Santa Special! Arley and Bewdley on the Severn Valley Railway

[@faithg9766]

That was steam to the max. I really enjoyed the footage of the train approaching near the start of the video, filmed across frosty fields. I hope you have defrosted.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Faith. Yes, there was certainly a lot of steam - the cold enhanced the effect, I think. I didn't mind the cold as I was enjoying what I was filming. I never got chance to warm up, as I was filming the evening activities in Bewdley - think it went down to -5 deg C. I am warmer now! Take care, Paul

[@royedwards8713]

Hi Paul nice video ,ive been that way a lot over the year 👌

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Roy! The Severn Valley is such a gorgeous location - the frost enhanced it I think on this occasion. Blimey, it was cold though! Just want the rain to stop for a bit so I can get out and film again! Hope you are having a great week! Cheers, Paul

[@abandonedrailwaya2470]

A wonderfully festive video, Paul. Beautifully filmed. Thank you for sharing. Stay dry! Ron

[@westcountrywanderings]

Cheers Ron! Glad you enjoyed it. Trying to stay dry! There may be a dry day tomorrow. Take care, Paul

[@michaelpilling9659]

Hello Paul - greetings from a very cold and snowy Poland What a wonderful video. The opening scenes were gorgeous. Beautifully filmed with superb music to accompany it. You made an old stean engine fan very happy indeed. Two fabulous locos - Earlscote Manor whom you showed her history but the Riddles 4MT, you didn't. She was built in Swindon in 1955 and was allocated to the Southern Region, entering traffic at Dover. She was withdrawn from service at Eastleigh in 1966. The rolling stock was great. A mixture of LNER, LMS and GWR carriages. The star for me was the Red Rose train board. Entered service in 1951, running from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street. The train stopped running in 1966. The carriages are now run as a Dinning Train

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Michael! Glad you enjoyed my Railway Series Christmas Special. Yes, both locos were superbly turned out. I will return to the Severn Valley Railway next spring and bring more details about the locos and the history of the line. For this one though, I was just trying to do a Christmassy feel good sort of video. Thank you so much about the background about the BR Western Region built loco - some of that I did know, but I knew nothing at all about Red Rose. I had not heard of that before. Thanks for the additional information about both of them - much appreciated! It was a real joy to film this. Take care, Paul

[@JimNicholls]

Good one, Paul!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Jim! Cheers, Paul

[@shaunspencer6437]

Lovely. There was some scenes there i half expected to see Jenny Agutter to be stepping out from the steam clouds or even Bernard Cribbins walking along the platform. It had that sort of atmosphere to it 😂

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Shaun! Glad you enjoyed it. It was as magical to film as it was to see. It was like being on a film set, as you say! Rare to get things that come together so well. Take care, Paul

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Hello Paul and thank you for that winter wonderland video. Superb piece of film, taking full advantage of the weather. There's always something special about steam on a frosty day. The way it just hangs there, added to the sound of the engine exhaust as it entered the cutting. Full marks for that one and a very merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Lionel & Mary. Glad you both enjoyed it. It is a stunning location, enhanced by the frost, I feel. Merry Christmas to you both too. Take care, Paul

[@DarylW426]

Well that was certainly Christmassy and beautiful. Your videography was spot on. I am so impressed with the spotless condition of the locomotive, beautiful. Looking forward to part 2. Thank you Paul.👍

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Daryl! Glad you enjoyed it. I really enjoyed filming here. It was such a pleasure to be in this stunning location with the frost and the steam. Take care, Paul

[@dianarolph1770]

The whole video was wonderful but those first few minutes setting the scene were truly quite extraordinary- just magical in the filming & the choice of background music was perfect. I think the winter wonderland weather helped of course but you just captured the atmosphere! If I were the SVR I would be knocking at your door for use of the video!! Thanks for your Christmas wishes Paul and if I don’t get the opportunity in the next few days ‘Happy Christmas ‘ to you and your family and thank you for all the pleasure you have given us this year.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Diana! Glad you enjoyed it. It was a pleasure to film at this location - just perfect conditions. I didn't mind the cold because of what I was seeing and filming. I hope to do some more Christmas specials before the big day - all depends on the weather though! Merry Christmas to you too Diana, and thank you for supporting my channel throughout 2023. Take care, Paul

[@michaelmiller641]

Wow! That was a very welcome video , Paul, very interesting! And a happy Christmas and new year to you, although i think you said there's another video on the way soon!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Michael! Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, more Christmas videos to come - just how many depends on the weather drying up a bit! I have got the Bewdley Christmas lights evening coming up soon though. Cheers, Paul

[@SouthWestSundays]

That was such an enjoyable video to watch! The steam and the festive frosty scenery..just beautiful! Fantastic music too throughout the video, especially the last piece. Fabulous filming too!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thanks so much Louise! Glad you enjoyed it. Despite the cold, I thoroughly enjoyed filming here - possibly the most beautiful section of the River Severn, and enhanced by the frost. Merry Christmas and thanks so much for watching 👍😊 Take care, Paul

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Delightful, frosty images of river and railway. Thank you! Have they preserved those wonderful adjustable heating controls in the corridor carriages? I assume so, with all that steam! Those engines look immaculate! Looking forward to your tour of Bewdley!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Malcolm! Glad you enjoyed it. I didn't go on the train this time, but I would imagine so, yes. The engines were simply stunning - I couldn't believe that I was the only one there filming and photographing them. Take care, Paul

[@cathydyer3774]

As Diana said, magical filming Paul. You even got the ducks to waddle behind you at the beginning and you found a robin. So atmospheric, great music and more steam than ever before. Thank you 😊🎄❄ 🚂🚃🚃🚃 ❄

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Cathy! It was a real pleasure filming here. Thanks so much for your kind words and glad you enjoyed it. Take care, Paul

[@davidberlanny3308]

Mornin' Paul, Great video, a photographers dreamland, you caught some great photos and clips, really enjoyed the ones in the cutting Great intro, the Ducks stole your thunder a little 😂, lovely to see them amble down the lane. The Manor looked very open to take the tender first section they must have frozen on one side and roasted on the other, the Black five looks better protected. We have a Christmas railway trip and panto tomorrow, well its not quite a panto but we are going by the HST to Madrid and later to the theatre, i dont think we will see any steam though!! Thanks very much for braving the cold to make this one, I hope you got something warm to drink in town later. Look forward to seeing that in due course. All the best!!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Good morning David! Yes, it was a tad chilly! I was a bit hesitant driving down the steep lane off the main Kidderminster road because of the ice - then, I saw a huge bus coming up the hill! So, I thought, if the bus can get through.... Glad I ventured there - it was a hugely enjoyable day all round. Yes, I didn't notice the ducks at all until I did the edit!! Both engines were in superb condition - must be a real effort to keep them like that in this weather. Hope you have a great trip later. That cutting reminds me of The Signalman by Charles Dickens, which, I think, the BBC did film somewhere on the SVR many moons ago. Great to hear from you 👍🙂 Take care, Paul

[@davidberlanny3308]

@@westcountrywanderings Funny you should mention Charles Dickens, I've just been speaking to my Mum and I've had to break to her the bad news that Marley was dead ,as dead as a door-nail!! At least that is how A Christmas Carol starts anyway. Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth in 1812, six years after IKB. They lived about one mile away from each other!!

[@westcountrywanderings]

@davidberlanny3308 oh, wow! I didn't know that (about Dickens and I KB) but I had heard that Marley had been unwell! Hope you have a great time at the panto tomorrow. Cheers, Paul.

[@suzanne11-11]

Thank you Paul. This was really magnificent filming. I've enjoyed every moment of it from start to finish. The mist and frost gave it a touch of magic as well. I love the ending with the beautiful background music. The entire video is pure perfection. Now it's time for lights out and dreams of a Christmas train journey. Take good care..... Suzie

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Suzie! I was very fortunate to have had those frosty conditions when I was filming. It truly was magical, and I couldn't believe that there was no one else there! It was a joy to make. I still need to edit the footage that I shot in the evening in Bewdley. Thanks so much! Paul

[@suzanne11-11]

@@westcountrywanderings You're welcome Paul. Wishing you a very pleasant rest of the afternoon and evening.

[@tristanstrains]

Excellent steam filled video

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you! 🚂