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March 27, 2008
THIS week I am writing with unashamed nostalgia about steam railways.
This is triggered by the re-opening of the Severn Valley Railway after the devastating flash floods of last June and July which led to the huge efforts of repair and reconstruction which are just being completed.
The repairs have cost over £3.5 million - nearly all raised by contributions from steam railway enthusiasts and, because of the railway's recognised value to the Midlands economy, by the European Regional Development Fund, Advantage West Midlands, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Bridgnorth District Council.
The track was damaged in 45 places along the 16-mile route and at some sites hillsides had to be pinned back with enormous nails and washed-away embankments rebuilt with tons of earth and concrete.
I enjoyed the privilege of joining the inaugural train pulled by the immaculate, just restored locomotive, Erlestoke Manor.
We travelled the length of the line, through stations and request halts all re-painted and polished and over the magnificent Victoria Bridge built in 1861 by Sir Henry Fowler before he built the Forth Bridge. I remember its starring role in one of the re-makes of the film The Thirty-Nine Steps when Robert Powell escaped pursuit by leaving the train halted on the bridge.
At Bridgnorth we had a short stop and an opportunity to gaze on the locomotives awaiting duty and to watch Erlestoke Manor run round its train for the return journey.
On the way back we stopped at Highley for the eagerly anticipated highlight of the trip, a visit to The Engine House, the brand new heritage education and exhibition centre.
A short walk from Highley station, standing above the track with panoramic views of the river and railway up and downstream, it is a striking modern building which fits into the wooded landscape harmoniously.
Inside for steam enthusiasts it is seventh heaven. The double track, with generous walkways and overlooked by a viewing platform, accommodates a carefully selected collection of locomotives and rolling stock. Of course, there is a smart wagon from Highley Colliery reminding us of coal mining on our doorstep until recently, a brake van complete with heating stove and commentary and a Royal Mail Coach, veteran from the Great Train Robbery.
But the locomotives take pride of place from the work horses, the Jinty', 1501 and Class 4 MT tank engines to the main line performers Hagley Hall and the ex-military leviathan Gordon.
The real star is the 106-year-old Midland Compound locomotive number 1000, gleaming in its gorgeous livery on loan from the National Railway Museum. Close by, 7325, an ex GWR Mogul has been separated from its scrubbed out tender to allow wheelchair access to its cab for a driver's view of the controls.
I went home and feasted on the photographs in my predecessor, Sir Gerald Nabarro's book Severn Valley Steam and re-read part of Tony Barfield's Memoirs of a Western Region Fireman where he describes graphically the skill and muscle required to take a small tank engine, pulling a heavy ammunition train, up the Dowles branch line to Cleobury Mortimer without running out of steam.
A splendid day out for everyone - comfort, good food, relaxation and a gift shop too!
If readers wish to write to Dr Taylor, they should address correspondence to his constituency office at 137 Franche Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 5AP.
8:48am Wednesday 26th March 2008
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