THE Severn Valley Railway has enjoyed its best start to a year with an unprecedented number of visitors.

From the beginning of the year until the end of March, visitor numbers were 41 per cent above predicted estimates.

There were also about 1,200 more passengers than during the same period in 2005, the previous most successful start to a year.

The figures in 2005 included the Easter period, traditionally a boom time for the heritage railway.

John Leach, SVR marketing manager, said: “It has been a fantastic start. Everyone is really happy with the way things are going.

“The weather has certainly helped but I think people just want a good value day out. The fact that Easter is still to come is tremendous.”

He added: “We would not be able to run the railway without our volunteers and a lot of our success is down to their hard work.”

Mr Leach said now was a good time for tourism in the region, generally, with people opting for destinations and days out “on their doorstep”, rather than taking expensive holidays abroad.

He added that the success of the railway was having a knock-on effect on the local economy and the SVR’s Kidderminster pub, The King and Castle, was also enjoying a good start to the year.

Mr Leach said: “It is good news all round and we just have to keep plugging away and getting it right for when people visit.”

The railway was devastated by flooding in 2007, with floodwaters causing about £3.5 million worth of damage, forcing the closure of most of the line for nine months.

Mr Leach said the railway still had to raise £250,000 to cover the cost of repairs but added he was confident the money would be found.

He said: “We are gradually getting there and the success we are having at the moment is certainly helping. Things are looking very positive.”

Mr Leach said the money would be raised by a combination of events, fund-raising activities and donations from the public.

Alan Reade, of Claverley, a life member of the SVR, has produced 1960s-style watercolour posters of the principal SVR stations, with all profits going to the railway.

Prints in A4 and A3 size, either framed or unframed, are being sold at station bookshops along the line.