Severn Vally Railway - a great day out (Severn Valley Railway)

Member Name: MEL0611

Product:	Severn Valley Railway
Date:	25/06/09 (94 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great scenery, realxing train journey, great towns on route to look at

Disadvantages: It has to end!

I am so glad that you can write a review on the Severn Vally railway, it is one of my favourite days out and has been for a long time now, you would not thinksomething so simple as a steam training, running alon the countryside could make soneone so happy! But it dies so let me explain why!!....

Growing up close to Kidderminster, where one of the Severn Vally stations is located we often used to just go and watch the trains, there was always something special about it! As a family we used to go on the Santa Special or the Mince Pie express as a christmas treat and it really was wonderful, now somewhat older I still love the railway, not in a trainspotter way but the journey, the relaxation of it all and the towns that you pass through!

Abit of history on the Severn Vally...The railway is a full-size standard-gauge railway line running regular steam-hauled passenger trains between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire, a distance of 16 miles in total. The Severn Valley Railway was in the transport business as a through route for 101 years, from 1862 until 1963. Today's Severn Valley Railway Company is principally in the leisure, tourist and education business and began operations in 1970, just in time for me to begin enjoying it!!

The stations which you pass through are listed below ;

Kidderminster - Here you can find the King and Castle pub, a girft shop, a newly opened refreshment room ( I had a fantastic bacon sandwich on my last visit!) as well as the railway museum. You can enter the station free of charge and simply watch the trains coming and going as you like.

Bewdley - This is a riverside town, only a few minutes walk form the station, there is also like all the stations refreshemnt rooms.

Arley - This is one odf the prettiest stations that you pass through, the gardens are kept in fantastic condition and there is a picinic area for you to use. Many people get off here and go for long walks in the countryside as the town is so beautful in landscape, I prefer to walk down the hill to the local pub and sample the delicious menu!

Higley - This station has the newly opend 'Engine House' I have yet to go but the building is impressive with a large balcony for you to take some fantastic photos of the station, trains and surrounding areas. There is also a countrside bus which in summer months operates to take yuo round the local area.

Hampton Load - This is one of the smaller stations, very picturesque and again you can start dome great walks from here

Bridgnorth - You can see my previous reviews what I think of Bridgnorth (I love it!) It is where the journey ends and we tend to get off here and have a walk around the town before embarking on our journey home.

The railway often hold special event weekends such as the popular 'Thomas the Tank' weekend of the 1940's weekend were spitfiers fly over and demonstrations take place such as air raid's and evacuations.

The journey itself on the train is great, there is a trolly that comes round with refreshements and you are given a handy book that pictures your journey so you can keep a look out for all the local landmarks (You even see Elephants at the #West Middlands Saffari Park if your lucky!)

For details of the timetable, fare prices and other up and coming events the website is www.svr.co.uk.

It really is worth making a trip on this fantastic steamengine and enjoying the journey...we all need a relax once in a while!

Summary: A great day out for young to old!