SVR Bewdley Question

[2030720310]

I'm having a day out on the Severn Valley Railway tommorrow and in order to try and ride behind all the engines () I'm wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to change trains at Bewdley in a 2 minute connection?

Thanks...

 

[chris89]

If the trains are going from Platform 2 and 3 Easy just walk across.

But if from the shorter Platform 1 it will depend how busy the footbridge is. But should be possible.

Chris

 

[87015]

One of the most contentious issues in preservation. Bewdley have a disgraceful attitude and the station stazi refuse to hold any connections for the benefit of their passengers. Last Saturday they were running in cross-platform and still blowing up as soon as the peg came off and screaming at anyone trying to leap across, simply embarrassing behaviour. All the trains were on time and the running times are so slow a snail on load twelve could keep time.

Unless your train arrives first, no chance. Much better to leap elsewhere, bemusingly its only Bewdley that have this attitude.

 

[chris89]

Some of the staff do sadly. But i've always found them nicer then at Highley, but then when i have been their always been in a boiler suit.

Hopefully you will be able to though. Normally the Bridgnorth bound train arrives first then the Kiddy one.

Chris

 

[2030720310]

Ok, well thanks very much. The timetable says that the train I arrive on is two minutes earlier than the connecting train but I know the timetable can be variable! Thanks for the help and I'll see what happens tommorrow!

 

[37412]

On connection you will have a problem with is Bewdley, leaping there coming from a Bridgnorth direction to go back to Bridgnorth will be fine, going Kiddy - Bewdley - Kiddy is highly unlikely to make though.

 

[theblackwatch]

If the trains are going from Platform 2 and 3 Easy just walk across.

But if from the shorter Platform 1 it will depend how busy the footbridge is. But should be possible.

Chris

I wouldn't even say the 2 > 3 move is guaranteed. Some staff at Bewdley seem to see it as a challenge to get one train away before the other has actually stopped - even if it means letting it depart 2 or 3 minutes before its booked departure time.

 

[Foxhound]

Some staff at Bewdley seem to see it as a challenge to get one train away before the other has actually stopped - even if it means letting it depart 2 or 3 minutes before its booked departure time.

They were doing that 25 years ago on Western Weekends too, sadly.

I also remember them getting a bit stressy with some young lads armwaving in 1987 - their language towards the bashers was not good.

 

[12CSVT]

One of the most contentious issues in preservation. Bewdley have a disgraceful attitude and the station stazi refuse to hold any connections for the benefit of their passengers. Last Saturday they were running in cross-platform and still blowing up as soon as the peg came off and screaming at anyone trying to leap across, simply embarrassing behaviour. All the trains were on time and the running times are so slow a snail on load twelve could keep time.

Unless your train arrives first, no chance. Much better to leap elsewhere, bemusingly its only Bewdley that have this attitude.

Sadly I have experienced this problem just about every time I have visited the SVR for a diesel gala. Another problem I have had in the past is their inability (or refusal) to publicise the loco roster even though I had shelled out a large wadge of hard-earned cash for a day rover or weekend rover.

 

[37412]

Sadly I have experienced this problem just about every time I have visited the SVR for a diesel gala. Another problem I have had in the past is their inability (or refusal) to publicise the loco roster even though I had shelled out a large wadge of hard-earned cash for a day rover or weekend rover.

There was no event in 06 and the 07, 08 and 09 rosters were all available in advance free of charge, I would take this as meaning the days of keeping the cards close to the chest on rosters are over.

 

[trains2064]

Just a point. The SVR is single track with passing places. The is a large loop at bewdley. The south box is south of the station. Know we all love how the valley crams in far more than the origanal branch was designed for. Times for a gala are very tight and Bewdley always has little time for connection. If we want to see galas with 7 trains running they we have to expect a little amount of change time otherwise we would have to settle with 5 trains or less and that would not be as much fun would it!

 

[12CSVT]

There was no event in 06 and the 07, 08 and 09 rosters were all available in advance free of charge, I would take this as meaning the days of keeping the cards close to the chest on rosters are over.

The point I was making in my previous post is that they weren't giving out loco rosters ON THE DAY at the 2008 diesel gala. This was also problem at some of the diesel events I attended during the 1990s (1993 and 1994), and the SVR is the only preserved railway where I have experienced this.

Getting back to the subject of not holding trains at Bewdley, the journey time to/from Kidderminster is around 13/14 minutes. Assuming it takes around 12 minutes to turn a train round at Kidderminster (detach the loco which has just worked the train in, and attach the loco which is working it out), this gives 40 minutes from departing Bewdley to arriving back at Bewdley. Therefore it should be possible to operate a 45 minute frequency without resorting to not holding connections at Bewdley.

 

[37412]

Assuming it takes around 12 minutes to turn a train round at Kidderminster (detach the loco which has just worked the train in, and attach the loco which is working it out

12 minutes? That would be tight with diesel but doubt a steam crew would manage it, having worked in from BH which has taken at least an hour they are likely to want to get off to use the facilties, have a drink, sedate run round having sat at the blocks for 5 mins to allow people to look on the footplate and may then wander down to the water column and sometimes get coal by the JCB as well. Not going to manage that in 12 minutes. The two observation saloons are often hired out as well and may have to be added/detatched during in the run round by the 08 station pilot, time needs to be allowed for such moves as well.

 

[AndyJB]

Sadly I have experienced this problem just about every time I have visited the SVR for a diesel gala. Another problem I have had in the past is their inability (or refusal) to publicise the loco roster even though I had shelled out a large wadge of hard-earned cash for a day rover or weekend rover.

Seldom ever the same at the steam gala's though

 

[Foxhound]

I'm up there Friday on a driver experience day with the Warship, do you want me to ask the staff why the connection thing is so on diesel days and also why their rosters aren't always freely available?:wink