FLOODLINE NEWS
For insurance reasons only working members of the Railway can be directly involved in repair activity. Any members not currently working volunteers and who wish to assist should contact Dewi Jones in the first instance.
FLOODLINE 92
Thursday 20th March
Another significant day in the history of the SVR. Nine months to the day since the line closed, the first train conveying passengers traversed the whole length of the line from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and back.
THE LINE HAS NOW REOPENED AND TRAINS WILL RUN THE LENGTH OF THE LINE ON FRIDAY 21st MARCH
Engine 7812 “Erlestoke Manor” ran light engine from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster this morning and after welcoming and thank you speeches under the canopy at Kidderminster and Charlie Dimmock (of the TV programme “Groundforce” fame) smashing a bottle of champagne over the buffer beam of 7812 the train left for Bridgnorth.
The train carried about 250 invited guests and on the return journey stopped at Highley for them to visit the Engine House.
There are plans to run further “thank you” trains for SVR staff, contractors and others who could not be accommodated on today’s train. An announcement to staff will be made via an internal notice board issue.
Just to note that although the line has reopened, not all the bills have been paid, not all the repairs have been completed but Floodlines will continue to be issued for any worthy news.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
All photos taken 20th March 2008
Reopening Special with 7812 Erlestoke Manor passing under the high bridge in Eymore Cutting. Photo Garry Cooper
The Reopening Special brought to a rest outside the Engine House. This is the view from the balcony with the ground level access available to the picnic tables below.
A view taken from the inside balcony of Gordon, Hagley Hall 80079, 1501 and 1000
Live entertainment was provided by the Highley Colliery Band. Odd to think that coal wagons were once loaded on this actual spot.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
Reports from the Press:
BBC Midlands Today
Kidderminster Shuttle
Worcester News
Express and Star
Shropshire Star
FLOODLINE 91
Monday 17th March 2008
No longer is the reopening of the line this year or this month it's now THIS WEEK. For the next three days work continues with ballast tamping and afterwards a top dressing of ballast at four or five sites between Bewdley and Borle Viaduct. This will bring these areas back to line speed and therefore we hope no temporary speed restrictions throughout the length of the line. The S+T Dept will be out for two days with a train to continue repairs and additional improvement works.
Friday 14th March
Class 08 D3022 took the goods display train from Kidderminster to Highley. This train had been stored in the carriage shed since last year was accompanied by Jinty No 47383. This engine became the first item of rolling stock to enter the Engine House and was propelled in by a Cl 73. Experience showed that a Class 08 shunting diesel was more appropriate for this work and this was used to move in the remainder of the goods train.
Sunday 16th March
Three trains left Kidderminster this morning Cl 20 No 8188 hauling 7325, TPO 80300 and 1000, followed by Cl 73101 hauling 600, followed by Cl 37906 hauling 4930, coach 21254 (used as staff transport) and 80079. Train 4 came from Bridgnorth with 1501 and the breakdown coach. By mid morning twelve engines were present at Highley. With only some slight adjustments all went to plan and by 4.30pm trains and staff were making their way back to their originating stations. In all about fifty members of staff were involved today. It was great to see staff arriving from both ends of the line by train for the first time in nine months to achieve a common aim. Steam crews worked alongside diesel crews, guards worked with shunters, Highley Station, Engine House and other staff assisted in many ways.
Engine House
With all rail exhibits now inside the staff here over the next three days will rush to get as many of the smaller exhibits sorted and attach ramps and platforms to access rail vehicles. Work continues over the next three days to lay the top tarmac surface outside the EH, tidy up the level crossing, place inserts in the flangeways, landscaping, planting shrubs, fencing, gates, surfacing paths, erecting some temporary fencing, signage and the list goes on.
The EH opens 10.00am on Friday 21st March. Be aware that there is next to no parking available at HY as much of the site and car park is still used by contractors vehicles, offices, messrooms, and storage areas for equipment and materials.
Entry to the Engine house is free to SVR working members showing a current WM pass
Good Friday 21st March Table D
Loco allocation (facing North or South)
7812 (S) first off BH with southbound reopening train (LMS set)
7802 (S) light engine to Bewdley to work second off KR (LNER set)
45110 (N) first off KR with northbound reopening train (Red and Cream Mk1s)
88 (N) third off KR (Maroon Mk1s)
5164 (?) fourth off KR (Set GW2)
Watch out for some news coverage on midlands area TV on Thursday evening announcing the reopening of the line.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
All photos taken 16th March 2008 at Highley
National Railway Museum owned Midland Rly 4-4-0 stabled with TPO 80300 in Highley platform whilst GWR 7325 in shunted via the Loop.
GWR 7325 with only minutes left in the open before being moved into the Engine House stands alongside the breakdown coach.
Looking towards Stanley Cutting, Train 3 with Class 37906, Hagley Hall, barrier coach and 80079 wait on the main line outside the Engine House. The non railway items in the foreground are the biodisc tank and system used to environmentally friendly dispose of sewage and waste water from the EH site.
Train 2, Class 73101 and No 600 "Gordon" await a clear platform before entering Highley where the 73 will be replaced with one of the two Class 08s here today to move Gordon into the EH.
Hagley Hall inches its way around the curve from the station to cross the level crossing. Note the rails cast in concrete and runner inserts in the four foot. New gates and fencing will be erected to tidy up this area.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
FLOODLINE 90
All photos taken at Highley 14th March 2008
Class 73 Electro-diesel about to propel "Jinty" 47383 along the new track to the Engine House. This was the first rail exhibit to go over this track and enter the Engine House. It does not seem that long ago when there was one enormous gaping hole here with no track, no ballast and no signal.
Over the level crossing towards the Engine House. Still, fencing, kerbing and landscaping continues.
With the base tarmac starting to bury the track the Jinty enters the yard. Note alongside the diesel the track is cast in concrete. The blue hat "brigade" are our contractors some of whom have been on this site for three years awaiting this eventful sight.
Having moved the "goods train" from Kidderminster Class 08 D3022 has taken over the shunt and is about to move in a coal wagon and LNWR box van. It seems that this headboard is getting everywhere these days!
Part of the goods train being propelled along siding one to be coupled to the Jinty. The road railer on the second siding had been used to crane exhibits out of the coal wagon. The black lines on the floor are the rubber inserts to go into the flangeways of foot crossings once the exhibits are in place.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
FLOODLINE 89
Wednesday 12th March 2008
Somerset and Dorset Railway engine No 88 arrived yesterday at Kidderminster from the West Somerset Railway ready to operate services over the Easter weekend.
This afternoon a track tamper was also delivered ready for work on Monday and Tuesday next week to pack and level the newly ballasted sections of track.
Contractors laying base tarmac outside EH (ahead of schedule)
Northwood, Folly Point and Eymore Cutting to Victoria Bridge have all been ballasted this week.
Thursday morning: Track at Borle Viaduct will be ballasted
Thursday afternoon: Final adjustment of track into the engine house. More tarmac in front of EH
Friday: More tarmac in front of EH. Cl 20 to move 46443 from Bewdley to Bridgnorth for outstanding repairs.
Monday 17th: 5764 to be taken by road from KR to Mid Hants Railway to perform at its “Day out with Thomas” event
Sometime next week: 45110 returning from WSR to KR
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
This photo was taken off the balcony of the Engine House of one of the several ballast trains worked by Cl 20 8188 here seen heading towards Arley. Photo Johnathan Symonds 11th March 2008
Seen today with another load of ballast from Eardington about to go under the "high bridge" at Eymore Cutting.
Photo taken of the same train from the "pipe bridge" at Trimpley with the "high bridge" in the background. This can now become a new vantage point for photographers as a result of the lineside growth clearance here.
The actual sharp end! As ballast is deposited from the hopper wagon in the four foot the "Shark" ballast plough follows to spread the ballast as evenly as possible.
The next stage will be to have another run-past to build up the shoulders before using the tamping machine.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
FLOODLINE 88
Photos taken Sunday 9th March.
Cl 73101 passes through Eymore Cutting with a Signal and Telegraph department works train. FIRST TRAIN THROUGH EYMORE CUTTING. Note that the track is yet to be ballasted and tamped.
Staff and passers-by stop to watch the FIRST TRAIN to arrive at Arley. This is the LAST of the six stations to see a train since last June. When you get there admire the work that has gone into refurbishing the glazed canopy and other improvements to the station.
After running round its train it is now ready to return to Bewdley FIRST TRAIN TO DEPART FROM ARLEY. Note that the waiting room has had a repaint and the 'furniture' is outside for a spring clean.
Photo taken 10th March 2008.
A most pleasing and significant sight at Bewdley this afternoon. The FIRST TRAIN TO TRAVERSE THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE LINE from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster. Cl 73 diesel has just brought in some ballast hoppers and engine 47383 on its way to Kidderminster for turning. The line is now open throughout for engineer's trains.
Photos: Dewi Jones
FLOODLINE 87
Friday 7th March 2008
HIGHLEY
Track from crossing to EH in place with sleepers and rail being cast in concrete today.
BORLE VIADUCT
The embankment has now been rebuilt.
The base ballast for the sleepers is now in place.
Large crawler bucket used to feed material over the brook left site today.
S+T concrete channel laid. The site cabin has been removed from FX to give better visibility for the reopening
Saturday 8th March
Cl 20 on log clearance in Eymore Cutting.
Sunday 9th
Cl 20 on log clearance in Eymore Cutting.
Cl 73 on S+T train at Trimpley working with SVR road railer cable ploughing and laying concrete channels.
BH P Way gang will replace the two panels at Borle Viaduct to rejoin the SVR into one piece for the first time in 9 months.
BH P Way gang will finish off connecting the track from HY station to the level crossing.
Monday 10th.
Cl 73, Jinty 47383 and hopper train BH to KR, swap engines so that Cl 20 will work ballast trains. These will be loaded at Eardington.
Jinty to be turned before Friday for movement to EH
Tuesday 11th
Ballast dropping Northwood - Tarmac in front of EH
Wednesday 12th March
Tamper due to be delivered ready to start tamping Northwood, Folly Point and Eymore
Ballast dropping Folly Point - Tarmac in front of EH
Thursday 13th March
Ballast dropping Eymore - Tarmac in front of EH
Friday 14th
Ballast dropping Eymore and Borle Viaduct.
Cl 20 to be returned to KR and swap with 73 to go back to BH.
Display goods train to be moved from KR to HY EH
Saturday 15th
Form up rail exhibits for the Engine House in KR carriage shed.
Sunday 16th
Movement of rail exhibits from KR to HY Engine House.
Movement of 1501 from BH to HY Engine House
Monday 17th
Tamping Northwood and Folly Point
Tuesday 18th
Tamping Eymore Cutting
Wednesday 19th
Tamping Eymore Cutting, Kinlet Straight and possibly Borle Viaduct?
Friday 21st Reopening of SVR and opening of Engine House, 5 engine service, 45 minute interval.
Visiting Engine, Somerset and Dorset Railway No 88 from the West Somerset Railway
42968
The engine had been withdrawn last weekend from service with a leaking tube. Other tubes removed for inspection showed no sign of the rapid deterioration the offending tube had done – possibly a manufacturing fault? Steam tested today and back in service. Try to imagine how you would change a tube 13 miles from home and the logistics of moving 3 tubes, the associated equipment and staff. Much easier to move the engine!
Engines booked for this weekend: 4566 off BH, 42968 off BY/KR
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
Photos taken today:
A view of Borle Viaduct showing the gabion rock basket wall holding up a rock embankment with some topsoil further away. Just on the right is a shotcreted trailing wall.
Looking towards Arley the gap of two sixty-foot panels has just been ballasted. The original rails are in the four foot and the concrete sleepers to one side and beyond the gap.
A view from the top of the repaired embankment. The brook at the bottom right with the ground on the other side levelled and tidied up before the machinery departed. Soon all the machines, one ton bags and netlon will vanish.
Looking towards Kinlet Straight and Arley, the crawler bucket can be seen levelling the topsoil. It looks nice now but it's only those who have been working here in sometimes atrocious conditions will be able to tell the story of this little chapter of a big story.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
FLOODLINE 86
Tuesday 4th March 2008
Floodline No 84 was not issued.
ENGINE CLEANERS WANTED
The time is drawing near when we need to have the stored engines in KR CS prepared for movement to HY Engine House. Exhibits have been gathering dust since June last year and this is an appeal to have them looking their best before movement. Saturdays and Sundays 8th and 9th March report to BY DSM then to KR CS and report to KR C+W staff. Cleaning materials available for mainly removing dust and axle boxes need oiling.
HIGHLEY
Missing point and track in the station area complete.
Track from level crossing to Engine House should be complete by end of day Wednesday
Cattle dock wall complete, all posts and fencing replaced and brick flooring being laid.
Down Home signal straightened from “leaning”.
Members, shareholders and staff are asked to keep away from the Engine House and not attempt to go there unless for arranged business purposes. We have had many just walk up to the EH expecting to be allowed to walk around or even be shown around. This is still a construction site and therefore dangerous. In case you are not aware we open this month not next month and staff at the EH have enough to do without being distracted from essential work.
BORLE VIADUCT
All the gabion rock baskets now in place in the river.
Rock for the repaired embankment is now about four feet below track level and should all be in place with ballast by end of day Friday 7th.
Bridgnorth P Way gang will on Sunday 9th replace the missing two rail lengths and rejoin the SVR into one line for the first time since June.
FOLLY POINT
Contractors charged with laying concrete troughing by Friday. Next weekend S+T gang to install new cabling over this point.
ELAN VALLEY AQUEDUCT CAR PARK
Contractors have now vacated this area and should be reopened soon
NORTHWOOD LANE
Now open to traffic below the slip. Contractors making good the roadway used through the field. Contractors have replaced nearly all the damaged fencing in this area or made good.
KIDDERMINSTER
TPO 80300 has arrived last week from Highley and was washed before entering the paint shop.
Black 5 45110 left last week by road for a visit to the West Somerset Spring Gala.
42968 failed in service last Saturday with a leaking tube. Cl 20 deputised.
5164 worked Sunday.
46443 working Driver Experience trains five days this week.
TRAFMAN’s TRACKS No 3: Sunday 9th March
This walk is for SVR working members only. Meet at Bewdley Station Platform 1 at 10.30am.
Walk to Arley along the railway and return via the eastern bank of the River Severn (at your own pace). Stiff walk along the ballast so only for those fit and be well prepared for the weather and ground conditions. Back by mid afternoon, visiting Northwood and Folly Point (above and below!). Eymore Cutting, the famous siphon, and Victoria Bridge (above and below!).
Monday 10th March
Cl 73, 47383(Jinty), 4 hoppers and Shark Ballast Plough Bridgnorth to Kidderminster.
Then Cl 20 and 7 hoppers and plough to work ballast trains for next five days.
47383 to be turned at KR for move to HY Engine House.
Dewi Jones, Traffic Manager
All photos taken at Highley Tuesday 4th March 2008.
Rebuilt cattle dock wall with original headstones, fence posts and railings back in original position.
Further along work is taking place on the new footpath to the Engine House - an ideal vantage point for photographers. Beneath the minidigger jib can be seen the replacement retaining walls for the base of the water tanks and engineer's trains block the station.
Left to Right: Main line looking towards Arley. Down Home Signal being adjusted with the help of a minidigger. Just in front of signal is the original level crossing gate post lying on its side. Track from station. Level Crossing. Footpath from station.
Interlaced concrete sleepers have allowed the curved turnout to be built. In the next few weeks it will be cast in concrete and then the area tarmaced to rail height.
Photos Dewi Jones, Traffic Manager
Floodline No 85
All photos taken on 27th February 2008.
Highley with the Cl 08 about to extract TPO 80300 from Siding No 3 for the first time in nine years. Photo Guy Rigby
This afternoon TPO 80300 had arrived at Bridgnorth. Road transport has been arranged for tomorrow for onward movement to Kidderminster. First job there will be for the carriage cleaners to prepare this vehicle ready for the paint shop. Painting to be complete by Fri 14th March. Photo Phil Allison
With the new brick face complete and the original headstones returned to their original position the cattle dock takes shape. Note that all the trackwork is now in place although not all points are operational from the signalbox. Photo Johnathan Symonds
Borle Viaduct. Note all the new gabion rock basket wall now in place and the first layers of rolled stone above the wall forming the base of the rebuilt embankment. The nearest yellow machine transfers the rock from one side of the brook to the other so that the second machine on the opposite bank can start rebuilding the embankment to track level. This is due to be complete by Fri 7th March. Photo Johnathan Symonds
FLOODLINE 83
Wednesday 20th February 2008
HIGHLEY
Highley Up Starter signal craned into position yesterday.
Installing the missing point and track work in the station area should be complete by the end of this week. The TPO 80300 will be moved from HY to BH w/c 25th Feb for onward movement by road to Kidderminster paint shop.
The level crossing is 90% complete, base tarmac around crossing should have gone in today.
All base tarmac should be in place by end of the week.
Aim to install track from crossing to EH before installing crossing to station.
TRAFMAN’S TRACKS No2 Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th February
The walk along the railway line to Fisherman’s Crossing and Borle Viaduct for working members has had to be cancelled. Contractors and their machines will be using the line this weekend to effect repairs to Borle Viaduct.
The Engine House will be open to working members + one guest from 10.00am until 4.00pm
On Saturday I will be giving a guided tour of the repaired areas around the Highley station area and Chief engineer Phil Sowden will do so on Sunday. The walks will start at the EH entrance at 10.30am, 11.45am and 1.00pm and should take no more than an hour. Don’t forget to park in the Severn Valley Country Park car park on the right hand side of the station approach road.
BORLE VIADUCT
Embankment slippage as a result of the recent weather causes some settlement of the stonework. To effect repairs scaffolding was erected around the southern abutment for contractors to “stitch” hairline cracks in the stonework with metal rods tomorrow. Scaffold for “stichers” comes down on Saturday. Work on building up the embankment starts on Monday, this should take two weeks.
All the gabion rock baskets are now in the river with all baskets in place by the end of the week.
All concrete spraying of the trailing walls has been completed.
7 March contractors aim to hand back BV to SVR
8+9 March PW teams to relay track (the last 120 feet of rails)
10 March embankment ready with track on
Three hoppers at KR to be moved to Eardington to form longer ballast train
10-14 March Ballast trains Eardington to BV, Eymore, FP and NW
NORTHWOOD
Last 10 foot of track was put back today, drains done, further tree clearance above slip
S+T will be laying cable from Northwood Crossing for 1000 yards northwards Friday
Class 08 driver, guard and volunteers required Saturday 23rd February to help unload concrete troughing and lids in the Northwood/Folly Point area. Meet at Bewdley 10.30am.
This will release S+T staff to other duties. If you can help please let me know.
Tomorrow road sweepers in the lane to start the tidy up job.
Next week meeting with council to see how much tarmac left and how much required to effect repairs.
GENERAL
Engine cleaners required to get loco exhibits now in store at Kidderminster Carriage Shed cleaned ready for move to EH. Please contact Don Shadwell or Phil Sowden
BH DSMs to utilise staff to clean Jinty (but not 1501)
7812 on light engine test, believed to have reached Hampton Loade.
TRAFMAN’s TRACKS No 3 Sunday 9th March
Bewdley to Arley out via the railway, return via the eastern bank of the River Severn
Depart 10.30am back mid afternoon, visiting Northwood and Folly Point (above and below!). Eymore Cutting, the famous siphon, and Victoria Bridge (above and below!).
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
Photos taken at Highley on Tuesday 19th February 2008
Highley Level Crossing. On the far right in freezing fog is the outline of the Engine House. The mini digger is standing on what was and will be the road to the riverside. To allow road traffic to pass whilst the crossing was being laid a temporary bailey bridge has been laid to the left of the crossing.
The tarmac roadway with the bailey bridge will be removed in time. The eventual roadway will be between the two rows of concrete kerb stones. Note some base tarmac has been laid outside the Engine House leaving an outline of where the track will be laid.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
FLOODLINE 82
Friday 15th February 2008
Well for those on the other side of the world, we did reopen the Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade section last Saturday. Engineering staff met their targets by Friday afternoon, the PICOP handed back the Engineering Possession and engine 4566 has worked a daily since then on this service.
BRIDGNORTH
Engine 7812 Erlestoke Manor ventured out of BH MPD yard on Tuesday 12th and ran in P2 until dusk. Some slight steam leaks to attend to. Photos on the EMF website.
HIGHLEY
Engine House Level Crossing laid.
Most of the frontage to the EH has had the base tarmac laid.
Highley Up Starter Signal is to be erected next week – this was the one that got washed away in June.
BORLE VIADUCT
Contractors have been back in the brook since Tuesday. The damaged trailing wall has been removed and all gabion rock baskets will be in place by Saturday evening. This will then allow the contractors to continue rebuilding the embankment above the wall unhindered even if the level of the brook rises again.
NORTHWOOD
All major drains ie about 4 foot in diameter have now been connected up. These run from the cess above the track, under the track, down the embankment, under Northwood Lane, along side someone’s bungalow, under the field and then into the River Severn.
New steel sleepers and flat bottom rail have been laid two thirds of the way across the slip. P Way back on Monday to join up. We will then be a two line railway with only two lengths to replace at Borle Brook. This connection will allow ballast trains to run from KR to NW, FP and Eymore.
BEWDLEY
Next week the S+T Dept will be starting to lay cables from Northwood LX northwards.
LNER Kitchen Composite 7960 had returned to Bewdley following mechanical repairs at Kidderminster.
KIDDERMINSTER
Kitchen car 1665 left last night by road back to the Dean Forest Railway after receiving a “bottom end” overhaul. Its place in the lifting shop has now been taken by BR MK1 4690. DMU car 56208 has come out of the paint shop and will return to Bewdley tomorrow. GNR 2701 is at KR awaiting its turn in the paint shop.
Passenger figures
More travelling this week on BH-HL than KR-BY
From 2nd Jan we are 29% up on budget
In the month of February alone (well until the 14th) we are 35% up on budget
We are currently 42% down on last year’s figure to date
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
Photo taken earlier this week from the Engine House at Highley showing the temporary road built to the right of the tarmac whilst the track is laid on the level crossing. SVR steam crane prepares to lift track components. Photo Guy Rigby.
Saturday 9th February 2008. Engine 4566 about to leave Hampton Loade for Bridgnorth. A rare fingerboard for a rare move. Usually it's only Galas that trains depart from this platform in the Down direction.
SVR's road railer halts during the relaying of track over Northwood Slip on Wednesday 13th February.
Photos Dewi Jones, Traffic Manager
FLOODLINE 81
Thursday 7th February 2008
BRIDGNORTH STATION - THIS WEEKEND
Refreshment, shop and pub open
See below
If you are visiting Bridgnorth in the next few days look at the Bridgnorth Station web site to see what work has been going on over the last few months. Interested in helping then please have a word with a member of staff.
CLEOBURY ROAD BRIDGE BRIDGNORTH
Lift completed yesterday and damaged stonework attended to S+T reconnecting point rods to turnout on bridge
STERNS COTTAGE SLIP
Track ballasted and tamped ready for trains
Drains in and temporary fencing in place
S+T ploughing in cable today and jointing up cables
Tomorrow finishing jointing and testing
HAMPTON LOADE SLIP
Track ballasted and tamped ready for trains
HAMPTON LOADE STATION – THIS WEEKEND
Barry Railway coach open for inspection on Saturday
Miniature steam railway operating on Sunday
Kiosk and railwayana shop will be open Saturday and Sunday
REOPENING OF BH-HL
All repaired sections of line have been reinstated to the original line speed
Permanent Speed Restrictions are the only ones in force, there are no Temporary Speed Restrictions.
Booked engine is 4566 which is being steam tested today. Engine faces Bridgnorth.
Buffet Car open on service trains
HIGHLEY
Main line ballasted and tamped – no temporary speed restriction
FISHERMAN’S CROSSING SLIP
Track ballasted and tamped – no temporary speed restriction although it is advisable to slow down in the Up direction as the track has been lifted south of Borle Viaduct!!
DON’T FORGET
Bewdley to Kidderminster service continues to run. This weekend is booked for 45110 on 4 carmine and cream MK1s.
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
Photos taken by Johnathan Symonds on 6th Feb
After track had been laid here last Sunday, the P Way gang ballasted and tamped this section. The concrete cap to the 30 foot concrete piles is on the left.
Reinstated trackwork joining up the sidings, ballasted main line with tamper just having done its work. Herras fencing indicates that this is still a construction site and has yet to be handed back by the contractors to the SVR.
FLOODLINE 80
Monday 4th February 2008
BRIDGNORTH
The painter was at it this weekend brightening up the booking hall.
EARDINGTON
Ballast is again now being brought in by road to this unloading point. A JCB then fills the four hopper wagons we have at this end of the line for tripping to sites.
STERNS COTTAGE SLIP
Civil engineering contractors vacated the site last week except for some landscaping and fence erecting to be done this week. In attendance on Sunday was the Bridgnorth P Way gang, a road railer and five members of the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway track laying gang who had offered to come along and help. The six panels of 60 foot lengths were laid to join up what is now a one railway from BH to Borle Viaduct. Well its in one piece until it is severed again for the Cleobury Road Bridge lift.
Ballasted today
HAMPTON LOADE SLIP
Ballasted today
HAMPTON LOADE STATION
The boarded crossing at the BH end has been renewed. The signalbox last weekend was given a spring clean and all the dead flies hoovered up!
The Telegraph gang have been out removing large quantities of old wire which was either damaged or removed as a result of the flood damage and reconstruction work. So naked telegraph poles – a victim of the floods.
HIGHLEY
Partially ballasted today, back with another train tomorrow.
FISHERMAN’S CROSSING SLIP
Partially ballasted today, back with another train tomorrow.
TRAFMAN’S TRUNDLES No 2!
HIGHLEY ENGINE HOUSE PREVIEW and GUIDED WALK OF REPAIRS
for SVR WORKING MEMBERS on Saturday and Sunday 23rd and 24th February
Please park in the Severn Valley Country Park car park off Station Road on the on the right hand side after passing the golf course. The entrance to the EH or HY Station will not be fit to park cars (probably still construction sites). Disabled visitors should contact the EH for advice on 01746 863387 in advance.
Access to the EH is either walking along the tarmac road or more interestingly along the track bed of the inclined railway. EH will be open 10.00am until 4.00pm,the gift shop will be open and hot and cold beverages and light refreshment will be available. EH guides will be on hand to explain and answer question. Entry to the EH will be for SVR working member only (on production of a WM Pass) and one guest.
Guided walks
10.30am (30 minutes) Highley Slip (members and guests)
11.15am (45 minutes) Fisherman’s Crossing and Borle Viaduct (SVR working members only)
1.00pm (30 minutes) Highley Slip (members and guests)
1.45pm (45 minutes) Fisherman’s Crossing and Borle Viaduct (SVR working members only)
Dewi Jones
Traffic Manager
Standing at Sterns on what is the capping beam for the concrete piled wall are five members of the Gloucester Warwickshire track laying gang who came to help the Bridgnorth P Way Gang on Sunday 3rd February 2008.
Looking towards Bridgnorth the track gang are under orders are about to lift the one ton rail into the chairs.
A similar action but now the gang have moved onto the second panel. All six panels were complete by mid afternoon.
Photos Dewi Jones Traffic Manager
A long awaited sight. This photo taken this afternoon of ballast being dropped on the main line through Highley. The photo was taken by Guy Rigby (our Engine House Site Manager) who has been on site since last summer and has yet to see a passenger train roll through, won't be long eh?
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