The Severn Valley Railway will celebrate a milestone in its history on the weekend of July 27 and 28 when it marks 40 years since the opening of Kidderminster Town station.
Visitors will see the recreation of the very first train to depart the embryonic station in 1984, hauled in 2024 by the same locomotive, 4930 Hagley Hall. Widely considered the SVR’s flagship locomotive, and named in honour of the nearby stately home, this engine made its comeback in 2022 after extensive restoration following more than three decades out of service.
“Opening up the SVR to Kidderminster was a massive boon to us 40 years ago,” explained the railway’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster. “It meant our line gave the full experience of heritage rail travel along a 16-mile route to Bridgnorth in Shropshire, and that we were accessible to a huge market of visitors coming from Birmingham, the Black Country and the wider Midlands area.”
There will be a commemorative ceremony on Saturday, July 27 at noon before the departure of the ‘Kidderminster Venturer’ special, with Hagley Hall leading. The special will also run at 12.30pm the following day. Extra attractions include a display of classic vehicles that would have been on the road in 1984, the chance to peek behind the scenes at Kidderminster’s signalbox and carriage works, and brake van rides. Kidderminster Railway Museum is opening a brand-new exhibition about the station.
The opening of Kidderminster Town station in 1984 brought together a long-held ambition for the Severn Valley Railway. Although today’s heritage GWR-style station building was yet to be constructed, it meant that the line extended 16 miles from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, passing through Bewdley, Arley, Highley and Hampton Loade. The original preserved SVR line ran between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, after the granting of a Light Railway Order in 1970. It was extended to Bewdley in 1974, but it was to be another 10 years before the pioneering preservationists reached Kidderminster. Next year, the SVR will celebrate 60 years in preservation with special events and commemorations.
For more information about the 40th anniversary weekend and tickets, visit svr.co.uk
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