MEMORIES and stories from the early days of Severn Valley Railway were recounted on Monday as long-standing members of the much-loved attraction gathered to celebrate its Golden Jubilee.

More than 100 of the Railway’s early members were invited to take part in a day of celebrations to mark the occasion and among them were the very men who founded the SVR 50 years ago to the day.

Columb Howell was one of the young Railway enthusiasts who attended the meeting in the Coopers Arms, in Kidderminster, on July 6, 1965, during which it was decided to re-open the line, which was shut just prior to the Beeching Axe in 1963.

Five years of enormous effort and intensive fundraising later, the first 5.5 mile section of the line between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade was purchased and the Railway opened for passenger services once again.

Mr Howell said: “What an incredible achievement it has been over the last 50 years.

“It is beyond our wildest dreams and really goes to show the value of the dedicated volunteers and the paid staff at the Railway.

“Little did we realise what we had taken on, but we refused to be beaten and we have a lot to be proud of – it’s wonderful that part of our Railway history has been preserved in this way.

“I would also like to say thanks to Keith Beddoes for having the idea in the first place, because without him we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Fellow founding member, Christopher George, said: “I was there right at the very start on July 6, 1965, and here I am today.

“We have been celebrating 50 years of absolutely wonderful progress and achievement since that time – who would have possibly thought it.

“It has been absolutely marvellous to bring together a fair selection of founders and other colleagues from those early days in the 1960s and just listening to the buzz of excited conversations with many memories and reminiscences being retold, has been truly memorable and has made the celebration that much more special.

“The Severn Valley Railway started with nothing and over the last 50 years it has grown into a mature heritage railway which is known all over the UK and in many parts of the world, by its success. Long may it prosper.”

Mr Howell, Mr George and their fellow founding members enjoyed a welcome speech on Kidderminster station prior to which the official Railway 50th birthday card was revealed by its designer – 11 year-old Millie Blewitt, who beat-off hundreds of entries in the SVR’s ‘Design us a Birthday Card’ competition.

The guests then boarded a special anniversary dining train to enjoy a three-course meal while travelling through the Severn Valley and sharing their memories of the early days on the Railway.

Carrying out the honour of hauling the train was LMS Ivatt Class 4 No.43106. Affectionately known as the ‘Flying Pig’ on the SVR, No.43106 arrived at the Railway in 1968 and was in operation on the SVR’s official opening day in May 1970.

Clare Gibbard, marketing and communications manager, said: “It was a wonderful day and a great chance to look back and reflect on just how far the Railway has come over the past 50 years, as well as saying a huge thank you to all of the founding members who invested amazing amounts of time and effort to make it all happen.

“I doubt many of them would ever have imagined that they would be standing here now celebrating the 50th anniversary of an attraction which welcomes more than 200,000 people a year.”