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:

Barry and Keith at the start of the day
Photograph by Pete Joels
How many Club Members can you get on a Footplate?
Photograph by Pete Joels
James and Tim having a cuppa
Photograph by Pete Joels
2857 comes of Bridgnorth Shed
Photograph by Pete Joels
Big thumbs up from Jon
Photograph by Pete Joels
2857 waits for the path
Photograph by Pete Joels
2857 runs round at Bridgnorth
Photograph by Pete Joels
Jennifer and Russ in Bridgnorth Signal Box
Photograph by Pete Joels
2857 waits the road as Warship D821 arrives in to Bridgnorth
Photograph by Pete Joels
Paul and Mick ready for the off
Photograph by ????
Paul takes hold of the regulator
Photograph by Mick Moignard
Garry(center) and Bob(right)
Photograph by Mick Moignard
2857 runs round at Bridgnorth
Photograph by Mick Moignard
Jennifer ready on the Footplate
Photograph by Russ Burridge
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