Eardington’s hidden gem - lighting the way for heritage rail on the Severn Valley Railway

Eardington Halt is undoubtedly the quietest of the SVR’s stations, located in Shropshire between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade. Quiet, because our heritage steam and diesel trains very rarely stop here. But it’s certainly not forgotten. A dedicated group of volunteers look after Eardington Halt, keeping the buildings and garden in good order. It’s here that Phil Harris has dedicated himself to restoring a wide range of paraffin lamps and lanterns, that chart the history of railway lighting all the way back to the Victorian era. There’s not much Phil doesn’t know about these practical and essential parts of running a heritage railway, and he’s happy to share that knowledge with you now.
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[@scemeengineer]

What a brilliant film. I’ve been very fortunate to have known Phil for many years and I’ve never met anyone who has such an in-depth and wide knowledge of engineering. He also has an incredibly engaging way of presenting technical issues in a relaxed and interesting style. Phil really should have a career on TV presenting on engineering.

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

Thank you for your kind comment and we're glad you enjoyed the video! :) Phil is a wonderful part of the SVR Family and his knowledge on heritage lamps is second to none

[@dereham1]

Fascinating to see and to get some idea of the care and work that is involved - I also have to say, what a lovely chap!

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

Phil is a wonderful gent - great to have him as part of the SVR Family.

[@philipbradshaw4050]

Love this place. Visit the other SVR stations regularly but during busy galas always chill out at this place and let the trains come to me, charging up and down the bank. Ditch the camera and just watch.

[@ianjones4116]

Thank you. You just told me, I have a GWR Fog light, with the yellow band and coloured internal piece. My Dad was a driver at Shrewsbury, 44yrs service. He gave it to me in his last yrs, along with his keys (Master included) and a Bardic. Maybe one day I will be able to pass it to you guys. But I cant right now. (Sorry) Really impressed with SVR . Good luck in 2021. 👍😎🐢

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

Thank you for your kind words, Ian.

[@donaldwightman6947]

Great to see Eardington's Phil the lampman imparting his extensive knowledge to the general public.

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

Phil is our hidden gem, bring a literal spark back to vintage lamps!

[@stephenrice4554]

Great video , I worked on the p way from the mid eighties to the late nineties and our light was predominantly provided by the Tilley lamp . Great tool 👍🇬🇧

[@SammyBFilms]

Wonderful man! Met him several times at Erdington. A vital and often forgotten cog in the mechanics of railways. :-) People see lamps pretty much all the time when at the railway, and are often not noticed, where they get maintained, ect. I do hope people will be able to visit here from the train one day. :-)

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

Glad you enjoyed the video, Sammy. There's a lot of hidden gems on the Railway and we'll be able to share them all with you on KZbin. Don't forget to subscribe to be the first to see our videos.

[@johnr999]

Great to see what Phil gets up to when he is not busy fixing radios at the Black Country Museum or mending clocks at the Transition Bewdley Repair Cafe!

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

Safe to say, Phil is a very busy man!

[@johnjephcote7636]

I remember, when the LNW main line out of Euston was electrified in the 1960s, the (oil) lamp room was still going strong at (the new) Euston. Trains wizzing through Watford Jct had their oil tail lamps flckering like mad with the rear end turbulence to which they were never designed.

[@JohnStokes-c1o]

Very interesting, an often overlooked subject lamps. Great to see it getting some coverage. What a real skill Phil has.

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

He's an expert. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@85dstudios]

I remember going here during the 2019 autumn steam gala and seeing someone’s live steam model in the shed!

[@williamsatchwell237]

Same

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

That was a great gala!

[@fionamichaelpaterson4411]

Nice one Phil and Steve. It was a pleasure to meet you all and help out at the autumn gala. We will be happy to help you again pulling weeds.

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

Glad you enjoyed the video! :)

[@williamtacey1783]

When during Covid running again soon.

[@sweetymama2809]

What an interesting film, thankyou😃

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

So glad you enjoyed it. Which was your favourite lamp?

[@sweetymama2809]

@@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial The loco lamps. They are beautiful. And clever with the simple flick to change them between white light and red.

[@steamonscreen7848]

Fascinating video

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@782sirbrian]

Lovely insight into oil lamps. Anyone interested should take a look at 'The Luminary Shop' here on youtube. Rick restores lamps from the oil and candle powered era.

[@boblovell5789]

Appears to be some clearance opposite station building .Believe the turntable was positioned here pending future movement to Bridgenorth.

[@johnjephcote7636]

What about the old goose-neck flares that the P-Way men employed?

[@metalman4141]

How do I drive to this Halt from Kidderminster, anyone know please.

[@bennickss]

Why not reopen it as a small halt, like CPH or Northwood for the people of Eardington?

[@aljohnstone3523]

Why are the videos dark?

[@williamsatchwell237]

My dad knows steav he played the peanow at my mum and dads wedding

[@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial]

Great story!