Seventeen final-year engineering students from the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) in Hereford visited the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) on 21 April, gaining first-hand insight into the technology, infrastructure and workforce behind a leading UK heritage railway.

The visit supports Technology and Engineering’s applied engineering curriculum, giving students a hands-on experience at a functioning and popular working heritage railway.

The integrated master’s cohort met Severn Valley Railway’s personnel and toured operational areas, including the carriage and wagon works at Kidderminster and the traction maintenance depot. The group also got to get an up close experience with heritage diesel locomotive Class 50 No. 50049 ‘Defiance’.

Along with this, students were briefed on the scale of Severn Valley Railway’s operations, which spans 16.5 miles of tracks, a wide selection of locomotives, and around 70 passenger carriages.

“We’re exposing students to the sectors in which technology is used to help them make better choices about the direction they want to go in their careers after they’ve graduated. The transport sector is seen as one of the go-to destinations for our students, with strong interest in both the automotive and rail industries.

“I want them to experience trackside what’s involved in running a train operating company. It’s not just about the rolling stock, it’s also about the infrastructure and the equipment, and probably most importantly, it’s about the people and how they bring those things together.

“This visit is just the first of what we hope will be further collaboration, whether that’s students working on SVR-based projects or even coming here to work in the future.”

Peter Metcalfe, senior serving associate professor at NMITE.

“We are always keen to work in partnership with educational establishments such as NMITE. This is how we connect with the engineers of the future and ensure our heritage line remains relevant to today’s young people. And who knows, in the not-too-distant future, one of these students could end up working here with us at the Severn Valley Railway.”

Mike Hulme, SVR director.