STAFF at the Severn Valley Railway are turning detective to try to track down a key piece of the famous attraction’s history to feature in its landmark 50th anniversary exhibition.

They are hoping to find a wooden plaque, created to commemorate the very first meeting of a group of dedicated railway enthusiasts who went on to become the Severn Valley Railway’s founding members.

The plaque, familiar to many patrons of the Coopers Arms in Kidderminster, was on display in pride of place at the pub for more than three decades. It carried the proud message that the SVR was formed on the premises in 1965, when a group of steam enthusiasts gathered and decided to re-open the railway line, which had closed to through-passenger and freight services in 1963.

Five years later, following a period of fundraising to purchase the 5.5 mile section of the line between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, the Railway opened for public passenger services once again.

While a raft of early SVR artefacts and memorabilia are on display in the Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley and Kidderminster Railway Museum, the fate of the Coopers Arms plaque remains unknown.

Claire Gibbard, marketing and communications manager, said: “We have been working hard behind the scenes to collect as many original artefacts, stories and images to tell the story of SVR’s creation and development through the decades for this celebratory exhibition and would love to include the Coopers Arms plaque.

“We’re trying to track down its owner and ask if we could borrow it to feature in the exhibition, which will run throughout 2015 – if we are able, we would be extremely grateful.”

Anyone with information about the plaque, should contact Claire on 01562 757900.