The Severn Valley Railway has announced that steam services will stop at Eardington as part of its Autumn Steam Gala in September.
Local trains between Bridgnorth and Highley will make several stops each day at Eardington throughout the event.
The gala is set to take place between the 14th and 17th September.
“Our last timetabled train stopped in 1982,” said Eardington's station master Steve Downs. “and it's no exaggeration to say that it's a dream come true that we're back on the map again in 2023.
“Getting to this point hasn't been simple. We worked closely with the Office of Rail and Road as well as the SVR's operations department to make sure all the paperwork was in place. We've had tremendous support from the railway's management, who couldn't have done more to help us achieve this result.
“Visitors to Eardington can sample our world-famous home-made cakes, and we'll have an historical display about the station, which is unique in being the only entirely oil-powered station that's left in the UK.”
I have been visiting the Severn Valley Railway at least twice a year since 1988 as a member and shareholder and (until 2019) as a lineside permit holder. There are many superb places along the line and I have made lots of friends including volunteers and paid staff.
Every station has pleasant memories for me for different reasons, but Eardington especially so, and I used to wonder why just one or two trains a day couldn’t stop there. The staff are so friendly and the home- made cakes are to die for. Also, what a fantastic sight some of the trains make as they storm up the bank from Hampton Loade. The news that some local trains will be stopping at the Cinderella of SVR manned stations is absolutely fantastic and I commend the railway for this.
Mike Lane