Introduction
Over the last 20 years the majority of the diesel fleet on the Severn
Valley Railway has been maintained out in the open, in the yard at Kidderminster. Obviously this is less than ideal for several reasons, not
least of which is the deterioration that being always exposed to the elements can bring and the restricted hours of daylight available during
the winter months.
The fleet of diesel locomotives support the day to day operation of the railway by performing many essential functions, supporting the permanent way teams, shunting stock and assisting or deputising for steam engines often at relatively short notice.
A consortium of the locomotive owning groups and the Severn Valley Railway is embarking on a project to construct a depot building at Kidderminster. This will be used for the maintenance of the whole locomotive fleet on the railway and help keep these historic machines in operating condition for the future. Although designed as a diesel maintenance facility, it will be available to any vehicle based on the railway that can make use of the equipment it will house.
This website will chart the progress of the project and provide updates to all those who are interested in the development. Many of the issues associated with working in the open air are to be addressed by the new facility. It will have:
- Reinforced floors for a set of locomotive jacks to be used, allowing the easy repair of some bogie faults;
- Pits to allow under-frame inspections, brake block changes and repairs to be undertaken in an optimal environment;
- Natural and electric light to allow safe working to continue into the evenings during the winter months;
- Concrete floors so that trestles and other access equipment can be used in safety to gain access to those hard-to-reach areas.
The following groups are involved in the diesel shed project: The Severn Valley Railway Association, The Diesel Traction Group, The Fifty Fund, The Ruston 906 Group, The Western Locomotive Association, The Class 08 Society, The SVR DMU Group, 12099 and Somerset Traction Ltd (D8188). Please support this exciting project by purchasing items from our fundraising shop or by making a donation. Thank you.
Copyright © 2010 Severn Valley Railway (Kidderminster)