Severn Valley Railway offers chance to see rare inner-workings
A rare chance to experience the inner workings of the Severn Valley Railway, including a range of its restoration projects, will be on offer to visitors next month.
The Peep Behind the Scenes event will take place on July 15.
The SVR will be throwing open the doors to its signal boxes, engine sheds, carriage works and new Diesel Depot, allowing visitors a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work undertaken by its staff and volunteers to keep the railway running on a daily basis.
Visitors will be able to see inside Kidderminster signal box, carriage works, carriage shed, museum signal box, Diesel Depot and turntable as well as the interior of a Class 52 ‘Western’. Bewdley North signal box, paint shop and wagon works will also be open.
At Highley, Wickham Trolley rides will be on offer, and visitors can climb into the cabs of No. 600 ‘Gordon’ and Standard Tank No. 80079 at The Engine House Visitor Centre.
Bridgnorth signal box, locomotive works, paint shop and the machine shop will be open for visits and a goods train, hauled by locomotive No. 1501 or No. 7714 will be journeying along the length of the line, with demonstration shunting at Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.
This year, visitors will be able to see the progress of several of the key restoration projects funded by the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust.
A walk along the platform at Bridgnorth will take visitors to the Tourist Second Open 4399 carriage restoration and conversion project. Built in 1956, 4399 went into British Rail service on the Eastern Region mainline until 1983 when new Inter-City high-speed trains made it redundant.
Last year, the charitable trust acquired it from its volunteer owners and secured £75,000 sponsorship from the Department of Transport to convert it into a wheelchair-accessible coach.
Nestling in the Kidderminster Carriage and Wagon Paint Shop, LNER 24104 wheelchair-accessible coach is having its once-in-30-years refit.
Clare Gibbard, the SVR’s marketing and communications manager, said: “Ever-popular with enthusiasts and general visitors alike, Peep Behind the Scenes enables visitors to gain a rare insight into both the inner workings of the Railway, which allow it to function on a daily basis, as well as a glimpse into the many restoration projects underway behind the scenes.”
For more information on Peep Behind the Scenes, plus all events, activities and bookings, visit svr.co.uk or call 01562 757900.
