1001 goes to the Severn Valley Railway - 'Severn Explorer' Railtour - Part 1, 24/04/10

On Saturday 24th April 2010, class 201 'Hastings' DEMU No. 1001 worked Hastings Diesels Limited's 'Severn Explorer' Railtour, which took the 'Thumper' to the preserved 16 mile Severn Valley Railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire.

The tour started at Hastings and picked up passengers at St Leonards Warrior Square, Battle (where this video starts), Etchingham, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Bromley South, Clapham Junction and Reading. After Reading, 1001 headed along the GWML to Swindon where it branched off and headed up the Cheltenham line to Kemble, where there was a photo stop. After this, the 'Hastings' unit joined the Bristol to Birmingham line at Standish Junction and travelled up through Cheltenham Spa, Worcester Shrub Hill and Droitwich Spa to reach the NR station at Kidderminster.

A reversal saw us take the mainline connection from Network Rail metals to Severn Valley metals, and from there we headed to Bridgnorth, stopping at Bewdley and Arley on route to set down passengers.

The return from Bridgnorth saw the 'Thumper' once again traverse the Severn Valley Railway to Kidderminster, where we rejoined the national network. After Kidderminster, 1001 headed for its next scheduled stop, Hatton, running via Stourbridge Junction, Old Hill bank, Birmingham's Snow Hill and Moor Street stations and Tyseley. The DEMU then left Hatton and passed Leamington Spa and Oxford to reach Didcot. From here, 1001 had rejoined the GWML and returned to Hastings via the outward route.

This is part 1 of the tour and focuses on the outward route from Battle to Bridgnorth.

Part 2 @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PdfkICjN2s

Photos @ http://craigrailpics.fotopic.net/c1842247.html

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 1001
• Hastings
• DEMU
• yt:crop=16:9

[robmasterman]

Another one of your on board master pieces Craig, a superb record of the journey from Battle to Bridgnorth....excellent work...Bob

[21C123]

Thanks as usual Bob, much appreciated!

[1001demu]

They are the greatest railtours out there, fabulous atmosphere, wonderful noise and smell, great food and wonderful memories.

[21C123]

Completely agree! I've done sever now and have never been dissapointed by any. Can't beat a lovely bacon roll from the buffet either!

[goonerlewis16]

Looks like you had a great trip, you may have seen me on the Down Platform at Ravensbourne. Like + fav

[21C123]

Thanks Lewis. Certainly did have a great trip. I think when we were passing Ravensbourne I was in the buffet ordering my bacon roll so wouldn't of seen you.

[21C123]

Thanks a lot mate!

[21C123]

Thanks.

[21C123]

Thanks.

[21C123]

There's nothing on the HDL website to say it is a GBRf private charter. Also a booking form has just been released for the tour so I should think it's a 'public' tour.

[goonerlewis16]

@21C123 i have heard that one might be a GBRf private charter