palmersears
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I'm off to the Severn Valley Railway next Saturday, weather permitting. Any general tips on getting the most out of the day? I'll be there in time for the first train of the day.
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Severn Valley Railway
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Bevan Price
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Depends on what you like doing - travelling, photography etc. Looks lke the saturday timetable will need 2 steam locos and one diesel. Best photo locations are probably the intermediate stations rather than Kidderminster or Bridgnorth. If open, there is also a small museum at Highley - usually free on gala days, but there may be a modest entry charge on other days.
bramling
Veteran Member
If you’re into diesels then a seat up near the front behind the loco is a good bet, especially if you’re able to get a compartment.
The cliff railway at Bridgnorth is worth visit too, it’s about a 10-minute walk from the station.
Aside from that, take some earplugs in case your compartment gets invaded by a party of pensioners babbling about ailments for the entire journey and moaning about windows being open, as happened to someone I know on the recent diesel gala!
The engine house at Highley is free with a full line return ticket. Its worth a wonder round. It is where most of the out of ticket locks are stored.
palmersears
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I'm not really in to photographing, just be nice to see all the locos that live there. Where's the main shed located, Kiddy? And is it possible to walk round it?
Edit: Just seen the above, which answers my question!
Edit: Just seen the above, which answers my question!
The main running shed for the steam is at Bridgnorth and Kidderminster for the diesels. Neither are normally open to the public but there is a fairly good view of Bridgnorth from the station
Terry Tait
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What is it about pensioners and fresh air, why is it that they go on about being tougher than subsequent generations but an open window on a train, even on a warm day sends them into a tantrum?
michaelh
Member
The TT will be all steam
michaelh
Member
They don't like carcinogenic diesel fumes
To answer the OP's original question:
-The "Engine House" at Highley is a relatively large museum, complete with cafe and toilet facilities, which allows visitors to see the engines which the SVR own but are out of ticket. Highley station itself is, in my opinion, one of the best stations in the country (and not just heritage lines!). Peaceful when there aren't any trains, and the Engine House makes for a nice stop of an hour or so in between trains.
-The shed at Bridgnorth is visible from the platforms of the station, and there is pretty much always something sat outside to see, be it small GWR engines or big BR locos. An 08 shunter is always there as well, moving around (when I've been).
-I've been told that Hampton Loade (one station down from Bridgnorth) is good for photos - there's not footbridge there so the only way of crossing the line is by a crossing at the end of the platforms, but I don't know first-hand what the photographic situation is like, having never alighted there!
-I'd say that having lunch at Highley (in the Engine House) is a very good idea. I went on a gala day (which is almost certainly going to be busier than when you go, as that is a normal day) and it was very quiet. There is a balcony looking over the engines which you can have lunch on at a little table.
-There is a museum at Kidderminster as well - turn right as you walk out of the station building and onto the platforms. I've never been in, though.
-If you are rather tall, watch your head on the tarpaulin sort of thing which is being used as some sort of door between the platforms and the station concourse (building/concourse thing really). I went a couple of weekends ago (the Autumn Diesel Gala) and they had this tarpaulin and I had to duck to enter the station proper.
-Don't rush for the trains - they aren't as frequent as, say, the National network (duh), but there will be another one along in at least an hour or 30 mins, depending on direction of travel.
-Arley station is in the middle of nowhere. Unless you want to see where the BBC filmed the comedy "Oh Doctor Beeching" 30 years ago, don't bother alighting there!
Hope this helps.
-Peter
-The "Engine House" at Highley is a relatively large museum, complete with cafe and toilet facilities, which allows visitors to see the engines which the SVR own but are out of ticket. Highley station itself is, in my opinion, one of the best stations in the country (and not just heritage lines!). Peaceful when there aren't any trains, and the Engine House makes for a nice stop of an hour or so in between trains.
-The shed at Bridgnorth is visible from the platforms of the station, and there is pretty much always something sat outside to see, be it small GWR engines or big BR locos. An 08 shunter is always there as well, moving around (when I've been).
-I've been told that Hampton Loade (one station down from Bridgnorth) is good for photos - there's not footbridge there so the only way of crossing the line is by a crossing at the end of the platforms, but I don't know first-hand what the photographic situation is like, having never alighted there!
-I'd say that having lunch at Highley (in the Engine House) is a very good idea. I went on a gala day (which is almost certainly going to be busier than when you go, as that is a normal day) and it was very quiet. There is a balcony looking over the engines which you can have lunch on at a little table.
-There is a museum at Kidderminster as well - turn right as you walk out of the station building and onto the platforms. I've never been in, though.
-If you are rather tall, watch your head on the tarpaulin sort of thing which is being used as some sort of door between the platforms and the station concourse (building/concourse thing really). I went a couple of weekends ago (the Autumn Diesel Gala) and they had this tarpaulin and I had to duck to enter the station proper.
-Don't rush for the trains - they aren't as frequent as, say, the National network (duh), but there will be another one along in at least an hour or 30 mins, depending on direction of travel.
-Arley station is in the middle of nowhere. Unless you want to see where the BBC filmed the comedy "Oh Doctor Beeching" 30 years ago, don't bother alighting there!
Hope this helps.
-Peter
bramling
Veteran Member
Don’t turn up at a diesel gala and choose to sit near the front of the train then!
Also if you’re interested, look out for the Safari Park between Bewdley and Bewdley tunnel
From
https://svrwiki.com/Safari_Park
From
https://svrwiki.com/Safari_Park
palmersears
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Many thanks for the informative responses folks, much appreciated.
duffield
Established Member
When I first travelled on the line with my late wife, we were totally unaware of the safari park, so it was quite fun to be able to to casually say to her "Oh look, there's a giraffe" as if I was pointing out a sheep or a cow.
I quite like Arley. It's a short albeit steep walk past a pub to a bridge over the river with a small village (containing tea room and arboretum) on the far side.
Strat-tastic
Established Member
The Railwayman's Arms at Bridgnorth serves some nice real ales.
duffield
Established Member
Last time I was there I did something I would normally never have considered - I had a pint of Rhubarb and Strawberry cider, and it was brilliant.
I've had a life-long hatred of Rhubarb ever since being virtually force-fed it *with no sugar* at primary school. After 50 years have passed, the SVR has finally convinced me that Rhubarb does have an (edible) purpose.
jumble
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If you’re into diesels then a seat up near the front behind the loco is a good bet, especially if you’re able to get a compartment.
The cliff railway at Bridgnorth is worth visit too, it’s about a 10-minute walk from the station.
Aside from that, take some earplugs in case your compartment gets invaded by a party of pensioners babbling about ailments for the entire journey and moaning about windows being open, as happened to someone I know on the recent diesel gala!
This is quite an issue
At the Bluebell our lovely quiet compartment was taken over by some load rubbish babbling "enthusiasts"
kje7812
Member
In winter, probably. In summer, very nice if you want a walk.
Fair - I personally go to a heritage line to just ride the trains. I understand why people would want to take a nice walk, though!
-Peter
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