CARRIAGES IN THE VALLEY!
Many of us enjoy a day out at the Severn Valley Railway (SVR). In addition to the scenery, stations and varied locomotive fleet, the line’s well known collection of carriages is an attraction in itself.
It’s easy to board an SVR train, admire one’s surroundings and soak up the atmosphere, but how many passengers give a second thought to what goes into restoring and maintaining them to modern safety standards? I felt it was time to find out – and the ever-friendly team at the SVR were only too happy to share their stories.
Upon arrival at Kidderminster, I met David Mead, SVR Holdings engineering services Carriage & Wagon (C&W) planner:
“I live in Malvern, so Kidderminster is easy to reach by road or rail,” he said. “I got involved with the carriages at the SVR. After starting by assisting with restoration projects, it was discovered I’d got project management experience. I’m now employed one day a week on project management and fleet planning – the rest is voluntary.
“As well as being a trustee of SVR Charitable Trust, I’m on the management advisory group for our training academy. I enjoy getting my hands dirty with the carriages too.”
“We have 60 plus carriages in the running fleet,” explained David. “The fact we have LNER, GWR and LMS rakes on the same railway makes us unique. We’re so lucky to have such a varied collection. With all the services we operate, including regular and dining, we need the fleet we’ve got – especially if we’re going to keep on top of the maintenance. We have a team of 80 volunteers in C&W and 12 full-time staff.
“C&W used to be separate from locomotives. Since 2017 however, it’s all been under one umbrella, with Neil Taylor as engineering services manager. It’s enabled us to make better use of resources – when the locomotive paintshop at Bridgnorth is empty, we put a carriage in, for example.”
The SVR has carriage facilities at Bridgnorth, Bewdley and Kidderminster. Normally out of bounds to the public, they tend to be opened to the visitors during the line’s annual Open House Weekend, which typically takes place in early April.
Kidderminster works
If you wander to the Bridgnorth end
