We started our Thursday just outside of Telford with a leisurely drive through the West Midlands and the Cotswolds on the cars. We were a short drive from Bridgnorth and the north end of the Severn Valley Railway. We knew they wouldn’t be open, but always nice to poke around and see what’s up, and who knows. We wound up getting treated to the resident GRONK shunting Erlestoke Manor in the yard. Since it was quiet, and calm, a quick drone flight over the station and yard happened as well.
Scenes from a closed Bridgnorth on a Thursday morning. The shop crew was using the Class 08 to move locomotives around the yard, and doing one of my favourite things with the drone of looking down on roofs.
Moving on, we made a stop in Worcester to see the cathedral and do some shopping, by which point, it was car picnic time. The joys of a hatchback, pop the back, unclip the trunk cover, and you have instant picnic table. This time, in the parking lot of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in Toddington. Were we going for a ride after our picnic? Damn right we were. Another new to me railway. We wouldn’t be riding the whole line, but doing the northern end between Toddington and Broadway. A nice short 45 minute or so round trip that fit nicely into the day, and got me a tick on a new railway and locomotive in British Railways 7903 “Foremarke Hall”. Before you ask, yes, it is a Great Western Railway Hall 4-6-0, or at least it was built in Swindon to the GWR designs, but by British Railways in 1949 after the nationalization of the railways.
At Toddington on the GWR. A departure of the Class 117 DMU for Cheltenham, and British Railways 7903 “Foremarke Hall” arriving with the train for Broadway we were going to be boarding to ride.
Upon arrival in Broadway, the locomotive was uncoupled and ran around. As this was the end of the line, there was some time for the crew to rest, and allow a stream of children (i.e. not me) onto the footplate. This is one of the things I love to see. Little opportunities like this hopefully help build the next generations of railfans who will keep places like all the preserved railways alive, either as customers or as future volunteers. A little kindness and friendliness goes a long way, and in my experience most of the lines I’ve visited get it right.
Crossing Stanway Viaduct showing the recent repairs, and scenes from Foremarke Hall running around the train in Broadway.
Arriving back at Toddington, it was into the car and on our way. This was our last heritage rail stop of the trip, but our hotel was at Paddington Station and I had a day in London to just railfan, something surprisingly enough, for all the times I’ve been to the UK, I’ve never actually had a day scheduled on a trip as “chase trains”, so stay tuned for that as well!
Musings on my Model Railroading Addiction 