The Severn Valley Railway will celebrate its 150th anniversary this month – with a royal visitor from the past dropping in to greet visitors from the present!
The Severn Valley line between Worcester and Shrewsbury opened in 1862 and in 2012 Queen Victoria herself (or someone who looks very like her!) will be visiting stations along the line to say hello to passengers.
There will be a photographic display at Bridgnorth depicting the history of the SVR, plus a further exhibition at Kidderminster, and at Arley there will be a Victorian ‘beach’ complete with a nineteenth century Punch and Judy show.
Highley Brass Band will be playing at the Highley station and at Hampton Loade there will be an opportunity to step back into 1895 with a visit to Barry railway coach number 163.
Along the line there will also be the chance to experience a Victorian schoolroom and at Kidderminster there will be a cavalcade of working steam locomotives, including the oldest working steam locomotive in Great Britain, the 1863-built former Furness Railway engine No 20.
