Six and Severn

An exciting trip down south for scottish locos. A journey with 37906 with its Ruston engine providing the power was the attraction. The Severn Valley Railway was the venue for our first trip south of the border.

We have the juxtaposition of scottislocos travelling on scenic line in England being hauled by what is essentially a Welsh locomotive. During research before the trip we discovered that class 37'9s did work the odd train in Scotland however it seems 37906 was not one of them. 37906 is well known as a machine which produces lots of thrash and clag and it didn't dissapoint on the day (see pics & vids)

Kidderminster Town station is the start of this scenic line which follows the course of the river severn (the longest river in the UK - scottish locos is a hive of information). It ticks all the boxes for a preserved railway with a well turned out signal box and former goods shed now used as a workshop for coaches.

Slug 6 put in a spirited departure. The line departs Kidderminster and passes sidings with a variety of locos and rolling stock then it dissapears into a tunnel. Not long after leaving the tunnel, it was a surprise to see elephants in an adjacent field (no, it wasn't a portal to Sub-Saharan Africa!), it transpired that this was a safari park. Promptly we arraved at Bewdley station, the largest station on the line and a haven for DMU fans as there were various DMU's parked behind the station. Slug 6 then proceded on its way past stunning views of the river and the Wyre forrest famous for its use in rallies

From here the line follows the beautiful Severn Valley through rural Worcestershire. We then proceeded past the reservoir and into a cutting. The engine decelerated as it approaches the Victoria Bridge which stands above the River Severn. Following crossing the river, the train stops at Arley. After this small station, the line crosses the county boundary into Shropshire before reaching the station at Highley where a visitor and education centre is located.

37906 produced a spectacular departure from Highley Station as the former Railfrieght machine approached the climb from Highley to Hampton Loade. From Hampton Loade the line meanders along the course of the river and reaches Eardington Summit before reaching the picturesque town of Bridgnorth which on the day was a hive of activity with people in oily boiled suits working on a steam engine.

At Bridgnorth, 37906 and its train of blood and custard liveried coaches has to wait on a steam hauled train departing before shutting the coaches and running round for the departure back to Kidderminster. The highloght of the return journey was travelling through Bewdley tunnel with 37906 being thrashed up the steep gradient. The tunnel walls reverberating to the glorious sound of the Ruston engine.

In 2007, disaster struck the Severn Valley Railway when many parts of the railway were flooded during the wet summer of that year. It was a credit to all of the volunteers and staff at Severn Valley Railway that these sections of the line have been repaired and tourists and visitors from all over can enjoy the thrash on this picturesque line. Finally, thankyou to all the staff and drivers on the day. One other interesting engine viewed from the train was the repainted Class 50135 in Load-Haul livery which it never carried but looked very smart in this black and orange colour scheme. A visit to the Severn Valley Railways is thorougly recommended and they run a regular diesel service.