Marking Kidderminster Town station’s 40th anniversary on 27 and 28 July will be an extra cause for celebration for one of the Severn Valley Railway’s volunteers. Peter Darkin will be exhibiting his beloved Morris Minor car outside the station during the commemorative weekend, and the story behind his association with this vehicle goes all the way back to when the station opened in 1984.
Earlier that month, Peter had taken over ownership of the Morris Minor 1000.
‘My mother-in-law’s eyesight was failing,’ he explained, ‘and she no longer wanted to drive. I was more than happy to take on the vehicle, which she had owned since new in 1966. I was very proud to drive it to Bridgnorth on 30 July 1984, where I was guarding the train travelling south, hauled by 45690 ‘Leander’. This was, of course, the first train to arrive, later that afternoon, at the newly opened Kidderminster Town station.’
Peter has volunteered for the SVR for almost 50 years, and is about to celebrate his 90th birthday (on 18 July). These days he’s most likely to be found in the archive room at The Engine House, Highley, where he looks after historical documents and artefacts on behalf of the heritage line.
‘Strange to think,’ said Peter, ‘that car and railway are going to be reunited for this historic occasion, and it will be wonderful to take part in our special weekend alongside around 20 vehicles that are typical of what would have been on the road in 1984.’
On both days of the celebratory weekend, at 12.30pm the SVR’s flagship locomotive, 4930 ‘Hagley Hall’ will recreate the inaugural ‘Kidderminster Venturer’ special out of Kidderminster Town that it hauled 40 years ago. On the Saturday, there’ll be a ceremony at the station 12 noon with many people attending who volunteered at the railway in 1984. The ‘Kidderminster Venturer’ will be crewed by the SVR’s youngest volunteer driver, fireman, guard and ticket inspectors.
Throughout both days, visitors can peek behind the scenes at Kidderminster’s signal box and carriage works, and a brand-new exhibition telling the story of Kidderminster Town station opens at Kidderminster Railway Museum, featuring memories and archive photographs. For an extra charge of £15, visitors can take a short footplate ride on a heritage steam locomotive (afternoons only and subject to availability.) The Gauge I Model Railway Association will operate a live-steam model railway on the station concourse all day, and the Coalyard Miniature Railway will operate during the afternoons.
Two local breweries, Bewdley Brewery and Hobsons are collaborating to produce a commemorative ale in honour of the occasion, which will be on sale during the weekend.
For more information and to book tickets, please visit svr.co.uk.