SVR General Discussion

Unfortunately not. No suitbale tail loads available for traffic.

 

Class 50 50049 was requested by Network Rail last night to help clear snow on the national network:
From Class 50 Alliance on FB:
This afternoon we received a call from Matt Robinson who works at the Severn Valley Railway within the Operations Team. Matt had received a call from Network Rail in Birmingham asking whether the Severn Valley Railway had any mini snow plough fitted locos at Kidderminster for hire this evening as route proving and snow patrol locos. Matt spoke with us to see if one of our locos was available of which it was, and that we would ready 50049 Defiance for this task. We spoke with Network Rail also, along with the operator who would supply the crew; Hanson & Hall and a plan was formed.
Special thanks to the SVR’s Nigel Hanson for trekking to Kidderminster this evening to work Signal Box, Class 50 Alliance team members Anthony Middleton, James Gregory and Stephen Tripp, and Matt Robinson for pulling together this evenings plans. Well done to all involved.
50049 is now sat waiting on the Exchange line at Kidderminster awaiting its path out onto NR for its nocturnal duties. Hopefully after the efforts of all concerned including the Hanson & Hall driver it does, and helps keeps the train services moving within the Midlands region.

 

And it did go out. Pics on FB of it at New st and other parts of the West Midlands.

 

Congratulations to the team and an acknowledgement that heritage lines are not simply "boys playing with trains" but basic training grounds for future employment and a source of experienced and trained railwaymen with proper equipment.