SVR General Discussion

The centre retains strong control though - I know of one branch that had a legacy for sorting out a cattery, then found it taken over by the centre with the result that they're still hiring in capacity and underperforming for rehoming (we rehomed a paid, who'd been in 2 years, and it wasn't just because of Covid).

 

Buried in the accounts of the GWS at Dicot are all sorts of small restricted sums that were donated or left for specific things that will not happen soon, and in some cases probably never happen. The society is much better these days at guiding and steering donors, or as a last resort politely saying "we can't accept", so the situation is not getting worse, but the historic restricted funds just sit there. For example, several of the static locos have pots restricted to their overhaul, but nothing like enough to even start an overhaul. (Pots like £1k or £2k.)

 

And at some point, a society in that position is going to have to look at those pots and consider whether they will ever be used. That might need careful study of the restrictions (e.g. is it "overhaul" or something that might allow some other maintenance to be funded?), and potentially consultation with members and the Charity Commission about consolidation.

 

Donations stand at £89,000. Going up nicely.

 

I'm confident that should the SVR require learned opinion then all that is required is to ask on this website...

 

Well, it may just be my experience, maybe I've dropped off the list but , as a member I've had no direct contact all. Surely if you need buckets of money the first thing you do is rattle the collecting box around the membership. It only takes an email.

 

Possibly. Or, more likely, help identify whether they've already asked enough questions.

As a charity trustee myself, I've found this site and the discussions useful for helping me identify questions to ask. The discussion on the NYMR thread about the intersection of consumer and charity law has been especially interesting, and I hope that those in positions of authority at SVR have at least considered it, and the possible implications for themselves.

I would not however act on opinions here without doing my own serious research, and if important enough consulting relevant expert advisors.

 

I went for a ride on the SVR on Sunday (2nd March). The service was sparse with only 3 advertised return trips, but my train (12.40 from Kidderminster) was only lightly loaded. Potential customers maybe preferred to be elsewhere on a sunny day, or maybe were not aware that the SVR was operating.

The trains were operating "top and tail", with steam 75069 at the Kidderminster end and diesel 46045 at the Hampton Loade end. So something for both steam and diesel fans With no watering facility at Hampton Loade, I guess that 75069 benefits from its large Southern Region 4725g tender, reducing the need to take on water during the day.

Was a pleasant surprise to find the train was comprised of 6 LNER teak coaches, plus a 3-coach dining section.

Looks like special signalling arrangements are required at Hampton Loade. I noticed that the signalman was standing by the track with a yellow flag as the train departed south from the northbound platform (the signals are "bi-directional" at the north end of Hampton Loade, but not at the south end).

There was some quite violently jerky braking on the southbound leg of the journey, emptying much of another passenger's coffee onto the floor. Maybe the interaction of the train's 3 different braking systems (steam on 75069, air on 46045 and vacuum on the carriages)?

A new building appears close to completion at Arley, having been under construction for a while. Anyone know its purpose?

I am much looking forward to the coming SVR steam and diesel galas. No doubt the gala planners are burning the midnight oil at present, having to re-think things at short notice.

 

You can definitely rest assured the midnight oil is burning very much! We had submitted a good plan at 5pm today, by 6pm more things have now changed! Drawing board again!

 

Latest news from Jonathan Dunster.

A fundraising event to take place at the SVR to help towards the landslip appeal. <BJ>



''An excellent initiative by Jack Summerfield and Ted Dunster - a fundraising event taking place at the Severn Valley Railway on Saturday, the 12th of April.
A couple of details are still being finalised, however, but the outline plan is the following:
Save the date! An excellent day of 100 miles of thrash with 50049 on the Severn Valley Railway, all in aid of the SVR Landslip Fund. Hot food offerings and real ale will be available for purchase on the train, featuring the Travelling Tavern coach. A raffle will also be taking place in aid of our colleagues at The Fifty Fund. Detailed timings and stock subject to confirmation soon, however, the first departure will be at 0845 from Kidderminster Town, the final arrival being at 1942.
They are utilising the normal service train path, so the two trips in the middle of the day (11:15 and 14:05 from Kidderminster) will be open to normal SVR ticket holders. However charter ticket holders will have reserved carriages for these trips.
Tickets will be £30 for the day. These will be available shortly, and we will announce when bookings open (with the option to pay on the day).
The observation saloon will be included on the Kidderminster end of the train, with supplements being £5 for one trip or £10 for the day in the saloon.
The full timetable will hopefully be available in the next 24 hours or so and will be uploaded here.
Any questions, please feel free to ask Jack or Ted.
I hope many of my friends will support this great initiative by two of our young volunteers and in so doing you will be directly helping us to reopen on the SVR to Bridgnorth Station as soon as possible following the recent land slip''.

 

Current donations standing at £119,000.

 

BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75069 seen at Orchard Crossing with the "Boogie Lights Express" last night.

 

£125,000 raised to date. 2/3 contractors have thus far provided quotes for repair. No exact detail yet available with regard to work commencing but an update is hoped for next week.

 

Railway 200 event on 5-6 July, with 60163 Tornado and the HydroFLEX hydrogen-ready passenger train visiting.

https://svr.co.uk/event/railway-200-trains-through-the-ages/

 

Does a ticket include all day travel?

 

Yes, it's a mini gala.
Annoyingly I miss it as I'm at a conference in Finland starting that Sunday.

 

"It's very cold in Finland".

Pauli Hikilo

 

Landslip appeal stands at £159,000. Lots of onsite vegetation clearance is ongoing to make to accessible as soon as work can begin.

 

7802 has been on test, LE testing last week and today she was on loaded....