History of Severn Valley Railway from 1862: talk at Severn Valley Country Park on 27 January
Shropshire Council rangers are very happy to be welcoming Dave Postle from Kidderminster Railway Museum to Severn Valley Country Park for a fascinating look at the industrial heritage of the area. The talk will be on Friday 27 January 2017 at 7.30pm-9pm.
Dave Postle will focus on the history of the Severn Valley Railway from 1862 onwards. The history of the railway is closely linked with the mining heritage of the area as four of the coal mines in the Wyre Forest Coalfield were served by the Severn Valley Railway. The country park plays a part in that history as the location of the Alveley sidings is within its boundaries.
Dave Postle will be able to dip into the vast archive of over 150,000 prints and negatives at the Kidderminster Railway Museum to bring to life the story of this part of the Severn Valley.
Severn Valley Country Park volunteers at the Country Park Halt – location of the Alveley sidings (L) William Watkins (R) Brian Murkett.
Susie Comaish, visitor centre manager, said:-
“It is always lovely to see the locomotives on the Severn Valley Railway steaming through the park. This talk will be a great opportunity to hear about the other life the locos had when they were tasked with transporting coal from the coalfield to the wider world.”
The talk will be held in the visitor centre at Severn Valley Country Park and is part of the Alveley Weighbridge & Coal Mining Heritage Project 2016-2019. The coal mine at Alveley finally closed in January 1969 and there will be a series of events in the run up to the 50th anniversary of the closure.
Tickets are adults £3, children £2. Ticket price includes a hot drink and biscuits. Please call 01746 781192 to book your place.
