SVR fans banish the cash blues

The reborn Severn Valley Railway – reopened at Easter following severe storm damage – is beating the credit crunch reporting passenger levels well ahead of the seasonal average.

Railway bosses was concerned visitors might 'lose the habit' of visiting the 16-mile steam heritage line after the link between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth was severed for nine months.

SVR Marketing Manager John Leach today revealed that passengers have in fact given the SVR a tremendous welcome back, voting with their feet.

The seasonal visitor numbers have increased by around 10 per cent compared to last year before the floods which wreaked havoc on the line.

To cope with the increase in passengers, the railway will be putting on extra steam trains during the upcoming late spring Whitsun Bank Holiday week.

The service re-opened on Good Friday helped by garden expert Charlie Dimmock.