The Severn Valley Railway will celebrate a milestone in its history throughout the weekend of 27 and 28 July, as 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 for the nearby stately home Hagley Hall, 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.
During the weekend of celebrations, there’ll be a commemorative ceremony on Saturday 27 July at 12 noon before the departure of the ‘Kidderminster Venturer’ special, with ‘Hagley Hall’ at the front. The special will also run at 12.30 on Sunday 28.
Extra attractions for visitors during the anniversary weekend 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 signal box and carriage works, as well as rides in a brake van. Kidderminster Railway Museum is opening a brand-new exhibition, telling the story of Kidderminster Town station, through memories and archive photographs.
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.
There’s more information about the 40th anniversary weekend and tickets are available at svr.co.uk.