THE FLYING SCOTSMAN has departed from Kidderminster station with the first passenger train to Bridgnorth since the landslip at Mor Brook had closed a section of the Severn Valley Railway’s line back in January, writes Neil Gordon.
The iconic engine departed on time at 9am, with the locomotive’s whistle sounding the commencement of the service and the reopening of the full 16-mile route to Bridgnorth.
The iconic Flying Scotsmansteam engine draws crowds at Kidderminster station. Picture by Neil Gordon Media. s
Around 360 invited guests, volunteers, dignitaries and railway contractors – and media – were on board the nine carriage train as a huge ‘thank you’ for their invaluable contribution towards repairing the damaged section, and for enabling the Severn Valley Railway to reopen the complete route between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.
The full route between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth has now reopened. Picture by Neil Gordon Media.
The iconic locomotive is departed from Kidderminster station at 9am with a sold-out service to Bridgnorth.
The loco is expected to arrive at Bridgnorth at 9.58am.
And, after a short reopening ceremony, the train will depart from Bridgnorth at 11am and is scheduled to arrive back at Kidderminster at 11.57am.
The full route between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth has now reopened. Picture by Neil Gordon Media.
The train is the first to travel the full length of the line since the collapse and landslip at Mor Brook had forced the closure of the line back in January.
The stretch which was shut had to be closed after a landslip at the end of January.
