Where your views matter most.
MANY thanks for Heritage Railway issue 267 which provided some cheer when we should have been thinking about, or taking part in, period events in costume, particularly 1940s events on steam railways.
At least we can show support for railways in need - thank you for the appeal information, and the suggestion we should not just consider the larger railways, but also the smaller ones with not so much funding. We are trying to search some of the websites, but not all are up- todate with appeals for funds.
Your article about the Severn Valley particularly brought back memories to a time long before we both met. As a young teenager at Wolverhampton Grammar School, Tony was drawn into conversation at a break time between two other lads, Steve and Kevin, about railways and a society that had been set up to rescue a closed railway at Bridgnorth. This led to us all joining as junior members.
Branch meetings of this society, including talks and slide shows, were being held in an unused workshop behind the Wolverhampton town centre shop of an elderly watch and clock dealer and repairer with an enthusiasm for the railway project, and the meetings were attended by local like- minded folk.
As members, along with John, a friend of Kevin, we would catch the Wolverhampton Corporation bus to Bridgnorth on a Sunday, to see what was happening and to offer practical help. This began with assisting in trying to rid the tracks of weeds that had grown since the line had been disused. It was not the most exciting of tasks, and when the opportunity arose we found more fun helping to paint signs.
We had our own compartment in a non- corridor carriage at Bridgnorth, to act as a workshop where we could repaint the signs in chocolate and cream. To get to the signs down the line from Bridgnorth, unscrew them and bring them back to our workshop, or return the repainted signs to their rightful place, we borrowed the railway's'push- mepull- you'flat truck. There were many regular society members we would meet at Bridgnorth, some coming to look around and take photographs, some doing odd jobs which could be done in anticipation of the railway line being able to be purchased as far as the Alveley Sidings, and run trains to Hampton Loade.
The sight of No. 3205 arriving was the most joyful we had ever experienced, followed by the coming of No. 46443, or' Mickey Mouse' as it is nicknamed. We stayed as members for a few years until situations changed - leaving school, starting work and so on.
However, the Severn Valley has always remained close to the heart, and when in 1995 it began holding 1940s Second World War events, and occasional Victorian events, w e with friends in our re- enactment society, Nostalgia Unlimited, found the opportunity to offer our help just being in costume to add character, playing roles such as ' the Spiv; singing wartime songs on trains and stations to encourage the public to join in.
Your article has shown there has always been widespread support for this railway when it has been in need.
Tony and Joyce Perry, Oxbarn, Wolverhampton.