Ribbon cut as £250k Severn Valley Railway project ends

The Severn Valley Railway has signalled the end of a major £250,000 renovation project with a trackside ribbon cutting ceremony.

Well-wishers and invited guests emerged from carriages pulled by the 1930s Great Western tank, at the mouth of the 480-yard long Bewdley Tunnel for the event yesterday.

The ribbon was symbolically cut in front of the locomotive before it was tied to the engine to continue its journey from Kidderminster to Bewdley station.

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The project, which started on January 3, involved replacing worn out tracks and drains throughout the tunnel. Officials said they were delighted that the three-month long project had come to an end, saying it had been one of their toughest challenges yet.

Around 100 workers, half of which were unpaid enthusiasts, took part in the project, contending with difficult conditions in the dark and cramped confines of the narrow single bore tunnel. The railway's visitor service manager David Mee said everyone could "breathe a huge sigh of relief" that all the works had been completed on time and to budget.

Drainage which was first installed when the line between Bewdley and Kidderminster was built in 1878 had completely broken up in several places.

Contractors worked against the clock to ensure that the works were largely completed to allow trains to use the tunnel for the February half term holidays. Among those volunteers helping to lay the new track was retired construction worker Bob Clift, from Bewdley.

The 65-year-old, who has volunteered at the railway for the past four years, said: "Having worked in construction it wasn't really a problem and I found it fine. It's been a good project to work on."