Latest news with #heritagerailway
BBC News
23-07-2025
- BBC News
How to see the Flying Scotsman as Severn Valley Railway reopens
This week, the Severn Valley Railway fully reopens for the first time since an embankment collapse earlier in the tracks have been re-laid over the newly repaired bridge, the popular heritage railway will reopen on Friday with one of the most iconic trains in the world making an appearance. The Flying Scotsman will be making three return trips a day on Friday, then on Saturday and Sunday, as part of Severn Valley Railway's Swingin' Sixties event, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the the famous steam train can still be seen at various railway stations and areas across the county for people to enjoy. The Flying Scotsman is described by National Museums Scotland as "the world's most famous train service" and by the National Railway Museum as "the world's most famous steam locomotive".It first entered service in 1923 and broke records by hauling the first non-stop London to Edinburgh service in years later, it became the UK's first locomotive to officially reach a speed of 100mph. How can I see the Flying Scotsman? Severn Valley Railway said the best place to see the famous locomotive was by purchasing Day Rover tickets to their Swingin' Sixties event on Saturday and Sunday - however, separate tickets to ride behind the train have sold those with tickets, the Flying Scotsman trains depart from Kidderminster for one round trip - the train will not be stopping at intermediate stations - at 09:00 BST, 13:00 BST and 17:15 Valley Railway advised people without tickets not to attend Kidderminster or Bridgnorth Station as access was restricted to ticket-holders railway operators also advised people not to access via Northwood Halt and Country Park who wants to see the Flying Scotsman without attending the Swingin' Sixties event is advised to go to one of the following locations:Bewdley StationArley StationArley ArboretumCoombys FarmHighley Station and The Engine HouseWellness Woodlands, HighleySevern Valley Country ParkHampton Loade StationEardington StationEardington Nature Reserve What else is happening at the event? As part of the Swingin' Sixties event on Saturday and Sunday, ticket holders can ride on steam and diesel trains in historical carriages - although tickets to ride behind the Flying Scotsman have sold is the first time visitors will be able to travel over the full Severn Valley Railway between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, following the landslip and subsequent will be a ferris wheel at The Engine House in Bridgnorth, with live music at The Engine House and the Kidderminster end of the there will be classic cars on display at Kidderminster, The Engine House and include train travel all day and access to the attractions. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- BBC News
Flying Scotsman's visit to Severn Valley Railway extended
An extra day has been added to the Flying Scotsman's visit to the Severn Valley Railway after tickets sold out in three famous locomotive is due to visit the line between Bridgnorth, Shropshire, and Kidderminster, Worcestershire, in July to celebrate the heritage railway's full was originally scheduled to run on the line from 25 to 27 July but following the high demand, there will now be an additional three return journeys on 28 1,000 tickets for the extra day will be available on the railway's website from 10:00 BST on Tuesday. Jonathan Dunster, Severn Valley Railway's (SVR's) managing director, said he was "incredibly grateful" to the National Railway Museum and Northern Steam Operations Ltd for extending the Flying Scotsman's stay."Clearly, SVR supporters are hugely keen to travel behind this world-famous loco, and we want as many people as possible to be able to do that at the Severn Valley Railway," he said. The northern part of the railway was forced to close in January after a landslip at Mor Brook Bridge meant trains could only travel between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade while repairs were carried embankment has also been strengthened with concrete blocks and the track will be re-laid before load testing is carried out to ensure its Flying Scotsman would then be the first train to travel along the re-laid track on 25 July, making trips up and down the entire railway is due to hold a Swinging Sixties weekend on 26 and 27 July and people who miss out on Flying Scotsman tickets have been urged to attend the event to see the train from the platform. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-potomac-eagle-scenic-railroad-POTOMACEAGLE0425-2f024dc331d246db9c7f6d8a32a7580c.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
02-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Scenic Train Has Dramatic River Canyon Sights—and an Open-air Car for Cinematic Views
For more than three decades, the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad has operated as a piece of living history, preserving railway scenes of the past and offering passengers the chance to step back in time—trading interstates and inboxes for the unhurried rhythm of steel wheels on track. The train departs from the town of Romney, West Virginia, population just over 1,800, and rolls into what locals call the 'Trough," a remote, roadless stretch of river canyon best accessed by rail. From the open-air car of the train, the view is cinematic: the Potomac River moves slow and constant while a steady scroll of century-old farms and rusting barns come in and out of view. If you're lucky, you might even spot a bald eagle tracing lazy circles above the water. There are many ways to experience this heritage railway, the most popular being the aforementioned Trough Trip. It's a three-hour journey through the Trough to the Sycamore Bridge and back. On one Friday a month between May and September there is also a Sunset Trough Trip, which operates on the same route but departs at 5 p.m. to catch the summer sunset. For a longer ride, hop on the All Day Petersburg, which runs from Romney to Petersburg, West Virginia, over the course of nine hours. This extended trip is only available from May to October on the last Saturday of the month. Upon arrival in Petersburg, riders have time to enjoy the shops, restaurants, and depot before hopping back on the train for the return journey to Romney. The train also runs in the opposite direction, northbound to Green Spring on a short, 1.5-hour journey that showcases the state's beautiful farmland and rock cuts. There are several classes of service on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, starting with Standard Coach. From there, the rate increases based on what tier of dining you want to add to your trip: standard, premium, or superior. Standard Coach tickets include access to concessions, while the Standard Dining includes a boxed lunch. The Premium Dining fare includes a seat in the railway's vintage 1947 passenger cars (which are climate controlled) and a three-course meal. Meanwhile, the highest tier, Superior Dining, includes a four-course meal served on Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad china in a beautifully restored lounge that is climate controlled. The Trough Canyon and Sunset Trough Trip start at $74, while the All Day Petersburg trip starts at $114 and the Green Spring Special at $49. Reservations can be made at
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Nene Valley Railway to replace steam with diesel over hot weekend
A heritage railway has replaced its steam services for diesel for a second Nene Valley Railway (NVR) in Peterborough made the switch because of the hot weather and an increased risk of said sparks from its steam locomotives, either from the chimney or ashpan, could easily ignite dry grass and vegetation, especially when carried on the have also been made to protect crews as the temperature of the firebox of a steam locomotive can rise to more than 400C (752F). With the weather set to reach temperatures up to 30C, a NVR spokesperson said reducing its steam operations "helps us ensure safe working conditions for our teams".They added: "Due to the ongoing extremely hot and dry weather, our lineside fields and embankments are at an elevated risk of fire. "To help manage this risk, we're temporarily replacing some steam-hauled services with our heritage diesel locomotives. "These diesels pose no fire risk to the lineside, allowing us to continue safe and enjoyable operations."NVR said the Thomas Branch Line would still run at the weekend as it uses a smaller steam locomotive over a shorter section of line between Wansford and Yarwell, via Wansford Tunnel."The tunnel provides a cooler environment for our crews and reduces fire risk, making it ideal for operation in hot weather," the spokesperson added. "Additionally, due to Thomas's size and lighter workload, the physical demands on the crew—especially the fireman—are significantly lower."NVR is one of the UK's leading charity heritage railways. Last year it launched an urgent appeal to raise £300,000 to keep it running in the face of financial challenges, and has since raised £120,000. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Flying Scotsman to haul carriages at Severn Valley Railway's full reopening
A heritage railway line will fully reopen, after an embankment collapse, in late July, with the Flying Scotsman steam train heading up the first between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade on the Severn Valley Railway gave way at the Mor Brook bridge on 30 January and trains have only been running between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Hampton Loade, 16-mile route between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth in Shropshire will fully reopen on 25 Scotsman will also run on 26 and 27 July as part of the SVR's Swingin' Sixties event, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the line in preservation. The Flying Scotsman steam train first entered service in broke records by hauling the first non-stop London to Edinburgh service in 1928 and became the UK's first locomotive to officially reach a speed of 100mph six years later. When 60103 Flying Scotsman last visited the SVR in 2016, it proved a sell-out success, the heritage attraction for its return must be pre-booked from managing director Jonathan 'Gus' Dunster said getting the historic engine was a coup."Opportunities to travel behind this iconic loco on a heritage line are rare." Director of the National Railway Museum Craig Bentley said: "We are delighted to be able to make this visit from the world's most famous steam locomotive possible, and to help Severn Valley Railway mark an important moment in its recovery."Work was now well under way to repair the "serious embankment collapse", the SVR heritage line has previously said more than 2,500 tonnes of material had been excavated and a temporary culvert installed to allow full access for are six stations along the route, as well as the Engine House Visitor Centre at Swingin' Sixties event will also include live music at Kidderminster and Highley and displays of classic vehicles at Kidderminster, Highley and Bridgnorth. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
