The Railtour Calendar was a popular addition to the CRS website in 2025. We've been busy adding known dates for Devon & Cornwall railtours in 2026 - why not take a look?
We've spotted at least 2 steam excursions to Penzance next year, which will be a welcome attraction for many readers. It's been a good few years since Steam last passed Par.
The luxurious Britannic Explorer is scheduled to be a regular visitor again - perhaps with door issues resolved?
If you spot anything we've missed, please let us know!
We've spotted at least 2 steam excursions to Penzance next year, which will be a welcome attraction for many readers. It's been a good few years since Steam last passed Par.
The luxurious Britannic Explorer is scheduled to be a regular visitor again - perhaps with door issues resolved?
If you spot anything we've missed, please let us know!
NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 79
Bewdley
Michael L. Roach
Bewdley is a delightful small Georgian town on the River Severn at one of its many bridging points. The town was for a long time a river port with a ferry across the river. The first bridge was erected in 1447 but did not last long; more bridges came and went with the present bridge being designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1798. It has survived numerous floods since then. The railway arrived in 1862 and Bewdley is now the most important intermediate station on the Severn Valley Railway heritage line from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and has three working platforms. In GWR and BRWR days Bewdley station was on a crossroads of two different routes: east – west was the route from Kidderminster through Tenbury Wells to Woofferton on the Welsh Marches Line; and north-west to south-east was Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth – Bewdley – Hartlebury – Worcester. Tenbury Wells to Woofferton was operated almost independently and was the first section to close on 31.07.1961. From the ends of the platforms at Bewdley there was a railway junction less than a quarter of a mile away in both directions. I have included a scan of the last timetable (Summer 1961) which showed all the routes in operation in one direction only. One feature of the timetable is the number of Saturday Only trains terminating and starting at Bewdley from which I surmise that the town was a major destination for day trippers by train.
In an earlier Part I indicated that Carrog was one of my favourite stations on a heritage railway; Bewdley was another favourite and here is why. One could hear the trains departing from the station in the main street of Bewdley even though the station is a five minute walk away on the opposite side of the River Severn. Although there are a couple of stations on heritage lines with 3 platforms, I think that they are probably all termini at the end of the line. Bewdley might be the only intermediate station on a heritage railway with three platforms. The station buildings are of a very pleasant design dating back to the opening of the line in 1862, with a waiting room that is particularly welcoming on a cold December day with a coal fire and a Christmas tree. The footbridge, signal box, wooden signals, signage and cast-iron men's urinal complete the image of an fascinating country junction. Finally, in December each year, when the Santa Specials are running there are two trains every hour in each direction – in how many stations in Britain can one stand or sit in the cafe and witness four steam-hauled trains pass through every hour for several hours of the day – very few if any others.
I first visited the Severn Valley Railway in the summer of 1969 which was the year before the first length reopened as a heritage railway. Over the next 40 years I visited many times, but the last three visits were all in December with the aim of seeing the Santa Special trains. The first time we only watched the specials; the second time we tried to book but had left it too late as the seats had all been booked; the third time we booked our seats before we had even secured our self-catering. We stayed at Abberley WR6 6AT (2006); Kinlet DY12 3BD (2008); and Upper Sapey WR6 6XT (2009). On two of the three holidays we had bitterly cold days. The trip on the Santa Special was most enjoyable and at Arley we walked down to the River Severn to warm up. On the return trip we broke our journey at Bewdley to walk into the town and have some lunch. More about our 2009 trip at a later date.
The photos attached to this instalment were taken while we stayed in the village of Kinlet for four nights in December 2008. Great Western Hall class engine 4936 got its name from Kinlet with the village being just five miles north-west of Bewdley. At the weekend we visited Arley, Bewdley and Kidderminster Stations but did not travel as all trains were fully booked. Those station visits leave great memories to this day of witnessing an intensive steam service in action. All the images at Bewdley were taken on Saturday 13 December 2008.
In an earlier Part I indicated that Carrog was one of my favourite stations on a heritage railway; Bewdley was another favourite and here is why. One could hear the trains departing from the station in the main street of Bewdley even though the station is a five minute walk away on the opposite side of the River Severn. Although there are a couple of stations on heritage lines with 3 platforms, I think that they are probably all termini at the end of the line. Bewdley might be the only intermediate station on a heritage railway with three platforms. The station buildings are of a very pleasant design dating back to the opening of the line in 1862, with a waiting room that is particularly welcoming on a cold December day with a coal fire and a Christmas tree. The footbridge, signal box, wooden signals, signage and cast-iron men's urinal complete the image of an fascinating country junction. Finally, in December each year, when the Santa Specials are running there are two trains every hour in each direction – in how many stations in Britain can one stand or sit in the cafe and witness four steam-hauled trains pass through every hour for several hours of the day – very few if any others.
I first visited the Severn Valley Railway in the summer of 1969 which was the year before the first length reopened as a heritage railway. Over the next 40 years I visited many times, but the last three visits were all in December with the aim of seeing the Santa Special trains. The first time we only watched the specials; the second time we tried to book but had left it too late as the seats had all been booked; the third time we booked our seats before we had even secured our self-catering. We stayed at Abberley WR6 6AT (2006); Kinlet DY12 3BD (2008); and Upper Sapey WR6 6XT (2009). On two of the three holidays we had bitterly cold days. The trip on the Santa Special was most enjoyable and at Arley we walked down to the River Severn to warm up. On the return trip we broke our journey at Bewdley to walk into the town and have some lunch. More about our 2009 trip at a later date.
The photos attached to this instalment were taken while we stayed in the village of Kinlet for four nights in December 2008. Great Western Hall class engine 4936 got its name from Kinlet with the village being just five miles north-west of Bewdley. At the weekend we visited Arley, Bewdley and Kidderminster Stations but did not travel as all trains were fully booked. Those station visits leave great memories to this day of witnessing an intensive steam service in action. All the images at Bewdley were taken on Saturday 13 December 2008.
Table 176 from the BRWR timetable for Summer 1961 showing the four rail routes radiating from Bewdley.
Woolworths entered administration in November 2008 and by 6 January 2009 all 807 of its British stores had closed their doors for good. This one was in the middle of Worcester, seen on 12 December 2008. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
This third class GWR coach 1116 dates from 1938 and is one of four identical coaches on the SVR; seen at Bewdley on a train returning to Kidderminster. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 no. 46443 arrives at Bewdley with the LNER “teak” set of coaches. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The main station buildings at Bewdley. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Small prairie 4566 was being prepared for service at Bewdley. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The waiting room at Bewdley was very welcoming on a cold winter's day. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The departure board showed that there were 14 trains each way that year. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7812 Erlestoke Manor leaves Bewdley for Arley soon after 46443 had passed the other way. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The outside of the station building at Bewdley. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
This is Telford's bridge across the Severn of 1798 - the river was high that weekend. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
From the town side of the river it was possible to hear and see the exhaust of trains departing northwards to Arley. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The main street of Bewdley leads down to the bridge over the River Severn. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Redruth Track Renewals
Day 2
Mick House
Today’s photos taken from Church Lane Over Bridge. 02.12.2025, copyright Mick House.
Looking towards Redruth, road-railer QPL 1364 unloads ballast onto the up line. 02.12.2025, copyright Mick House.
Looking towards Camborne, road-railer QPL 1363 unloads ballast onto the up line. 02.12.2025, copyright Mick House.
Road-railer QPL 546 levels the ballast using laser guidance linked to the tripod laser. 02.12.2025, copyright Mick House.
Road-railer QPL 546 levels the ballast using laser guidance linked to the tripod laser. 02.12.2025, copyright Mick House.
Two membranes are laid before the ballast goes down. 02.12.2025, copyright Mick House.
Interesting photographs, Mick - many thanks.
Burngullow Engineers Train
Jon Hird
66751 leads the 1035 Penwithers Junction - Westbury engineers train through Burngullow with a train of spent ballast from the west Cornwall worksite. 02.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
66671 on the rear, also powering. 02.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Ivybridge HST
Clive Smith
43198 heads the 2E06 08.25 Truro - Exeter St Davids with 43092 on the rear at Palace Lane Bridge in Ivybridge. 43092 emerged in the previous day's appalling weather after a month of inactivity on Laira. 02.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks Clive - just 9 days to go for the 'Castles' - into single digits!
Petrockstow Railway Station
James Bown
I chanced upon the remains of Petrockstow station this afternoon. A hint of blue sky was a bonus on a rainy day. 02.12.2025, copyright James Bown.
Many thanks James, a nice spot.
Wellington Crossover
Andrew & Diane Jones
Dear Keith, Jon and Roger, I gather from local press that Wellington may regain a station in the near future.
I have attached some photographs at Wellington Cross over taken today.
Nearby I located some vintage road signs, remarkable in preservation, reminding me of a much missed railway to Barnstaple.
The railway at Wellington is a fair way out of town so I'm not sure what financial gains are achievable, especially as Taunton is close by and timings would be tricky on this relatively fast stretch. I also believe that there are proposals for Cullompton. Total cost is estimated at 45 million pounds.
I have attached some photographs at Wellington Cross over taken today.
Nearby I located some vintage road signs, remarkable in preservation, reminding me of a much missed railway to Barnstaple.
The railway at Wellington is a fair way out of town so I'm not sure what financial gains are achievable, especially as Taunton is close by and timings would be tricky on this relatively fast stretch. I also believe that there are proposals for Cullompton. Total cost is estimated at 45 million pounds.
Wellington crossover with I believe an empty coach stock movement at 11.20 to Bristol formed of a class 165 unit. 02.12.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Followed by cross country service from York formed of voyager set 220023 at 11.22. 02.12.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
At 11.45 set 802111 running 9 mins late Truro to Paddington. 02.12.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Road signs from a different age - remarkable survivors. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Many thanks Andrew & Diane. What a remarkable find those road signs are, long may they survive.
Swindon Scenes
Ken Mumford
66547 accelerates out of Swindon East Loop with 6B12 Merehead Quarry to Wootton Bassett just after I got to the station - full details on RTT [Real Train Times]. 02.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
3J41 - an RHTT (Rail Head Treatment Train) has just come out of Swindon Transfer Yard into platform 3. It waited there for 19 minutes during which the driver changed ends and eventually left eastwards for Swindon Transfer Yard 'via the world' - see RTT for details. Locos were 66850 Top 'n' Tail with 66848. 02.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Another Quarry train heading west comes out of Swindon East Loop - Appleford to Whatley Quarry - 6C48. 02.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
6Z42 Tytherington to Appleford headed by 66617 on UML [Up main Line]. At the same time an IET [unit 800007 - 1G17 Paddington to Cheltenham Spa heads off onto the Gloucester branch]. 02.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
A second RHTT [3S59 Hereford to Swindon Transfer Yard] with locos 66133 Top 'N' Tail with 66157 creeps along the UML and when almost at the east end of the station gets a signal to head into the Transfer Yard. 02.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks as ever Ken. The yearly work of the RHTT's of course now almost complete.