Severn Valley Railway Riding the Rails

Severn Valley Railway, a series of films covering the railway from top to bottom and everything in between. This film, we finally get to ride the rails from top to bottom.
Home to the adventurous subscriber. As well as films we have a bi-weekly Vlog to keep up to date on the previous and next week’s videos, and a chance for all to air their views on a variety of subjects, why not join in.
My passion has been walking, a while ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and walking does not come naturally any more, however the more I walk the easier it gets, for now anyway. I hope these videos will inspire others to keep going and hanging on in there. I try to cover variety of subjects, such as old abandoned railways, and canals. I love the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, with its rich history and I usually take my camera whenever we holiday in the southwest and Cornwall. The rugged coastal paths are a magnet for anyone who loves dramatic scenery. I live close to the Cotswolds Hills and have done quite a lot of walking around there, recently, following some of the lovely rivers. Hill walking on the Malvern’s is a challenge but worth the effort. I try not to let Parkinson’s get me down and take every opportunity to get out with my camera and film, I hope you enjoy watching. P.W.

[@mauricemannion1311]

An absolute gem of a heritage railway..! Heritage railways have had some very lean times post covid.. So I hope the SVR and the many other large heritage railways manage to keep their heads above water, they would really be such a sad loss for future generations, when a thing is gone it's gone..! Really nice video Ron, I felt like I was actually there with you.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Maurice. The SVR were trying to raise 1.5 million a short while back to stay in business. They are still going as we speak. Take care. Ron

[@ianmcquade7397]

This series of film's on the severn valley as been a joy to watch

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Ian, you are very kind. Ron

[@757trev]

Good morning Ron et al and thank you for today's lovely return trip along the SVR. One of the many impressive features of this line is the superb collection of rolling stock that they have. The views of the carriage sidings as you left Kidderminster was a joy to behold both for the impressive line up of vehicles and for the lack of old derelict coaches that are a common feature of heritage railways - although I suspect they have a few of them but tucked away as far out of site as possible. On the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway where I volunteer we have a very sad collection of really interesting rolling stock most of which will almost certainly never see restoration. However we do also have a lovely collection of restored rolling stock which we use on running days and special evening events. We also have a nice collection of freight vehicles which come out when we run a demonstration goods train. One of the most sought after is our observation car marshalled at the end of the train. It gives great views back along the line in one direction and the rear end of the locomotive on the return. Have great week Ron and best wishes to you and everyone else as always. Regards, Trev.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Trev, thanks for posting. Ae you in training for your Scottish highland fling? Ron

[@757trev]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Yes Ron, I've polished my bagpipes and ironed my kilt. Look out Scotland!!

[@petepaine5331]

Morning Ron. Thanks for filming your epic journey. Another reason why I must take a visit soon . I do love a Pannier tank too so even better as they instantly say GWR. London transport ran a fleet of panniers for works trains which still ran into the 1970s. Stay safe . Pete

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Pete, they say we grow too look like our pets, but your avatar looks a bit closer than usual! Keep smiling. Ron

[@ngaugeonashelf4417]

Good Morning Ron, that looked like a very posh carraige. One hopes the champagne was suitably chilled and the service spot on. Lovely camera shots. You must of been holding on tight, I would be afraid of losing my gear! Cheers Simon

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I lost my gear a long time ago Simon. -- Oh I see what you mean. Ron

[@ngaugeonashelf4417]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Seeing your camera fall into the river might of been funny but it's not really. I can imagine the insurance claim...."I was hanging out the window of a train......"

[@michaelmiller641]

Yes, I did enjoy that Ron! I must go back to that railway soon! Thanks for that video!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

You are welcome Michael, thanks for watching. Ron

[@michaelpilling9659]

Hello Ron - greetings from Praski Hospital in Warsaw. Looks like a lovely outside but inside its still very painful. Had my enormous prostrate removed last Monday. Friday would not be Friday without my weekly dose of Parkinsons Walks. A wonderful video, looking at the SVR from the train instead of from the stations. Up with a diesel and back behind a pannier tank. What a powerful little engine pulling that rake of carriages. How she bounced on the rails.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Michael, hope you are not too uncomfortable, and they are taking good care of you. Get well soon, Ron and the rest of the Parkinson's family

[@Steve-gy3bx]

Great vid Ron, thanks for sharing

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

No problems Steve. Ron

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Wonderful - captures the SVR atmosphere perfectly. What a great line. It's some considerable time since my last trip - time for a return, methinks. Thank you.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

End of school holidays soon Malcolm, ideal time to go. Take care. Ron

[@marilynbalderstone696]

Good afternoon Ron. Just watching for the second time and you are sitting in one of my favourite carriages. Those wonderful teak coaches with all the lovely chrome fittings must take some upkeep. Thank goodness they were saved and are being used regularly to show future generations just what travel was like on the railway. I wouldn’t mind sitting on one of those from London to Edinburgh. More than I can say for Cross Country voyagers. (Sorry I’m always knocking them). Fantastic sounds as you left the little Park halt on the way back. It was almost as good as being on it. I might try and get to the Great Central this week while the summer timetable is still on depending on how early the older sister can get up. It’s just over 2 hours on the train plus a taxi to get there from here via Stoke-on-Trent and Derby so a bit of a marathon for me and my stick plus coffee cup. Will have to see what the weather is like too??? Well bye for now and wonder where you are going next. Another mine, bomb store or railway? Kind regards. Marilyn

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Marilyn, I really look forward to your input each week. With my reducing mobility it's good to know one of us can still get out there. Sounds like you have life by the scruff of the neck and showing it who is boss. Having said that it is not always a nice world out there. Please take care and don't over do it. Railways next week, and more railways the week after. Ron

[@JimNicholls]

"Do not lean out of the window," says the sign. "Stuff that", says Ron, "I've got to get my video". We used to lean out the windows often on the steam trains I went to school on 70 years ago, but always with the risk of getting a faceful of smoke and ash. I hope you managed to avoid that.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Jim, it depended on where you were on the train, near the front or rear OK, but in the middle a lot of grit in the air. Beats me. Ron

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Good morning Ron. That's the way to travel. The SVR is just too far away for me to enjoy the beautiful scenery, not to mention the well kept stations. The sounds, smells and being able to open the windows are the things I miss on a rail journey. I assume the first part of your journey was behind a diesel, but that doesn't really detract from the pleasure of sitting in an older coach with an open window. Congratulations on a beautifully created video. I felt I was on board with you.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

It was a pleasure to have you along with me, as always Lionel. Take care. Ron

[@westcountrywanderings]

Ah, back on The Severn Valley Railway! Is it the SVR or the GWSR that's my favourite? It's a tough choice! Some great shots out of the train window there Ron. It is a beautiful line - really enjoyed your detailed look at the SVR over the past few videos - brilliant work! I particularly like the bit going past the West Midlands Safari Park after the tunnel and the run into Bewdley Station - you can get some great shots of trains from Burlish Top looking down onto the SVR. Excellent work! Have a great week. Take care, Paul

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Paul, trying to live up to your standard!! Ron

[@rodneymasters5996]

Good morning Ron. Stunning camerawork as always. Portillo will be keen to sign you up for his next series.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I turned him down Rodney! Ron

[@charlespaterson9714]

Quite the extensive journey!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Charles, we are feeling the effects of the hurricane that swept across America a little while ago. - Thanks for that!! Ron

[@orkneyancestor2059]

Remember last using Bridgenorth station in March 1956 after doing some winter square bashing near there for 8 weeks. Thank you for the scenic video.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I love to think this stirred up some happy memories. Take care. Ron

[@garthcox4307]

That carriage you were in looks like one of the prototype mark 2s, maybe an original xp64 coach. In which case it's pretty much unique. I think those seats recline. Nice bit of western haulage too

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I wish I had known that at the time Garth, I would have had a closer look. Thanks for the info. Ron

[@tagbobtail]

Now many many years ago I seem to remember seeing some pretty exotic wildlife when riding on the Severn Valley, which I think may have been due to the line going past the West Midland Safari park. I didn’t notice any on your excursion so wasn’t sure whether the animals were still there or not. Apologies if you mentioned anything of course and tanks for providing some very useful information which we hope to put to good use in October.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi, yes the park is still there and the train slows up as it passes, I assume so the passengers can look for animals. Ron

[@jamesweekes6726]

You know Ron, I was going to ask if we could go on a rail trip but I didn't want to be forward. I'm happy that I didn't need to be! Did you lean out the window for some of the "footage" before or after you read that warning sign? You have to be careful...still, looks like fun, there are some beautiful views. "What's that?"...I've been asked if they allow "well-behaved" dogs on that train. I think it would be wonderful to own a house along that railway line. I just noticed that you spell it Bridgnorth and we stuck in an "e" here. My relatives in Devon are "Weeks" and on arrival here, my great grandparent put in the third "e" as well...very suspicious...was there an "e" tax in England back then? Have a good week Ron, and thank you. Meetings start at ten tomorrow, so I can have a bit of a lie-in.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi James, I leant the camera out of the window not my head, Pauline says I got my priorities wrong. Hi Sumac, you would have no problem, it is the owners that are tested. - Stand up - sit down - roll over, that sort of thing, plus they have to behave, so it could be touch and go there. I wanted an 'E' after my name but we couldn't afford it. Keep smiling through those meetings. Rone

[@jamesweekes6726]

@@ParkinsonsWalks I'm still laughing, and it's been a few minutes now...

[@barryc1968]

Hi Ron, My wife and I have been on holiday in Devon in our new caravan and alas we braved the M5 motorway so our journey was not as majestic as yours. Stop start stop if only the motorways were as well managed as the railways. You did not seem to be travelling first class which is only fitting for a man of your status but you are far too modest. Take care.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Barry - Ah caravan holidays, we loved ours, thanks for sending a reporting in. Ron

[@davidberlanny3308]

Afternoon Ron, Some great camera work there. You got some good clips through the windows when often you just get a reflection 👌👌 You've certainly made a great advertisment for the SVR, a perfect day for it too. Did you film this whole series in one day? The last stretch was really bouncy, you were practically on the footplate too, any closer and you would have been shovelling the coal. We're off on our travels tomorrow, I might be late next week. All the best. PS: I'm off to paint "Hello Ron" on the mountain climb for this Sunday's Vuelta, don't blink or you'll miss it!!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi David, no it was filmed over several visits. Be safe and enjoy your travels. Ron

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi David, I watched the Vuelta on Sunday. Most of the time the shots were tight to the riders, so hard to see the surroundings and they weren’t too good at announcing place names. Understandable I guess. What they showed of the scenery was very rugged with a lot of ankle twisting rocks off the sparse tracks, you need to be tough or a mountain goat to cope I would think. The towns they passed through were a nice mix of old and new. I can see why you want to live there. Take care. Ron

[@davidberlanny3308]

@@ParkinsonsWalks I think I would be included in the mountain goat group!!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@davidberlanny3308 You cant go just by looks David. -- Sorry couldn't resist. Ron

[@davidberlanny3308]

@@ParkinsonsWalks 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣