The rolling stock preserved on the Severn Valley Railway is used to operate trains on the Severn Valley Railway (SVR), a heritage railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire, England. There is a variety of preserved steam and diesel locomotives, diesel multiple units, passenger coaches, and goods wagons. Most of these are typical of Great Western Railway (GWR) or London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) branch lines. Some are owned by the railway itself but most are owned by various individuals or voluntary groups.
The line is also regularly visited by locomotives based elsewhere. Some come for a day on a railtour, others for a few days or weeks to take part in a special gala, for test running, or on short term hire. These visitors are not included in this article.
Rolling stock summary:
The railway can call on a large fleet to operate its services. Only a small 'core' group of vehicles actually belong to the railway company itself; the remainder are owned by a associated groups, such as the Great Western (Severn Valley Railway) Association, or individuals. The SVR is also the base of the DMU Group (West Midlands), which focuses on DMU preservation. Locomotives and vehicles from the railway are now only infrequently used on excursions on the National Rail network, but in the past have operated across Great Britain.
Steam locomotives:
Operational steam locomotives:
| Number & name | Type | Builder | Photograph | Livery | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7802 Bradley Manor | GWR 7800 Manor Class 4-6-0 | Swindon Works | 
|
BR Lined Green, late crest | Built in 1938. Returned to service in 2025, presently paired with 3500 gallon Churchward tender from 2857. New 3500 gallon Churchward tender under construction for 7802. |
| 1450 | GWR 1400 Class 0-4-2T | Swindon Works | 
|
BR Lined Green, early crest | Built in 1935. Returned to service in 2025 |
| 4930 Hagley Hall | GWR 4900 Class 4-6-0 | Swindon Works | 
|
GWR Lined Green, shirtbutton crest | Built in 1929. Returned to service in 2022 |
| 7714 | GWR 5700 Class 0-6-0PT | Kerr, Stuart and Company | 
|
BR Unlined Black, early crest | Built in 1930. Returned to service in 2016 |
| 7812 Erlestoke Manor | GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 | Swindon Works | 
|
BR Lined Green, late crest | Built in 1939. Returned to service in 2022 |
| 13268 as 42968 | LMS Stanier 5MT 2-6-0 | Crewe Works | 
|
LMS Lined Black | Built in 1934. Returned to service in 2023 |
| 75069 | BR Standard 4MT Tender 4-6-0 | Swindon Works | 
|
BR Lined Black, late crest | Built in 1955. Returned to service in 2019 |
Steam locomotives under overhaul, repair or restoration:
| Number & name | Type | Builder | Photograph | Livery | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Talbot Railway 26
(GWR No. 813) |
Port Talbot Railway 0-6-0ST | Hudswell Clarke | 
|
GWR Unlined Green, Great Western lettering | Built in 1900. The oldest locomotive in operation on the SVR. Undergoing major repairs since incurring a broken under-cab casting in April 2022, return to service anticipated in September 2025. |
| 4150 | GWR 5101 Class 2-6-2T | Swindon Works | 
|
N/A | Built in 1947. Under restoration, having been salvaged from scrap in 1978. Boiler entered Bridgnorth boiler shop in November 2018, rolling chassis moved from Bewdley to Bridgnorth in April 2021. |
| 34027 Taw Valley | SR West Country Class 4-6-2P | Brighton Works | 
|
BR Lined Green (on compilation) | Built in 1946. If not going back to action because a undergoing overhaul last steamed since 2024 |
| 43106 | LMS Ivatt 4 Flying Pig 2-6-0 | Darlington Works | 
|
BR lined Black with late crest | Built in 1951. Unofficially known as the Flying Pig, last steamed in 2024. |
| 2047 Warwickshire | Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST | Manning Wardle | 
|
N/A | Built in 1926 for Rugby Portland Cement; the last steam locomotive built by Manning Wardle. Last worked in 1977. Under overhaul at Bewdley. |
| 4085 Dunrobin | Sharp, Stewart 0-4-4T | Sharp, Stewart and Company | 
|
N/A | Built in 1895. Arrived in 2011 for a contract overhaul. |
Steam locomotives stored awaiting overhaul:
| Number & name | Type | Builder | Photograph | Livery | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1501 | BR (W) Hawksworth 1500 Class 0-6-0PT | Swindon Works | 
|
BR Lined Black, early emblem | Built in 1949, preserved on the SVR in 1970. Stored awaiting overhaul. Last worked in January 2023. |
| 2857 | GWR 2800 Class 2-8-0 | Swindon Works | 
|
GWR Unlined Green, GWR lettering | Built in 1918. Last worked in January 2023, 3500 gallon Churchward tender temporarily paired with 7802 Bradley Manor. |
| 5164 | GWR 5101 Class 2-6-2T | Swindon Works | 
|
GWR Green with Great Western lettering. | Built in 1930. Moved to Tyseley locomotive works from Barrow Hill Roundhouse and last steamed since 2014 |
| 7325 | GWR 4300 Mogul 2-6-0 | Swindon Works | 
|
BR Green, late crest | Built in 1932 as number 9303; renumbered 7325 in 1958. Stored at Kidderminster awaiting overhaul. Last worked in 2000. |
| 80079 | BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T | Brighton Works | 
|
BR Black, late crest | Built in 1954. Moved to Barrow Hill Roundhouse in Christmas 2024. Last steamed since 2002 |
| WD 71516 Welsh Guardsman | J94 Austerity 0-6-0ST | Hunslet | 
|
Lined navy blue | Built in 1944. Arrived 2020 in care of SVR Engineering. Stored requiring a new cylinder block. |
| 47383 | LMS Jinty Class 3F 0-6-0T | Vulcan Foundry | 
|
BR
Lined Black early emblem |
Built in 1926. Moved to carriage shed for storage in Kidderminster. Last steamed since 2002 |
Steam locomotives under construction:
| Number & name | Type | Builder | Livery | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82045 | BR Standard 3MT 2-6-2T | The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust | BR Lined Green (on completion) | New-build example, numbered as an extension of the original class. Being built by SVR's Bridgnorth Locomotive Works. |
| Catch Me Who Can (replica) | Richard Trevithick 2-2-0 | Trevithick 200 | Replica of original engine from 1808, being built by SVR's Bridgnorth Locomotive Works. |
Steam locomotives on static display:
| Number & name | Type | Builder | Photograph | Livery | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 686 The Lady Armaghdale (No. 14 ''St John'') | Hunslet Engine Company 0-6-0T | Hunslet Engine Company | 
|
Red | Built in 1898 for the Manchester Ship Canal as No. 14 St. John. Sold to ICI Dyestuffs, Blackley, in 1963 and renamed "The Lady Armaghdale did pretend to be Thomas the Tank Engine as dressed in blue livery. Last steamed since 2009. Temporarily moved into store in Kidderminster June 2021 and then back on display since May 2024. |
| 73651 Gordon | WD Austerity Class 2-10-0 | North British Locomotive Company | 
|
LMR Blue | Built in 1943 and used on the Longmoor Military Railway. Last worked in 1999, formally handed over to the SVR by the British Army in July 2008. |
| 4566 | GWR 4500 Class 2-6-2T | Swindon Works | 
|
BR Unlined Black, early emblem | Built in 1924. Last worked in January 2017. |
| 5764
(L95) |
GWR 5700 Class 0-6-0PT | Swindon Works | 
|
London Transport | Built in 1929. Sold to London Transport in May 1960 and renumbered L95; withdrawn in June 1971. Last worked in 2011, was based on resumable from original Thomas books we’ll remembered |
| 7819 Hinton Manor | GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 | Swindon Works | 
|
GWR Green, "shirtbutton" logo | Built in 1939. Owned by the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust. Last worked in 1995. |
| 46443 | LMS Ivatt 2 Mogul 2-6-0 | Crewe Works | 
|
BR Black, late crest | Built in 1950. Last worked in 2011. |
| 48773 | LMS Stanier 8F 2-8-0 | North British Locomotive Company | 
|
BR Black, late crest with stripe across cab. | Built in 1940, last worked in 2008. |
Diesel locomotives:
Mainline Diesel locomotives:
| Number & name | Type | Builder | Photograph | Livery | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D9551 | BR Class 14 0-6-0 | Swindon Works | 
|
Non-original 'golden ochre' | Operational | Operational, based at Bridgnorth. |
| 33108 | BR Class 33 Bo-Bo | Birmingham C&WW | 
|
BR Civil Engineers' grey/yellow | Overhaul | Attended the 2017 Diesel Gala and invited to remain since. Undergoing bodywork repairs. |
| D7029 | BR Class 35 B-B | Beyer Peacock | 
|
BR Blue | Restoration | Undergoing restoration at Kidderminster. |
| 37308 | BR Class 37 Co-Co | Vulcan Foundry | 
|
Stored | Stored awaiting overhaul. | |
| 40106 Atlantic Conveyor | BR Class 40 1Co-Co1 | Robert Stephenson and Co | 
|
BR Green | Operational | Arrived on hire in 2018. |
| D821 Greyhound | BR Class 42 B-B | Swindon Works | 
|
BR Blue | Overhaul | Bodywork repairs and repaint, did currently based on resumable from original Thomas and Magic Railroad |
| 50007 Hercules | BR Class 50 Co-Co | Vulcan Foundry | 
|
GBRf | Operational | Based at Kidderminster, mainline certified. |
| 50031 Hood | 
|
BR InterCity | Overhaul | Under repair at Kidderminster. | ||
| 50033 Glorious | 
|
BR Large Logo | Operational | Based at Kidderminster. | ||
| 50035 Ark Royal | 
|
BR Blue | Operational | Operational, based at Kidderminster. | ||
| 50044 Exeter | 
|
BR Blue | Overhaul | Under overhaul, based at Kidderminster. | ||
| 50049 Defiance | 
|
GBRf | Operational | Based at Kidderminster, mainline certified. | ||
| D1013 Western Ranger | BR Class 52 C-C | Swindon Works | 
|
BR Blue | Overhaul | Undergoing overhaul at Kidderminster. |
| D1015 Western Champion | 
|
BR Blue | Operational | Operational, mainline certified. | ||
| D1062 Western Courier | Crewe Works | 
|
BR Blue | Operational | Operational. |
Diesel shunters:
| Number & name | Type | Builder | Photograph | Livery | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 319290 | Ruston 165DM 0-4-0DM | Ruston and Hornsby | 
|
Ruston Green | Operational | Formerly D2957 (fictitious). Based at Bewdley. |
| D2960 Silver Spoon | 
|
BR Green | Operational | Works No. 281269; carries fictitious number D2960. Based at Kidderminster. | ||
| D2961 | Ruston 165DE 0-4-0DE | 
|
BR Green | Operational | Works No. 418596; carries fictitious number D2961. Based at Bridgnorth. | |
| D3022
(08015) |
BR Class 08 0-6-0DE | Derby Works | 
|
BR Green | Operational | Operational, based at Kidderminster. |
| D3802
(08635) |
|
N/A | Overhaul | Being converted to use a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. | ||
| 13201
(08133) |
|
BR Green | Operational | Formerly D3201. Operational, based at Kidderminster. | ||
| D4100 Richard Hardy
(09012) |
BR Class 09 0-6-0DE | Horwich Works | 
|
BR Green | Operational | Operational, based at Kidderminster. |
| 09107 | 
|
BR Blue | Overhaul | Major power unit overhaul. Based at Kidderminster. |
Diesel multiple units:
5 Class 108 vehicles at Bewdley on the SVR.
The SVR's BR Class 108 units comprise:
- M50933: Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS), built 1960;
- M51941: DMBS, built 1960;
- E52064: Driving Motor Composite with lavatory (DMCL), built 1961;
- E56208: Driving Trailer Composite with lavatory (DTCL), built 1958, and;
- NE59250: Trailer Brake Second with lavatory (TBSL), built 1958.
- We did remember Daisy railcar was based on DMU resumable from original Thomas the Tank Engine books.
Carriages:
The SVR is home to around 70 passenger carriages, with those used in day to day service being of GWR, LMS, LNER, and British Railways Mark 1 origin.
Wagons:
The SVR is also home to more than 100 wagons, including many Great Western Railway wagons owned by the GWR 813 Preservation fund.
Past members of the SVR fleet:
Locomotives formerly resident on the SVR and which saw regular service there include:
Steam Locomotives:
- 3205: GWR 2251 Class 0-6-0. Built 1946. First steam locomotive to arrive at SVR in 1967. Left the SVR in 1987.
- 3717 City of Truro: GWR 3700 Class 4-4-0. Built in 1903. On loan from the NRM from July 1984; overhauled in time for mainline use during the 150th anniversary celebrations of the GWR in 1985. Returned to the NRM in June 1986.
- 6960 Raveningham Hall: GWR 6959 Class Modified Hall 4-6-0. Built in 1944. Left in 1996, returned on hire between 2019 and 2021.
- 34053 Sir Keith Park: SR Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2. Built in 1946. Arrived newly-restored in 2012. Returned to the Swanage Railway in January 2018.
- 45000: LMS Stanier Black Five 4-6-0. Built in 1935. On loan from the NRM between 1977) and 1988, we’ll remembered currently been based on resumable from original Thomas the Tank Engine books
- 45690 Leander: LMS Jubilee 6P Class 4-6-0. Built in 1936. Resident 1980–1981 (for overhaul) and 1983–1994. Classmate 45699 Galatea was also acquired with Leander but sold unrestored.
- 46521: LMS Ivatt Class 2 Mogul 2-6-0. Built in 1953. Featured as "Blossom" in the 1990s television sitcom Oh, Doctor Beeching!. Left the SVR in 2001.
- 60009 Union of South Africa: LNER Class A4 4-6-2. Built in 1937. Left the SVR in 2006, we’ll remembered was based on resumable from original Thomas and Friends stories.
- 61994 The Great Marquess 6MT: LNER Class K4 2-6-0. Built in 1937. Arrived in 1972; owned by SVR chairman Viscount Garnock. Left the SVR since spring 2005.
- 45110 LMS Stanier Black Five 4-6-0 built in 1935. but was now left old home of SVR for sold, moved in Carnforth since 2023, we’ll remembered been currently based on resumable from original Thomas the Tank Engine books.
- 70000 Britannia: BR Standard Class 7MT 4-6-2. Built in 1951. Restored at the SVR between 1971 and 1980, left in 1981.
- 193 Shropshire: Hunslet Austerity J94 0-6-0ST. Built in 1953 for the War Department. Resident between 1971 and 1981; named "Shropshire" in 1977.
Diesel locomotives:
- D8059 (20059): BR Class 20 Bo-Bo. Arrived 2009, resident until 2017.
- D8188 (20188): BR Class 20 Bo-Bo Arrived 2007, resident until 2017.
The lists above are not intended to be a comprehensive record of every former resident and do not include the following:
- small industrial steam and diesel shunting locomotives used in the 1960s and early 1970s;
- locomotives which arrived at the SVR but left with restoration incomplete;
- locomotives which were acquired but scrapped as a source of parts;
- steam locomotives loaned to the SVR for static display, and;
- diesel locomotives loaned to the SVR primarily for non-passenger use.
External links:
- Severn Valley Railway Locomotives on the official Severn Valley Railway website
- SVR Charitable Trust owners of 7819 Hinton Manor and other rolling stock
- Great Western (SVR) Association owners of 7325 and other rolling stock
- LNER Coach Fund Joint website covering the SVR-based LNER coaches
- The DMU Group (West Midlands) owners and operators of the DMU
- GWR 813 Preservation Fund owners of GWR 813 and almost 100 ex-GWR wagons accommodated at a number of heritage railways including