Elizabeths go free for platinum jubilee
TO honour the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Severn Valley Railway is allowing free travel to everyone called Elizabeth, throughout its special four-day celebratory event.
“This is all about celebrating the longest-reigning British Monarch ever,” said Michael Dunn, head of visitor experience. “And we wanted to extend that even further to all those whose first name is Elizabeth or Elisabeth.”
The idea received a warm welcome from Elizabeth Williams, who’s been visiting the SVR for more than 30 years with her husband David, a long-standing volunteer. “This is a lovely gesture from the railway, and I think that lots of people who share my name will want to take up the offer and visit for this special occasion. It looks like it’s going to be huge fun, and it’s not every day you get something like this just because of what you’re called!”
The SVR’S Platinum Jubilee event takes place from June 2-5. The star of the show will be the railway’s purple locomotive, No. 70 Elizabeth II. It will receive its new nameplates on the first day and be in service throughout the event. The loco has been specially repainted, renumbered and renamed in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Also on June 2, SVR locomotives will sound their whistles at Kidderminster and Bridgnorth as town criers make a special
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee proclamation. Evening services will transport diners to the Engine House, Highley, for a Beacon Banquet, at which the SVR’S beacon will be lit at the same time as thousands of others across the world.
On all four days of the jubilee event, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s iconic Lancaster will perform a fly past above the Severn Valley Railway and all the stations will be decorated with bunting and feature floral displays themed around the jubilee.
Elizabeths can pre-book their free tickets at www.svr.co.uk or get a ticket on the day. Full terms and conditions are on the website.