 rests at Kidderminster depot. I am not sure if it had developed a problem but it was supposed to be working the 16.55 Kidderminster to Bewdley shuttle in the next few minutes? Behind the Clayton, shrouded in a tarpaulin, is 37308 the last built member of the class. Since entering preservation back in 2007 it has been undergoing a protracted restoration at various locations but extensive and largely unseen rust around the cab ends and floors has slowed progress greatly. Work is underway again being undertaken by the SVR itself for use on the line.
Keywords: D8568 37308 Kidderminster depot Clayton

24081, 15.30 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster, Kidderminster SVR station
The final run of our outing on the Severn Valley Railway as part of their diesel gala was to travel behind 24081 (running in BR blue with yellow cab ends as 5081) leading the 15.30 Bridgnorth to Kidderminster. We took this train from Hampton Loade to its destination enjoying some welcome Sulzar sounds all the way! The history of 24081 has been written about many times but, as a reminder, it was the last member of the class to be withdrawn in October 1980 coming over a year after all the others had succumbed. Having become a celebrity survivor it was immediately preserved and is now privately owned and based at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway but spending more time doing the rounds of heritage lines rather than on its home line!
Keywords: 24081 15.30 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster Kidderminster SVR station 5081 Class 24

D4100 & 09107, 14.17 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster, Kidderminster SVR station
A notable feature of the Severn Valley railway's home fleet is its number of Class 08/09 shunters. Whilst versatile and very useful to have eight on their books does seem a little extravagant! During gala events, they are employed to haul shuttles between Bewdley and Kidderminster as is the case here with D4100 and 09107 'Dick Hardy' having arrived with the 14.17 from Bewdley.
Keywords: D4100 09107 14.17 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster, Kidderminster SVR station Dick Hardy 09012 08845 D4013

Day 'ticket'
Rather than selling tickets per se, the Severn Valley Railway issues bands once the requisite cash has been handed over. Guards and platform staff walk around not calling 'tickets please' but asking, 'can I see your wrist please'! To differentiate the four days of the gala the bands are issued in a variety of colours, the first day, Thursday, was the green day! All in all, a great day out with an incredible range of locomotives in action and intensive timetable that many heritage lines can only dream of; it was just a shame that the organisers could not have laid on some better weather for Andy and myself!
Keywords: Gala ticket

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