Full steam ahead for nostalgic trip into past 50 years of railway

The brakes have come off for the start of six months of steam nostalgia as the Severn Valley Railway launches its 50th anniversary celebration programme.

Founding members, staff and volunteers gathered at The Engine House in Highley for the opening of an exhibition looking back over five decades since a group of enthusiasts decided to defy Beeching and save the 16-mile track between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster.

A special Express & Star commemorative edition was also launched at the festivities and the SVR's award for being voted Heritage Site of the Year by the BBC's Countryfile Magazine was unveiled.

SVR Holdings director Mick York said that from those early hope-filled but difficult days, the railway had grown to become a national and international heritage railway of renown.

He said: "It really is a very special day, and what's gratifying is seeing not only the older faces that have got us where we are today but younger ones, too, and that's vital, as we look ahead, hopefully, towards the SVR's centenary." Cutting the ceremonial ribbon with him was fellow SVR director David Williams, who joined the rescue operation six months into its launch.

Express & Star deputy editor Diane Davies speaks at the event

Mick York and David Williams with founders Jeremy Colborn, Christopher George, Roger Hobson, Keith Beddoes, Denise Bond, Terry Brooks, Jack Bond and Columb Howell

Pictured L-R: Mick York (Director SVR PLC) and David Williams (Chairman of SVR Company)

He admitted: "Never in my wildest dreams could I have envisaged what we have achieved today." Next month, on April 13, the Princess Royal will take her first trip along the picturesque line, including an invitation to ride on the footplate. The timeline exhibition, compiled by achivists Rob Whale and David Mee, shows the highlights as well as some of the trials to have been overcome by the volunteers.

Express & Star deputy editor Diane Davies said it had been 'a privilege and an honour' to produce the newspaper's 56-page commemorative edition. She said: "It was important to tell the story of the last 50 years and not just the running of the railway but the success of the restoration project.

"It has faced many challenges along the way, not least the flooding of 2007 which left volunteers with a £3.8 million repair bill but it survived and that is testament to the railway's popularity and support."

A packed programme of celebratory events has been planned for the next six months.