In pictures: Reliving the charm of Severn Valley’s smallest halt ahead of Branch Line Weekend
Severn Valley Railway’s smallest station is set to step briefly back into a bygone age as trains call at Eardington in record-breaking numbers during the Branch Line Weekend this Saturday and Sunday.
For most of the year, passenger trains drift through Eardington without pause, interrupted only by the occasional gala. But for one weekend, the quiet wayside halt will awaken once more. Steam whistles will echo across the fields, doors will slam, and passengers will gather as the award-winning Shropshire station resumes the role it once knew so well.
With 23 trains scheduled to call over the two days — more than at any other point in its history — Eardington will be transformed into a lively country station once again, offering a rare glimpse of rural railway life as it might have been remembered. Highlights include:
- Class 101 DMU
- Class 108 DMU
- GWR 1450
- GWR 7714
- GWR 7802 Bradley Manor (Saturday only)
- BR 75069 (Sunday only)
In this gallery, we journey back to 2018 to recall when volunteers at Eardington opened the premises for a special 150th anniversary celebration. Visitors could explore the station as it would have appeared in 1910, complete with signs, clocks, posters, furniture, and the unmistakable atmosphere of a historic railway. Joined by a selection of classic cars, guests watched historic trains pass through, receiving a friendly wave from the passing conductor.
Step back in time and enjoy the memories captured in these archival pictures.
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The Branch Line Weekend runs from Saturday, February 28, to Sunday, March 1. Visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of the railway, with tickets and more information available on the Severn Valley Railway website here.
Let us know in the comments what you’re most looking forward to seeing at this weekend’s event...
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