Severn Valley Railway signals tunnel repair

The Severn Valley Railway has signalled the end of a major £250,000 renovation project with a trackside ribbon cutting ceremony.

Well-wishers and invited guests emerged from carriages pulled by the 1930s Great Western tank, at the mouth of the 480-yard long Bewdley Tunnel for the event on Monday.

The ribbon was cut in front of the locomotive before it was tied to the engine to continue its journey from Kidderminster to Bewdley station.

The project, which started on January 3, involved replacing worn out tracks and drains throughout the tunnel. Around 100 workers, half of which were unpaid enthusiasts, took part in the project, contending with difficult conditions in the dark and cramped confines of the narrow single bore tunnel.

The railway's visitor service manager David Mee said everyone could 'breathe a huge sigh of relief' that all the works had been completed on time and to budget.

Video from Nicky Butler of our sister paper Express & Star