Severn Valley fleet reliability reaches all-time high
MORE than 99% of the Severn Valley Railway’s timetabled steam services ran with a steam locomotive on the front during 2019, with almost 97% running with the actual rostered loco.
The weekly average figures represent the railway’s highest service reliability levels, which has increased significantly in the three years since 2016.
Figures for that year show 96% of services were steam hauled when they should have been, although only 78% ran with the booked locomotive.
“These new figures are pretty good for any heritage railway – in fact, if you compare us with the main line, we’re coming out more favourably,” said Neil Taylor, the SVR’s head of engineering services.
“Reliability is key if we want to remain a leading visitor attraction – just one disappointing visit can put people off for life.
“I have seen for myself the look of utter disappointment on the faces of visitors when a steam locomotive fails, and while that can’t be avoided completely, we’re doing everything we can to ensure we can deliver the experience we promise.”
Mr Taylor believes the increase in reliability is down to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, along with changes made since 2016 that saw the railway’s Bridgnorth engineering team split into separate groups for overhauls and maintenance.
“We now have separate teams, which has resulted in an effective maintenance regime, keeping the locomotives in good condition,”saidMrTaylor.