European Railroad Discussion > A Day spent at the Severn Valley Railway

I had the opportunity to visit the Severn Valley Railway nearly a month ago. I had booked a footplate experience on an ex British Railways Diesel Hydraulic Class 52 Western Courier locomotive. (Originally No. D1062 running temporarily as No. D1040 Western Queen)  This was an amazing experience! What follows are some pictures taken during the experience. We ran from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, a distance of nearly 16 miles.  

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Bridgnorth

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More Bridgnorth

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Being that I'm from the U.S. and the railroads have shut down 99% of all the towers over here It was great to see manned signalboxes! 
I had the opportunity to walk through the locomotives engine room. Although the day was somehwat cool this place was very hot and very loud! (and that is considering only one of its engines were working) I can't imagine how miserable that environment would be on a steaming hot day. 

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The other locomotive operating on the line that day!

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a few more...

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Signal box at Bridgnorth. A big thanks to the lady operator who invited us up!

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Hope you liked the pics!

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Very nice shots! You saw two twin-engined locos working - diesel electric class 55 'Deltic' (with 2 x 18 cylinder 'Deltic') power units and a diesel hydraulic class 52 with twin Maybach power units. Both represent the highest powered UK versions of their type.

Thanks for posting the photos.
I regret not taking more photographs when I was there.
Graham.

Thanks for posting your excellent photo series.
ALLEN

"Railway Bell" Hotel? Cute! And fun photos, even though all-diesel (and British diesels to this Yank are just kinda ewwww!) SVR is a top-drawer operation, love to visit one day. Cheers!
 

Thanks guys! As far as I can tell the Severn is a top notch organization all the way. Everybody was very helpful and patient with us that day. 
Thank you, Exhausted, for the extra information about the diesels. I remember some of the trainmen in the cab talking about how powerful the Western was back in its day.

Matt

mkancle Wrote:
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> Thanks guys! As far as I can tell the Severn is a
> top notch organization all the way. Everybody was
> very helpful and patient with us that day. 
> Thank you, Exhausted, for the extra information
> about the diesels. I remember some of the trainmen
> in the cab talking about how powerful the Western
> was back in its day.
>

You're very welcome Matt. Total hp for the Western was 2700hp, the Deltic had 3300hp. The Deltic was a 100mph express passenger machine with 55000lbf of tractive effort, the Western was mixed traffic and had a 90mph speed but 72000lbf of tractive effort.

The Severn Valley Railway has just concluded the Autumn Diesel Gala ( 29th September to 2nd October 2022 ). I visited on the first day with a comprehensive timetable operated by the fleet based on the railway plus some visiting locomotives. GBRf sent two Class 56 locomotives ( 56081 & 56098 ) which had been recently repainted to operate on the Saturday and Sunday of the event. 
This is one of the best diesel galas held on UK heritage railways, the organisation is outstanding.

mkancle Wrote:
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> I had the opportunity to visit the Severn Valley
> Railway nearly a month ago. I had booked a
> footplate experience on an ex British Railways
> Diesel Hydraulic Class 52 Western Courier
> locomotive. (Originally No. D1062 running
> temporarily as No. D1040 Western Queen)  This was
> an amazing experience! What follows are some
> pictures taken during the experience. We ran from
> Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, a distance of nearly
> 16 miles.  

Was Roger there?

Posted from iPhone

Great pics, thank you for sharing!
That engine room was amazingly clean, as was the whole operation - - right down to the buffers.
Adding Severn Valley to my list . . .