The landmark partnership between the Severn Valley Railway and Network Rail bore fruit last month when SVR's permanent way team, along with a number of volunteers, descended on a former oil depot.
The activity took place at the closed installation near Brownhills on the disused South Staffordshire line which used to run between Lichfield and Walsall. The object of the exercise was to dismantle turnouts and track components. As a result of the week-long operation, SVR is now in possession of three sets of points.
Volunteer project manager Nick Yarwood said: “One of these sets of points has suitable dimensions and configuration for the Bridgnorth Yard project and is destined to be put back into service this winter on roads one and two. These are the ones against the back of platform two. The last time it was used would have been around 20 years ago, for the last of the oil trains.
“There are another two sets to be recovered and these will be used elsewhere on the railway for planned replacements.
“We are fortunate and very appreciative of the assistance given at Brownhills by Quattro Plant Ltd, who have a lease on the old terminal oil yard. Quattro is a specialist equipment supplier to the rail industry, and they kindly loaned us the use of one of their road/rail vehicles, which was essential to the success of the operation.
“One of our new infrastructure volunteers, Jon Evans, joined us for his first couple of days of volunteering. He said he'd used muscles that hadn't had so much use in ages – feeling achy, but well satisfied with his experience and contribution to the job. A great start to working with the SVR. In the photo, he's captured removing chair screws with the ‘Monster'. His smile says it all!
“Volunteers are still needed to help with track lifting, track relaying, alterations to the pit on road two and concreting works. Please volunteer if you would like to learn new skills or have construction or permanent way experience. We need a few more willing volunteers to help the project to run like clockwork.”
Work will be taking place from 10 January until mid-March. To sign-up to a very worthwhile project, please contact the Volunteer Liaison Office on 01299 401776, vlo@svrlive.com
Stuck in a time warp
Need to expand its line .can’t just stand still .
Fantastic news for SVR. I still reckon it’ a big shame that SVR can’t expand further to say Worcester in the South and Shrewsbury in the North. This would bring absolutely superb possibilities for both. I know the cost would be prohibitive but the benefits would be tremendous.
I worked in the yard, unloading the oil tankers into the storage tanks back in 1967/68 ..
Another part of my life gone ..
Whilst I am pleased for the,Severn Valley Railway in this gainful enterprise and the benefits it will bring to that great heritage undertaking, I am none the less somewhat saddened that a much needed rail link between Lichfield and Walsall/Wolverhampton is not being brought back into use: at least not for the foreseeable future.
I sincerely hope that any publicity arising from this gesture will prompt some serious thinking/questions as to the seriousness of The West Midlands regional approach to public transport connectivity and their Net Zero goals.
I don’t live in the area described above but I am totally in agreement with your comments. We should try to bring back branch lines into operations.
I agree, having commuted to Brownhills regularly for 10yrs, lived in Wolverhampton, lived in Nuneaton and around, it’s a shame the railway was removed. The area is very isolated other than by car.