IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Scholars Court, KIDDERMINSTER, DY10 1PJ

Looking South from the footbridge at SO 83727 75926, a steam train slowly makes its way along the last few hundred metres into the Severn Valley railway station in Kidderminster. On the left is the main line between Kidderminster & Worcester. Towards the top right of the picture is the back of the stand at Kidderminster Harriers Football Club.

Viewed across Hoo Road. The church, part of the Elim Pentecostal congregation, is adjacent to the south side of Aggborough Stadium, the home ground of Kidderminster Harriers F.C.

At a third of a mile in length, the shed was built to protect the railway's fleet of more than 60 historic coaches from the elements and to provide under cover cleaning and maintenance facilities. This magnificent building has no equals, either in the heritage world or on the 'real' railway. Looking towards Kidderminster. Open to the public during the Peep Behind the Scenes event of 15th July.

This is claimed to be the biggest single storey building in Kidderminster and I can believe it. This is moving down from the platform to track level towards the far end where there are stored locomotive and carriages. This is a fantastic facility for the railway and helps keep the weather off rolling stock and allows for servicing and maintenance under cover. This was a special guided tour. The building is just not suitable for routine public access.

The envy of the entire railway world, the SVR carriage shed is a third of a mile in length and can house many of the SVR's 60+ historic coaches. This is the half way point, looking towards Aggborough. Open to the curious during the Peep Behind the Scenes event.

In the Kidderminster carriage shed. It was very gloomy in there and the ISO was at 1600. This 2-6-0 tender engine was designed by Churchward with later Collett improvements and built at Swindon in 1932. It was withdrawn in 1964 and went to Barry scrapyard from where it was saved in 1975. It was returned to steam on the Severn Valley Railway in 1992. A leaking boiler forced retirement in 2000 and it has only been displayed in a static condition, including some time at Swindon, in the years since. It is awaiting restoration. It was last seen on display at Kidderminster Station during the 2022 autumn steam gala.

A very gloomy shot in the far end of the carriage shed where we were shown three stored locomotives. On the left were The Lady Armaghdale and No. 45110 and on the right was GWR 2-6-0 No. 7325. Not a great photograph but a serviceable record nonetheless.

At the far end of the Kidderminster carriage shed with two other stored locomotives. It was dingy and the lighting was not good. Being down at track side emphasises just how big these locomotives are. This was a guided tour of the diesel depot and carriage shed and well worth the required donation. No. 45110 is a Stanier class 5 4-6-0 built for the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) in 1935. It was one of the engines in the well-known 15 Guinea Special farewell to steam on 11 August 1968. It was withdrawn from service into preservation and has done two stints at the Severn Valley with a major overhaul between. It was withdrawn from service last in 2008 and has been on static display in various locations. It is now hidden away safely in the carriage shed and not usually accessible.

This is a well hidden piece of infrastructure that is screened from the running lines by the huge carriage shed. This was only visible because I had paid to go on a guided tour of the diesel depot and carriage shed. Excellent value and I would do it again. Our guides were leisurely, informative and accommodating - what more could you want?