Belmond Pullman runs to the Severn Valley
THE Severn Valley Railway played host to an unusual and infrequent visitor when the Belmond Pullman arrived on a June 5 private charter with 12 coaches bound for Bridgnorth. The last time the Pullman ran on the SVR was on May 15, 2015, for the line's 50th anniversary, hauled by Bulleid West Country 4-6-2 No. 34027 Taw Valley.
Preparations for the trip began on Friday, June 4, when a GB Railfreight driver required a refresher on Class 50 No. 50049 Defiance, which was carried out at Kidderminster in readiness for its role on the outward leg of the trip.
Defiance was positioned so it could drop onto train locomotive Class 66 No. 66737 Lesia when it arrived from Doncaster on the exchange line.
Defiance and No. 66737 then departed for Stewarts Lane depot in London
Meanwhile, at Bridgnorth, Taw Valley had received attention from the mechanical team and its leader Will Marsh, with an exceptional effort from cleaners including Phil Cooper, Alan Garbett and Lorna Shorthouse on the morning of the event.
At 4pm, the empty stock was moved from the SVR to London. The Pullman, the first charter to visit the SVR since the second pandemic lockdown began, left London Victoria at 6.49am behind No. 66737 with Defiance on the rear, running via Neasden, Luton, Bedford, Nuneaton, Walsall, Stourbridge and Kidderminster.
The train lost time between Dudding Hill Junction and Harrowden Junction and was 16 minutes down at Harpenden but time was made up for a two-minute early arrival at Kidderminster.
After crossing onto Severn Valley metals, No. 50049 was uncoupled at Kidderminster, a crew change took place, and at 12.35pm, guard Ian Ridpath gave the right of way. No. 66737 pulled the train to Bridgnorth, making a rather incongruous sight down the valley.
The return journey from Bridgnorth was behind air-braked Taw Valley, looking resplendent departing at 3.35pm to Kidderminster fully bedecked with ‘Golden Arrow' regalia and express passenger discs.
Getting the 12 heavy coaches and the 66 weighing around 620 tons up the 1-in-100 climb out of Bridgnorth from a standing start was no mean feat but the Bulleid performed very well, and the 66 gave a slight nudge upon starting.
Working flat-out, a wheelslip occurred approaching Oldbury Viaduct but it was instantly corrected by driver Fred Cotterill, who was well in control of the situation. By this time the 66 on the rear was doing no work at all.
The return to Victoria on the main line was made behind No. 50007 Hercules, renumbered as No. 50014 Warspite on the opposite side. Hercules replaced Taw Valley and a brake continuity test was completed.
At Kidderminster everything was ready two minutes ahead of schedule, but the departure did not take place until 5.46pm, 45 minutes down.
Hercules and the train arrived at Victoria at 23.29pm, 35 minutes late.