Severn Valley Railway

The Severn Valley Railway is a heritage railway running for 26 kilometres between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster in Shropshire and Worcestershire. It follows the River Severn for much of its route and crosses the river on the historic Victoria Bridge. The line has four intermediate stations and three request stops, with trains hauled by steam and heritage diesel locomotives. Goods trains run on special occasions, and the railway operates most weekends and holidays. The railway was built between 1858 and 1862 by the original Severn Valley Railway Company but was operated by the West Midland Railway and later the Great Western Railway. It declined after the First World War and closed during the Beeching cuts in the 1960s. The original Severn Valley Railway Society formed in 1965 to preserve part of the line, and services began between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade in 1970. Visitors find restored heritage carriages, a signal box at Kidderminster, a boiler shop at Bridgnorth, and the Engine House Museum at Highley. The railway also features a new carriage shed and station developments at Kidderminster. Special events mark anniversaries, and the line runs through scenic countryside along the Severn Valley.