Monthly Archives: May 2012

Update 600. The Olympic torch and flame on the Severn Valley Railway, 24/05/12

The Olympic flame was in Worcestershire today, reaching Bewdley in the afternoon. A special train was waiting to take the flame to Kidderminster, with a brief stop at West Midlands Safari Park, where the elephants were waiting to wave a flag at the train. I’m sure there will be a news link on the internet showing the elephants & I will add it later. Here is a link from the BBC web site

Link to photos

My photos show the train soon after it passed the Safari Park

 

Update 599. 31466 & 50026 through Kings Norton, also 57003 & 37608, 23/05/12

First train seen was the flask from Keyham to Crewe , hauled by 37608, running as 6Z40. An empty coal train from Rugeley ran south behind 66522 as 4V57 and after what seemed a very long wait, the convoy appeared. 57003 hauled 50026 from Eastleigh to Lydney & the Dean Forest Railway. 31466 was attached at Lydney and the 3 locos headed to Burton. Eventual destination is the KWVR for a diesel gala this weekend.

Link to photos

A very smart looking 31466 at the rear of the convoy

Update 598. Queen Victoria, portrayed by Sylvia Strange, at the Severn Valley Railway

The photos showing Queen Victoria have already been included in the updates from the previous 2 days, but I decided to include them in a separate album. As mentioned before, the event was to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the original railway along the Severn Valley between Worcester & Shrewsbury in 1862.

Link to photos

Queen Victoria is seen heading for her train at Arley.

Update 596. 150th Anniversary at the Severn Valley Railway, with Queen Victoria, 19/05/12

The railway between Worcester and Shrewsbury was opened in 1862 and the event this weekend marks the 150th anniversary. Three visiting locos built in the 1870s could be seen in action at Kidderminster and “Queen Victoria” travelled the line in her special train, stopping off at the stations on the way to Bridgnorth.

Link to photos

The Head Wrightson no. 1 “coffee pot” is one of the visiting locos

Update 591. 47375, D821, 55019, D8188 & D8059 depart Kidderminster for Swanage, 10/05/12

Unfortunately nothing went to plan for the loco move to Swanage. D6515 had problems on the way from Swanage to Barrow Hill to collect 55019 and was replaced by 47375. After a late arrival the previous day, the convoy departed on time with the 3 SVR diesels attached for the journey to Swanage. Everything seemed fine, but the 47 failed later in the morning and the convoy had to be returned to Kidderminster – those photos will follow later.

Link to photos

The 5 locos are seen reversing off the SVR tracks