I don't think I've ever made any secret of enjoying a steam hauled dining train. The opulent experience of watching a locomotive exhaust drift steadily past your window whilst you wend your way through picturesque countryside over a three-course meal, topped off with a glass of red, is something to savour indeed. Today we were dining on the Severn Valley Railway, taking advantage of some vouchers I'd been given last Christmas. Their popular 'Severn Valley Limited' Dining Train began operation in 1978 and has since delighted countless stomachs and provided many miles of luxury travel whilst traversing SVR metals. I forget how many times we've sampled this train now; it must be over a dozen but I've lost count. What keeps us coming back is the professional set-up and the promise of a relaxed afternoon with steam. After a horrid drive through the rain to reach the SVR's terminus at Kidderminster, we wandered down the sodden pathway towards the station platforms. Bulleid Pacific No34072 "Taw Valley" was sat at the head of the 'Limited' stock; simmering nicely whilst steam heating the rake of chocolate and cream coaches...
As the rain and wind swirled around the train on this bleak November day, we hurried towards the coaches where we were met by the lady in charge. After giving our name we were kindly shown to our table of two, set for the meal ahead...
The departure was planned for 12:20 and, right on time, "Taw Valley" summoned a portion of her strength to move the five-coach train steadily away. As the train gathered pace Maisie was, as usual, incredibly impressed with my chat about the Bulleid pacifics and their glory days on the Waterloo to Bournemouth's...
The starters were served as we trundled steadily towards Foley Tunnel on route to Bewdley. I had a lovely red vine & tomato soup...
Unusually today we were seated on the right hand side of the train which affords a better view of the West Midlands Safari Park. The line runs adjacent to two of their large enclosures and we were afforded a grandstand view of their wonderful trio of African Elephants as they went about their Sunday business. At Bewdley the driver slowed the train so as to exchange single line tokens and we drifted through the station. Autotank No1450 and Pannier No7714 stood idle and damp in miserable conditions. After a lovely starter course we were treated to a very hearty helping of roast beef with all the trimmings. This was served a little later than usual...
An hour after leaving Kidderminster and having only stopped once at Arley to pass No2857, the train drifted into the base of SVR operations at Bridgnorth. There we alighted from the train; already stuffed beyond belief. The train waits here for around 30 minutes or so, allowing the passengers some time to visit the gift shop and take in a leg stretch. I managed to grab a shot of our dining coach: 1925-built Collett Restaurant Third No9654: as the train awaited its next path. I was only thinking on the way up that this was a very 'new' looking coach: turns out it was only finished in 2018 after a lengthy restoration. What a lovely piece of rolling stock...
The Bulleid Pacific was taken from the crew by some sort of prep crew, who duly proceeded to service the engine whilst the main crew took their lunch break. The engine was taken across to the shed for watering and coaling, with the express headlamp code still affixed following her earlier arrival...
We pulled up a pew on a platform bench to watch the JCB steadily replenish the coal supply whilst the bag was dropped into the 4500-gallon tender. The 'Shrewsbury Saloon' was on the rear of the 'Limited' stock today...
Now for some "Taw Valley" history. She was built in 1946 as part of the ultimately 110-strong class of West Country/Battle of Britain Class locomotives designed by Bulleid. A slightly smaller alternative to their larger sisters the Merchant Navy Class, these 'light pacifics' were afforded wider route availability due to their reduced weight. Originally streamlined with the problematic Bulleid chain driven valve gear and oil bath, sixty of these engines were rebuilt by BR in the 1950s. "Taw Valley" is a rebuilt example, with Walschaerts valve gear and no streamlining. A big engine for preserved railway use, twenty of the 'light pacifics' survive in preservation, mainly thanks to Barry Scrapyard. Bulleid's employment of steel fireboxes no doubt aided their escape from the cutters torch, with the lack of copper making them cheaper to purchase for the budding preservationists of the day. 34027 is in regular service on the SVR as one of their largest residents, and very nice she is too...
Sliding out of Bridgnorth's very busy three-road shed area (the origins of this phrase were born from a previous encounter here), the Bulleid was backed onto the train by the prep crew. The main crew duly returned to find their engine fully serviced, coupled up and ready for the off: it seems like it's an easy life on the Valley! Leaving Bridgnorth behind, 34027 warmed her three 16" cylinders and took the five-coach train steadily homeward. Interestingly, three times during the round trip she had to set back as she couldn't get on the move in the required direction from a start. I imagine these big Bulleid's are some handful though. We enjoyed a pleasant dessert followed by coffee and a mint on the return trip as we steamed along the sodden Severn Valley. All too soon however, following one last view of the elephants, we arrived back at Kidderminster where we bid farewell to the 'Limited'...
"Taw Valley" was wearing a Southern variant of the well known headboard...
A pleasant sight at Kidderminster was Class 40 D306 which used to be Gerald's old engine, as did 1306 "Mayflower". D306 "Atlantic Conveyer" was ticking away nicely, emitting steam from her steam heat boiler. It seems odd to think of a diesel still needing a boiler for steam heated coaches but that was how it was in the early days of transition. Maisie was enthralled by this chat too! Walking back towards the car in the rain, we reflected on another enjoyable outing on the 'Severn Valley Limited'. Always a pleasure. Thank you all, until next time, Sam...
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