Severn Valley Railway 'Group Intermediate Driving & Firing Experience' Course

Organised by Pete Joels


These courses were over 2 days on on 11th/12th June 2019, with different members doing the driving & firing each day. Each course accommodates x8 'driving experience' participants; each working c. 16 miles on the footplate of a 'medium sized' loco (driving it for c. x8 miles and firing it for c. x8 miles).

Following 08.30 intro'/briefing at Bewdley, our loco (2857 Ex-Great Western Railway Class 2800)with its c.200 ton train (5 or 6 coaches) undertakes two return runs from Bewdley to Bridgnorth via Kidderminster (c.64 miles in total) through the day. Without loco turning facilities at Bridgnorth, half of the 64 total mileage will require the loco to be driven/fired in reverse - So… working in pairs (one drives while the other fires) in two separate 8 mile stints, swopping sides halfway through each stint, everyone thus drives and fires 8 miles working forwards and 8 miles backwards = 16 miles in total each driving and firing throughout the day.

Apart from those on the course, guest and other Club members could come along for the ride, or get on and off where they liked. With both days ending around 17.45, everyone reckoned it was a nicely balanced and very full day of action. Thus, we can now reflect that as those days fade into the past, the smiles all were wearing won’t fade much as they turn to fond memories of a great day out with a bunch of fellow clubmates!

Click Here to find out more about information about the Severn Valley Railway.


Below are a selection of photographs that where taken throughout the two day, click on the below to see a larger image:

ASCII Barry and Keith at the start of the day
Photograph by Pete Joels

7_svr2019.jpg How many Club Members can you get on a Footplate?
Photograph by Pete Joels

ASCII James and Tim having a cuppa
Photograph by Pete Joels

ASCII 2857 comes of Bridgnorth Shed
Photograph by Pete Joels

ASCII Big thumbs up from Jon
Photograph by Pete Joels

ASCII 2857 waits for the path
Photograph by Pete Joels

ASCII 2857 runs round at Bridgnorth
Photograph by Pete Joels

ASCII Jennifer and Russ in Bridgnorth Signal Box
Photograph by Pete Joels

ASCII 2857 waits the road as Warship D821 arrives in to Bridgnorth
Photograph by Pete Joels

7_svr2019.jpg Paul and Mick ready for the off
Photograph by unknown

12_svr2019.jpg Paul takes hold of the regulator
Photograph by Mick Moignard

20_svr2019.jpg Gary(centre) and Bob(right) Photograph by Mick Moignard

4_svr2019.jpg 2857 runs round at Bridgnorth
Photograph by Mick Moignard

15_svr2019.jpg Jennifer ready on the Footplate
Photograph by Russ Burridge

25_svr2019.jpg Pete checks back before setting off
Photograph by Russ Burridge

Steamy scene at Bridgnorth Shed
Photograph by Margaret Templey

2857 all steamed up
Photograph by Margaret Templey

Paul ready with the headboard
Photograph by Margaret Templey

2857 arrives at Highley
Photograph by Margaret Templey

2857 takes on water at Kidderminster
Photograph by Paul Wright

6960 Raveningham Hall stand outside Bridgnorth Shed
Photograph by Paul Wright

2857 arrives at Bewdley
Photograph by Paul Wright

7714 passes through Highley
Photograph by Paul Wright

Russ(right) receiving his certificate
Photograph by Paul Wright

Pete(left) receiving his certificate
Photograph by Paul Wright

Jon(left) receiving his certificate
Photograph by Paul Wright

Jennifer(right) receiving her certificate
Photograph by Paul Wright