88 to celebrate Severn Valley reopening

  

The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust and the West Somerset Railway are pleased to announce that ex-Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway 7F 2-8-0 No. 88 will visit the Severn Valley Railway in March to help inaugurate the grand reopening of the entire line. The SVR suffered major damage from flooding last year, and much time and money - some £3.5 million - has been spent on restoring the line throughout.

88 (BR 53808), built in 1925 for the SDJR, is owned by the Trust and is a mainstay of the West Somerset operation. It last visited the SVR during the 2007 spring gala. George Moon's photographs from the 2007 visit are shown above.

The railway is planning to have the engine operating service trains during the Easter period, on March 29/30, and on April 5/6 - April 5 is the SVR's 1960s transport day. The intention is that 88 will run at the head of the SVR's ex-London Midland and Scottish Railway eight coach set.

Godfrey Baker, Chairman of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust, said: "We are pleased to be able to make a contribution to the reopening and wish the SVR a very successful season".

John Leach, the SVR Marketing Manager, said: "We are delighted with this generous gesture by our friends in Somerset, and grateful to Allelys Heavy Haulage for their assistance in transporting the loco."

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