SVR steam in for funding

A major fundraising campaign has been launched by the Severn Valley Railway to help pay for new machinery.

The heritage line has bought an electric wheeldrop, which is used during locomotive repairs, but is facing a hefty bill to install their new purchase. It is expected to cost £25,000 to move the equipment from its present location in Leicester and between £100,000 and £125,000 to install it at Bridgnorth.

Bosses say the wheeldrop will prove "a great asset" and are now appealing for donations to help to cover the costs.

The new appeal comes just months after the steam railway completed an urgent fundraising campaign to repair damage totalling £3.8 million during the summer storms of 2007.

The attraction was inundated with donations and also received grants from organisations including Advantage West Midlands.

SVR spokesman David Wilcock said: "This is not an urgent as the flood repairs were but it still very important for the railway. I am sure we have a lot of support."

Among the fundraising activities will be the launch of a new bottled beer, Wheeldropper Ale, produced by Cleobury Mortimer-based Hobson's Brewery.

It will go on sale at the railway's two pubs, The King & Castle at Kidderminster, and The Railwayman's Arms at Bridgnorth, during the Autumn Gala this weekend.

The wheeldrop, which cost £3,500, enables steam locomotive wheels to be removed from chassis without resorting to cranes and is expected to save the railway £30,000 a year.

Works production manager John Robinson said: "There's always been a queue of engines for the lifting jacks, so the wheeldrop will give us some much-needed extra capacity. "It's going to prove a great asset to us."

To make a donation to the fund contact the SVR at The Railway Station, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 1BG or ring 01299 403816.