SVR's appeal for £300,000

Kidderminster's Severn Valley Railway today launched a £300,000 appeal towards a showcase for its priceless collection of locomotives after costs of creating a £4.5 million visitor centre soared.

An Engine House is being developed to house one of the largest display collections of mainline steam locomotives in the country and is also set to feature classrooms for children to learn about the age of steam.

But the rising price of materials and for access improvements at the station have seen the estimated costs of the project rise.

Now, officials have made an appeal to the 13,000 members, some of whom are also among the 9,000 shareholders, to help raise a further £300,000.

Mr John Leach, marketing manager for Severn Valley, said: "The cost of access and unforeseen improvement at the station were not in the original programme and costs such as for steel have gone up during the work programme.

"We have launched an appeal to our members and shareholders and will shortly be placing forms at our stations through which the public can help.

"Work began last year on The Engine House and we are now looking at August for an official opening.

"We always knew we would have to find money for the access element but during any project things change and costs have increased.

"Our members and shareholders have always responded marvellously to any appeal.

"The Engine House will be a wonderful asset and, with the loan of valuable stock from the National Museum at York, it will be a real tourist attraction."

It will deal with one of the railway's main problems of providing cover for its collection.

Several years ago a huge storage building was created at Kidderminster with the help of a £1.7 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

By Sue Smith