Severn Valley Railway marks 40 years in Kidderminster

Forty years ago, the first heritage passenger service to operate out of Kidderminster became a significant development for the railway. 

Not only was the line now operational for 16 miles, but it was more accessible to visitors coming from Birmingham, the Black Country and the wider Midlands area. 

To mark the anniversary milestone, the railway is set to host a weekend of attractions and celebrations from Saturday, July 27 to Sunday, July 28. 

This will include the recreation of the very first train to depart from Kidderminster Town Station on July 30, 1984. 

4930 leaves Kidderminster to mark the opening of the embryonic station (Image: Brian Tromans)

Jonathan 'Gus' Dunster, managing director at SVR, said: "Opening up the line from Kidderminster made a huge difference to us in 1984. 

"Quite simply, it meant we were within easy reach of hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the Midlands and beyond. 

"The fact that Kidderminster also had a mainline station really was the golden egg, as the SVR was infinitely more accessible to more people than ever before."

When the station first opened, the service was then headed by the SVR's flagship locomotive, 4930 'Hagley Hall, and in 2024 the very same locomotive will have the honour of hauling the specially named 'Kidderminster Venturer'. 

During the weekend of celebrations, there will be a commemorative ceremony on Saturday at 12pm before the departure of the Kidderminster Venturer. 

It will also run at 12.30pm on the Sunday. 

There will also be a display of classic vehicles that would have been on the road in 1984 with visitors getting a peek behind the scenes at Kidderminster's signal box and carriage works as well as rides in a brake van. 

Residents are also being asked to share their memories of the station's opening day in 1984. 

Volunteers Tom, George and Andy outside the temporary ticket office in 1984 (Image: Severn Valley Railway)

Mr Dunster added: "We’d love to hear from anyone who remembers Kidderminster Town station opening in 1984.

"Especially if they’ve got a photograph from the day.

"We’re asking people to post memories and photographs on either Facebook, X or Instagram, tagging in the Severn Valley Railway, so that we can share these with our followers."

Kidderminster Railway Museum will also be hosting a brand-new exhibition, telling the story of Kidderminster Town station through memories and archive photographs.

Next year, the SVR will celebrate 60 years of preservation.

For more information and to book tickets visit www.svr.co.uk