A major fundraising appeal to help meet the cost of repairs to the Severn Valley Railway where track was washed away by floods has now topped £325,000.

Railway bosses hope to start work on repairs at the Oldbury viaduct just south of Bridgnorth early next month.

The service on the 16-mile track is only operating between Kidderminster and Bewdley at the moment.

But rail chiefs are determined that important events on the railway’s calendar will not be lost. Four engines from other railways across the country are set to thrill enthusiasts during the annual autumn steam gala from Friday, September 21 to 23.

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A major fundraising appeal to help meet the cost of repairs to the Severn Valley Railway where track was washed away by floods has now topped £325,000.

Railway bosses hope to start work on repairs at the Oldbury viaduct just south of Bridgnorth early next month.

The service on the 16-mile track is only operating between Kidderminster and Bewdley at the moment.

But rail chiefs are determined that important events on the railway’s calendar will not be lost. Four engines from other railways across the country are set to thrill enthusiasts during the annual autumn steam gala from Friday, September 21 to 23.

Traffic manager Dewi Jones said: “We hope repairs to the Oldbury viaduct will start in early September.

“The current estimate to reopen the Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade section is thought to be the end of October at the earliest. We are still planning to run the Autumn Steam Gala and there will be an intensive service between Kidderminster and Bewdley.

“We are also hoping to have engines in operation in and around Bridgnorth Station and to have the engine sheds open on the Saturday and Sunday for displays and guided tours.”

Bosses at the beleaguered attraction were left facing a £2 million repair bill following last month’s devastating floods. The torrential downpours caused ground to move in 54 separate locations along the track. Although most problems are within the scope of maintenance and volunteer teams, officials have had to bring in heavy plant and equipment to deal with more serious damage in nine sections of the track between Bewdley and Bridgnorth.

Marketing manager John Leach praised the generosity of people who had given donations so far.

He said: “The reaction to the appeal by the public has been fantastic.”