kje7812
Member
Yes, this past year there was an option to book a compartment for the day. A few people did it, I didn't notice more than 5 reserved compartments on any one train.
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Severn Valley Railway (SVR): News and updates
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william.martin
On Moderation
I can understand them cutting back on mid week services if they are not making much of a profit.
Could this also be to do with one of their smaller "mid week" locos going in for the boiler ticket
Could this also be to do with one of their smaller "mid week" locos going in for the boiler ticket
GWVillager
Member
I did have to allocate reservations for a few table bays last year, but never any compartments. I reckon it would be more trouble than it's worth to keep doing it anyway.
Yeah, mid-week reductions are possible, maybe only with one set out. It would undoubtedly reduce passenger numbers and damage the railways reputation however. Probably nothing to do with 1501 going away though, 7714 and 2 diesels are usually enough for midweek services, if not ideal.
Prince of Wale
Member
Perhaps it's me but is there a feeling now the Railways in the UK are an' expensive and irrelevant luxury and this is rubbing off on the SVR?
kje7812
Member
Just wondering where this was?
Some people like it. The number that do isn't massive so it's fine having both styles at the same time.
Heritage railways almost by definition are luxury, they aren't essential. Given the current financial climate, it's only sadly to be expect that passenger number drop.
GWVillager
Member
The SVR.
You'd be surprised at how many people use heritage railways for legitimate transport, and they're becoming even more like lifelines for older people in rural areas given the withdrawal of bus fares. The SVR has, as I'm sure you know, reduced intermediate fares accordingly.
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kje7812
Member
So am I and don't remember pre booking tables in the 2022 season (other than Christmas services).
Still fairly low numbers.
Neen Sollars
Member
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The SVR is generally loved and supported by the people of the West Midlands. However two visits a year may well be cut to one given the current economic climate. It is not cheap, £59 including parking, for 2 x day rovers last year. So highly likely the number of trips and revenue will reduce. Therefore mid week timetable likely to be limited with more diesel running. Tank engines 4150 and 82045 cheaper to run midweek but they are still around 15 and 24 months respectively away from entry into service. Erlestoke Manor (replacing 43106) and pannier 7714 the cheapest steam to run on the SVR in 2023? 13268 (ex 42968) due back into service in 2023.
GWVillager
Member
I was referring to coach parties etc., I may have got the wrong end of the stick with regards to what you were saying, sorry!
Still enough to move from a luxury to something that may have potential use. The amount of tourism they bring to the towns they serve also shouldn't be overlooked, Bridgnorth would be doing much worse without the SVR.
william.martin
On Moderation
As a local to Bridgnorth, I 100% agree with this, no railway = no tourists.
kje7812
Member
The SVR also needs Bridgnorth. When running partial line services in the past (say KR-HY) the railway is fairly quiet. I suspect the first two weekends of running in March will be the same.
You’d still get the trippers in from the likes of Dudley! In all seriousness both Bridgnorth and Bewdley are 2 rather attractive destinations, being able to have a mooch around both by using public transport (train to Kidderminster) then the SVR has to be good for both local economies.
I do wonder where both would be without that meeting in Kidderminster all those years ago.
william.martin
On Moderation
Not to forget when the line used to run through to Shrewsbury.
With family from Dudley, they used to visit Kidderminster loads!
GWVillager
Member
Given all this, I reckon it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that the SVR would be subsided if things were to get really bad, so I doubt it’s under much danger when compared to some other heritage railways.
Subsided? They have enough of a flooding problem!
I assume you mean subsidised? I thinking this financial climate the odds of public funds supporting an organisation like the SVR for running costs is unlikely to be good. Odd projects and grants maybe, but keeping the business going is less likely.For the mature adult market while some have significant income in addition to the state pension those with only a modest addition will be spending more of that on essentials particularly energy even with the government assistance. Depending on the source and how invested / managed the additional income may well not be keeping up with inflation or even the absolute amount dropped.
Hence a day out comprising travel to the SVR, the SVR tickets, coffees and a light lunch may well be something now deemed to be taking too much from the remaining pot of money.
Hence a day out comprising travel to the SVR, the SVR tickets, coffees and a light lunch may well be something now deemed to be taking too much from the remaining pot of money.
GWVillager
Member
Subsidised, of course - Sorry, I didn't see that! Local governments are keener on funding like that though, and if it keeps their economies going they may have little choice.Subsided? They have enough of a flooding problem!
D Williams
Member
The SVR , perhaps of all the heritage railways, has deluded itself into believing it is a large and profitable business. Nothing could be further from the truth. All heritage railways have feet of clay as they they are fundamentally unprofitable as also is the "big railway". Additional activities involve greater operating costs thus the turnover may increase but the profit remains the same or even less. " Cash is King". How many heritage railways are bailed out by their charitable trust, supporters group or grants each year? Have a look at the annual reports on the Companies House website. All heritage railways started because many determined, perhaps foolhardy, people were prepared to volunteer and live their life around a railway. I was one of these. The breed of manager now taking control of some railways ignores this at their peril and the company boards need to keep the managers focussed to this end so that volunteers still perceive it as " their ( the volunteers) " railway. Each railway develops a business model ( with greater or less success) that is germane to their locality. One size does not fit all. Opening four days a week may work in the Midlands but it won't in a holiday area such as Devon.
Th
That is very dangerous thinking, I really wouldn’t take support from anyone for granted.
Prince of Wale
Member
Why would taxpayers' money go to the SVR? Possibly lottery funding?
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GWVillager
Member
I don't want to go too far down this tangent, and would like to reiterate that I never said this would happen or I think it will happen, just that it is plausible if things were to get so bad the SVR was at risk of folding. Taxpayer money would arguably be worth spending on it if this were the case given the tourism and economic benefit it brings to the towns it serves, just look at how every train empties well over a hundred passengers into Bridgnorth, they are at least partly reliant on it.
It's worth remembering that heritage railways are still railways, and are infrastructure that transports people as well as merely being self contained businesses.
The money required to prop up a failing business would not possibly be justifiable.
For a negligible amount of journeys, maybe. But by and large they are tourist attractions.
Speaking for myself (I've just turned 76) I was out today photographing an engineers' train in heavy rain, just making it to my chosen spot as it was 23 minutes early, and getting stuck in traffic going home. Over New Year I had a trip on the South Devon Railway, my fairly local line (OK a drive down the A38), with some photography. Back in June I had a weekend doing the Pontypool & Blaenavon and Brecon Mountain railways - a trip on each plus photography, which usually involves some scrambling about, climbing over walls etc. Last year also included the West Somerset and Launceston Steam Railway. So some of us "seniors" just couldn't wait to get back out there!
GWVillager
Member
Sorry I should have clarified, transporting tourists. Their infrastructural nature means they often carry people to places where they spend yet more money in the local economy. But we're getting off-topic here.
bramling
Veteran Member
From observations at a few National Trust properties last year (which one assumes are a similar sort of attraction to preserved railways for seniors) it seemed conspicuous that seniors weren’t present in quite as high numbers as pre-Covid. However they seem to have been replaced by what I’d describe as young or early middle age grockle families, which is perhaps a little surprising on weekdays in term time. When I say grockle families I mean the types who turn up and display little if any actual interest in the place they’ve chosen to visit.
I’m going to move some of the discussion into the thread below because as a wider subject it probably needs talking about:
www.railforums.co.uk
If one of the major preserved railways failed?
This is a subject that’s come up frequently over the last few years and I think it’s probably worth talking about. The majority of us (I’m 50 this year) have grown up and got older with all of these railways not only being a part of our lives but let’s be honest, we’ve probably all taken for...
www.railforums.co.uk
daodao
Established Member
On Sundays (when it operates), the SVR provides the only public transport to Bridgnorth, and may in some circumstances be cheaper than the alternative of a taxi.
william.martin
On Moderation
Good point, however why not catch the bus on a Saturday for half the price.
Well... The train is just better in everything but budget friendlies.
william.martin
On Moderation
Just thought that i ought mention it, a little while ago I saw some genuine passengers traveling on the SVR for something other than a day out. After having a bit of a conversation with them it turned out that they live in Highly and use the SVR every week when it's open to do the shopping at Bridgnorth Sainsbury's!
From at least what I have seen it is very rare that genuine commuters use the line.
From at least what I have seen it is very rare that genuine commuters use the line.
My Parents do the same sort of thing now and then, living in Bewdley it makes it a bit more interesting than jumping into the car to go to Kiddy, plus my old man can have a cheeky pint as well!
I’ve done the same in the past though, jumped on the train from Rowley and changed at Kidderminster to go do some shopping in Bewdley or Bridgnorth.
Several times I’ve picked up stuff from Bridgnorth for the Missus and also enjoyed haulage from amongst others 1501, 5029, 7802/12 71000, 821, 37906 various 50’s as I say a lot more fun than just jumping in the car!
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