More services for 2024 as Severn Valley Railway seeks income boost
THE Severn Valley Railway is to increase its passenger services from March 26 in a bid to boost its fortunes.
Having opened at the start of the February half-term with an off-peak timetable, in the run-up to Easter, the railway will have more steamand diesel-hauled services, along with its Class 108 DMU which has recently returned to service following extensive repairs.
The DMU allows for a mid-morning first departure from Bridgnorth, a faciltiy which was greatly missed in the 2023 season.
The railway will operate three timetables, A, B and C, designed to expand and contract the number of services in anticipation of lower or higher numbers of passengers. Timetable C, which will usually operate on high-season Saturdays, will, for example, feature three steam and one diesel-hauled service.
SVR’s head of operations, Steve Wainwright, said: “Last year was all about survival. We were faced with huge uncertainty over passenger numbers, as well as spiralling costs, and we had to be extremely cautious with our timetables.
“As we approach our main running season in 2024, we can be a little more optimistic. Our expert timetabling team has taken all the factors into account, including the need to provide a great visitor experience, to keep costs under control, to fully man our trains, stations and signalboxes from our pool of volunteer staff, and to make best use of our small resident operational steam fleet.”
Visitor experience manager Lewis Maddox added: “We are delighted with what the timetabling team has devised. Their plans allow for an innovative timetable within a realistic budget which can be comfortably managed within the constraints of our fleet and pool of staff. Plus, we’ve built in the capacity to earn extra revenue from charter trains.
“It’s going to allow for a fantastic day out for passengers, with plenty of choice of services, and on many days the chance to travel behind or encounter three different types of traction! And that’s what a day at the SVR is all about – travelling back to the golden age of heritage rail and making unforgettable memories.”
For more information on timetables and days out, visit svr.co.uk
Triple honours
The SVR took three top honours at the Heritage Railway Association’s Annual Awards 2024 presentation evening at the Double Tree by Hilton Brighton Metropole
Hotel on February 10, and was highly commended in two further categories.
As reported last issue, the SVR carried off the Award for Diesel and Electric Locomotion for its series of events held last year in celebration of 50 years of diesel preservation.
This year’s May 16-19 Spring Diesel Festival line-up will include both a Freightliner Class 59 and 70, in addition to the first-named guest, Locomotive Services Group’s Class 37 No. 37409 Loch Awe in new ScotRail livery, as reported last issue.
SVR managing director Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster said: “Securing one of Freightliner’s Class 70s is a real coup. Very few have ever appeared at heritage railway galas, and our event offers the rare opportunity to travel behind one as a passenger. At an impressive 3690hp, it’s quite a bit of kit, and we think it’s going to be a big draw.”
At the ceremony, Jonathan received the Railway Magazine Preservationist of the Year Award, both for his work as a volunteer with the Class 50 Alliance and for his role at the helm at the SVR over the past year. The SVR-based Class 50 Alliance and the Fifty Fund won the Rail Express Modern Traction Award, and the Class 50 Alliance was also highly commended in the HRA Team of the Year category.
The SVR was also highly commended for its restoration of LMS corridor composite
No. 24617, as reported in issue 315, in the Morgan Award for Rolling Stock Preservation category.
A talented line
SVR chairman Chris Walton said: “Any one of these awards and commendations would by itself be cause for celebration; that the SVR and its associated groups and people scooped this many in a single evening is inspiring. It shows the breadth of the SVR’s talents and the depth of its determination to continue as a leading member of the UK heritage sector.”
HRA chief executive Steve Oates said: “That the SVR has so many new additions to their trophy cabinet is testimony to the hard work and dedication of everyone there. I must give huge congratulations to Gus and the entire team at the Severn Valley for what they’ve achieved. I look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the next 12 months, and perhaps even welcoming them back on stage at our next awards event.”