The car becomes king in a castle of steam at SVR event
OUR portfolio of heritage lines have for decades pulled out all the stops to recreate the times when railways were still the country's primary form of public transport.
However, that situation was reversed at the Severn Valley Railway's August 7/8 annual Vintage Transport Extravaganza, when steam provided the essential link to convey passengers between several stations where the best of 1950s and 1960s ‘modern transport' was displayed.
In what was in effect a 16-mile linear festival of iconic road transport, more than 200 vintage vehicles were on show at stations along the line, and train services were packed with visitors coming to see them.
Poor weather, in particular rain on the Saturday, did not dampen people's enthusiasm to get out and enjoy this event.
It was a resounding success, with exhibitions of vintage road vehicles at all the stations, and trains were full on both days.
Each station had a different transport theme, giving them and their surroundings a chance to shine rather than just the trains, and to make it more interesting, displays changed over the two days.
Road steam display
The previous event of this type on the SVR took place in August 2019, but last year's vintage vehicles weekend on August 8/9 was cancelled due to Covid-19 and social distancing requirements.
Locomotives rostered for the train service were regulars WR 0-6-0PT No. 1501, BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75069, GWR 0-6-0PT No. 7714 and Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 No. 43106 running a three-train service on the summer B timetable.
Outside Kidderminster station, an impressive display of traction engines in steam welcomed visitors. Two daily trips down Comberton Hill took place, causing traffic jams around the roundabouts and bypass. However, everyone remained relaxed despite the hold-ups and thoroughly enjoyed watching these wonderful machines stagger back up the hill to the station. SVR volunteer Scott Lewis organised the traction engines.
After passing the traction engines and entering through the booking office, visitors were greeted by a display of cars and the LNWR Society's live-steam model railway beneath the canopy on the concourse.
Their presence came as a complete surprise to visitors, but is not the first time that cars have been displayed here, and they provided a perfect start to the journey.
Bewdley station played host to different displays over the weekend. On Saturday it was buses and cars, and on Sunday cars were positioned outside the station building, bringing back the 1950s and 1960s eras.
Arley had tractors by the station building and cars parked against a backdrop of the signalbox and crane.
At Highley the lane approaching the station was jam-packed with a mixed variety of cars, with some on display outside the Engine House museum and visitor centre. The Vauxhall Cresta featured on the centre spread of issue 282 was also on display.
Land Rover on rails
Hampton Loade featured an impressive display of motorcycles from the very early days up to the 1970s.
On the Sunday, Bridgnorth played host to the buses and commercial vehicles.
And if you were lucky, you caught a glimpse of special guest ‘Plimsoll', the road-rail Land Rover, which travelled along the tracks from Bridgnorth
to Kidderminster early on Saturday morning in the pouring rain.
Feedback has been positive from exhibitors and visitors alike, and hopefully, with the spread of Covid-19 having been reduced, we can look forward to greater freedom next year and more time to soak up the atmosphere of this annual event, weather permitting, of course.
As reported on page 12, from September 7 the SVR will resume hop-on hop-off services between stations again, offering the flexibility of traditional local train services.
However, with the pandemic still far from over at the time of writing despite vaccination levels among the population soaring, passengers will nonetheless still be asked to wear face masks and observe social distancing.