A FORMER Mayor of Kidderminster has enjoyed the thrill of driving a vintage train.

Councillor John Campion spent a day driving and fire steaming the locomotive on a 32-mile round trip from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, as part of Severn Valley Railway’s footplate experience.

Mr Campion, who is a member of Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council, said: “I had an absolutely fantastic day - it is a truly unique experience.

“The Severn Valley Railway is such a fantastic local organisation, supported by an army of dedicated volunteers.

“I would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers and staff who took time to talk about their fantastic railway during the day.

“It is a world-class local attraction and it is great to see it go from strength to strength.”

Mr Campion controlled train 34053 Sir Keith Park with help from driver Andy Eynon and fireman Gary Williams.

He also visited some of the railway’s restoration and maintenance projects during a tour of the Bridgnorth locomotive works.

Severn Valley Railway welcomes more than 200,000 visitors every year and is largely run by a dedicated body of more than 1,200 volunteers Its 16-mile route between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire is a full-size, standard-gauge railway line that runs regular steam-hauled passenger trains.