Severn Valley Railway celebrates Kidderminster station’s anniversary

Railway enthusiasts were eager to see the departure of The Kidderminster Venturer hauled by 4930 ‘Hagley Hall’, the same locomotive that hauled the first service out of the newly opened station 40 years ago. There was a ceremony at the station on Saturday (July 27) at noon with many people attending who volunteered at the railway in 1984. The ceremony was led by the railway’s managing director Gus Dunster, Chris Walton, SVR chair, and Malcolm Broadhurst, Kidderminster Town’s first ever station master in 1984.

SVR managing director Gus Dunster (Image: Newsquest) At the event, Mr Dunster said: “In my opinion we are celebrating vision. We are celebrating the vision of those involved in the railway all those years ago who understood just how transformational it would be to bring the SVR to Kidderminster.

“They knew the positive impact it would have, with access to the National Rail network, close proximity to major roads and motorway network, and so therefore it’s unsurprising that today just over 80 per cent of our visitors begin their SVR experience here at Kidderminster. “We are also celebrating the vision of those whose ambition and desire to create something really special resulted in this magnificent station being constructed”. Fireman Thomas Mills (Image: Newsquest)

The Kidderminster Venturer was crewed by the SVR’s youngest volunteer driver, fireman, guard and ticket inspectors for the recreation of the inaugural journey, which left the station at 12.30pm. The Kidderminster Venturer will also be departing from the station at the same time on Sunday (July 28). Classic cars on display (Image: Newsquest)

Over the weekend, there’s a display of 20 classic vehicles, guided tours of Kidderminster signal box, a behind the scenes look at Kidderminster Carriage & Wagon works and short footplate rides for members of the public.

Kidderminster Railway Museum are holding a special exhibition, charting the history of the station, and there’s also a live-steam model railway on the station concourse.