Pacific Power on the SVR

The Severn Valley Railway does it for me every time. Gala day on the SVR is special again, and the recent Pacific Power event even topped that. How lucky were we to have Tornado, Flying Scotsman, plus leading players from the home team squad - including the two rebuilt Bulleid Light Pacifics - all making an appearance?

It was magic and so a big thank you to the SVR, who were clearly a little worried before the event about whether they could safely handle the crowds that they thought were likely to attend. It seemed that a combination of fewer total visitors than expected, careful advance planning and some sound logistical arrangements meant it all worked out well in the end.

Added to that, in Kidderminster Museum’s upstairs exhibition hall, was the Guild of Railway Artists’ excellent 2016 RailArt display. The quality of railway art is as healthy as it has ever been, and it’s encouraging to see some less familiar names being added to the mix. The organisers were a bit more adventurous in casting a wider net in terms of artistic style this time, as well.

Some very pleasant September weather combined with somewhat easier access for non-travellers at both Bridgnorth and Bewdley stations than we had been warned of in advance [on the Thursday and Friday, at least], meant everyone was happy. The stage was set and the cast did not disappoint.

The Shropshire Star [27/9/16] reported that 15,000 tickets had been sold for the 6 days long event, which included the SVR Charitable Trust’s own Charity Day on 21/9/16 to start proceedings. The SVR estimated that a further 30,000 people had visited the line over the course of the gala to watch the show, including us. No sneering, please. We have been many times before and usually paid to travel and we will no doubt do so again before long. Plus, extra income was raised through the issue of platforms tickets at Bridgnorth and the voluntary contributions collected for access to Bewdley station. The local economy must have benefited enormously from this extra influx of sight-seers.

When the late afternoon sun sinks closer to the rooftops over the town, it bathes Bewdley station platforms in a warm autumnal glow. I can’t think of a more attractive preservation hotspot than this to witness such a variety of steam in action [Grosmont station, Swithland Sidings? Where would you plump for?]. I told my friends that I could have stood gawping at the fence in the goods yard at Bewdley for the rest of that Thursday evening. In fact, I might have still been there now, all glazed over in contemplation and contentment in my own personal comfort zone, but it was actually time for a pint and something to eat. We were back the next day, though.