SVR General Discussion

Has next years timetable been decided yet?

 

The running dates calendar was released last week. As I understand it’s pretty similar to 2024, with A, B, C tables. Generally bigger services on enthusiast/family themed weekends, and then the smaller services on the midweek dates and so on. It’s a method which served us very successfully in 2024

 

75069 and 4930 in use next few days on the festive service with 40106/46046 and the DMU supporting.
27th-29nd and 31st Dec https://svr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/208_Timetable-27-28-29-31-December-.pdf
1st Jan https://svr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/208_Timetable-26-December-and-1-January-.pdf

 

What happened to the whistle up at Kidderminster, not a single sound, not even a diesel horn? Tumbleweed was seen blowing down the platform.

 

It took place at Bridgnorth with 75069.

 

They were pretty clear on social media all over Christmas that this was happening at Bridgnorth…

 

And there was quite a good turnout filling platform 2 at Bridgnorth.

 

Funnily enough, this post just popped up on my Facebook feed. I wasn't there, but certainly looks a good turnout from the photo.

 

A fuller list of events compared to the one posted back at the start of December:

 

Having a look on the SVR website, nice to see a breakfast option appear. Did the VV breakfast in 7511 at the 2014 ASG, beautiful vehicle and a great start to the day.

£43, with the rover ticket at minimum of £26 combined, I think that is excellent value, however, a £40 table for 2 supplement I feel is excessive! Especially when in theory some people may only do the outward journey which is the actual experience. Surely £20 or £25 would have been more reasonable?

 

It’ll be largely down to how many covers are possible if every seat is full, versus how many covers are possible if every table is a 2. One of our coaches (7511) has a capacity of 42, but that’s only 28 if every table is a 2. So the extra charge accounts for the money needing to be made to make it profitable.

 

I'd argue the railway is underselling the product, if it's £26 for a rover, that's £17 for the add on experience of a cooked breakfast with a pastry and hot drinks sat in a first class carriage.

However, that £17 is then increased to £37 a person for a table of two. That's over double the price. Bargain if you want a table of 4, but overpriced for a table of 2.

The mathematics just don't add up to me. It seems it's like it's a £40 supplement for the breakfast table of 2 as that is what is being charged for the Sunday lunch, so it must be the same, even if the experiences are not.

I'd suggest charging £50 per person and £10 pp for table of two.

That £7 difference serving 42 covers means an extra £294. Even if all 14 tables were tables of two, that would lose the railway £280 by charging £10pp not £20pp. Reality is probably somewhere in the middle between 7 and 14 tables being for two.

I feel the SVR are doing themselves out of money on this one.

 

Anyway, £26 pre-book/£33 on the day are a increase of £1 over the 2024 season. So not too bad all things considered.

 

That’s great value for money for a whole day out compared with other tourist attractions.

 

For those that prefer not to use Facebook, there's exciting news from the SVR. <BJ>

''Look whos' back.

7802 Bradley Manor is back on the SVR! The locomotive has been out of action since 2019 when it was withdrawn from service after its right-hand piston rod fractured and damaged the cylinder block beyond repair.
Fast forward six years and the cylinder block replacement and boiler overhaul are complete. The 'Manor' will now start a period of testing before entering public service to play a starring role at the Spring Steam Gala from April 18-21''.

 

Looks lovely

JOOI, I can see a small diesel shunter behind it (presumably for moving it). How do you move a loco without a tender? Do you just buffer up to the rear? (Or does someone come running out of a shed "I've just ***** well painted that!!").

And is there a way of hooking up to the tender drawgear to go the other way.

 

Landslip at Sterns reported elsewhere, looks bad with track hanging in mid-air.

 

Just for reference, it's next to the bridge over Mor Brook, rather than the more usual spot.

 

Update now available https://svr.co.uk/news/land-slippage-on-the-severn-valley-railway-will-affect-some-services/

 

Oh B**ger...